Tinsley Island is located in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta in San Joaquin County, California, near the Stockton Deepwater Shipping Channel. It has been owned by the St. Francis Yacht Club since 1958. St. Francis Yacht Club is the host for the Rolex Big Boat Series and the island is quiet when the series runs.
The Rolex Big Boat Series has a rich history, celebrating its 60th year in 2024, and attracts a large number of competitors with various classes and trophies. The series includes multiple race days with events such as weather briefings, races for different classes, and social gatherings like the Rolex Commodore’s Reception and the Rolex Owners Dinner. We were able to visit Tinsley Island, possibly owing to this event, because otherwise there likely would not have been room for the 42 foot Nordic Tug we cruised in 2024.
While Tinsley Island is associated with the St. Francis Yacht Club, it serves as a private retreat and outstation rather than a venue for the Rolex Big Boat Series. The island hosts other club events, but the Rolex Big Boat Series is specifically held at the club’s primary location in San Francisco. Some members choose to moor boats year round on the docks at the island rather than at the marina in San Francisco.
Stockton is approximately 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Tinsley Island. This distance makes it a relatively short trip for boaters looking to explore the area and visit Stockton for dining, shopping, or other activities.
Significance for Boaters
Tinsley Island is significant for boaters as it serves as a private retreat for members of the St. Francis Yacht Club. Walt Disney visited the island twice. The island offers various amenities, including a clubhouse, swimming pool, and facilities for water sports and other recreational activities, such as bocce ball.
Bocce ball is an ancient sport with a rich history:
- Origins: The earliest documented evidence of bocce dates back to 5200 B.C. in Egypt.
- History: It spread through the Middle East, was adopted by the Greeks around 600 B.C., and then passed on to the Romans.
- Game play: Bocce is played with eight larger balls (bocce) and one smaller target ball (pallino). The objective is to throw or roll the bocce balls as close to the pallino as possible.
- Court: Traditionally played on a natural soil or asphalt court up to 27.5 meters long and 2.5 to 4 meters wide.
- Popularity: It’s considered the third most played sport in the world.
- Cultural significance: In Italy, bocce is popular across all demographics and is seen as a perfect relaxing afternoon activity.
The four courts on the island are fast all-weather courts, with shading on each end which is important in avoiding sun burn.
The island offers a variety of lodging options for members of the St. Francis Yacht Club, ranging from a historic lighthouse to modest bunkhouses. These accommodations are available through a lottery system that members can enter each November. Additionally, there are floating homes and cottages on the island that provide unique lodging experiences.
The accommodations on Tinsley Island are designed to maintain a sense of “primitive elegance,” meaning that while there are modern conveniences, a certain level of self-sufficiency is expected from guests. The island provides some amenities, but visitors are encouraged to bring personal items from home to ensure a comfortable stay.
For those interested in staying on Tinsley Island, it’s important to note that reservations are typically managed through the St. Francis Yacht Club, and availability may be limited due to the lottery system and high demand during peak times. Reciprocal privileges with other yacht clubs are not granted but members can arrange visits for specific boats from other clubs if there is space available.
Floating Homes
The island features floating homes and cottages, which are part of the accommodations available to club members and their guests. These homes provide a unique living experience on the island.
The accommodations on Tinsley Island are designed to maintain a sense of “primitive elegance,” meaning that while there are modern conveniences, a certain level of self-sufficiency is expected from guests. The island provides some amenities, but visitors are encouraged to bring personal items from home to ensure a comfortable stay. A popular tradition is to set a table near the BBQs which are fired up by staff each evening and after the meal, clean and reset the table for breakfast the next morning. Some of the table settings can be quite elaborate with fine china and center pieces. Coffee is provided in the morning.
The bar and gift shop are open on Friday through Sunday. No cash or credit cards can be used on the island so, if you are a guest, you must first set up an account at the main station in San Francisco. Misters at the bar keep the area cool in 100 degree weather. Domino’s and other games are provided. Tap beer is a bargain. In recent years the policy on no computers or cell phones on the island has been relaxed to allow WiFi near the bar. On Saturdays, you are encouraged to bring apps to the bar area that foster friend making. Pokémon Go is one such app and there is a Pokémon Gym and two Pokémon stops near the bar.
Members can reserve housing through a lottery system each November. There are multiple accommodation options available but pets are not allowed in them. Pets are allowed on the island but they must be accommodated on board a boat. Visiting boats and those moored for a long term must moor Mediterranean style and because this isn’t a common way of tying up, staff prefer to help both during arrival and departure. Departure time is prior to 10 AM with allowance for the tide which was about 4 feet during our stay.
Activities on Tinsley Island
Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, nine hole golfing, fishing, bird watching and exploring the island’s lighthouse. The island hosts events and provides weekend equipment rental services for outdoor activities.
Like most resorts these days, visitors are asked to wear a wrist band with their name imprinted on it. This is because the island is surrounded by a lagoon that is open to the public by law. We observed several bass boats. There are large fishing competitions in this area.
Youth Sailing Camps
Tinsley Island hosts youth sailing camps, Saint Francis and other yacht clubs send children to these camps each week in July. The island is accessible by a complimentary ferry service from King Island, which facilitates transportation for participants. The caretaker is required to hold a Captain’s license for operating the ferry.
For more detailed information about specific yacht clubs involved, it would be best to contact the St. Francis Yacht Club directly. However, Flag Officers of prestigious clubs on the West Coast are routinely invited to the Stag Cruise and Ladies Cruise.
Light House
Here are the key points about the lighthouse on Tinsley Island.
