Tall Ships: A Journey of Slow Travel—Here’s Where to Experience Them in the U.S.

San Francisco Bay is adorned with white sails year-round, thanks to its mild climate. For those fortunate enough to have access to a boat, it's one of the most captivating urban retreats in the country. While I’m not a sailor and don’t know any, I ventured out one Saturday afternoon this spring on the Matthew Turner, a tall ship that departs from Sausalito. This experience not only provided a history lesson but also offered me a new perspective of the bay after decades of living nearby. The Matthew Turner primarily focuses on teaching sailing to youth, but it also welcomes the general public aboard.

Prior to stepping onto the ship, my closest encounter with this style of slow travel had been through books about historical sea explorations. Aside from brief ferry rides to Angel and Alcatraz Islands, my previous sailing experience on SF Bay was not promising. I had taken a trip on the Oceanic Society’s 60-foot motorboat to the Farallon Islands, which turned out to be quite bumpy for half of the eight-hour journey. While I didn’t get seasick, I also didn’t touch the apple I had brought. Several passengers appeared ready to disembark at any moment.

In contrast, my sailing experience with Call of the Sea on the larger MT was smooth and elegant, standing out among the smaller sailboats and massive cargo ships on the bay. Powered by the wind and cruising at about five knots, it embodies true slow travel. This pace allowed us to soak in the scenery, which featured dolphins, seals, birds, and windsurfers alongside other vessels. The bay's grandeur became apparent, with Rocky Alcatraz, lush Angel Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge as distant yet stunning backdrops. The winds dictated our course, and the fresh air cleared my mind of the tune from Gilligan’s Island (“a three-hour tour”) that had lingered for days.

Constructed over seven years in the 21st century, the Matthew Turner honors the designer of the 19th-century brigantine Galilee, known for its advanced design. The Galilee famously held a passage record of 19 days from San Francisco to Tahiti. The 132-foot MT brigantine, made of fir and oak, features 11 sails (including several square ones) and boasts a main mast that reaches 100 feet. Among its few modern amenities is an electric hybrid motor for departing the harbor; otherwise, it operates solely on wind power, ensuring a serene and eco-friendly journey with minimal noise—aside from the crew leader directing sail adjustments.

The brigantine operates on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the year, with trips lasting anywhere from 90 minutes to several hours. When I made my reservation in May, I opted out of the Mother's Day special, anticipating it would be busy (and it sold out). I was fortunate: the friendly and enthusiastic young crew outnumbered the passengers. I had conversations with nearly everyone on board, including Alan Olson, the driving force behind the ship's original construction. One of the highlights was watching the crew, which included several volunteers and women, hoist the sails. At the conclusion of our brief two-hour voyage, they climbed the rigging to the tops of the masts to roll and secure the sails. So many ropes and sails—it’s a challenging way to travel in this classic style.

Among the passengers was a couple who had sailed on the ship previously. I didn't need to inquire why they returned.

How to embark on your own tall ship adventure

Participating in a day sail in the USA is more accessible than you might expect. This is partly due to the fact that “tall ship” encompasses topsail vessels and two- or three-masted schooners, along with other smaller sailboats that are less imposing than the Matthew Turner. Many tall ships offering public trips also function as interactive “classrooms,” providing programs designed to teach sailing skills to youth. For instance, the Los Angeles Maritime Institute offers tall ships available for family or group charters, with proceeds supporting their educational initiatives.

You'll discover more sailing opportunities through Tall Ships America, a Rhode Island-based organization dedicated to promoting sailing education and the experiences that come with it.

Top Destinations for Tall Ship Sailing in the United States

Seattle

Experience the city from the deck of the gaff-rigged schooner Bay Lady, an impressive 85-foot vessel. Two-hour sails from Seattle’s Tall Ship begin at $45 for adults and $35 for children aged 2–12, with multiple sailings available daily on Puget Sound from late April through the end of October.

Another great choice nearby is the Lady Washington brig, the official tall ship of Washington state, which offers two-hour or longer day sails in July from various locations including Anacortes, Port Ludlow, and Everett. This vessel is a replica of the original Lady Washington, known as the first U.S. ship to navigate the West Coast. Ticket prices for a two-hour sail are $70 for adults and $50 for children aged 4–12, with longer four-hour voyages also available.

Baltimore

In addition to public two-hour sails, the Pride of Baltimore II, a topsail schooner, provides several opportunities for guests to crew during the summer months. While visiting New York in July, evening two-hour cruises are offered from Greenpoint on Long Island on the 19th and 20th (tickets are $55 for adults and $35 for kids).

San Diego

Experience a tall ship adventure aboard the Californian through the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Alongside four-hour sails on Sundays (available until October) at $119 for adults and $69 for children aged 3–12, this summer marks the return of a special overnight experience aboard the historic 1863 Star of India. Though docked, the crew will share insights about the life of sailors from long ago. Overnights are available on Friday, July 26, and August 9, from 2 p.m. to 9 a.m., which includes two meals for $125 per person.

Chicago

Set sail on the 148-foot schooner Windy, where you can enjoy a daily Chicago Skyline tour from Lake Michigan (75 minutes; $49 for adults, $39 for children) or participate in an educational, hands-on sailing experience for 90 minutes (Saturday–Monday, $35 for adults, $25 for children). During the summer, don’t miss the two-hour blues concert trips on Monday nights for $59 per adult and $49 per child.

Gloucester, Massachusetts

Experience a 2.5-hour sailing adventure from Gloucester Harbor, the nation’s oldest fishing port, where you can join in the fun by helping to raise the sails if you wish. You’ll be aboard the restored 1926 Adventure, a dory-fishing schooner and a National Historic Landmark. Passengers aged 18 and under can sail for free, while adult tickets are a reasonable $52. The Adventure operates public trips on Sunday afternoons and Friday evenings from June through September.