Festival of Sail Returns Labor Day Weekend

Hosted by the Maritime Museum, the festival takes place at the Embarcadero

San Diego’s annual Festival of Sail returns to the Embarcadero Labor Day weekend. The three-day event will feature tall ships, a street faire, cannon battles, food and a kids' zone.

The largest tall ship festival on the west coast, the event kicks off with the Parade of Sail where boats sail from the mouth of San Diego Bay, past Shelter Island, Harbor Island, and downtown and back to the Maritime Museum.

For a fee some ships will take passengers aboard for the Parade of Sail, including American Pride, Bill of Rights, Curlew, Exy/Irving Johnson and the Spirit of Dana Point.

During the weekend tall ships crews will engage in mock cannon battles, bringing the history of sea warfare alive. Weekend warriors can board the ship and join the battle as they ‘fire at will’ at their opponents.

Tall ships will also offer two-hour mid-day sails through the bay, which gives views of the cannon battles.

Hosted by the Maritime Museum of San Diego, more than a dozen tall ships will participate in this year’s event, including the iconic Star of India, which at 148 is the oldest active ship in the world.

Swift Boat Cruises give passengers a tour of San Diego’s military history and Twilight Sails on a classic sail boat make for a romantic evening.

Tickets for the festival are available online and run $5 to $7. The festival is from September 3 to 5. Tickets for boat rides cost a separate fee.

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