Benicia 2008

Benicia is one of the Bay Area's secluded gems. The little town is tucked between Vallejo and Fairfield on the North side of the Carquinez Straits and the West side of Suisun Bay, across the water from Martinez and Port Costa. Benicia has recently redeveloped its Waterfront and Marina, which are adjacent to one of the best preserved classic "Main Street" business districts. First Street is the "Main Street" of Benicia, and is packed with restaurants, shopping, antique stores, and historical sites, including the former State Capitol building (picture). This is a great walking experience. Click Here for Snapshots.

The 4th of July Holiday is one of our exciting cruising traditions. We begin with a timed race from the San Rafael Bridge to Carquinez Bridge; the winning crew will get free dinner for two on Saturday Evening (Race Details).

Thursday dinner will be a no-host group at Captain Blythers (Blyther Details).

The Benicia Yacht Club will provide a dinner on Friday Evening.

On Saturday there will be activities during the day and several fireworks displays are visible from the harbor on Saturday evening LINK Saturday Dinner will be a progressive potluck dinner & cocktail party at the boat-raft (Progressive Details).

The Benicia Yacht Club is housed in a modern building with classic yachting architecture, and wonderful views of the harbor and Carquinez Straights. Benicia Yacht Club

The club and bar will be available to us for the entire visit. The club will provide a dinner on Friday Evening at 7:00, preceded by cocktails and appetizers in the club bar beginning at 6:00. We will be joining a Benicia YC buffet event; dinners will be approximately $20 per person.

The Benicia Marina is a modern facility with ample restroom and shower accommodations. There is a convenience store at the main dock, and shopping centers within walking distance. We are told that the entrance channel is dredged to under 8', the Turning Basin and Guest Dock to 7', and the fairways and slips to 6', all MLLW (see below)

Depth should not be an issue, since most of our boats will be rafted at the Guest Dock. Benicia Marina. Check the tide charts below, as there will be late-morning to early afternoon minus tides, during our visit.

Benicia Marina - Maintenance Dredging

The harbor and channel were dredged in late 2007. The berth and slip areas were dredged to a depth of -6 MLLW, the inner channel and turning basin to a depth of -8 MLLW, and the outer (or entrance) channel to a depth of -10 MLLW.

For further information, please contact Virgil Mustain, Director of Public Works, or Michael Throne, Senior Civil Engineer, at 707 746-4240. City of Benicia

Note: This data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, and should be confirmed for navigation.

The chart below shows the currents for the weekend at Point Pinole (see red star on map below), which is about the midpoint in the timed race from bridge to bridge.

Note: Current information is taken from a non-certified source, and should be confirmed for navigation.

Guest Rates

30' and under:		$21.00
31' to 40':		$29.00
41' to 55'		$40.00
56' and up		$45.00