San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Christmas Boat Parade steals the show for most spectacular boat displays in California.

They say one picture is worth a thousand words and when you are lucky enough to see the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights boat parade, you'll heartily agree. The most elaborate light displays of any California boat parade we've seen, San Diego knows how to celebrate the season and year's end with a splash. Like trying to pick out California's best Nutcracker Ballet (San Diego's Nutcracker Ballet could win), the city also excels in its efforts to entertain with its outdoor displays.  More than 80,000 people attend this winter event in San Diego, and once you see it, you'll be hooked like that marlin San Diego fisherman Warren Gunter caught.

Each year the city that loves boats, yachts and the open sea, celebrates the Christmas holiday with a boat parade to beat all. Called the San Diego Parade of Lights, it is a public benefit corporation and partnership between the Unified Port of San Diego and numerous sponsors.

 Beginning with a bang each year around 5:30 p.m., a fireworks show launches the boats on their way through the San Diego Harbor. The boats line up and begin at Shelter Island at 5:30, then onto Harbor Island at 6 p.m., The Embarcadero at 6:30, Seaport Village at 7 and The Ferry Landing in Coronado at 7:30 p.m. In 2007, the parade theme was "Yo Ho Ho, A Pirate's Christmas." Each year a new theme pits boat entrants into a competition for the best boating lighting, decor and adherence to that year's theme.

A Pirate's Christmas is the theme of the boat parade that begins at the southwest end of Shelter Island. In its 37th season, it travels past Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the Convention Center, the Coronado Island Marriott Hotel, the Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace and ends at the Navy carrier turning basin.

A good viewing area for boaters is near the 10th Street Terminal at Coronado. For those viewing on land, the north and south ends of the Embarcadero as well as the pathway along Coronado are good spots as they tend to be less crowded. If you plan on viewing the parade from Harbor Island, get there early and be aware that parking is at a premium. Another good spot is the park behind Seaport Village. sdparadeoflights.org

We've seen the boat parades along the California coast and we're going to step out and tell the truth. Nothing beats this parade. It could well be one of the best in the U.S.

SAN DIEGO - San Diego Boat Parade of Lights. A Pirate's Christmas is the theme of the 37th Annual Port boat parade. Free Viewing! The spectacular boat parade of lights features individually holiday decorated private craft. The boat parade starts at the southwest end of Shelter Island, travels past Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the Convention Center, the Coronado Island Marriott Hotel, the Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace and ends at the Navy carrier turning basin. Fireworks begin at 5:30pm, Light Parade begins immediately following 5:30-9pm. For boaters wishing to view the parade, a good viewing area is where the parade route turns for Coronado, near the 10th Street Terminal. For those viewing on land, the north and south ends of the Embarcadero as well as the pathway along Coronado are good spots as they tend to be less crowed. If you plan on viewing the parade from Harbor Island, get there early and be aware that parking is at a premium. Another good spot is the park behind Seaport Village. sdparadeoflights.org