Along with the majority of San Diego Bay’s waters south of the Coronado Bridge, the South Bay boating scene is one of the county’s hidden gems, said Chula Vista Marina’s newly appointed marina manager Jim Nicoletti.
“If you go to the north part of the bay you see all the sailing regatta and all the boats out on the water,” Nicoletti said.
“I want to see that down here. Two-thirds of the bay’s sailing waters are in the South Bay.”
Nicoletti’s first order of business as manager will be to raise awareness and improve access to the marina and the South Bay waterfront. His first goal is to bring inland families out to the coast and introduce boaters from around the county to the communities of South Bay.
“Chula Vista Marina is a very special place, the landscaping is impeccable and there are plenty of things to do in the area,” Nicoletti said. “My challenge is to get South Bay residents to really understand the waterfront, its accessibility and affordability. There is a lot of opportunity for great family experiences here.”
Nicoletti has been in the marina management business for 25 years. Originally from New Jersey, Nicoletti came to San Diego when he was 21 years old. He soon landed an entry level cleaning job with Marina Cortez and never moved away.
After a stint in property management, Nicoletti’s love of boating and the job opportunity with the Chula Vista Marina led him back to his true passion, the ocean.
“Once boating and the water get into your blood, it’s hard to walk away,” Nicoletti said. “And I thought I could, but the minute I stepped into that room at the Chula Vista Marina, I thought oh boy I’m home.”
A father of four, Nicoletti wants to improve access to sailing for children and hopes to partner with the city of Chula Vista and local school districts to provide educational opportunities to young students and nurture the next generation of boaters in San Diego.
“What better thing is there than to be in San Diego and go boating and fishing?”
