San Diego : Profile

Clearance

Since international security has been beefed-up, it is important that the rules relating to clearance are strictly adhered to. Going into Mexican waters, even for a day, entails reporting your arrival on return. The U.S.-Mexico border is clearly marked as a dotted line on all navigation charts. Two white boundary monuments on shore line up as range markers, and at night, the border is marked by a white flashing light (fl 4, 5s) from a tower that stands 157 feet high. Just south of the monuments is the Tijuana bull ring, a round structure more easily visible on a hazy day than the monuments.

San Diego is the first port of entry into the U.S. for coastal boats coming up from Mexico. Yachts coming in from Hawaii can lay a direct course for Los Angeles/Long Beach, but a yacht coming up from Mexico that does not clear customs at San Diego must remain outside the three-mile limit.

There are 2 reporting stations in the San Diego area; Shelter Island and Mission Bay.

For Shelter Island, go alongside the gated San Diego Harbor Police dock on the south end of the island in San Diego Bay. Do not go to the larger municipal guest docks to the north. Only the skipper may go through the gate and only for the purpose of contacting U.S. Customs and Border Authorities. There is a payphone near the gate or at the Harbor Police and moorings building. Phone star (*)82 and request to be cleared into the U.S. Alternatively dial 1 619 685 4300, option #4 from another phone.

If the Harbor Police dock is occupied, you may pick up one of the yellow quarantine mooring buoys just across the channel.

The Mission Bay reporting station is at the Dana Launch Ramp Public Dock at Dana Landing Road, Mission Bay. This station can only be used by vessels of less than 50 ft and with under 42 ft air draft as this clearance is needed to pass under the Ventura Bridge (at LW). On arrival call 1 619 685 4300, Option #4.

During heightened alerts, U.S. Coast Guard patrols routinely stop to question or board vessels entering San Diego and Mission bays. A boarding by the Coast Guard does not fulfill the requirement to report your arrival and clear customs at the Harbor Police dock.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site

The local San Diago pleasure boat site

Last updated June 2009.

Docking

There are five anchorages within San Diego Bay that are popularly used, as well as a large number of mooring buoys, harbours and marinas. Permits are required for most of the anchorages (contact the Harbormaster’s office) and holding tanks must be used.

Transient slips are available at the Harbour Police facility at the south end of Shelter Island, near the mouth of the harbour. Boats may stay for up to 10 days.

There is a dedicated cruiser anchorage, for non-locally registered boats, in an area adjacent to the United States Coast Guard Air Station and the east tip of Harbor Island.

Other anchorages are at Glorietta Bay, south of the Coronado Golf Course; South Bay anchorage, west of the main shipping channel, near the 24th Street Marine Terminal in National City; La Playa Cove, a 72-hour, weekend-only anchorage located between San Diego and Southwestern Yacht Club in the Shelter Island yacht basin.

There are several marinas fronting the area along Shelter Island Drive and North Harbor Drive.

Cabrillo Isle Marina
1450 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101, California
Tel:(619)297 6222
Accomodating up to 425 vessels, with berths ranging from 28 to 105 feet, Cabritillo Isle Marina offers a beautifully landscape facility, adjacent restaurants and two four-star hotels. Amenities include: Guest Slips, Concrete Docks, Lockable Dock Boxes, Fresh Water, Telephone and TV Hookups, Wireless Internet, Metered Electricity, Laundry, Pump-out Station, Fuel Dock (Nearby), Clean Restrooms, Showers, Security. Sponsored events thru-out the year. December 2008.

Chula Vista Marina
550 Marina Parkway, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Tel:(619) 691-1860, Fax:(619) 420-9667, VHF Channel 16
boatslips@cvmarina.com
Opening Hours: Office 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, daily
552 berth full service marina situated at the south end of San Diego Bay, in Chula Vista Yacht Harbour. Dock at the red pump-out station while reporting to the office.

Gold Coast marina
2358 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106, California
Tel:+1 (619) 225 0588
Amenities and services include: 35 slips 42' to 120'+. Clean restroom and showers. Electrical and water hook-ups, Secure dock boxes with integrated lighting. Walking distance to numerouse restaurants, chandleries and boat yards. December 2008.

