Things to Do in Alameda

With its impenetrable fog, gusty wind, and rough currents, San Francisco Bay is known the world over as one of the most challenging places to sail. It's for this very reason that the San Francisco Sailing Company's Sailing School has set up shop here: "If you can sail the San Francisco Bay," they declare on their website, "you [can] sail anywhere in the world." The seasoned instructors instill what they know thoroughly and quickly. In fact, after completing just two two-day classes, students at the school earn their ASA certification and the confidence to sail the Bay on their own. The school offers loftier training, as well, providing the know-how needed to charter a multiday cruise on a big boat or navigate out on the open water.

An intro-to-sailing lesson with OCSC is designed both for beginners who can't tell a mermaid from Ethel Merman and for more-intermediate students of the stern and aft looking to perfect their technique. Skilled and certified instructors teach each lesson, while a low teacher-to-student ratio ensures plenty of attention and instruction for all involved. Your lesson will focus on practical training, creating a prime opportunity to get some on-the-water experience beneath your sails. Over the course of two hours, you'll be exposed to different roles and positions on the yacht, including the position of steely-eyed helmsman. By the end of the salt-sprayed session, you won't be a certified skipper, but you'll have had a sublime time and tasted the sailing experience, which always tastes like a combination of warm brownies and cold milk.

Segway of Oakland harbors a fleet of off-road Segway x2s and street-friendly Segway i2s, which renters mount for city tours, lessons, and offsite events. Both tours and lessons begin with a video overview of segway basics to acquaint the rider and the ridden. Two-hour tours then traverse the city, with guides sharing historical tidbits on Oakland’s oak-ruled past on a route that hits Jack London Square, the downtown sector, and the shores of Lake Merritt. Two-hour group lessons jet through skill-building exercises in parking lots and on bike paths. After building confidence, students graduate to higher speeds and more varied terrains, such as bridges and grassy fields, and lessons culminate in an independent ride. Segway of Oakland can also enrich team-building events for companies or exceptionally competitive families with segway demonstrations.

VIN12, the popular host of monthly wine gatherings, celebrates its third year of vino-fueled get-togethers with the Spring Sparkling Wine Event. More than 400 patrons are expected to show up for the opportunity to wend their way through the venue and contemplate more than 40 brews from an eclectic mix of wineries such as Think Tank, Fat Grape, and Grand Amis. Although the event focuses on sparkling wine, other options such as pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, and bordeaux abound. Photographer Bryon Malik mingles with the crowd, searching for the world's most photogenic wine as guests enjoy unlimited samples and nab inexpensive gourmet snacks crafted by Porteno Empanadas.

Monte Carlo Night combines the indulgent pleasures of gambling and carousing with a wholesome investment in the health of the community. This year's event is a fundraiser for the City of Dreams organization to help San Francisco's youth in low-income housing achieve success through education and mentorship programs. The VIP pass allows guests to mingle at the mezzanine level alongside an open bar kept flowing by Jaqk Cellars and innovative sushi from Yoshi's executive chef. Throw money around like a child millionaire in a candy store with $1,500 in 21 Fun gambling money, 10 Casino Prize coupons, 10 Ace in the Hole coupons, and 10 Lucky Buck coupons, all good for competitive play around high-limit blackjack and craps tables.