Recreation

Big Bay Boom Fireworks to Light Up San Diego

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:21:56 +0000

The countdown is on! The party of the year is coming to San Diego's Big Bay. The Port of San Diego’s 9th Annual Big Bay Boom will light up the sky July 4. The event is ranked No. 1 this year, west of the Mississippi, by the travel industry. The fireworks show is a great way to spend the entire day along the Big Bay.

READ MORE: Big Bay Boom event details and parking/shuttle information

Sailboats to Race San Diego's Big Bay for Good Cause

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:08:11 +0000

A special sailing event is coming to San Diego Bay June 12 and 13. The first ever West Marine Challenged America Regatta will bring the waters off Shelter Island alive with dozens of sailboats racing to help raise money to help those with disabilities learn to sail.

Described as "a fun race for bragging rights," the regatta helps support the work of Challenged America.

"Challenged America really began in 1978 out of the frustration by two disabled veterans who just wanted to learn how to sail and no one at that time was able to handle their special needs," said Urban Miyares, co-founder of Challenged America.

The non-profit, all-volunteer organization, has been recognized as a pioneer in the field of adaptive sailing, providing free learn-to-sail and advanced sailing opportunities to kids and adults with disabilities, their loved ones, and volunteers.

The Regatta begins Friday, June 12 with the Commodore's Challenge Cup, where seven local yacht club commodores will be racing at 4 p.m. in the Challenged America Martin 16 foot boats. Following the race, the world-famous sailor Paul Cayard will be in town to do a guest appearance at the Friday night auction and dinner at the Bali Hai.

The Regatta was organized by West Marine and Cortez Racing Association.

"It's exciting to have such a regatta on the Big Bay, it's just going to be wonderful," said Miyares.

Among the racers will be Chris Freeman. He was left a paraplegic 12 years ago after being hit by a jet skier on near the Colorado River in Arizona.

"Sailing in the ocean basically was my life for as long as I could remember. When I found out about the group and got involved, it meant a lot, it was like things didn't have to change as much as I thought it would," he said.

Freeman now who serves on the Challenged America board of directors.

The Regatta begins at noon Saturday. There is a $50 entry free that includes after-race tickets fro up to six people. The post-race awards ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. at the Point Loma West Marine store's parking lot on Rosecrans.

"You don't have to be a sailor, just come out and watch the event," said Miyares.

Funded by contributions from the general public, sponsorship, public speaking honorariums, and various fund development activities, thousands have participated in the program. All contributions are tax-deductible. For additional information on Challenged America and how you can participate, volunteer, sponsor and help, email Ahoy@ChallengedAmerica.org, leave a phone message at 619-523-9318 or visit www.ChallengedAmerica.org.

The Port of San Diego granted Challenged America $15,000 in financial assistance in fiscal year 2009-2010.

Big Bay July 4 Fireworks Show Promises a Big Boom (Updated)

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6281) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:42:45 +0000

Get out the red, white and blue regalia and start planning your picnic, because July 4^th is just around the corner. The Port of San Diego will be celebrating Independence Day with a party like no other - the Big Bay Boom 2009.

This will be the ninth year that the Port sponsors the annual fireworks extravaganza on San Diego Bay and this year's show will be as enthralling as always.

It all starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Four barges, strategically placed around the north bay area of San Diego Bay, will discharge fireworks simultaneously to live broadcasted music on 105.7 The Walrus FM radio. The show will also be televised live on San Diego FOX 5 HD (high definition) and Cox 4 HD, covered with four remote cameras and a helicopter. The impeccably choreographed display will last approximately 16 1/2 minutes.

Big Bay Boom 2009 Parking/Shuttle Information (216.65 kB)

The best places to view the fireworks are on Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the north embarcadero area, Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry Landing. ( Big Bay Boom Barge Map (480.7 kB))

More than 750,000 people are expected to come to the waterfront to watch the show and the Port of San Diego strongly encourages carpooling or taking the San Diego Trolley. Nearby trolley stops are located near the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego and close to Seaport Village. In addition, the Port will be working with Old Town Trolley to provide free shuttle service for Shelter Island and Harbor Island viewing.

Shuttles will begin departing from two designated areas at 5:30 p.m. and will be taking people back to their cars right after the fireworks show. One shuttle pickup area is located on the corner of Carleton Street and Rosecrans Street in Point Loma, adjacent to West Marine. Only street parking is available at this location. The shuttle will drop passengers off in front of the gazebo on Shelter Island. The pick up location after the show will also be at the gazebo.

