Looking for some Southern California boating fun this month? The Festival of Sail at the San Diego Maritime Museum is the largest tall ship festival on the West Coast and is kicking off a multi-day celebration. The weekend’s events are a great way to get together with likeminded boating enthusiasts to learn new bating tips and tricks, which are particularly helpful if you recently purchased a used boat in San Diego.
The San Diego Festival of Sail will be held Labor Day weekend from Friday, August 29th to Monday, September 1st 2014. Hours are Friday through Sunday, 9 am to 7 pm, and Monday, 9 am to 5 pm. Prices are $7 per day for adults and $5 per day for kids, seniors and military.
At the Festival of Sail, there will be a wide spectrum of events for guests to enjoy. Along with a vintage boat display and naval re-enactments, there will be live music, business showcases, arts and crafts booths, food and beverage vendors and a children’s petting zoo. While these activities are included in the price of your entrance ticket, you can make your sail day one to remember by adding on any of the following activities for an extra charge. These events require the appropriate add-on activity ticket and a Festival of Sail ticket or proof of membership to the Maritime Museum:
Tall Ship Parade
If you want to be a part of the 12 ship flotilla, you can purchase a ticket to hop aboard the historic Californian, the official tall ship of California, which will be leading the parade of ships down the San Diego bay to their docking spaces. There are however, limited numbers of these tickets available so plan ahead! Prices are $60 for adults and $48 for children 12 and under. Boarding closes at 8:30 am, and the sail will come to a close around 1:30pm.
Tall Ship Cannon Battles
These battles occur twice a day on each day of the festival. Tickets are $65 for adults and $40 for kids 12 and under. Patrons board at 10:30 am and return at 1:30 pm or at 2:30 pm and return at 5:30 pm.
Pilot Bay Cruises
Thirty minute Pilot Bay Cruises are offered on Friday from 10:45 am to 6 pm. Tickets are $7 for adults and children. There are also Swift Boat Tours on this day from 11:15 am to 5:30 pm. Prices are $10 for adults and children.
Racing Yachts
Stars & Stripes and Abracadabra compete against each other daily in the America’s Cup Boat Race. Patrons can join the race in a Two-Boat Regatta with a captain and crew supplied. Tickets are $99 for adults and $49.50 for children 12 and under. Boarding ends at 1:30 pm for this event.
Are you more interested in having a yacht of your own? While you’re in San Diego, call the local boating experts at Ballast Point Yachts, Inc. in San Diego at (619) 222-3620. We will be more than happy to talk about the specifics of buying, selling or fixing used boats or yachts!