Best of 2000: Best Free Moorings In San Diego

A-8 Anchorage,
South End of San Diego Bay

Pay nothing for rent and commune with nature, surrounded by sun, sea breezes, seagulls, ducks, and fish? Okay, you'll need a boat, because this is San Diego Bay, south end, A-8 Anchorage. But you'll have plenty of wildlife, only a few neighbors, and the lap-lap of water replacing the roar of traffic. It's the last patch of the bay where the Port allows you to moor for free. Of course, A-8's not exactly Shelter Island; it's the most exposed patch of water in the entire bay. Often the tidal waters combine with the Sweetwater River's outflow and force anchored boats beam-on to the north wind. Any breeze over 20 knots and you're probably stuck out there for days. Neighbors aren't the slick white corporate gin-palace types you see in marinas near Lindbergh Field. Wrecks, old mine layers, a barge built like a castle, salvaged vessels. It's actually the bay's Rotten Row. But folks who ride it out at the A-8 say they wouldn't change it for anything.