Many ways, and places, to catch the racing action

You don’t need to be a sailor, or out on the seas, to watch the America’s Cup races in San Francisco. In fact, it should be hard to miss them whether you’re standing on the waterfront, perched in an office building with views of San Francisco Bay, sitting on a cruise boat or settling in with a beverage before a big screen TV in a sports bar.

The America’s Cup World Series regatta is Wednesday through next Sunday, with racing from 2-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. on next Sunday.

Among the choice outdoor venues, of course, are Marina Green and the San Francisco Bay. Marina Green, a 74-acre expanse of grass between Fort Mason and the Presidio, is the site of the America’s Cup Village. It will be open

from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with boats visible just yards off the shore. The village will feature a children’s zone, a Napa Valley Lounge and a Puma store with America’s Cup gear, and is accessible from Muni lines 47L (Van Ness) or 30L (Stockton), organizers said.

For those who want a vantage point from the water, the Red and White Fleet offers cruises on the bay during race times, including the one-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise, which hugs the shoreline along North Beach, Aquatic Park, Fort Mason and Crissy Field before heading under the Golden Gate Bridge, and the 90-minute Bridge 2 Bridge cruise, which sails under the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Passengers are likely to see the America’s Cup boats from front, side and behind, although cruise spokeswoman Molly Blaisdell cautioned there are no guarantees on viewing opportunities.

For those content to watch from the comfort of an armchair, Marina district sports bars Reed & Greenough and the Republic have big screens and big plans to broadcast live coverage. The Republic featured broadcasts from America’s Cup racing in Newport, R.I.,

But every sport is more fun

to watch if you know the

players involved. Ambitious

looky-loos might try

grabbing a nighttime beer at

the Ramp, an informal

restaurant in Mission Bay, or

the Hi Dive, a restaurant and

bar at Pier 28, two

establishments that

America’s Cup sailors from

Oracle Team USA have been

known to drop by for a

post-race libation.

earlier this year on its 82-inch screen. No eyeglasses needed.

This person at the Wave Organ off Marina Green may be watching kite b

Moises Valadez works to install steps in the bleachers at Marina Green.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Reed & Greenough in the Marina plans to broadcast America’s Cup races.