- The lighthouse on Tinsley Island was originally the Southampton Shoal Lighthouse, which operated in San Francisco Bay from 1905 to 1960.
- In 1960, the St. Francis Yacht Club purchased Tinsley Island to use as a private retreat for its members.
- In July 1966, the top two stories of the Southampton Shoal Lighthouse were removed from its original location and barged up the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to Tinsley Island.
- The St. Francis Yacht Club repurposed the lighthouse structure as an inn for club members visiting the island.
- The lighthouse became a centerpiece and clubhouse for the yacht club’s outstation on Tinsley Island.
- The island is named Tinsley, but the search results don’t provide information on why it has that specific name. The Tinsley surname is of English origin, derived from a place name in Yorkshire, but there’s no direct connection mentioned to this particular island.
- Tinsley Island was created in the 1930s when dredging to improve the navigability of the San Joaquin River cut it off from Roberts Island.
- The St. Francis Yacht Club purchased the island in 1958 for $10,750.
- The club held its first “cruise” to the island in 1958, with another in August 1959.
- By 1960, the island had been developed with dredging operations to form it into a fully above-water island with two harbors.
The lighthouse on Tinsley Island has a rich history, having been moved from its original location in San Francisco Bay to become a central feature of the St. Francis Yacht Club’s private island retreat.
Tinsley’s Summer Serenade
In the Delta’s embrace, an island awaits, Where the St. Francis Yacht Club celebrates. Tinsley Island, a boater’s delight, Beckons with promise of summer so bright.
The lighthouse stands tall, a beacon of old, Guarding memories and stories untold. Sailboats dance on the sparkling tide, As friends gather ’round the poolside.
Kayaks glide through the tranquil bay, Paddle boards balance in the sun’s warm ray. The grill sizzles with savory fare, While laughter and cheer fill the air.
From bunkhouse to floating home, Adventures await, no need to roam. while the Rolex Big Boat Series goes on. Quite enjoyment as autumn draws near.
So come to Tinsley in twenty-four, Where summer’s joys are yours to explore. An oasis of fun in California’s heart, Where memories are made and friendships start.
The Saint Francis Yacht Club is not the kind of club that you can lobby to join. The club is world renowned for rebuking billionaire Larry Elision who sought membership and a board chairmanship prior to the San Francisco America’s Cup. Today Paul Cayard, holds that position. Paul was a close associate of Larry’s so my thought is that Larry’s lobbying may have been the issue. In any case some top yacht clubs charge $20,000 on joining and $2,000 per month on dues. I suspect the Saint Francis yacht club is in that range.
With resorts, like Lost Isles, closed and for sale, our visit to Tinsley was greatly appreciated.
Within 10 miles of Tinsley Island, there are several interesting places you can visit by boat:
Paradise Point Marina: Located about four miles east of Herman & Helen’s Marina, this spot offers houseboat rentals and is a popular way to explore the Delta. It’s a great place to start if you’re interested in renting a boat for fishing or water skiing.
King Island Resort: Although not specifically mentioned in the search results, King Island is a well-known destination in the Delta region, often frequented by boaters for its scenic views and relaxed atmosphere.
Little Potato Slough: There is a cruise ship called Aurora that was being restored in the California Delta. Here are the key points about this ship based on the search results:
- The Aurora is a vintage cruise ship, nearly 300 feet long, that is docked in the California Delta near Tinsley Island.
- It began sinking on May 22, 2024, and grounded its aft end on the floor of Little Potato Slough, 13 feet below the waterline.
- The ship was acquired by Christopher Willson in the early 2010s with the intention of restoring it. Willson worked on the ship as recently as 2023.
- In June 2024, a successful operation was conducted to refloat the Aurora. The refloating began on June 15-16 and was confirmed completed on June 21.
- During the recovery operation, nearly 15,000 gallons of a water-oil mixture were removed , along with various debris and household hazardous waste.
- The Aurora has a notable history, including an appearance in a James Bond film and serving as inspiration for the 1970s TV show “The Love Boat.”
- The current ownership of the Aurora is uncertain after Willson’s tenure.
- The ship’s future plans are yet to be determined, but environmental integrity of the area has been safeguarded during the refloating process.
Based on the coordinates provided in the search results, we can calculate the approximate distance between Tinsley Island and the Aurora’s last known location:
1. Tinsley Island coordinates: 38.03778, -121.49583
2. Aurora’s approximate location: 38.0750, -121.3292
Using the haversine formula to calculate the distance between these two points, we get:
The distance between Tinsley Island and the Aurora’s last known location is approximately 15.16 kilometers (about 9.42 miles).
This Aurora is different from the large P&O Cruises ship of the same name mentioned in some of the search results. The California Delta Aurora is a historic vessel undergoing restoration efforts, while the P&O Aurora is a modern cruise ship still in active service.
Owl Harbor: Owl Harbor Marina is a Private, gated community property with Guest docks, Free WiFi, Fitness gym open 24/7, Loaner stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) and kayaks, Loaner bicycles and helmets, Horseshoe pits, Picnic tables and barbecues, Community organic garden, “Posh” restrooms and heated showers, Laundry facility, Ice and refreshments available, Library and video book exchange. It is 20 acres of park-like grounds located on Sevenmile Slough, just off the San Joaquin River. There is an abundance of wildlife and breathtaking views and a relaxing atmosphere for walks and enjoying nature. The marina hosts events like a Halloween Potluck Party and other Holiday Parties.
Local Marinas and Boating Services: The area around Tinsley Island has several marinas that offer various services, including boat rentals and maintenance, which can be useful for boaters exploring the Delta.
