Festival of Sail brings tall ships to SD

SAN DIEGO — Families will be surrounded by maritime history as tall ships take them back in time during the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s Festival of Sail, Sept. 5-7 as tall ships and other vessels visit the bay.

The festival kicks off with a majestic parade of tall ships on San Diego Bay Sept. 4. The parade that will include 10 tall ships can be seen from the Embarcadero, Harbor Island, Seaport Village, Shelter Island and Coronado. The ships will depart the Maritime Museum with a tentative time of passing Bali Hai restaurant at 3 p.m. and arriving back at the museum’s docks at 5 p.m.

Tall ships to be on display at the event include the official tall ship of California, Californian, Amazing Grace, America, American Pride, Bill of Rights, Cloudia, and Curlew, Dhow, Exy Johnson, Irving Johnson, Jada, Patricia Belle, Pilgrim, and Sakman, Spirit of Dana Point and Tiama.

A complete list of the participating ships can be found at: sdmaritime.org. The list of ships scheduled to appear in the festival is subject to change. 

Another hit with spectators are the cannon battles at sea when several ships will engage in cannon battle reenactments on San Diego Bay. Individuals can purchase tickets to be on board for the experience. Tickets are $72 for adults and $45 for children 12 and under. Festival visitors will enjoy touring the ships, noshing on food, a beer garden, cannon battles on the bay, sunset cruises and shopping at the street fair’s vendor booths. General admission tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children (age 3 to 12).

For more information about the festival or to purchase tickets, visit sdmaritime.org.