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 faint downwind breeze glide me into a sea of city lights. Like me, the San Diego skyline was still in its adolescence. There was little activity on the bay then. No charter boats, booze cruises, or post 9-11 security patrols.
It was warm, calm, and tranquil. Sitting at the tiny helm, eating Dinty Moore stew out of the can, and listening to what was to become “Yacht Rock,” I declared it was the summer of Paul!
40 years later, much has changed, as San Diego is all grown up. Yet after the sun drops over the Pacific, that gentle breeze returns. If you’re lucky enough to relax on a sailboat’s bow as it drifts toward the city, you can feel the same peaceful magic I discovered decades ago.
Night sailing on San Diego Bay is a new experience we’ve added to our sailing repertoire. We leave the dock between 6:30-7:00PM. You’ll watch the sunset, sip your favorite adult beverage, and let time stand still as the city lights dance off the glassy water. I suggest my guests nestle into one of the overstuffed bean bags on the bow. I turn down the music, wanting them to feel what I felt 40 years ago. Peaceful, quiet, and private. It’s a strange juxtaposition to be so isolated and yet only a few hundred yards from the fast-paced hustle of the 8th largest city in the U.S.
If you’re looking for a magically romantic evening, a night sail on San Diego Bay has become one of the top things to do while visiting America’s Finest City. On SV Riviera, you’ll find customized menus and full beverage service. Every detail is noticed, and each request is fulfilled. We’ll even serve you Dinty Moore stew if you ask.
Fair winds and following seas!
Paul & Victoria
