Baja Ha-Ha to Liven up Shelter Island with Colorful Yacht Parade on Halloween
Contact: Marguerite Elicone, 619-686-6281, melicone@portofsandiego.org
Baja Ha-Ha, the largest sailing regatta on the West Coast, will bring excitement to Shelter Island on Monday, October 31, 2022 with more than 130 yachts kicking off in a colorful parade. Recreational boaters from all over the globe will be participating in the annual event which is the official start of a 750-mile voyage from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas.
This is the 28th year of the festive rally, which features sailors from California, Oregon, Hawaii, and other states, along with some from as far away as Canada, Alaska, England, and Switzerland. Many of the vessels will be decorated and many crew members will be decked out in Halloween attire.
The activities begin at about 9:40 a.m. off the Shelter Island Fishing Pier on San Diego Bay. The starting sequence of the regatta will sound off with a series of six signal shots from the original America’s Cup starting gun being fired off the Dolphin, an 85-ft San Diego-based sportfishing vessel. Participants include Port of San Diego Chairman Dan Malcolm; Sharon Cloward, President of the San Diego Working Waterfront; Captain of the Port, James Spitler, United States Coast Guard Sector San Diego; and other dignitaries. The final starting shot signifying the start of the regatta will be fired by Ambassador Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego.
“Baja Ha-Ha is a bi-national event that showcases the partnership between San Diego and Mexico,” said Port Chairman Dan Malcolm. “The event highlights the many visitor opportunities on both sides of the border, and also promotes recreational boating, which is a major tourism-boosting activity on San Diego Bay.”
Baja Ha-Ha is organized and sponsored by Latitude 38 Magazine. The Port of San Diego is a proud sponsor along with the Sportfishing Association of California, the San Diego Working Waterfront, and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego.
Members of the media are invited to board the Dolphin at the Harbor Police Boat Dock at Shelter Island Station located at 1401 Shelter Island Drive. Boarding begins at 8:45 a.m. The Dolphin will depart at 9 a.m. and anchor adjacent to Shelter Island. The parade will sail past the Dolphin and conclude by 10:30 a.m. as participants make their way to Cabo San Lucas.
The best landside viewing area of the parade is from Shelter Island, just south of the Shelter Island Fishing Pier.
About THE Port of San Diego
The Port of San Diego serves the people of California as a specially created district, balancing multiple uses on 34 miles along San Diego Bay spanning five cities. Collecting no tax dollars, the Port manages a diverse portfolio to generate revenues that support vital public services and amenities.
The Port champions Maritime, Waterfront Development, Public Safety, Experiences and Environment, all focused on enriching the relationship people and businesses have with our dynamic waterfront. From cargo and cruise terminals to hotels and restaurants, from marinas to museums, from 22 public parks to countless events, the Port contributes to the region’s prosperity and remarkable way of life on a daily basis.
About Port of San Diego Experiences
Port of San Diego Experiences welcomes businesses, residents and visitors from across the globe to enjoy and prosper from our dynamic waterfront.
As a treasured destination, the Port provides unique opportunities to captivate visitors and ensure everyone is welcomed, connected and inspired by our beautiful waterfront.