9 minute read
Crown City Magazine - June2020
By IAN VAN TUYL
The coronavirus lockdown has put everything into stark relief. The closure of our beaches and bays drastically curtailed our activities. Despite a partial reopening, families still can’t go to movies, out to busy restaurants or take a vacation. Even Concert in the Park is on hold! However, a family escape is still possible: We can spend time with our loved ones aboard a boat.
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There’s no better way to soak up the sun and get fresh air than by sailing and boating. Take in the beautiful ocean, fly across the bay and admire our spectacular coastal landscape. Boating brings families together; it exposes children to wildlife, allows for short day trips or longer vacations, and helps teach new skills. Not to mention, boaters as a population are amazing people. They are resourceful and fearless. They love having fun in the sun, and they are always up for an adventure. (If you’re one of them, you know. If you aren’t yet, it’s not too late!)
A NEW POINT OF VIEW Seeing the island of Coronado and San Diego’s skyline from your boat is an experience like no other. Imagine sailing past Stingray Point, cruising underneath the bridge, sweeping alongside the dynamic downtown skyline, and rolling past the Point Loma Lighthouse. The views are spectacular. Even anchoring for a dip in Glorietta Bay will give your family a whole new perspective.
Cruising the Coronado Cays is another thing boaters love to do. Weaving through the channels, surrounded by amazing homes, is peaceful and serene. And there is nothing quite as magical as taking your boat out into the Pacific Ocean on a glassy morning, cruising by our world-class beach and the Hotel Del Coronado. With the bridge curving up from behind, you will view your island home in a whole new light, and a beautiful one at that.
A typical summer weekend at Stingray Point (above). Ian's daughter, Holland, enjoying summer and sand at Stingray Point (left).
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS You’ll spot tons of wildlife aboard your boat, pretty much anywhere you decide to go. Curious sea lions will playfully circle or bask in the sun on docks or buoys. We often cruise our boat by the “bait barge” near Point Loma for a first-hand encounter of dozens of barking sea lions. Our kids love this.
Dolphins are also common and their sudden appearance is always inspiring and memorable. We’ll see them in graceful pods, or training with the Navy, doing flips and all sorts of cool things. You’ll also find stingrays, lobsters, bright orange Garibaldi, octopus, jellyfish, giant herons, and even an eel if you’re lucky.
NEARBY ADVENTURES Boating allows you to visit cool nearby destinations. We recently went to the Coronado Islands which were surprisingly green and beautiful. Located about 15 miles from the mouth of San Diego Bay, the four islands are located in Mexico and are actually a protected wildlife refuge. You’re not allowed to go ashore, but you can anchor, dive or snorkel. And, if you have a Mexican fi shing license, you can catch some good ones out there!
What makes the trip to the Coronado Islands even more interesting is knowing that they have a checkered and interesting past. Rumor has it, pirates congregated there. During Prohibition era, the islands were used by alcohol smugglers, including rum runners. An area on the southern-most island was called Smuggler’s Cove. Even a casino named the Coronado Islands Yacht Club fl ourished there in 1933. Speedboats shuttled Americans to the casino several days a week from Broadway Pier in San Diego. Celebrity visitors are reputed to include Al Capone, Errol Flynn, and Charlie Chaplin. Although the islands are deserted today, the crystal-clear azure waters around them are fi lled with sea life. Visitors can see whales, dolphins, elephant seals, sea lions, sunfi sh, pelicans and more.
Another fun place to visit, closer by, is Mission Bay. Anchoring in its protected waters is very relaxing and tranquil. The water is super calm and warm, so paddle boarding and kayaking off the boat is a fun activity. It’s also great for swimming. Mission Bay has 27 miles of shoreline so there’s lots to explore. It feels very “SoCal” with the balmy, palm-tree lined shores.
Ian's wife, Christine, taking in the lush scene at the Coronado Islands.
We also like anchoring off Point Loma, in La Playa Cove. This spot is very protected and boasts beautiful views of the peninsula. Popular with kayakers and paddle boarders, you’ll see lots of families having fun in the sun. There’s also a nice waterfront walking trail that goes all the way to San Diego Yacht Club. La Playa Cove is easy to boat to from Coronado.
LOOKING AHEAD TO DINE & DOCK When restaurants begin to reopen, dock and dine experiences are not far behind. Shelter Island’s Bali Hai has a large dock, and serves up the best Mai Tais in the city! (Note they are strong and only two are allowed per customer.) The property also delivers sweeping views of the Bay and downtown San Diego skyline.
