Has any one ever been to the Strictly Sail Pacific boat show in Oakland, CA? Or for that matter to any of the "Strictly Sail" shows? My fiance and I are planning on going for the first time this April and we'd kinda like to know what to expect - how many days to we need?
- Status
Strictly Sail Shows
You will not be disappointed! My wife and I went to our first one in Chicago last weekend. It was much more than we expected.If Oakland is anything like Chicago anticipate a large crowd,great vender displays, lots of boats to tour and free rum samples (of which we had to sample repeatedly to be sure we will correct in our analysis).Take your boat shoes or you will be walking around in your stocking feet. You will need more than one day if you want to see everything and take in a couple of seminars.If you have children (or know someone with children) pre register on the Strictly Sail website for the Family fun Pack.The only negative was the embarassment of having to answer the question of "Where do you Sail?" by answering "in the Mississippi River"----mud sailors.The cold and snow made it even more enjoyable--kind of an escape into promises of warmer weather.Enjoy your adventure!
You will not be disappointed! My wife and I went to our first one in Chicago last weekend. It was much more than we expected.If Oakland is anything like Chicago anticipate a large crowd,great vender displays, lots of boats to tour and free rum samples (of which we had to sample repeatedly to be sure we will correct in our analysis).Take your boat shoes or you will be walking around in your stocking feet. You will need more than one day if you want to see everything and take in a couple of seminars.If you have children (or know someone with children) pre register on the Strictly Sail website for the Family fun Pack.The only negative was the embarassment of having to answer the question of "Where do you Sail?" by answering "in the Mississippi River"----mud sailors.The cold and snow made it even more enjoyable--kind of an escape into promises of warmer weather.Enjoy your adventure!
The only downside will be parking
I've attended three of the Oakland Pacific Sailshows. The first there were vacant lots nearby that allowed good parking. As development occured, the parking has relocated to off site locations with shuttle buses. OR, your could arrive by train!!! Did that once and it was great! The train station is right across the street and the Capital Express is a regular occurence. The show will be both inside (under tents) and on the water. April can bring rain, so wear proper attire. Slip on boat shoes a must!!! Many boat will not allow you on board with any shoes, some with only boat shoes, some will provide you with booties to protect the sole and deck surfaces. If you are not staying for any of the seminars, you can cover it in one long day, the find your way to Tony Romas for Ribs and finish off your day with some fine finger food. If your interestedin staying longer, try a motel room in San Leandro at the marina and take a cab back and forth. Another thing to drop into, if you are into fixing your boat and have the time: West Marine has their "Clearance Outlet" in their Oakland store, just a few blocks from the Show. After you've decided what major changes you want to make on your boat, you go to West Marine Clearance and pick up the parts for as low as 10 cents on the dollar. My opinion only, your smilage may vary!
I've attended three of the Oakland Pacific Sailshows. The first there were vacant lots nearby that allowed good parking. As development occured, the parking has relocated to off site locations with shuttle buses. OR, your could arrive by train!!! Did that once and it was great! The train station is right across the street and the Capital Express is a regular occurence. The show will be both inside (under tents) and on the water. April can bring rain, so wear proper attire. Slip on boat shoes a must!!! Many boat will not allow you on board with any shoes, some with only boat shoes, some will provide you with booties to protect the sole and deck surfaces. If you are not staying for any of the seminars, you can cover it in one long day, the find your way to Tony Romas for Ribs and finish off your day with some fine finger food. If your interestedin staying longer, try a motel room in San Leandro at the marina and take a cab back and forth. Another thing to drop into, if you are into fixing your boat and have the time: West Marine has their "Clearance Outlet" in their Oakland store, just a few blocks from the Show. After you've decided what major changes you want to make on your boat, you go to West Marine Clearance and pick up the parts for as low as 10 cents on the dollar. My opinion only, your smilage may vary!
boats, boat stuff and boat people
A great way to spend a day or two. I've gone to Oakland several times over the years and always enjoyed it. If you are shopping for specific gear, spend some time and work the booths. Some really good buys, and some not so good. In past years I got good buys on pdfs, lazyjacks and a dinghy. No limits on what you could spend. Even if not shopping for a new boat, it is fun to see what the new models offer, and every major sailboat maker will be there. And they always bring in some great world cruisers, or very special boats. If you're flying in from Texas you may want to stay in the city: more xpensive but a great place to visit, and a short BART ride to Jack London Square from downtown SF. But Oakland has a lot to offer too. Also be sure to check out the seminars, and then have a beer and listen to the Buffett imitators... You'll enjoy it.
A great way to spend a day or two. I've gone to Oakland several times over the years and always enjoyed it. If you are shopping for specific gear, spend some time and work the booths. Some really good buys, and some not so good. In past years I got good buys on pdfs, lazyjacks and a dinghy. No limits on what you could spend. Even if not shopping for a new boat, it is fun to see what the new models offer, and every major sailboat maker will be there. And they always bring in some great world cruisers, or very special boats. If you're flying in from Texas you may want to stay in the city: more xpensive but a great place to visit, and a short BART ride to Jack London Square from downtown SF. But Oakland has a lot to offer too. Also be sure to check out the seminars, and then have a beer and listen to the Buffett imitators... You'll enjoy it.
