Yachting season opener

The inaugural Deluxe San Diego, a luxury lifestyle event held at San Diego’s Fifth Avenue Landing in April, by all accounts was a success. Many people these days try to emphasize the lifestyle of yachting, and the sellers of luxury products look for innovative ways to meet potential clients. With this in mind, event organizers tailored their event to a highbrow clientele seeking a fun, relaxing experience while browsing luxury products. The show was a brief three-day event opened in the afternoons and evenings to take advantage of balmy San Diego weather and great harbor views. Along with the ability to tour yachts, guests were able to test drive Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce cars, try on jewelry and watches, nibble on delectable morsels, sip champagne, listen to music and watch artist Chor Boogie, who works in the unusual medium of aerosol, spontaneously create colorful paintings. The event opened with an invitation-only reception on April 14 and a preview day the next day, offering guests the ability to view and experience the exhibits without competing with crowds. In any case, the $250 fee kept the crowd quite select. Among the yachts to gather at the event was the motoryacht Sojourn, whose owner regaled his guests with a surprise wine tasting from his Sonoma vineyard, Windsor Oaks. Displays from Fraser Yachts, Lalique, Hawker Beechcraft, Jonata wines, a vintage convertible Bugatti (brought by Blackhawk Collection) and much more kept everyone fed and entertained throughout the weekend. Yachts International was the media sponsor.

Deluxe San Diego struck the right balance between showcase, entertainment and shopping opportunity. It even was a great venue for a fundraiser for the Scripps Institute, which kicked off a sit-down dinner with a cocktail reception aboard the 56m Perini Navi Zenji.

Deluxe San Diego got it right on the first try, and their next event is already scheduled for April 19 to 21, 2012.

For more information, visit deluxesandiego.com