Pull up to Jimmy’s Famous in America’s Cup Harbor for a great burger and a drink. My kids always love a visit to Joe’s Crab Shack at the Embarcadero Marina (although Joe’s dock is limited to smaller boats.) Visit Coronado’s dock at Peohe’s Restaurant which has great views, and access to the Coronado Ferry Landing and other eateries like Il Fornaio, Lil’ Piggy’s, Spiro’s Gyros and Costa Azul.
In the coming months, Portside Pier will open just south of the Star of India. This future development features a dock that will give access to a new bayfront Brigantine and Miguel’s, and fi rstrate views of San Diego Bay.
TAKING IT FARTHER Catalina Island is our go-to destination. Our family and many other boaters make this a regular excursion. It’s about a three-to-four hour trip in a powerboat or about 12-14 hours in a sailboat. It is definitely worth it! You’ll find a beautiful harbor, amazing wildlife and hiking trials. It has great snorkeling and scuba diving, and Avalon Harbor is a nice place to cruise on your paddle board or kayak. It’s a magical little island and some of our best family memories are there. We love watching the sunset behind the hills and watching the Casino and town come alive with lights at night. We always see Garibaldi, sea lions, and if you’re lucky, flying fish. (We’ve seen several!) The sea lions are playful and curious, usually visiting our boat at night to catch fish, putting on a show.
We also enjoy visiting Hotel Coral & Marina in Ensenada, Mexico. As the travel bans are lifted, we hope to revisit this Baja gem. The world-class facility has 353 slips in the marina, and gives boating guests all access to the 5-star amenities (including pool, restaurants, tennis courts, jacuzzi, and ultra-modern European spa). It’s also very close to Guadalupe Valley and offers shuttle service to the fantastic wineries. Hotel Coral is about two hours away by powerboat, and takes about seven hours to sail there from Coronado.
Catalina, also known as "California's Riviera," is the island of never-ending fun. Being able to be moored in Avalon Bay is even better.
LEARNING NEW SKILLS One of the things I appreciate most about owning a boat is that my kids learn new skills out on the water. Since they were babies, we’ve spent weeks in Catalina during summer. They have grown up learning how to steer our sailboat, to tack upwind, and to operate the dingy. (They also take sailing lessons at the Coronado Yacht Club!) My kids have learned how to be safe on boats, how to tie up, and even how to fi sh. My daughters (Marley, 11 and Holland, 8) are very proud to have learned how to cast and have caught their own sand bass in the last few weeks.
My wife considers herself yacht DJ, wildlife spotter and wine bottle opener, but has also learned many boating skills as well. She knows how to steer the powerboat, assist with docking, and on a sailboat, she learned how to race. While my daughters are teaching her how to fi sh, I’m having fun learning too. I try to pick the best spot to anchor for the night and I’m discovering where some of the coolest wildlife congregate.
Holland learning in the sabot (top). Sailing lessons at Coronado Yacht Club for the kids (above). Ian with his two daughters, Marley and Holland, and their beloved dog, Moshi (right).
CHANGING WITH THE TIMES The onset of the recent coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives forever. For me, it taught us that we can (and should) do things diff erently. Time is of the essence, and how we spend it, in many ways, is in our hands. I, myself, have actually enjoyed telecommuting, working from home, and spending more time with my family, even though it’s been stressful at times. We’ve never spent so much time cooking together, playing board games together, and…boating together. It has made me realize that the times we have together as a family are the most valuable and beautiful moments of all. For us, these times are made even more special by family adventures on our boat.
INVESTING IN A BOAT As you can imagine, it’s a great time to buy a boat, new or pre-owned, sail or power. Financing rates are low, and it’s a buyer’s market. Sellers are pricing their boats fairly and accordingly with the times. As a local broker, I have more than 34 listings for pre-owned boats, sail and power, from San Francisco to Mexico.
If you’re interested in a new boat, you’ll snag full warranties bow-to-stern for three years. There are many options available for new boat buyers including customizing canvas, audio-visual systems, color schemes, painting, underwater lights and the list goes on.
I’m a member of Coronado Yacht Club and have lived in Coronado for the last 12 years. I’ve worked in boating for more than 20 years. I’m happy to be your guide if you think that boat life is for you. Reach out at 619-507-4416. Thanks for reading and see you on the water!