The second shuttle pickup area will be at the Port of San Diego Administration building, 3165 Pacific Highway, and at the Port's employee lot directly across the street on the southwest corner of Pacific Highway and Sassafras Street. Parking is free at this location. Passengers will be dropped off at Harbor Island Park. The pick up location for after the show is across Harbor Island Drive, next to the San Diego Harbor Police Headquarters.

The Harbor Police and City of San Diego Police department will assist with traffic coordination during the event.

The Port of San Diego's Big Bay Fireworks show was established in 2001 to benefit the San Diego Armed Services YMCA and various programs for San Diego area military families. Along with the Port, sponsors include the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hilton San Diego Bayside Hotel, San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, the Midway Museum, and several other Port tenants and businesses.

First Annual “Baja by the Sea” Event to Showcase Cuisine, Wine and Culture of Mexico

melicone@portofsandiego.org ( Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:54:21 +0000

On Saturday, May 30, 2009, the Port of San Diego's Embarcadero Marina Park North will turn into Baja California Norte for the first annual Baja by the Sea.

Sponsored by the government and the mayors in Baja, California cities, the event will showcase the area as a major tourism destination. The Honorable Jose Guadalupe Osuna Millan, governor of Baja California, will join Baja's Secretary of Tourism, Oscar Jesus Escovedo Carignan and other government leaders to help promote Mexico's tourism and real estate industries.

"The Port of San Diego is proud to host 'Baja by the Sea' in a tidelands park," said Commissioner Robert "Dukie" Valderrama, who will be giving opening remarks at the event. "The Port shares a sister port relationship with the Port of Ensenada and we will do all we can to promote business and tourism in Ensenada and all of Baja California."

The Baja cities of Tijuana, Mexicali, Rosarito, Ensenada and Tecate will be represented with regional cuisine, wine, art, musical performances and other entertainment. Business leaders from these cities will be on hand to discuss growing business opportunities as well as present information on recreation and tourism. Event hours are from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free.

For more information on the event, or to register as a business vendor, go to www.bajabythesea.org.

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Harbor Cruises Go to the Dogs for Pet Rescue Day on the Big Bay

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:18:34 +0000

The dog days of summer are getting off to an early start on Thursday, May 14. Port of San Diego tenant Hornblower Cruises and Events will host the 9th Annual Pet Rescue Day on the Bay, which will benefit Helen Woodward Animal Center. With the donation of a gently used blanket or towel, pet owners and their dogs can cruise for free on any one-hour harbor cruise.

The first available cruise is at 10 a.m. and the last cruise is at 4:15 p.m. Items will be collected from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1066 North Harbor Drive on the San Diego Embarcadero. The event is sponsored in part by PETCO, Frosty Paws® Frozen Treats for Dogs and the Port of San Diego.

"I dreamed up Pet Rescue Day when one Christmas I called the (Helen Woodward Animal) Center to see if they needed any help," said Hornblower Director of Marketing, Rebecca Milkey. "I didn't have any money, but my heart was in the right place. They said, 'We can always use towels and blankets for the kittens and puppies and for the bedding in the concrete cages.' I was so happy I could do something that was in my ‘ability to help."

"This is a special event that brings people together to make the lives of orphaned animals better," said John Van Zante, public relations manager for Helen Woodward Animal Center. "For almost 10 years, we have collected enough towels and blankets to last us all year and its fun for the pets to be allowed out on Hornblower's boat too."

The Center uses those blankets and towels when puppies and kittens are born. They also place them in kennels for the orphaned dogs to sleep on. Any dog or cat food that is donated will also be put to good use, by the Center's Ani-MEALS program. If you're interested in adopting one of the Center's animals, a representative will be on site to answer questions. Last year, more than 2,000 blankets and towels were collected.

Pet Rescue Day is the only time dogs can cruise on Hornblower, except for September 20, when dogs cruise free on the Bow Wow Brunch Cruise. Doggie bags are available on board and special receptacles provided to clean up after pets. All dogs taking the cruise must be on a leash.

Cruise departures are at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4:15 p.m. For more information about the event, visit Hornblower Cruises & Events online or call 619-686-8700.

Skies over San Diego Bay Come Alive as Red Bull Air Races Arrive

gbatuyon@portofsandiego.org (Glenn Batuyong) — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:19:24 +0000

Red Bull Air Race pilots practiced low over San Diego Bay on Thursday, and will practice again Friday in preparation for the Red Bull Air Race World Championship that will be held Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10.

