About Us

Sun Harbor Marina

Many years ago, the small cove in the southern lee side of San Diego’s Shelter Island was known as the Commercial Basin. Much of San Diego’s famous commercial and sport-fishing fleet was moored there.

In 1994, Commercial Basin was re-named America’s Cup Harbor in anticipation of the 1995 America’s Cup races which were to be held in San Diego. The name was also chosen because it would  be the designated location for the mooring of the racing vessels participating in the event.

History of America's Cup Harbor

Chart of San Diego

Many years ago, the small cove in the southern lee side of San Diego’s Shelter Island was known as the Commercial Basin. Much of San Diego’s famous commercial and sport-fishing fleet was moored there.

In 1994, Commercial Basin was re-named America’s Cup Harbor in anticipation of the 1995 America’s Cup races which were to be held in San Diego. The name was also chosen because it would  be the designated location for the mooring of the racing vessels participating in the event.

The 1995 America’s Cup race was bitter sweet for San Diego. San Diego’s Team Dennis Conner (The winner of the 1995 Citizen Cup) on the yacht Young America (USA-36), battled against Team New Zealand on the yacht Black Magic (NZL-32), and New Zealand won five straight races to take the cup away from the U.S. for only the second time in 144 years.

Today, America’s Cup Harbor is still home to much of San Diego’s remaining sport-fishing fleet and of course, the Sun Harbor Marina.

Leed Certification

Sun Harbor Marina's Environmental Stewardship

Dating back to 1933, Sun Harbor marina has enjoyed a long history in the harbor and has a reputation as one of the earliest and most established marinas in San Diego.

AWARDS

 

LEED Certification

After a complete overhaul in 2005, Sun Harbor received recognition on both a national and international level as the world’s first LEED certified marina. (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Becoming a LEED facility presented many challenges. We were pioneers working under a new standard. Many building materials were not readily available.

At times it was frustrating, but it was a critical mission to re-build with the environment in mind, taking all steps possible to make a clean environment from the property and the water being used as part of the business.

Sun Harbor Marina is a proud Clean Marine participant. The Clean Marine program is an ongoing endeavor by a marine industry alliance determined to provide environmentally clean facilities and protect coastal and inland waters from pollution through compliance of best management practices.

Partners

Removing Seafloor Toxins

Sun Harbor Marina was part of this pilot program sponsored by the Port.

Proof of Concept

Placement of EcoSpears mats at Sun Harbor helped pave the way to wider use of this technology
Learn More

Marine Surveys

Sun Harbor has partnered with NIWC to gather data on underwater plant life and growth in San Diego Bay through deployment of plates at the marina.

Pumpout Grant

Sun Harbor Marina Pumpout

Awarded Grant in 2019 to construct vessel pump out stations
Learn More

Promoting Clean Boating Through Education

Dockwalker program

Providing one-on-one outreach to help boaters share best clean boating practices.
Learn More

Marina Cleanup

Boaters Keeping Our Waterways Clean

Sun Harbor is an Annual Coastal Cleanup host site
Learn More

Partner for Clean Boating

Sun Harbor Is a Proud Partner

for education of women sailors on clean boating practices
Learn More

Healthy Sea Turtle Populations

Sun Harbor Marina is a SoCal Sea Turtles Partner

through promotion and donations
Learn More

Electric Vehicle Charging

Saying Yes to Electric Vehicles

Ongoing partnership on EV charging stations at the marina
Learn More

Associations