Baja Ha-Ha – cruisers rally

Every November sailboats gather in San Diego for the Baja Ha-Ha for a 10 day cruise down Baja California to Cabo San Lucas. This year's boats came down from British Columbia, up from Mexico and even across from Arizona.

This year there were just 131 boats registered for the rally. The boat parade begins at the Chula Vista Marina and gathers other entrants and well wishers as it prepares for the 10 am start from the southwest tip of Shelter Island.

This is a rally, not a race, with fun stops and games along the way.

There was little wind in the morning only a few boats had their sails up, and those just for show as they motored out of the Big Bay past Point Loma to begin the southward journey.

I watched the boats gather from the fishing pier on Shelter Island. This group next to me was from San Jose. Their son and DIL are in the rally. They found each other, greeting with big waves and air horns.

From there I went up to the Cabrillo National Monument to view from there.

Outside the shelter of Point Loma the boats finally had their sails up.

Last time I was here the lighthouse was covered in scaffolding getting a new roof and fresh coat of paint. It definitely looked brilliant in the morning light.

I was a bit disappointed the interior was not also given a bit of a face lift.

In the display room, I noticed the sign on the small Fresnel lens from the Ballast Point lighthouse. 

I had not noticed that before, in fact not even knew Ballast Point had a lighthouse.

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It certainly makes sense as the point does stick out into the channel.

A Google search on Ballast Point Lighthouse revealed the building itself was moved to Lakeside to be used as a Ham Radio Shack. It's now a residence.

However the Lantern Room is on display in Old Town … on Congress Street … the trolley stop is on Congress Street. Of course I wanted to see it.

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Also at the trolley stop is this small memorial to Codi.

Codi - Old Town's Favorite Horse

Codi was often seen as Park Ranger Dick Miller patrolled Old Town.

photo credit: Cool San Diego Sights - link HERE