Next Level Sailing, San Diego

With San Diego being one of the world’s sailing capitals, any visitor or local alike should get out onto the water and enjoy the city’s aquatic playground. Next Level Sailing has three gorgeous yachts – Abracadabra, America and Stars & Stripes – that each offer two to three hour excursions around the bay and open ocean. During these hands-on sails, passengers act as part of the team and get to steer the yachts, grind the winches and learn about the entire boating process. The 139-foot America ship takes groups whale watching off the coast from December to April, as pods of gray whales travel from Alaska to Baja. A few months later, 100-foot blue whales appear off the coast, making one of Next Level Sailing’s former America’s Cup vessels the perfect place to catch an up-close glimpse. And regardless of the season, dolphins and sea lions are always ready to make a playful appearance.