PICYA Opening Day Parade
For 100 years, the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA) has officially kicked off the official yachting season in San Francisco with its one-of-a-kind parade and festival to celebrate all things nautical. Popular among both boat enthusiasts and people who just want to get out, enjoy the sun, and relax by the bay, the Opening Day on the Bay is a time to shake off the cobwebs that San Francisco’s grey winters see crawling over our lives.
What can you expect from a day spent watching boats (other than a chance to see some exquisite water crafts of all sizes)? For one thing, you can anticipate a lot more than just a few boats. The Opening Day on the Bay attracts scores of boats (almost 100, to be more precise) that belong in such diverse categories as:
- Historic Workboats
- Tow Boats
- Fireboats
- Classic Yachts
- Contemporary Yachts
- Power Boats
- Sailboats
Even more exciting, these boats will be decked out to fit this year’s parade theme: Cruising the Century. It is guaranteed to be an eye-popping adventure, with the beautiful San Francisco skyline as the backdrop.
If you want to participate more directly in the parade, PICYA has a number of different options that will grant you an even more memorable experience. Firstly, you can participate with your own boat! Anyone is welcome to bring their own boat, decorate it, and participate in all the water festivities. No boat? No problem! Come aboard the Hornblower and join the officers and crew for an unbeatable view of the parade. Guests on the Hornblower will enjoy a sit-down lunch as well as a view of the parade unblocked by the crowds standing along the shore.
Tickets for lunch on the Hornblower run as follows: for adults, $85; for Children, $40. As well as the lunch and the view of the parade, the tickets also include a continental breakfast, ensuring that your time aboard the Hornblower is uninterrupted by the hunger that inevitably wells up during events such as this.
Come out to the Bay and celebrate spring with us, either by land or by sea. The PICYA parade takes place on April 23rd. The parade itself begins around 9:00 in the morning and the boats will sail around for several hours, providing endless enjoyment to everyone.