10/11/2006

California Living History

Take a California Adventure

Journey aboard the State of California’s Official Tall ship as you set sail along the beautiful Southern California coast. Each trip to the waters around Catalina Island aboard the schooner Californian offers a spectacular outlook on maritime history, seamanship and the awesome beauty of the Pacific. Sailing aboard the Californian offers an opportunity to step into the past and experience the romance of tall ship sailing. The friendly and experienced crew will be happy to share their knowledge with you. As an active member of the guest crew you will take your turn standing watch, hauling lines, manning the helm - perhaps even going aloft. Along with the challenge of sailing a tall ship and a more rustic lifestyle, enjoy camaraderie with your shipmates rarely found on shore. If you have an adventuresome spirit, a robust nature and a passion for the sea, then this is the trip for you! Californian is a replica of a mid-19th century revenue cutter. Designed for speed, she has seven sails, carries 7,000 square feet of canvas, measures 145 feet in length, weighs 130 tons and is armed with four six-pound deck guns. In July 2003 the governor signed a bill into law designating Californian as the official tall ship of the State of California. Californian is owned and operated by the Maritime Museum of San Diego. She is crewed by both experienced professional sailors and skilled museum volunteers. The Maritime Museum of San Diego enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels. The museum has one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships, including the world’s oldest active ship the Star of India. The museum is located on the North Embarcadero in downtown San Diego.