Chores on Shores: These waterfront laundromats, pump-outs, and discount stores come with surprisingly stunning views while you do your errands.
Here are a few fan favorites for the best places in and around the Bay to do your “chores on shores.”
Washing your dirty clothes comes with breathtaking views at one Bay Area marina. While boatyard amenities are usually an afterthought, tucked away into a closet somewhere, the laundry room at the Brickyard Marina in Richmond overlooks boats bobbing on the Bay, complete with stunning sunsets when you fold your foulies.
Pumping out the head (emptying the toilet tank) is a necessary burden for boaters, but in Sausalito, at least this unpleasant chore comes with pleasant views. From the Clipper Yacht Harbor pump-up station and fuel dock you can see wisps of fog hugging the Headlands and more multimillion dollar views – really, the pump-out dock sits on Richardson Bay across from Belvedere.
Berkeley Marine Center actually welcomes Do-it-Yourselfers, a rare allowance for boaters who want to do their own boat chores and maintenance without having to pay a professional. Berkeley’s policy allows you to work on your boat, paint, polish, scrape, sweat, sand and varnish all while overlooking the beautiful Bay.
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is a discount chain known for selling seasonal surpluses, overstocks, and infomercial gadget closeouts that couldn’t sell at retail. Found mostly on the West Coast but pushing into the Northeast, there are more than 500 Grocery Outlet locations nationwide, but only one store in particular sticks out like a yacht in a dinghy race. The Grocery Outlet in Pacifica is kissed by Northern California’s famous beachy ice plants, and it's at a spot surfers love, adjacent to Pacifica State Beach. One report points out that, "the waterfront shopping center was little more than a surf shop, a café, and a dirt lot 20 years ago. But in the past 15 years, it has seen major investments and upgrades, including a supermarket and craft beer taproom—all just a few feet above the current high-tide line." (In fact, the area is so popular among beachgoers and barefoot patrons that the "upscale" Taco Bell nearby –called the “World’s Most Beautiful Taco Bell”– is one of the few in the world with a walk-up window, margaritas, DJs, and dedicated Instagram fan group). The Pacifica Grocery Outlet even gets shoutouts on the Reddit surfing community, with one local redditor gushing, “not enough talk of my lord and savior Grocery Outlet. Honestly don't even like surfing but those sweet deals just make my week.”
The iconic Pier 39 Marina includes a guest lounge where you can sort your socks and wash up at one of the world's most photographed places. The views are unbeatable, the shops offer fresh-caught seafood, and you can even perform your best stand-up to an audience of sea lions who will clap even for the lamest joke.
The Central Bay's marinas have incredible views of your oldies but goodies like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, and many of the views are surprisingly accessible to the public. Next time you have a few errands to run near the Marina, the San Francisco Marina Small Craft Harbor offers the public free parking (6:00 AM–10:00 PM), in addition to free WiFi from the City, ADA restrooms, and even kayak/small boat launch by request. The Saint Francis Yacht Club and Golden Gate Yacht Club may be private, but they rent from a public port. So soak it up and knock out your errands with some free parking.