Racing against the clock and flying over 250 miles an hour, the pilots practiced tight maneuvers around the 65-foot pylons set in the Bay.

Spectators can watch the practice sessions, as well as the championship competition, from the downtown San Diego and Coronado waterfronts. Tickets are available to watch the championship races from Embarcadero Marina Park where viewing screens and other amenities will be available. If you have any questions or require assistance with your booking, please contact ticketing@redbullairrace.com.

Friday's practice sessions are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Event-related aircraft will be flying over the bay from 12:30 to 2 p.m. During practice sessions and race days, the US Coast Guard will close San Diego Bay in the course area and up to the G Street Mole.

Additional parking, walkway, roadway closure, and traffic notices are available from a previous article.

For more fficial event information please visit the Red Bull Air Race World Championship web site.

Gator by the Bay Brings Cajun Flavor to San Diego This Weekend

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:36:32 +0000

The tastes and sounds of the Louisiana Bayou are coming to San Diego May 9 and 10. The 8th Annual Gator by the Bay will offer something for everyone to sink their teeth into - all the Cajun Creole food you can think of. The largest Cajun and Zydeco festival on the West Coast celebrates the music, food and culture of the Bayou at the Port of San Diego's Spanish Landing Park this weekend from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

"It's as though the best of laid-back Louisiana got picked up and dropped down on San Diego's Big Bay for two sun, music, food and family fun-filled days (this) Mother's Day weekend," said Maryann Blinkhorn, a member of the event's production team.

Gator by the Bay imports over 8,000 pounds of live Crawfish for an authentic Louisiana Crawfish Boil. "If you leave hungry it's only because you just could not make up your mind," Blinkhorn said.

"Other featured authentic dishes include (but are not limited to) jambalaya, red beans ‘n' rice, ‘gator on a stick, seafood gumbo, chicken gumbo, file gumbo, crawfish e'touffee, crab cakes, catfish, greens, hush puppies, barbeque ribs, tri-tip, chicken, sausage, corn, (still hungry?) sweet potato pie, pecan pie, bread pudding, peach cobbler, homemade ice cream and funnel cake, to name a few," said Blinkhorn. There are also vegetarian options.

This year, you can treat mom to live entertainment, since it falls on Mother's Day. And she might be among the lucky winners of this year's big prize: a drawing for two roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines. To win, you just need to complete a survey on site.

This year, the lineup includes eight Cajun and Zydeco bands, nine Blues/Swing bands and four Country groups. There are also Swing, Country, Cajun and Zydeco dances and dance lessons under shaded festival tents. There is a children's activity center, costumed New Orleans style daily parades, strolling entertainers and a quality artisan marketplace.

General admission is $20, and anyone under 17 gets in free if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Admission to the evening dances is $15.

There are more parking options with regular and timely shuttles to and from the Festival. Multiple shuttles will run frequently and no trip will take longer than 10 minutes with a very short wait between shuttles. For more information visit San Diego Festival.com or call 619-234-8612.

All Eyes to the Skies as Red Bull Air Races Roar into Town

melicone@portofsandiego.org ( Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:18:51 +0000

The skies above San Diego Bay will be the center of attention on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10, when the Red Bull Air Race Championships return to the city. The races feature the world's best race pilots in a motor sports competition that combines speed, precision and skill. This will be the third year for the adrenaline-packed event, which draws over 100,000 spectators to the waterfront.

The race course is one-quarter of a mile long and covers an area of the bay just north of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, adjacent to Embarcadero Marina Park South, behind the San Diego Convention Center. Pilots will be practicing in the area on May 6, 7 and 8. On May 6, practice will occur from 12 to 3 p.m. On May 7, practice times are 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. On May 8, practice times are 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. During practice sessions and race days, the US Coast Guard will close San Diego Bay in the course area and up to the G Street Mole.

General Admission tickets for race viewing areas at Embarcadero Marina Park North, behind Seaport Village and Embarcadero Marina Park South, are now available for online purchase at the Red Bull Air Race website. They will also be available for purchase on the event days at ticket booths located at the entrance to the parks.

Parking will be limited in the bayfront area. The San Diego Trolley will be providing additional service from Qualcomm Stadium to the Convention Center trolley stop on both race days. Public parking is available at the Convention Center parking garage on Harbor Drive, the public parking structure next to the new Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel at Park Boulevard/8^th Street and Harbor Drive, the parking lot next to PETCO Park and at many other parking lots in the downtown area.

