San Diego Yacht Club Announces the 38th Running of the Biennial Puerto Vallarta Race
by San Diego Yacht Club 14 Aug 08:27 AEST
February 26 - March 6, 2026
The 63-foot Reichel/Pugh-designed GoodEnergy © Simone Staff Photography
San Diego Yacht Club is proud to host the 2026 Puerto Vallarta Race, featuring the iconic 1,050 nm offshore course from San Diego, California to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
This long-standing tradition, first held in 1953, continues to celebrate the spirit of offshore racing and the deep connection between the West Coast and the Mexican mainland sailing communities. The Puerto Vallarta Race, known for its challenging course, strategic sailing conditions, and strong international camaraderie, will take place February 26th - March 6th, 2026.
"The San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race is a thousand-mile test of skill, teamwork, and endurance against the Pacific's unpredictable rhythms. A journey that challenges crews to push their limits. More than just a race, it's a testament to the camaraderie of the sailing community and the allure of reaching the shores of Puerto Vallarta. Sailors will be sent off from San Diego with a fiesta to celebrate the start, and welcomed in Puerto Vallarta with a greeting crew at the dock. The week will finish with a beachfront awards party honoring all the participants", said 2026 Puerto Vallarta Race Chair, Joanne O'Dea. "We are incredibly proud to once again host this biennial tradition, bringing together sailors from across the West Coast and beyond for an unforgettable adventure."
SDYC is honored to carry on this historic event and looks forward to welcoming competitors, spectators, and sailing enthusiasts for another unforgettable edition of the race. As other events have been cancelled, this is the only west coast opportunity to race to Mexico.
San Diego Yacht Club Vice Commodore, Alli Bell (the first female skipper to claim the King Kalakaua Trophy for winning the Transpac Race overall in July 2025), has competed in several San Diego to Puerto Vallarta races, and will be Commodore in 2026. "As a past participant and incoming Commodore, I am so excited for SDYC to be hosting another edition of the race to PV. We value the relationships that flourish because of this race and are proud to support offshore racing on the West Coast."
PV Race Information here