Looking for some summer fun in San Diego? If you’ve ever wondered about the magnificent yachts sailing on the San Diego Harbor, maybe it’s time to consider a summer outing a little more glamorous than the sandy, overcrowded beaches for a change. We had the pleasure of hosting Carli Leavitt, Editor of SanDiego.com, for a Sunday Brunch Cruise and she came away very impressed with everything Hornblower has to offer:
“For the past few years, I’ve been intrigued by the yachts on the San Diego Bay. I’ve taken countless drives down Harbor Drive and watched as the majestic white and black Hornblower Cruise yachts glide along the water in the glistening lights of Downtown San Diego. I would see hordes of smiling guests turning a normal evening into something special with a Dinner Dance Cruise and always thought, why haven’t I done that? As a San Diego native, I get my fair share of water and sunshine without ever having been on a yacht, but I finally decided to take my first voyage on a Sunday Brunch Cruise with Hornblower Cruises & Events.
It was a warm, sunny, typical Sunday in San Diego and I had a good girlfriend in town to see what all the Hornblower Cruise hype was about. As we arrived at 1800 N. Harbor Drive in San Diego and caught a glimpse of the stunning Hornblower Inspiration luxury yacht floating atop the glassy bay, I began to realize what I’ve been missing. Being lucky enough to live in San Diego, we often take for granted all this city has to offer, but I’ve started exploring my city once again and a cruise with Hornblower Cruises & Events was at the top of my list.
Checking in for our cruise was easy and stress free. We were greeted with a smile and immediate photo op in front of the elegant Inspiration Hornblower yacht. As we walked up the ramp to the ship, we met our captains, both courteous and professional in full uniform. Once inside, we were surrounded by elegant décor including crisp white and red tablecloths and lots of other excited guests enjoying the experience, champagne in hand. The morning was off to a great start.
After being escorted to our VIP window-front table, we quickly set down our jackets and hit the buffet. It had everything from rich eggs Benedict and French toast to fresh fruit, pastries and savory choices like roasted turkey, pasta salad and a sort of bruschetta salad with mozzarella balls, tomatoes and basil. As we enjoyed our delectable brunch, the service was impeccable. Our champagne glass never had a chance to empty as our server checked in on us often, even going as far as to find us on the deck to top off our bubbly.
Since it was such a gorgeous day on the water, we went upstairs to enjoy the sunshine and views of the bay. The yacht cruised north toward the mouth of the harbor, alongside the Naval Air Station North Island, known as the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation”, where we had an up close and personal view of massive military ships and helicopters.
The cruise continued along the side of Coronado Island and underneath the Coronado Bridge boasting remarkable views of the Downtown city skyline with snow-covered mountains in the background, the popular local attraction Seaport Village and the gorgeous San Diego hotel, the Manchester Grand Hyatt, as we headed back to port. All the while, my guest and I were basking in the sun, sipping champagne and enjoying a narrated tour of the San Diego Bay.
Our two-hour tour seemed to come to an end too soon, as we were delightfully stuffed from a scrumptious buffet, decadent desserts and three chocolate covered strawberries to cap off our cruise. It was beautiful, relaxing and the perfect way to enjoy a great weekend in San Diego.
For the ultimate experience in San Diego luxury, I definitely recommend booking a tour with Hornblower Cruises and Events. Their staff is professional, friendly and extremely helpful. The luxury yacht is elegant, clean and very comfortable – and the views of San Diego from the upper deck of the Hornblower Inspiration are awe-inspiring. For visitors and locals alike, I highly recommend going full steam ahead with Hornblower Cruises and Events!”
Thank you Carli! We appreciate your contributions to our industry and SanDiego.com as a rich source for highlighting everything great about the city of San Diego.
This article was written by Carli Leavitt, the editor of SanDiego.com. Carli is a San Diego native with a wealth of knowledge about local attractions, hotels, beaches and nightlife venues in Southern California.