Sailing in San Diego

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There are more than 55,000 registered water craft docked at 26 marinas throughout San Diego County. Sailors have a choice of the calm waters of 4,600-acre Mission Bay, with its 26 miles of shoreline; the exciting San Diego Bay, one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world; or the Pacific Ocean, where you can sail south to the Islas los Coronados (the trio of uninhabited islets on the Mexico side of the border). Joining a chartered sailing trip is easy.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego (tel. 619/234-9153; www.sdmaritime.org) offers half-day and 3-day sailing adventures aboard the Californian, the official tall ship of the state. This ship is a replica of an 1847 cutter that sailed the coast during the Gold Rush. Half-day sails depart select Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm from the Maritime Museum downtown and are priced $32 for adults, $24 for seniors over 62 and active military, and $21 for kids 17 and under. Reservations are required for multi-day trips, which make for Catalina Island (starting at $465) and take place in summer and fall. For sailing schedules or more information, call or check the website.

Based at Shelter Island Marina, Classic Sailing Adventures (tel. 800/659-0141 or 619/224-0800; www.classicsailingadventures.com) offers two 4-hour sailing trips daily aboard the Soul Diversion, a 38-foot Ericson. The afternoon cruise leaves at 1pm and a champagne sunset sail departs at 5pm. The yacht carries a maximum of six passengers (minimum two), and the $75-per-person price includes beverages and snacks.

You can pretend you're racing for your country's honor with Next Level Sailing (tel. 800/644-3454; www.nextlevelsailing.com), which offers bay sails aboard one of two 80-foot America's Cup Class racing yachts. The 2-hour excursions, either on the Stars and Stripes or the Abracadabra, are $99.

If you have sailing or boating experience, go for a nonchartered rental. Seaforth Boat Rental, 1641 Quivira Rd., Mission Bay (tel. 888/834-2628 or 619/223-1681; www.seaforthboatrental.com), has a wide variety of boats for bay and ocean. It rents 15- to 240-horsepower powerboats ranging from $48 to $135 an hour, 16- to 36-foot sailboats starting at $35 an hour, and ski boats and jet skis starting at $90 an hour. Half- and full-day rates are available. Canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats are also available, as well as fishing boats and equipment. Seaforth has locations downtown at the Marriott San Diego Hotel & Marina, 333 W. Harbor Dr. (tel. 619/239-2628), and in Coronado at 1715 Strand Way (tel. 619/437-1514).

Mission Bay Sportcenter, 1010 Santa Clara Place (tel. 858/488-1004; www.missionbaysportcenter.com), rents sailboats, catamarans, sailboards, kayaks, jet skis, surfboards, and motorboats. Prices range from $18 to $105 an hour, with discounts for 4-hour and full-day rentals. Private instruction is available for $30 per hour; group lessons are also available.