Captain's Log

As we close the door on 2023; I want to thank everyone who has helped make Sail Riviera come to life. Four years ago, when we started this little adventure, we had a simple mission statement: Provide a customized private sailing experience that was luxurious, exciting, authentic, and fun. I’m happy to say we’ve managed […]

In August of 1977, I stood on the bow of a Ferry on its way from Olympia, Washington, to Victoria, British Columbia, and was amazed at the beauty of the Northwest. As a kid born and raised in Southern California, Vancouver Island, with its giant red cedars, Douglas firs, and Sitka spruce trees, along with […]

The heavy-set man in an oversized Hawaiian shirt stood on the stern swim platform of his prestigious 54-foot Grand Banks motor yacht. The large man, with hands on hips, was in the “bitch wing pose” as he scrutinized Victoria and me in our 42-foot sailboat. We were assigned to the mooring next to his spotless […]

The phone call was brief, but the young man’s urgent tone pulled me in and made me pay attention. “Mr. Paul, my name is Logan, and I plan to propose to my girlfriend on your sailboat, but I’ve never done this before, and I want it to be perfect.” I couldn’t help but smile at […]

I once had a crew member accuse me of “overdoing it.” This person, who is no longer employed, needed to understand what makes Riviera the must-do activity when visiting San Diego. After all, anyone can offer a “boat ride” in San Diego Bay. Anyone could hand a guest a bag of Cheetos, toss them a […]

It was the summer of 1980. I turned 17, landed my first job as a sailing instructor at Harbor Island Yacht Club, and lived on my Dad’s 25-foot Catalina. Occasionally, after sunset, I’d motor Dad’s little sailboat out of the marina into San Diego Bay. I’d cut the engine, hoist the headsail and let the […]

Last updated September 2024 Anthony Bourdain once said, ” When you travel, let the happy accidents happen.” As such, on Riviera, we want our guests to feel like travelers. We want our passengers to feel like they are stepping aboard a hidden gem of a yacht, experiencing sailing in San Diego as authentic and genuine […]

I come from a long line of Irish thieves and poets who never let the truth stand in the way of a good story. The problem with dishonesty is that, eventually, the truth will surface. In 2009 a friend of ours suggested we visit the British Virgin Islands and spend a couple weeks island-hopping on […]

At least once a week I’m asked how and when I started sailing. I usually give the short answer, but for the record, here’s the long answer. Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, most likely after running his ship aground in 1542, called it “Bahía Falsa,” or The False Bay. This muddy tidal wash where the San Diego […]

Last week we welcomed Chef David Castro Hussong, the extraordinary executive chef at Fauna, the 5-star restaurant in Valle De Guadalupe, to prepare a private dinner aboard Riviera. With wines from the Valle, Fernando Gaxiola of Baja Food & Wine paired each dish with some of the Valle’s best vintages. Chef David brought down the […]