Some celebrations deserve more than candlelight and champagne. They deserve a horizon.As the holidays approach, San Diego’s skyline glows brighter than ever — sunlight glinting off the bay by day, a shimmer of city lights by night. For those who crave something extraordinary this season, the ultimate celebration isn’t found in a crowded restaurant or hotel ballroom. It’s found in the open water.Zolna Yachts, a family-owned luxury charter company, is turning San Diego’s glittering bay into the city’s most elegant holiday venue. With its 73-foot motor yacht Nerissa, the company is redefining what it means to host in style — swapping landlocked parties for panoramic sunsets, salty breezes, and the kind of magic only found offshore.
A Holiday Celebration that Glides Across the Bay
Picture this. The sun slips below the skyline, painting the bay in rose gold. Champagne glasses clink as city lights flicker to life, and laughter drifts across the deck. From the upper bow, guests gaze at the gentle wake trailing behind — the world’s most glamorous holiday celebration floating through the heart of San Diego Bay.That’s the experience aboard Nerissa, a gleaming 73-foot luxury motor yacht designed for private gatherings of up to forty-nine guests. Sleek lines, plush interiors, and wraparound decks make it feel more like a waterfront penthouse than a vessel. Guests can choose from three bar packages and several curated catering options, transforming every charter into a fully personalized event — whether it’s an intimate dinner party, a corporate holiday soirée, or a friends-only escape on the water.It’s the rare kind of venue that moves — both literally and emotionally.
The Best Seat in the Bay for San Diego’s Brightest Tradition
On two of the most anticipated nights of the year, December 14 and December 21, Nerissa becomes part of San Diego’s most luminous holiday spectacle — the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights.Each December, the bay transforms into a floating wonderland of glowing sailboats and light-covered cruisers as the city celebrates one of its most beloved traditions. From the deck of Nerissa, guests enjoy front-row views as the parade sails by in a dazzling display of color and reflection.“There’s nothing like it,” says co-owner Shari Zolna, who has hosted dozens of festive charters alongside her husband Amos since launching the company in 2007. “The whole bay sparkles. You see families waving from the shore, you hear the music from the boats, and for a moment, everything feels joyful and timeless.”As the yacht drifts past Coronado and the downtown skyline glows in the distance, guests toast under the stars — no traffic, no crowds, just an evening suspended in light and laughter.
From a Family Dream to a San Diego Tradition
Zolna Yachts began not as a business plan but as a shared dream. In 2007, Shari and Amos turned their passion for the ocean into a company dedicated to helping people celebrate life’s most meaningful moments at sea.Today, their business has grown into one of San Diego’s most respected luxury charter operations, known for exceptional service, beautifully maintained vessels, and an innate understanding of what makes an occasion unforgettable.“Every charter is different,” Shari shares. “Sometimes it’s a proposal under the stars. Sometimes it’s a corporate event that turns into lifelong friendships. But what they all have in common is that moment — when people look around and realize they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.”It’s this philosophy of connection — blending ocean tranquility with hospitality — that sets Zolna Yachts apart from traditional event venues. Every detail is handled, every moment feels effortless.
Sophisticated Comfort with a View
Stepping aboard Nerissa is like entering a floating world of understated elegance. The main salon features plush seating, polished wood accents, and panoramic windows framing the city’s skyline. Outside, the decks offer open-air lounges perfect for champagne toasts or sunset photographs.Zolna’s team personalizes each event — from decor to music to menu — to reflect the host’s vision. Think white roses and gold-rimmed glassware for a winter wonderland theme, or tropical florals and twinkle lights for a more coastal-casual affair.For corporate clients, the yacht offers a setting that impresses without pretension. For families, it’s a place where grandparents, parents, and children can celebrate together — laughing over dessert as dolphins surface nearby. For couples, it’s pure romance — a candlelit dinner with the city reflected in the water below.Every celebration aboard Nerissa feels intimate yet expansive, private yet connected to the city’s pulse.
Where Luxury Meets Local
In a city known for its coastline, Zolna Yachts represents something quintessentially San Diegan — a celebration of beauty, freedom, and community. By choosing a locally owned company, guests not only experience world-class luxury but also support a family business deeply rooted in the region’s maritime heritage.“San Diego has this incredible blend of natural beauty and laid-back sophistication,” Amos says. “We wanted to create something that reflects that — a way for people to enjoy the water in the most beautiful way possible.”And for locals looking to rediscover their city, a night aboard Nerissa feels like seeing San Diego for the first time again — familiar yet entirely new, wrapped in salt air and soft light.
A Season to Remember
As the year draws to a close, celebrations take on a different meaning. They become about connection, reflection, and the simple joy of being together.Aboard Zolna Yachts, that joy unfolds with every wave — a dance of light on water, a shared toast under the skyline, a memory that will return every time the sea breeze catches your breath.For those who seek something beyond the ordinary this holiday season, the invitation is clear. Leave the land behind. Step aboard. And let San Diego’s waters carry you into a celebration unlike any other.