It's been...
6 years or so, but my wife and I stayed in a fairly inexpensive hotel right there on Jack London Square and were able to walk over to the show and everywhere else we wanted to go. There was a great little Blues club on one corner and a Jazz club down a few blocks. The show itself was great, we spent most of Sat. and Sun. there and saw everything we wanted to see.
6 years or so, but my wife and I stayed in a fairly inexpensive hotel right there on Jack London Square and were able to walk over to the show and everywhere else we wanted to go. There was a great little Blues club on one corner and a Jazz club down a few blocks. The show itself was great, we spent most of Sat. and Sun. there and saw everything we wanted to see.
Agree
I agree with the above comments. We have been to all of the shows in Oakland and they are great. Certainly wear boat shoes, but also consider sandals that you can easily take off and carry. I often just go barefoot and carry my sandals/shoes since that is easiest if weather permits. For hotels, condsider the Marina Village Inn or the Extended StayAmerica, both in Alameda on the Oakland/Alameda Estuary. Both have rooms on the estuary looking at the boats. Additionally, from either hotel you can easily catch AC Transit bus #19 and it will drop you only a few blocks from the show. It runs through on the hour and half hour. Parking is awful so public transit is best. For side trips, in addition to the West Marine Bargain Shop (which is well worth it) plan to go to Quinns Lighthouse for lunch or dinner. Go up to their second floor, where you get baskets of peanuts that you shell and throw the shells on the floor. Great beers and food, and on Thursday nights (8:00 pm) they have a live band (so to speak) of several guys who sing old sea shanties. Tons of fun - but get there plenty early for a seat. It is not far from the West Marine store. There are many of us who live right around here so if you have questions about the area just ask and I'm sure you'll get lots of feedback. Rob
I agree with the above comments. We have been to all of the shows in Oakland and they are great. Certainly wear boat shoes, but also consider sandals that you can easily take off and carry. I often just go barefoot and carry my sandals/shoes since that is easiest if weather permits. For hotels, condsider the Marina Village Inn or the Extended StayAmerica, both in Alameda on the Oakland/Alameda Estuary. Both have rooms on the estuary looking at the boats. Additionally, from either hotel you can easily catch AC Transit bus #19 and it will drop you only a few blocks from the show. It runs through on the hour and half hour. Parking is awful so public transit is best. For side trips, in addition to the West Marine Bargain Shop (which is well worth it) plan to go to Quinns Lighthouse for lunch or dinner. Go up to their second floor, where you get baskets of peanuts that you shell and throw the shells on the floor. Great beers and food, and on Thursday nights (8:00 pm) they have a live band (so to speak) of several guys who sing old sea shanties. Tons of fun - but get there plenty early for a seat. It is not far from the West Marine store. There are many of us who live right around here so if you have questions about the area just ask and I'm sure you'll get lots of feedback. Rob
P.S...
The jazz club mentioned by Honeyman is called Yoshi's and it is very well known in the area. The shows are great with some big name performers and all of the seats are good. Tickets can be hard to get so if interested book well in advance on the internet. There is also a BBQ place that has great food and live blues and jazz. By the way, the boat show is best during the week since it is much less crowded and you can really look at boats/equipment and talk to exhibitors. The weekend can get very busy and crowded - but it is still well worth it. You can do the whole show in one day, although if you want to attend several of the seminars that will probably extend your visit.
The jazz club mentioned by Honeyman is called Yoshi's and it is very well known in the area. The shows are great with some big name performers and all of the seats are good. Tickets can be hard to get so if interested book well in advance on the internet. There is also a BBQ place that has great food and live blues and jazz. By the way, the boat show is best during the week since it is much less crowded and you can really look at boats/equipment and talk to exhibitors. The weekend can get very busy and crowded - but it is still well worth it. You can do the whole show in one day, although if you want to attend several of the seminars that will probably extend your visit.
great tips!
Thanks guys! I'm defiantely printing this off and adding it to the "lets take this trip" report I'm giving to Tim! I am looking at some hotels in San Francisco - right across the bay, right across the bridge for pretty cheap. I'm kinda worried what that might do to my health, i.e. is it a bad area? Am I going to get killed? I grew up in Houston, TX, so I'm not that scared of cities and such, but definately don't want to stay somewhere where the rental car is going to get stolen. Definately going to be looking into San Leandro. Thanks again!
Thanks guys! I'm defiantely printing this off and adding it to the "lets take this trip" report I'm giving to Tim! I am looking at some hotels in San Francisco - right across the bay, right across the bridge for pretty cheap. I'm kinda worried what that might do to my health, i.e. is it a bad area? Am I going to get killed? I grew up in Houston, TX, so I'm not that scared of cities and such, but definately don't want to stay somewhere where the rental car is going to get stolen. Definately going to be looking into San Leandro. Thanks again!
SF
If you stay in SF plan to ride the BART transit system to the 12 St. Station in Oakland and from there you can easily and safely walk to the show. Rob
If you stay in SF plan to ride the BART transit system to the 12 St. Station in Oakland and from there you can easily and safely walk to the show. Rob
- Status