Sailing and Boating in San Diego

The city's history is full of seafarers, from the ships of the 1542 Cabrillo expedition to the America's Cup that once had a home here. Winds in San Diego are fairly consistent, especially in winter. You can rent a slip at one of several marinas if you're bringing your own boat. If not, you can rent vessels of various sizes and shapes—from small paddleboats to sleek 12-meters and kayaks to Hobie Cats—from specialized vendors. In addition, most bayside resorts rent equipment for on-the-water adventures. Most of what's available from these outlets is not intended for the open ocean, which is wise, considering the potential danger for the inexperienced. The Bahia Resort Hotel (998 W. Mission Bay Dr., Mission Bay, 92109. 858/488-2582. www.bahiahotel.com) and its sister location, the Catamaran Resort Hotel (3999 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 92109. 858/488-2582), rent paddleboats, kayaks, powerboats, and sailboats from 14 to 22 feet. The Bahia also rents out a ski boat. Harbor Sailboats (2040 Harbor Island Dr., Harbor Island, 92101. 619/291-9568 or 800/854-6625. www.harborsailboats.com) rents sailboats from 22 to 47 feet long for open-ocean adventures. Seaforth Boat Rentals (1715 Strand Way, Coronado, 92118. 619/437-1514 or 888/834-2628.) has kayaks, Jet Skis, fishing skiffs, and power boats from 10 feet to 20 feet in length as well as sailboats from 16 to 36 feet. They also can hook you up with a skipper. Hike Bike Kayak San Diego (2246 Ave. de la Playa, La Jolla, 92037. 858/551-9510 or 866/425-2925. www.hikebikekayak.com) offers several kayak tours, from easy excursions in Mission Bay that are well-suited to families and beginners to more advanced jaunts, where kayakers paddle with leopard sharks or whale-watch (from a safe distance). Moonlight tours are also offered; during the summer months a cruise into the bay to see SeaWorld's impressive fireworks shows over the water can be thrilling. Carlsbad Paddle Sports (2002 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, 92054. 760/434-8686. www.carlsbadpaddle.com) handles kayak sales, rentals, and instruction for coastal North County.

Contact California Cruisin' (1450 Harbor Island Dr., Downtown, 92101. 619/296-8000 or 800/449-2248. www.californiacruisin.com) for yachting charter excursions and dinner cruises. Hornblower Cruises and Events (1066 N. Harbor Dr., Embarcadero, 92101. 619/686-8700 or 888/467-6256. www.hornblower.com) operates harbor cruises, sunset cocktail and dining cruises, whale-watching excursions, and yacht charters. San Diego Harbor Excursion (1050 N. Harbor Dr., Embarcadero, 92101. 619/234-4111 or 800/442-7847. www.sdhe.com) has two-hour dinner and brunch cruises and a ferry to Coronado. Whakapono Sailing Charter (939 Winston Dr., Mission Bay, 92114. 619/988-9644 or 800/659-0141. www.whakapono.us) offers more intimate sails aboard their 30-foot sailboat for sunset cruises in summer, or daytime sightseeing (whale-watching in winter). For information, including tips on overnight anchoring, contact the Port of San Diego Mooring Office (619/686-6227). For additional information contact the San Diego Harbor Police (619/686-6272).