Every year in December the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights delights locals and visitors alike who line the harbor to view the festively decorated boats as they cruise by. For many Coronado families it has become a much loved holiday tradition. Each year, more than 80 vessels participate in the parade, festooned with holiday decorations, twinkling lights, inflatable characters, and crowds of happy, singing sailors and crew.
The parade takes place on two consecutive Sundays every December, beginning at Shelter Island in San Diego and ending at the Coronado Ferry Landing. This year, the event began this past Sunday, December 8th, and will occur again this upcoming Sunday, December 15th. The parade will begin at 5:30 pm at Shelter Island and will reach the Coronado Ferry Landing at approximately 7:30 pm. This past Sunday, the first boat in the parade crossed the bay towards Coronado about 6:45/7:00 pm and they cruised by for about an hour. The timing could be slightly different this Sunday due to weather conditions or other unforeseen delays.
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I recommend arriving to your vantage point early to find a spot and get comfortable. If you plan to watch the parade from the grass or pier near Peohe’s at the Coronado Ferry Landing, prepare for a crowd. If you prefer more space, I recommend heading towards the bayfront sidewalk by Il Fornaio and the Coronado Marriott, and finding a peaceful perch along the rocks. Luckily, the brightly lit boats cruise by slowly, and close to shore, so spectators can get a good view from anywhere they choose to watch. Also, be sure to bring a hot beverage to enjoy and bundle up because temperatures can be chilly along the water once the sun goes down!
The parade route follows the coastline of San Diego Bay and passes by notable landmarks such as Harbor Island, the San Diego Maritime Museum and Star of India, the USS Midway Museum, Seaport Village, and Marina Park in front of the Convention Center. Then, the route takes a U-turn and the boats cross San Diego Bay to the Coronado Island Marriott Resort and proceed past the Bay Club Apartments, Il Fornaio, Peohe’s and the Coronado Ferry Landing. The parade officially ends at buoy 22a, near the ferry pier, and the boats will then return to their home berths in cozy marinas throughout Coronado and San Diego.
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Every year the parade features a different theme and offers prizes based on “originality and the creative use of decorations depicting the parade theme” according the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights website. The theme for 2013 is “Big Bay Toy Parade”. The winners are chosen by a guest panel of judges who are split into two groups and situated at two separate locations along the parade route. They rate the boats on a scale of 1 to 5 in four different categories: lighting, music, special effects, and originality. The grand prize this year is a free cruise to any destination on Star Clippers, a luxury tall ship cruise line. Everyone who participates will also receive an official plaque and are invited to attend the awards presentation dinner, held this year on January 9th at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse on Harbor Island.
For those looking for an even closer view of the festivities, both Hornblower and Flagship Cruises offer Parade of Lights Dinner Cruises which transport you out onto the water amidst the parade. The 2 ½ to 3 hour cruises feature complimentary boarding champagne or sparkling cider, a delicious dinner and dessert (Hornblower offers a “holiday buffet” and Flagship features a three-course served dinner), as well as entertainment and dancing. The star of the show is the Parade of Lights itself, which can be viewed from numerous windows and decks onboard the vessels. Please visit this page for more information, availability and prices.
Another comfortable and delicious way to view the parade is from one of the many waterfront restaurants lining San Diego Bay. In Coronado, Il Fornaio, Peohe’s, and Candelas all offer spectacular indoor and outdoor seating options with great views of the parading boats. Please be sure to call ahead to ensure you have a reservation, since tables with views are in high demand during the event. For more information about a wide variety of Coronado dining options, please visit this page.
I have attended the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights for as long as I can remember, and it is always a fun, festive evening and a great way to spend time with family and friends and get in the holiday spirit. The iconic San Diego skyline acts as a magnificent backdrop for the sparkling lights of the boats passing by. Parking can be tight, so grab a bike and head down to the bay this Sunday to experience one of Coronado’s beloved Christmas traditions. Don’t forget your fuzzy hats and hot cocoa!
For more information about the event please click here to visit the official San Diego Bay Parade of Lights website.
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Anne Covington Morse
Staff Writer
eCoronado.com
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