Founded in 1927, the Saint Francis Yacht Club (StFYC) was formed when some of the members of the San Francisco Yacht Club decided to move their clubhouse from Sausalito to Belvedere, California to escape the rapidly growing commercial activity of Sausalito.

This was prior to the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, and travel to Marin County from San Francisco was entirely by water.

No agreement between the two factions was reached and the group favoring a San Francisco location split off to found StFYC.

[2] On October 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the Clubhouse and extensive foundation repairs were required.

An annual highlight is the Opti Heavy Weather regatta sailed on the windy north shore of the City of San Francisco, right in front of the StFYC Clubhouse.

StFYC maintains an outstation on Tinsley Island a few miles west of Stockton, California in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta.

Every year, the members of StFYC and their guests visit Tinsley Island for cruises, events, and sailing classes.