From Sky to Sea: An Elevated Welcome to San Diego.
Small motor boats floated motionless in the glassy marina. Beyond the jetty, the silhouette of a cargo ship, outlined in the pre-dawn haze, glided, without a wake, into Saint George Bay. The Eastern Mediterranean Sea was quiet as Beirut began another day.
It had been a late night. Dinner with new friends, a nightcap, and a cigar with my brother was the end of a 72-hour whirlwind assignment to photograph the people and the city once referred to as the Paris of the Middle East. From the balcony of our 14th-floor suite, the early morning view of northern Beirut was peaceful, well-composed, and orderly. A far cry from the zany, chaotic rush-hour traffic, where stop lights are irrelevant, lanes are invisible, and fearless pedestrians play Frogger with the tangled maze of cars.
I’ve had the privilege of traveling to so many beautiful cities. Tokyo, Mexico City, London, Copenhagen, Berlin, Istanbul, Athens, Kyiv, the unknown Tirana, and the misunderstood Beirut, just to name a few, and not including all the magnificent cities that dot the United States and Canada.
Our world is filled with such wondrous and unique places. But there is nothing like coming home to San Diego. My travel itinerary back was a marathon—Beirut to Istanbul, London, Newark, and finally, the last leg to my cherished gem of a city. Twenty-one hours in the air, twelve in airports, eleven time zones crossed.
After 33 hours of travel, touching down here never fails to revive me. For first-time visitors, the approach is unforgettable—aircraft glide so close to the city that it seems their wheels might skim the rooftops. Unlike most major airports, Lindbergh Field sits mere minutes from downtown, as though the city itself wrapped around its runways.
I always claim a port-side window, smiling as the skyline, the graceful Coronado Bridge, hulking aircraft carriers, and a sparkling bay welcome me back. Just before we land, I catch a glimpse of Riviera’s mast, patiently awaiting her captain’s return.
Whether you’re traveling to San Diego for a quick, bing-bang visit or if you’re here for an extended stay, I suggest the Airport Sail Package. You fly in and are met in baggage claim by our driver, who takes you directly to our marina. Literally a 3-minute drive. You’ll be met by our crew at the yacht. Freshen up on board, sip your favorite beverage, and spend the next two hours sailing San Diego’s Bay and coastal waters. In less time than it took to reclaim your luggage, you’ll shed the stress of travel and be instantly revitalized.
After your sail, we’ll chauffeur you to your hotel—relaxed, restored, and properly welcomed. This is how arrival should feel: not just the end of a long journey, but the joyful beginning of your time here in San Diego.
Wishing you fair winds, following seas, and Happy Holidays!
Paul & Victoria