Half Moon Marina
2323 Shelter Island Drive
Tel:(619) 224 3401

Harbor Island Marina
2040 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92102, California
Tel:+1 (619) 291 6440
Facilities - Slips from 20' to 100'. Restroom/shower facilities, Electric, water, telephone. Dock boxes, dock carts. Fuel Dock, pumpout station. Liveaboards welcome. Swimming Pool, Saunas, Boathouse Restaurant, Deli/Liquor Store, Chandlery/Boutique. Sailing Club, Picnic Area, Laundry facilities. December 2008.

Kona Marina
1551 Shelter Island drive, San Diego, CA 92106, California
Tel:(619) 224 2489
The marina has high capacity electrical power up to 480v, 3 phase, high speed Internet and cable television, along with state of the art concrete docks. Facilities - Access Card Controlled Dock Gates, New Concrete Docks, Nearby Fuel Dock. Pump out facility. Laundry rooms. Convenient: 10 minutes to Downtown. 7 minutes from San Diego Airport. High Speed Internet, Phone & Television. Walking distance to a variety of shops, repair facilities & restaurants. December 2008.

Pier 32 Marina
2040 Harbor Island, San Diego, CA 92101-1047
Tel:(800) 729 7547
office@pier32marina.com
A new marina due to open 2008. Located just S of the US naval base, on the E shore of the bay. All facilities.

San Diego Harbormaster Office
Tel: (619) 686-6227
For anchoring permits.

Shelter Cove marina
2240 Shelter Island Drive
Tel:(619) 224 2471

Shelter Island Harbormaster
1401 Shelter Island Dr.
Tel: (619) 686-6227, VHF Channel 16
Opening Hours: 08:30 - 11:30, 12:30 to 15:30 daily
Anchoring permits.

Sun Harbor Marina
5104 North Harbor Drive
Tel:(619) 222 1167

Sunroad Resort Marina
955 Harbor Island Drive, CA 92101, California
Tel:+1 (619) 574-0736, Fax:+1 (619) 574-7603
Sunroad Resort Marina is located on Harbor Island in north San Diego Bay, just minutes from the International Airport and downtown San Diego. Access Card Controlled Docks, Locker Rentals, Dinghy Rack Rentals, Telephone and Cable TV Hook-ups, Wireless Internet. 30 or 50 amp/125 Volt or 50 amp/208 Volt Electrical. Convenient:5 Minutes to Downtown, 2 Minutes to San Diego Airport. Online bill pay. Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi, Spa and Gym. Designated Clean Marina. December 2008.

The San Diego Mooring Company
2040 Harbor Island Drive, Suite B116, San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: (619) 291-0916
Mooring are situated at Shelter Island, America’s Cup Harbour, Laurel Street and Bay Bridge Roadstead.

Yacht Clubs

Chula Vista Yacht Club
642 Marina Parkway, Chula Vista
Tel:(619)422 7888

Kona Kai International Yacht Club
1551 Shelter Island Drive , San Diego CA 92106
Tel:(619) 223-3138, Fax: (619) 223-1723
kkiyc1@compaq.net
Slips: First two days free, additional days at $1.50/ft./day. Contact marina office (619) 224-7547. Reciprocity offered November through May. An international club with sister clubs in 10 other countries.

San Diego Yacht Club
1011 Anchorage Lane , San Diego CA 92106-3005
Tel: (619) 221-8400, Fax: (619) 224-3059
www.sdyc.org
Opening Hours: 7 days a week
Please call Dockmaster (619) 758-6308 for guest dock reservations The club welcomes visitors from bonafide yacht clubs throughout the world. A valid , dated, membership card from club, or a letter of introduction from your club on letterhead will do. Restaurant, bar, swimming pool.

Silver Gate Yacht Club
2091 Shelter Island Drive , San Diego CA 92106
Tel:(619) 222-1214, Fax: (619) 222-4506
www.sgyc.org
Opening Hours: Open daily
Restaurant and bar. Vacant member slips as available, 30-50 feet, for members of reciprocal clubs with three days free. There is also a guest dock, depending on availability. Contact the port captain or the office.

Southwestern Yacht Club
2702 Qualtrough St. , San Diego CA 92106
Tel: (619) 222-0438, Fax:(619) 222-8214
www.southwesternyc.org, frontoffic@swyc.coxatwork.com
Friendly, family orientated club. Two 90ft guest docks are available and guest slips, when available, three days are free to member of reciprocal clubs, then $0.50/ft/per day. Contact Betsy Hoag, office manager or Jeff Wheeler, general manager.