Doing The San Diego Samba

Greetings from sunny San Diego - - where us cruisers get to experience all aspects of the bay. I've read about - and had others tell me about anchoring in La Paz, where they call it the "La Paz Waltz" because the changing tidal currents cause all the anchored boats to move around in almost precise choreographed motion. Unlike Sausalito, where one can anchor almost indefinately 75-100 yards from shore with easy access to all stores and services, the folks in San Diego would much prefer you take a slip (should one possibly be available - and at a "reasonable" cost) for the duration of your stay. Unfortunately, the boat market is "hot" here and there is a dearth of available moorage - although a few transient slips pop up for $1/ft/night. So that leaves most of us to anchor - which I prefer anyway, especially when I have good access to shoreside facilities. The rules, administered by the Harbor Police, however, work to encourage everyone to a short stay - hence the "cruiser's dance".

The "premium" anchorage is in La Playa Cove, within the confines of Shelter Island and walking distance to all marine services, banks, post office and grocery. The problem is, this anchorage is only available from 0900 Friday through 0900 Monday and you must "check-in" with the police before entering. Apparently, should they feel there are too many boats there, they will deny a permit. Well protected, shallow with good holding, this area fills up rapidly with local weekenders and transient cruisers - along with many local liveaboards involved in the "dance". Monday morn one must decide where to spend the next few nights, as most other anchorages are limited to 72 hours and it's 96 until you can return to La Playa.

Glorietta Bay, near Coronado, is nice, but very small and therefore crowded. Shoreside facilities are also limited. That leaves a choice between the "cruiser's anchorage" - which I prefer to call the "airport anchorage", since it is located at the takeoff end of San Diego International, or the Harbor Police Dock on Shelter Island where a limited number of basic slips are available first-come, first-served for $5/night for 5 nights, then $10/night for the next 5. After staying 10 nights, one must stay off the dock for 30 days before being allowed to return.

So then, to participate in this Samba on the Bay, a boater simply moves from anchorage to anchorage every 3rd day, although they do allow 30 days stay at the airport anchorage (why anyone would want or could stand to stay there 30 days is beyond me - the noise is deafening and you can watch the black exhaust soot blow across the water from each plane as it climbs off the runway. It is somewhat interesting, however, to count the number of "go-arounds". In talking to a couple of pilot friends, it seems the approach to SDX is difficult enough that frequently the pilot will make a last minute decision to try again !!)

It's the 5th of Oct and more boats from the north are showing up daily. I'm spending 4 days at the police dock this week to take advantage of dockside water to do a general boat cleaning (thanks to Ospho - the miracle acid that so easily removes minor rust stains on "stainless steel").

Last week I installed two 55 watt solar panels that will add to the energy independency along with the wind generator.

Here on the police dock it's truly international - I've met a young lady from Denmark sailing a 27' sloop, a fellow from Argentina who came here solo aboard his 28' Columbia, a couple of Brits, several Canadians and of course, one or two Americans.

With 3 weeks to go to the start of the Baja Ha-Ha, the latest count is 155 boats registered with about 140 expected to show at the start. Tammy will fly into SD 10/23 to accompany me on the Ha-Ha and then up to La Paz from where she'll fly back to Seattle on 11/13. I plan to stay in La Paz for a month or so before crossing to the mainland and moving south for the winter. Remember, if you get the itch to come to Mexico, check with me and you may have accommodation aboard for your stay.

The above references to the anchoring situation in SD are not meant to be overly critical - It really is a great place to be for a while and the Harbor Police leave us pretty much alone as long as we all follow the rules of the San Diego Samba !! Fair winds on you all - enjoy the fall weather wherever you are.

Terry, aboard S/V Secret O' Life