The Society was proud to welcome back the San Francisco Yacht Club for their highly anticipated annual outing. Organized this year by Julia Shumelda, the visit offered the sailors a deep dive into Benicia’s pivotal role in state and national history, while connecting the town's past directly to their own maritime experiences.

Board members Jerry Hayes and Kerry K. Carney led the group on an engaging walking tour of First Street, which included a stop at the historic State Capitol. A major highlight of the tour was viewing the famous 1885 "Bird’s-Eye View" map of Benicia. The illustration sparked a fascinating discussion on how drastically the shoreline has transformed over the last century—evolving from a bustling hub of heavy industry into today’s beautiful, natural waterfront that serves as a major draw for tourism.

Having sailed into port just the night before, the yacht club members had firsthand experience with the Carquinez Strait’s notoriously tricky currents. This made for a lively conversation when the tour guides shared the history of the Solano train ferry. The group was captivated by the tale of the massive vessel's first trial run to Port Costa, where it battled those same fierce currents and actually slammed into the dock before finally completing a successful landing.

The memorable day wrapped up in classic Benicia style, with the visitors enjoying a spirited bocce tournament followed by dinner at Bella Sienna. Thoroughly delighted by the hospitality and history, the San Francisco Yacht Club is already looking forward to keeping the tradition alive with another voyage to Benicia next year.