Sea Tow....

SAN DIEGO:
CALIFORNIA'S BIRTHPLACE IS A HAVEN FOR BOATERS AND LANDLUBBERS ALIKE

With its year-round idyllic climate, abundance of outdoor activities, and a lively cultural scene, San Diego is one of America’s top spots for boaters. More than 65,000 registered pleasure craft and 57 marinias enjoy the 70 miles of coastline. Whether it's wide, white sandy beaches or secluded coves set against dramatic cliffs, boating enthusiasts simply love this Southern California dream destination.

San Diego is, in fact, California's birthplace. Portuguese explorer (and boater) Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo landed in San Diego Bay in 1542 and claimed the area for Spain. In 1769, Father Junipero Serra established the Mission San Diego de Acala, which became the primary link in his chain of 21 missions which later extended into Northern California. Originally populated by Native Americans, the area has been governed by Spain, Mexico, and, since 1846, the United States.

San Diego lies in the southwest corner of California, 120 miles south of Los Angeles and 20 miles north of Tijuana Mexico. Along with about 4,500 square miles of land, it also includes more than 70 square miles of water! San Diego County has about 2.8 million residents, with the city comprising about 1.3 million of that--making San Diego the seventh largest city in the U.S.

The average daytime temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit and most days are sunny. Winter temperatures rarely dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity is generally low--even in the dog days of summer. Average annual rainfall is less than 10 inches and occurs primarily between December and March.

San Diego’s crescent-shaped Big Bay offers a wide opening to the Pacific Ocean between the high-ridged Point Loma peninsula and Coronado's Naval Air Station North Island.  Rightfully proclaimed as “the largest attraction in San Diego County” Big Bay is edged by a 34-miles of shoreline and has 17 marinas, seven yacht clubs, and 56 boating facilities, including sportfishing landings, piers, and launching ramps. It also hosts more than 600 cargo vessels and 200 cruise ships annually. Along Big Bay’s shores are 16 bayside parks, two museums, two shopping centers, 70 or so restaurants, a similar number of shops and more than a dozen hotels.

Downtown San Diego’s dynamic skyline is spectacular from the water as it sparkles in the daytime and is illuminated at night like a jeweler’s tray against typically clear, starry skies.

A day of boating becomes a San Diego travelogue, marked by historic sights, including Cabrillo National Monument and the nearby 19th century Point Loma Lighthouse, as well as Ballast Point, where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo landed back in 1542. Across from Ballast Point, Coronado’s Naval Air Station North Island awes passing boaters with its extensive military hardware.

The Embarcadero along San Diego’s scenic Harbor Drive offers many bustling bayside attractions, including the Cruise Ship Terminal, harbor cruise tours, pedestrian ferries, water taxis, and various pleasure craft. A must-see is the Maritime Museum of San Diego and its six historic vessels: Star of India, the century-old windjammer; the 1898 steam ferry, Berkeley; the 1902 sloop Butcher Boy; Medea, a 1904 luxury yacht; Pilot, a 1914 harbor pilot boat; and the California, the official tall ship of the state of California. These ships are open to the public and often host fine art and historic exhibitions throughout the year.

Also along the Embarcadero is Seaport Village, a 14-acre bayside shopping complex that has more than 50 shops, several waterfront restaurants, and amusement centers. It’s all styled to evoke a 19th century New England fishing village.

A nautical atmosphere also prevails on Harbor and Shelter islands, two of San Diego’s principal boating centers, where marinas, resort hotels, restaurants, and bayside parks welcome boaters with an array of recreational amenities. Harbor and Shelter Islands are popular destinations for visiting craft and their crews, who are encouraged to make reservations well in advance for marina space and hotel accommodations.

Not to be outdone, South Bay offers boaters even more fascinating destinations. These include: Coronado’s Ferry Landing Marketplace, a bayfront shopping and dining complex; the world-famous Hotel del Coronado; Chula Vista’s Nature Center; and National City’s impressive shipbuilding yards and charming Victorian homes.

Boating, fishing, and swimming in and around Mission Bay Park--San Diego’s 4,600-acre aquatic playground--are all enjoyed within designated public areas. The park is the largest facility of its kind in the world and provides numerous landlubbing activities. Marinas in Mission Bay rent, dock, and store a full range of watercraft. Most of the marinas accommodate boaters with dockage, storage, and free launching ramps at Mission Bay’s hotels and marinas. Plus, visiting boats are provided with free anchorage in Quivira Basin for up to 72 hours. Of course, Mission Bay also includes SeaWorld San Diego. The 189-acre marine park is world-famous for its collection of trained Orcas, dolphins, seals, otters, penguins, manatees, and other sea-dwellers.

Heading north, boaters can travel up San Diego’s North County coastline. Going by boat provides a fine way to experience picturesque seaside communities like La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, and Oceanside. These charming oceanfront towns and villages attract boaters with their restaurants and shops, first-class resorts and spas, and unique attractions like Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Torrey Pines State Reserve, and Oceanside Harbor. It’s a great place to finish an exploration of everything San Diego has to offer!

For further visitor and boater information, contact the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau by calling (619) 236-1212 or visiting www.sandiego.org. Other Internet resources for San Diego-bound boaters: www.thebigbay.com and www.sailorschoice.com (excellent information on marinas).