Imagine driving or flying to San Diego on a Friday, checking into comfortable accommodations and taking a sail on San Diego Bay--all before sunset.
Not only is it possible, but very easy. San Diego has dozens of marinas, most offering motor and sail boat rentals, often for about the cost of an upscale hotel room.
The video on this page documents a recent weekend I spent with two friends who traveled to San Diego—one by plane, the other by car, to enjoy a weekend sailing on San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
My friends had reserved a 28’ Catalina sailboat for the weekend through Harbor Sailboats, a San Diego Sailing Club that offers lessons, boat rentals and charters and is located on Harbor Island—minutes from San Diego International Airport. Renting a sailboat is a bargain considering you get accommodations for the weekend (most sailboats have full cabins with lavatories, sleeping berths and kitchens) and a first-rate sailing vessel fully outfitted and ready for sailing on San Diego Bay or the Pacific Ocean.
At mid-afternoon I met my friends at the marina where they quickly settled into their boat. An attendant from Harbor Sailboats, a certified sailing instructor, gave us a quick overview of the boat, its capabilities along with general instructions for launching and berthing. In short order we launched the boat and began motoring through the marina on our way to San Diego Bay.
The accompanying video tells the rest of the story. We enjoyed 3 days of sailing on San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean where we saw many different motor and sail boats, marine mammals (California Harbor Seals and Grey Whales) and panoramic views of San Diego Bay, Point Loma, Coronado and the vast Pacific Ocean.
For more information on sailboat rentals, local marinas and hotel accommodations see the links below.
John Rogers
The Enlightened Explorer
Editor’s Note: Renting a sailboat does require proper certification. See your marina of choice for more information.
San Diego Marinas
Harbor Island West
Sunroad Resort Marina
Sun Harbor Marina
Driscoll Mission Bay Marina
Chula Vista Marina
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