A section of the public walkway behind the Convention Center will be temporarily closed to pedestrians from April 29 through May 15 to allow for set up, operation, and break down of event support equipment and facilities. An alternate pedestrian route has been established to ensure public safety during these times. In order to maintain public access to the bay, directional signage and traffic enforcement personnel will reroute pedestrians to a sidewalk that follows the bayfront side of the Convention Center, right along the east side of Convention Way.

By using this route, pedestrians will still have access to Embarcadero Marina Park South, the public fishing pier, JJ's Deli, Joe's Crab Shack and the remaining areas of the public walkway connecting to other waterfront businesses.

The event organizers have established a hotline for noise and safety concerns. The number is (619) 400-4750. The hotline will be available from May 6 through May 10.

Busker Festival to Thrill Crowds at Seaport Village

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:36:11 +0000

Something wild is coming to Seaport Village. The 2009 Busker Festival is a thrill for the senses and the public is invited to take part in the fun Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19.

Buskers are professional street performers who perform for tips. This year's event features 10 different performers that will be entertaining crowds of all ages for two days, from noon until 5 p.m. Seaport Village will come alive with amazing feats: everything from sword swallowers, to jugglers, acrobats and musicians.

"We've got Buskers from San Diego and from across the U.S. and even Canada," said Terry Hall, Seaport Village's General Manager. "We have a returning performance from Mango and Dango who were the very first winners of our festival." In addition, there will be a Stomp-type group with metal drums and a Busker named "Wacky Chad" who jumps up and down on a pogo stick and jumps over a flaming shopping cart.

And there's something new this year for the 18 and over crowd: Buskers After Dark. Sponsored by San Diego City Beat and Yelp.com, it will feature live music, food and drinks and an environment where the "Buskers can unleash a little bit," said Hall.

The After Dark portion runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Seaport Village's food court area in the western plaza. Eateries will stay open late to serve up food and drinks. Those attending Busker Fest will play a role in determining who takes this year's top prize.

"The winner of the Busker Festival is voted on by the public. The winner gets a cash prize along with a weekend getaway to San Francisco, and that's all sponsored by the Manchester Grand Hyatt," said Hall.

And if you shoot video during the event, be sure to submit it to SeaportVillage.com. They will host an online competition with winners receiving prizes to Seaport Village."

Seaport Village is located at West Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway (directions), adjacent to Embarcadero Park North. Visitors receive two hours of free validated parking with any purchase. For more information call 619-235-4014.

Sportfishing Season to Kick Off at 30th Annual Day at the Docks

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:27:41 +0000

The West Coast's largest Sportfishing Celebration is coming. The 30th Annual Port of San Diego's Day at the Docks is taking place Sunday, April 19, at the San Diego Sportfishing Landings in Point Loma. The event is considered the official start of Southern California's spring saltwater fishing season.

There's food, fishing, seminars and rides along the beautiful San Diego Bay, and the best part is it's free. The fleet at America's Cup Harbor on Shelter Island is the world's largest and most modern, providing first class accommodations and access to some of the most exciting saltwater sportfishing in the world.

Day at the Docks Event Guide

"In our fleet we have boats that range from a half a day trip to trips in excess of two weeks. The half-day trips will take you to fish on local kelp beds and enjoy an introductory experience to sportfishing," said Buzz Brizendine, owner and operator of The Prowler. "And if you go on one of the two week trips could take you down below tip of Baja finding tuna in excess of 300 pounds."

Day at the Docks features an open house for the fleet, allowing the public the chance to come aboard and get a real-life experience of what the vessels have to offer. And you might just get the chance to win a free trip during one of the competitions or raffles.

Day at the Docks is also going green this year. A new exhibitor, Bioline Fishing, will be featured. The reels for the kid's fishing adventure will showcase a biodegradable fishing line. Also new is Angler's Legacy, part of a national effort asking anglers to promise to introduce at least one newcomer to boating and fishing in the coming year.

"We're trying to get older fisherman or experienced fishermen to sign up new fisherman. Some of the big tackle manufacturers are on board with this. And we're going to have a couple of people helping to sign up people for this, including ex-Padre Randy Jones," said Brizendine.

Parking is limited around the landings in Point Loma, so visitors are encouraged to park for free on Shelter Island and take the red double-decker buses running all day. Two shuttles will make the rounds every 10 minutes. Day at the Docks runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.