A Caribbean lunch, a fleeting handshake, and the moments money can’t buy. Sitting on the stern of our catamaran, I watched local fishermen in their colorful, one-engine pirogues buzz through the turquoise Caribbean water. They sped past with the day’s fresh catch of mahi mahi and spiny lobster. In sharp contrast, a glossy-black support tender […]
Special Valentine’s Day Edition! A true story about a first date, a small sailboat, and the unpredictable magic of sailing on San Diego Bay. The aluminum forest of sailboat masts swayed in the April breeze. For sailors like me, the marina was a church, and today—my first date with Victoria—I needed some divine intervention. I’d […]
In San Diego, whales are plentiful—but meaningful encounters are rare. At Sail Riviera San Diego, whale watching is shaped not by speed or spectacle, but by experience, intuition, and time on the water. Our private sailing charters are led by Captain Michael Merriam, a mariner long known among returning guests as something of a whale-whisperer—not […]
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 True Holiday Story of Captain Paul’s Early Years — Losing a job and gaining a life. The Dubuque Canned Ham was my Christmas bonus. I carried it like a football under my left arm as I slowly walked to my car. In my right hand, I held a pink termination slip and my last […]
“The work is thankless and fun and messy, and the world would be a kinder place if more people tried it.”On waiting tables – Attributed to Anthony Bourdain This October marks Riviera’s 5th anniversary. For those special few who have sailed with us or follow the blog, you know that Riviera’s road to success has […]
When was the last time you felt completely free? San Diego’s August heat in 1977 was intense. After a long scorching day, the temperature finally eased as the sun dipped behind Point Loma. The Pacific Ocean’s cloudless horizon was poised for a green flash, as the vibrant yellow ochre sunset gave way to the deep, […]
Sailing is a magical experience. An exhilarating journey, with no engine noise and no exhaust. Just the sound of the wind and waves as the hull keeps rhythm with the sea. But there’s another side to sailing in San Diego that’s equally rewarding. Anchoring. You know, that big heavy metal claw-thing at the bow of […]
For the lucky few who have had the pleasure of sailing on SV Riviera, you’ve heard me say for several years, “We need a bigger boat.” That day has come, and we are delighted to introduce our exclusive new yacht, a symbol of luxury and elegance. Riviera 2.0. She’s a 51-foot, French-built Dufour 512 Sailing […]
The trials and tribulations of buying a boat and the value of a good yacht broker. My quest to upgrade Riviera started 3 years ago. Don’t get me wrong: I love the Hunter 45 that so many of you have experienced firsthand. She’s still a fabulous boat, and I will miss her greatly. But the […]