By Janet Stewart and Laura Bryan          Photos by Ed

On Sunday, June 27, ten Apres members set out aboard the Hawaiian Chieftain, a reproduction of the European merchant ships from the early 1800s, and similar to the Spanish explorers’ ships used in expeditions of the late eighteenth century along the California coast. Anchored in Sausalito Harbor, the Chieftain carries charter groups in and around San Francisco Bay for brunch cruises, sunset cruises as well as “adventure” cruises, where the passengers help sail the ship. She is a beautiful ship, with gleaming teak decks and woodwork, tall square-rigged masts, huge brown canvas sails and these weird brush things that look like loofah sponges, but which actually keep the canvas from becoming overly worn in rubbing against the sheets (lines, for you landlubbers).

I would highly recommend the Hawaiian Chieftain brunch for a romantic get away right here in the Bay Area. I am very familiar with the HornBlower & a few of the other tour ships on the Pier 39 side of San Francisco, but the drive to Sausalito and boarding from this side of the Bay was so much more enjoyable and easy. We enjoyed three hours of food, wine, beer and great music while sailing under the Golden Gate bridge and watching the crew sail this beautiful ship right before our eyes.

Having done a lot of scenic trips around this area, I feel the view and quality of this trip were worth every cent. I hope more Apres members decide to sign up for this wonderful outing located right in our backyard next year. Hats off to Laura for finding this little secret.