Sailor's Guide to San Diego

 

I've had a few people ask me to give them a breakdown of San Diego, because they're either starting a delivery from here, or perhaps they're coming through and trying to find repairs, a place to stay, or maybe just a good bite to eat. Here's what I can offer in terms of knowledge.

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San Diego HarborSan Diego Harbor is quite large; you could easily spend an entire day making a round trip of the bay. There are tug boats, barges, fishing ships, research vessels, numerous aircraft carriers, various warships, and of course thousands of pleasure crafts. The main channel is clearly marked, but it is rare to have more than a few minutes pass by on a busy day where a larger ship doesn't need you to get out of its way. The tides aren't terrible, average winds are 5-15 knots, and the currents are mellow. However there is world class fog (especially in the winter), and the amount of water that settles as dew at nights can be shocking; it will look like it rained. We also get big wind storms out of Mexico, especially in the fall, known as Santa Anas. These hot dry winds are usually the only way we have wind at night (and are also the winds that spread the wildfires), unless a storm is moving through. We get storms from Mexico and the Pacific Northwest. To date, there has never been a hurricane in 100 years of recorded history in San Diego.

 

Stores

  • If you need ship or sailing equipment (not drink holders, as an example), go to San Diego Marine Exchange. They have a very knowledgeable staff, the cheapest prices around, and are generally a pretty friendly lot. Shelter Island.
  • Close on the heels of Marine Exchange, and tailored for the cruising sailor, is Downwind Marine. Shelter Island.
  • We have two West Marines (barely a mile apart) in Shelter Island, one in South Bay, and one in Oceanside if you're way up there.
  • We have a Boater's World in Shelter Island.
  • Shelter Island has an incredible amount of other maritime resources, including fuel docks, haul out yards, engine shops, rigging shops, and much more.

Anchorages, Marinas, etc

  • The San Diego Unified Port District has 28 guest slips for 45' slips, and the end ties go to 60'. They are first come, first served, for up to 10 days.
  • The Port District also has three anchorages to choose from for transient vessels. Unless you have a reason to head into South Bay, you're better off staying north near Shelter Island. A9 is where you'll be if you're going to be in San Diego for a while; it's very close to downtown.
  • There are several marinas in town that you might be able to get a spot at as well, temporarily. Often an owner will need to haulout his vessel for a couple of weeks (or months). That owner doesn't want to give up the slip, but also would prefer to not pay for it while not using it. That's where a transient vessel can work out nicely. You show up when they leave, pick up the tab for the slip, and leave before they get back. Try Sun Harbor Marina (my favorite), Sun Road Marina (the worst, but with the best availability, sadly), Chula Vista Marina (large, nice, but in South Bay). Here's a full list of marinas.

Places to Eat & Drink

  • Point Loma Seafood has the best seafood in town, period. Located about 100' from where the fishing boats come in, every morning we watch the fish make the trip from the boat, across the sidewalk in carts, and onto the ice for sale. You can eat there, or get it to go. The lines are usually crazy long. I'd recommend parking down near Pizza Nova and walking the remaining distance. It's a nice walk anyway.
  • Pizza Nova is twenty feet from our marina entrance gate, so we end up going there a lot. The views overlook America's Cup Harbor, and the staff is super friendly.
  • Ballast Point Brewery. Although not a restaurant, Ballast Point makes some outstanding local beers that you need to try while you're in town. Yellowtail is the most popular by far, but for my money it doesn't get any better than Wahoo. Make sure you order one of these fine beers, and you might very well find yourself wondering why the rest of the world doesn't stock it.
  • The actual locals in Point Loma eat at a Mexican place called Santana's. The combo plates, as well as the California burrito are outstanding. A California burrito, while drinking a nice cold Yellowtail is about as San Diegan as you can possibly get. Just make sure you have some Sublime (Get Ready) on in the background.
  • The prices at Red Sails Inn are a little on the "are-you-f'n-serious?" scale, but if you're on Shelter Island and are looking for a good place to get some clam chowder and a beer, then I can't think of a better place. One really nice aspect of this bar (which also has a restaurant) is that it's fairly calm even on a Friday or Saturday night. A good place to go if you need to talk about something or just want some peace and quiet.

More coming soon!