Richmond’s Working Waterfront: The Brickyard Marina & Sugar Dock
Richmond, CA has always been a hub for working boats and sailors who prioritize functionality. The waterfront features several marinas located very close to each other, with some of the top options being The Brickyard Marina, which offers both dry boat storage and plenty of water berths for vessels under 40 feet, along with excellent security and easy access to the best sailing in San Francisco Bay. Just five minutes away is Sugar Dock — a deep-water moorage suitable for large vessels, ideal for boats over 40 feet with deep keels.
These two Richmond marinas stand out on this stretch of waterfront on the bay. They sit just a few minutes apart, under the same management, but they solve very different problems. Between the two, you can tie up almost anything that floats, from a 28-foot sloop to a 300-foot racing yacht.
The Brickyard Marina: Slips, Storage, and Getting to the Best Sailing Bay Fast
Tucked into Brickyard Cove, The Brickyard Marina is set up for the everyday sailor. Slips run from 28 to 55 feet, with aluminum docks, secure gates, shore power, and water hookups. There’s Richmond boat storage with dry sailing, with two hoists designed for quick launching. Rig, lift, and be on the Bay without waiting on a yard schedule. On-site riggers, sailmakers, brokers, and canvas pros can also keep your boat in shape without leaving the yard.
It’s a good fit if you’ve got a well-kept sloop, a racing boat you want to keep dry, or you just want a slip that’s secure and straightforward. No frills, no fluff — just a marina that does what it says on the dock.
Sugar Dock Richmond: Deep Water, and Deep Draft
Just around the corner sits Sugar Dock. It’s built for a different class of boats. With 30 feet of depth at low tide and moorage for up to 350 feet, Sugar Dock is ideal for longer monohull boats and larger trimarans. It’s a great place for racing teams, larger yachts, workboats — the kind of vessels that need space, depth, and heavy-duty support that’s almost impossible to find in San Francisco Bay these days. The dock itself is 250 feet long, offering fuel, pump-out facilities, showers, and on-site service. It still retains the bones of its history as a working wharf, and it shows. The dock shows its working history, and that’s part of the appeal. Big boats fit here, with the fuel, pump-out, and service they actually need.
What makes our Richmond marina work is the access. Deep-water slips mean you’re not fighting tides or shoals, and you’re minutes from Angel Island or the City front.
Different Tools in the Same Toolbox
Think of Brickyard and Sugar Dock as different toolboxes for different needs.
The Brickyard Marina is for the day-to-day fleet — mid-sized boats, dry storage craft under 30 feet, sailors who want a straightforward setup, quality environment, and easy access to the Bay.
Sugar Dock is for the big water players — larger custom yachts, professional racing teams, and unique craft that need depth, room, and the support facilities for their unique needs. Both are part of Richmond’s backbone as a boating hub, and together they make the harbor work.
The Bay Area Choice Factor
If you’re sailing out of Richmond, you’ve got options. Ask yourself what you need: secure slips and dry sailing with easy Bay access, or deep-water moorage for a vessel that can’t squeeze anywhere else. Either way, our two Richmond marinas cover it.
This isn’t the glossy side of Bay Area sailing. It’s the practical side (with a gorgeous view of the San Francisco skyline), and that’s exactly why it works.