Sailing / Boating, San Diego

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You have arrived in San Diego for an escape from your daily grind. What better way than to drive over to Mission Bay for a day on the beach and in the water. So much to do in the great outdoors. You can enjoy 27 miles of shoreline at Mission Bay with parks to picnic at with barbeques and fire pits you can use. Many areas to go swimming in calm waters. Try your sea legs by renting a powerboat to have fun wake-boarding, or paddle a kayak around the bay. The way I like to play at Mission Bay is to rent a sailboat. Nothing fancy, just a small sailboat about 16 feet in length, no boating license required, safe, and tons of fun.

If you are staying at one of the resorts on the Bay, most of them have their own sailboat rentals. This makes it very easy and no excuses to not try your hand at sailing or to return to the sea, a seasoned sailor. If you are not staying at a resort on the Bay, then the next best thing is available. SEAFORTH BOAT RENTALS has different sizes of sailboats to rent as well as powerboats and fishing boats. They are located in Mission Bay.

Equipment: Your comfort casual sailing clothes or even a swimsuit is okay. Bring along some tennis shoes for that feel safe skid proof walk. No boating equipment necessary as this is a rental. If you bring your own boat down to San Diego, Mission Bay has four boat ramps for you to use.

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There are Yatch Clubs and Boat Marinas all around the Bay of San Diego. Boating and sailing are popular all year long. At various times of the year racing sail boats can be easily distinguished from the average seen out on the Bay. Most notable, when a reggata is taking place, is the number, style and speed of the boats. It is a wonderful site on the Bay. The biggest event to be seen is the "World Series- America's Cup Race, which takes place in various parts of the world, including San Diego.

Also as I've mentioned in Things To Do: Maritime Museum, on some weekends a couple of the historical sailing vessels belonging to the Maritime Museum, sail out on the Bay and have a mock battle, you could join in on that as well or just watch from a spot on Harbor Island Drive.

Equipment: If you haven't your own boat you can rent one to join in the fun. Here are several boat rental companies conveniently located throughout San Diego:

Club Nautico
333 West Harbor Drive
Phone:619-233-9311

Seaforth Boat Rental
1641 Quivira Road, Mission Bay
Phone: 619-233-1681

Mission Bay Sportcenter
1010 Santa Clara Place
Phone: 619-488-1004

San Diego and Long Beach Sailing Club
1880 Harbor Island Drive
Phone: (800) 553-7245

Seaforth Boat Rentals and Yacht Charters
1715 Strand Way, Coronado
Phone: (888) 834-2628

Prices range from $12.00 per hour to $90.00 per hour, depending on what you want to rent. Keep in mind that prices may have changed since this was written, check with them before making plans.

Sailing on San Diego Bay is a fine way to spend an afternoon. There's plenty of room to explore: sail under the bridge to south bay, or around the main part of the bay, with views of downtown, the naval base, etc.--just be sure to get out of the way of the aircraft carriers, and don't go too close to the ones that are docked. If you want to leave the harbor, head past the tip of Pt. Loma toward the Coronado Islands (not Coronado itself--these islands actually belong to Mexico). Avoid the massive kelp beds, which lie due south of the Pt. Loma lighthouse. We're able to sail year-round here, although in the winter and spring months, you'll want to dress in layers.

Equipment: Boats from 22's to 45's can be rented from a number of places on Harbor or Shelter Islands. Harbor Island Yacht Club and Harbor Island Sailboats are just a couple of them. The wind usually starts to pick up around noon. Bring your sunscreen, a jacket, something to eat and drink, and a responsible skipper, and you're set for the day.

Quiet waters of San Diego Bay and wonderful skyline of the city make sailing a great fun! You can rent a boat or sail there by your own one. I live inland and I don't have any boat and it costs a lot, I suppose. Am I wrong?

Every winter brings forth a rash of indoor rowing races - these are painful and traumatic, but can lead to qualification for the World Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston (the Crash B's) where you can compete with the Worlds fastest indoor rowers.
The race is over 2000m, the fastest men's time is around 5min 35 and the fastest women's 6min 30 - next time you are at the gym try it out!!