San Diego Bay Parade of Lights – Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel
The bay is always pretty when nighttime lights sparkle in the water. It’s even prettier during the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, 12/10 and 12/17, when illuminated boats add to the evening’s glow.
This is the 46th year that the decorated boats will parade around San Diego Bay. There’ll be about 80 boats, all decked out in lights according to this year’s parade theme: Arrrgh! A Pirate’s Christmas.
The parade starts at 5pm on Shelter Island, where Best Western Plus Island Palms is located, so staying with us guarantees a good view. The boats will head out from Shelter Island and pass Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the pier at Cesar Chavez Park, and ends up at Ferry Landing on Coronado. Expect to spend about one hour at any viewing location to see all the colorful boats. There’ll be announcers near the Maritime Museum and at Coronado Landing providing information about the participating boats.
For a special viewing experience, head to the Maritime Museum’s parade viewing dinner. You can visit the museum, sit down to a buffet dinner with holiday music, and get a great view of the parade boats as they pass by. Another fun way to view the parade is from the water. Both Flagship and Hornblower cruise lines offer dinner cruises that let you enjoy views of the city skyline as well as the parade.
You’ll get great views of the water when you stay at Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel. We’re right on the water, with paths for strolling and biking right outside, and great water views from our Blue Wave Bar and Grill restaurant. Make your reservation!