5 Places To See With A San Diego Boat Rental
San Diego is a dream destination for boaters. With its stunning coastlines and active marine life, the San Diego harbor offers a unique boating experience to which water-lovers from all over the world flock. With direct access to renowned attractions like the USS Midway Museum and La Jolla Cove, San Diego’s Pacific waters provide limitless opportunities for exploration and enjoyment.
Much of San Diego’s appeal lies in the many landmarks, buildings, and natural features visible from the harbor. The close proximity to beautiful spots like Coronado Island and the iconic Point Loma lighthouse means that some of the region’s top tourist spots are just a sail away. Here are 5 places you can (and should!) see with a San Diego boat rental.
USS Midway Museum
Located in downtown San Diego at Navy Pier, the USS Midway Museum features the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Decommissioned in 1992, the USS Midway ship became the centerpiece of San Diego’s museum of the same name. Within the museum, guests can explore its extensive aircraft collection, listen to a self-guided audio tour narrated by Midway sailors, and even try their hand in a flight simulator.
For individuals sailing in the harbor, the USS Midway Museum is an impressive sight. Dwarfing Navy Pier, the museum features an outdoor flight deck that hosts several restored planes visible to the naked eye. In some ways, viewing the USS Midway Museum outside of its physical facility creates an even greater appreciation for the sheer size and power it exudes. To visit the museum itself, guests could visit Seaport Village after boating and walk the remaining distance to the attraction.
Coronado Island
Situated just across from San Diego Bay, Coronado Island is popular for its resorts, beaches, and views. In particular, the Victorian Hotel del Coronado provides a stunning silhouette with its red-roofed turrets and sprawling grounds. Built in 1888, this historic resort was used as a de facto gathering place by celebrities throughout the twentieth century. In fact, the hotel affectionately nicknamed “The Del” served as the set for Marilyn Monroe in the film Some Like It Hot. A photographer’s dream, the Hotel del Coronado stands as a tall reminder of Hollywood’s glitz and glam.
Coronado Island is technically a peninsula since it is connected to the mainland by a strip appropriately called the Silver Strand. Across from The Del, Coronado Beach’s flat expanse draws hundreds of surfers and sunbathers. Animal lovers also rejoice because the western stretch of the beach is reserved for leash-free dogs and their owners. Coronado Ferry Landing is a great place to stretch out sealegs and get a bite to eat at many of the area’s restaurants.
Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument
The rugged coastline of Point Loma gives boaters a glimpse of the scenic peninsula’s dramatic cliffs and craggy rock faces. Not only is this landmark naturally beautiful, it is also steeped in history. At the southern tip of the peninsula, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse stands 422 feet above sea level. Built in 1855, the historic lighthouse’s glow could be seen for over 28 miles and warned vessels away from San Diego Bay’s potentially deadly rocky shores. Decommissioned and later restored by the National Park Service, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse stands as an imposing beacon for ships to this day.
Near the lighthouse and nestled in Point Loma’s high bluffs, the structures of the Cabrillo National Monument remain visible from the water. Commemorating the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542, this monument marks the first place a European set foot on the United States’ west coast. If you’re renting a boat in the winter months, you might also spot a migrating gray whale or two making their way to warmer waters.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego
A remarkable repository of maritime history, the Maritime Museum of San Diego hosts a collection of historic vessels, including sailing ships, steam-powered boats, and submarines. Perhaps the museum’s most impressive relic is the Star of India, long considered the world’s oldest active sailing ship. This iron-hulled merchant ship has circled the globe 21 times since 1863. Similarly, the HMS Surprise was built as a replica of an 18th-century Royal Navy frigate. Featured in the movie Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, this ship remains meticulously maintained and even makes the occasional appearance in sailing excursions and events.
From the deck of your boat rental, you will be able to observe the museum’s maritime fleet anchored along the harbor. In particular, the Star of India draws eyes to its iron hull and towering masts. Although you would need to buy admission to the museum to explore all of its exhibits, a boat ride through San Diego Bay still offers the opportunity to witness a bygone era in ocean transportation.
La Jolla Cove
One of San Diego’s most enchanting sights is the picturesque inlet known as La Jolla Cove. Famous for its stunning visuals and marine life, this cove is frequently populated with snorkelers, scuba divers, and swimmers. With relatively calm water, La Jolla Cove is also protected by the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve. This protected status means that colorful fish, sea lions, and dolphins regularly pop up for visitors to observe from a distance.
With its panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla Cove’s cliffs are a favorite of photographers and nature lovers. Throughout the year, this location also hosts many local events, including open water swims and ocean festivals. If you’re interested in exploring the area on land, you’ll find a plethora of fine dining, art galleries, and upscale shops dotting the nearby neighborhoods. Staying on your boat, though, still provides passengers with plenty to do. Whether you launch a kayak from the back of your rental or prefer to engage in some people watching on-deck, an excursion to La Jolla Cove will never be dull.
Beyond simply enjoying the benefits that come with a San Diego boat rental, the many sights visible to the naked eye while on the water can make your sailing experience even more unique and memorable. For more information about how and where to reserve a boat rental, contact Seaforth Boat Rental today.
