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Imagine waves breaking in a flash of electric blue, or a dolphin leaving a glowing trail as it cuts through the dark water. It sounds like something out of a movie, but in San Diego it’s real. Every so often, the ocean lights up with bioluminescence, and locals and visitors flock to the coast to…

San Diego is a Navy town, and nowhere is that clearer than on the water. Sail across San Diego Bay and you’ll pass aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines and hospital ships, often close enough to read the hull numbers.  For many of our guests, spotting these ships is as big a highlight as the dolphins and…

The America’s Cup is the oldest international trophy in sport, and it all started with one boat: a schooner called America. More than 170 years later, a full-size replica of that schooner sails San Diego Bay, a city that has its own deep ties to the Cup. San Diego hosted the America’s Cup three times…

After a full day of keynotes, breakout sessions and booth duty, most conference attendees want the same thing: to get outside and actually enjoy San Diego. For planners, that creates a challenge. How do you find a group activity near the San Diego Convention Center that’s easy to reach, works for a crowd and gives…

San Diego has no shortage of proposal spots. Sunset Cliffs, La Jolla Cove and Balboa Park all make the lists. But if you’re searching for proposal ideas in San Diego that feel truly once-in-a-lifetime, look past the shoreline and out to the bay. Proposing on a sailboat gives you everything a great proposal needs: a…

October is one of the best months to bring the family to San Diego. The summer crowds are gone, the weather is still warm and, thanks to Kids Free San Diego, kids eat, stay and play free all month long. Run by the San Diego Tourism Authority, Kids Free San Diego offers more than 100…

Every few years the Pacific Ocean changes its routine. Water temperatures rise, currents shift, and marine life starts showing up in places you wouldn’t normally expect. This climate pattern is called El Niño, and it’s affecting the ocean right now. At Next Level Sailing, we’re on the water almost every day, so we see these…

Key Takeaways November is historically the best month to see humpback whales in San Diego. Humpbacks pass our coast in fall on their way to breeding grounds in Mexico and Central America. Peak humpback season runs from mid-October through November, with November the standout month for sightings. Spring (March and April) is a second chance…

Key Takeaways Size is the biggest difference. Blue whales can reach about 100 feet and more than 150 tons. Gray whales top out around 49 feet and 45 tons. They eat in different ways. Gray whales are bottom feeders that suck up amphipods and other small invertebrates from the sea floor. Blue whales lunge through…

Whales are among the most majestic animals on Earth. Like us, they’re mammals: they breathe air, have warm blood, and are even born with a few whiskers of hair. If you’ve seen one in the wild, you know how powerful and graceful they are. Whales also make some of the longest journeys in the animal…

What Is the Biggest Whale in the World? The largest whale, and the largest animal known to have ever lived, is the blue whale. Blue whales can grow to around 100 feet long or more and weigh over 150 tons (more than 300,000 pounds). The largest individuals have been recorded in the Southern Ocean around…

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Give the gift of whale watching. A Next Level Sailing gift card gives your loved ones an unforgettable day on the water aboard the historic Yacht America in San Diego. There’s no wrapping paper and no clutter, and the only thing it leaves behind is memories. Gift cards are…