The Embarcadero YMCA builds strong kids, strong families, and strong communities by enriching the lives of all people in spirit, mind and body.

Our staff is dedicated to providing each child, teen and adult in every program positive, confidence-building feedback. We offer value-based programs with a commitment to the YMCA's four core values: respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring. We structure programs for participants of all skill levels and all ages. Instructors and teachers focus on an individual moving forward in the process of participating and learning in a positive environment. Elementary age day camp and swim lessons, fitness for teens and adults, and leadership programs like Youth & Government make the Embarcadero YMCA a place for all.

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: Read the November newsletter online!

A Brief History

Founded in 1908, as an Army-Navy YMCA, the Embarcadero YMCA was established as a three-month venture to provide soldiers a landing point on the bustling and boisterous docks of San Francisco.  It proved popular to soldiers and was extended by popular demand, offering, at a series of rented sites nearby: a reading room, dormitories, pool tables, writing facilities, checking and storage privileges, lunch counter and an information center.during World War I, soldiers were.  After World War thousands received job counseling for employment in the post-war economy.  In 1926, thanks to a grant from YMCA of the USA that matched local donations, a new building was erected on the waterfront. For many years to come, through World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, it continued to serve soldiers and veterans. 

Over the years, as ships docked less on the harbor, the facility fell out of use but continued its colorful history of helping people in need, stepping up to two major challenges:

• Getting youth off the streets and back in school to be productive adults, and
• Dealing with a deteriorating building and membership

Youth Chance High School was begun in 1978 and continues today to offer students who have dropped out or been kicked out of high school a fresh path into adulthood by helping them gain a high school diploma or complete a high school equivalency exam. This accredited, fee private high school not only provides an encouraging and supportive environment but is highly effective at placing young adults into the job market.

At the same time Youth Chance High School was founded, our historic building faced deterioration and declining membership. Through determination and creativity, the Embarcadero Board of Managers created and implemented a plan in 1988 to repurpose our facility as a premier fitness facility and renovate the old residence into a hotel. This allowed the YMCA to continue its mission – and to retain what would become highly valuable property. All this, while providing the community with life-changing programs for youth, teens and adults.

1908 San Francisco Army-Navy YMCA founded

1926 Army-Navy YMCA building erected on the Embarcadero

1968 End of Army-Navy programming; Civilian YMCA with Residency and Fitness

1974 Service area dramatically declining with the Embarcadero freeway, YMCA slipped to 300 members

1976 Membership opened to women

1978 Youth Chance High School created

1978 First youth programs: Saturday Learn to Swim

1988 Facility renovation plans finalized

1990 YMCA closed doors for renovation (Interim facility operated at 215 Fremont Street)

1991 New, 56,000 square foot state of the art facility opened

2001 YMCA celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Embarcadero Branch at 169 Steuart Street

2003 San Francisco Association celebrates 150 years of service to the Bay Area

2008 Embarcadero YMCA celebrates 100 years on the waterfront

Embarcadero YMCA 169 Steuart Street SF, CA 94105 (415) 957-9622