Tour the Restored, Historic ‘Western Flyer’ in San Diego
The Maritime Museum of San Diego is welcoming visitors to tour the restored Western Flyer on Wednesday, March 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The 77-ft sardine seiner became famous after featuring in the book, The Log from the Sea of Cortez, written by John Steinbeck about his six-week expedition in the Sea of Cortez with marine biologist Ed Ricketts in 1940.
After years of disappearing and reappearing, and surviving two sinkings, the boat was rescued and revived by the National Steinbeck Center with grant assistance from the National Park Service’s National Maritime Heritage Grant Program, received in 2018.
The Flyer is now fully restored and seaworthy, and is following the path of Steinbeck and Ricketts’ voyage 85 years ago. San Diego is just one of the stops on her three-month-long journey, and the open day commemorates the duo’s journey, which is credited with significantly influencing “modern ecological thought and conservation efforts.”
The Western Flyer set sail from Monterey on Sunday, March 16. Over the next three months, she will retrace her historic route, making stops along the California coast and throughout the Gulf of California before returning home in mid-June. The voyage’s core mission is celebrating the Flyer’s enduring legacy and future impact while advancing marine research, education, and community engagement throughout the region.
The Western Flyer Foundation is teaming up with local scientists, educators, and conservationists to study the Gulf’s rich ecosystems, exchange knowledge, and inspire new ways of seeing (and protecting) the marine world.
Public events such as the open day in San Diego will include hands-on education and demonstrations of scientific research, engaging visitors, “sparking curiosity and inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards.”
“The Western Flyer has always been a symbol of discovery,” Western Flyer Foundation’s executive director Sherry Flumerfelt said. “This expedition not only honors the legacy of Steinbeck and Ricketts but also highlights the critical work being done today to better understand and protect the Gulf of California and its thousands of important marine organisms.”
A tour of the Western Flyer is included with the regular Maritime Museum of San Diego admission ticket. But remember, it is one day only — Wednesday March 26, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The next stop on the Flyer’s schedule is La Paz on Sunday, April 13, followed by Santa Rosalia on Tuesday, April 22, then the Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival on Friday and Saturday, June 13–14. Along the way she will make stops in several other communities across California and Mexico, featuring boat tours, presentations, and local gatherings.
Full event details and updates can be found at www.westernflyer.org/baja2025.
What a coincidence that I happen to be reading that book as I read this. Great book and funny unlike some of his books. Great read.
So lovely that it was rescued! To be able to walk where John Steinbeck walked is very cool!
I was privileged to see the restoration work being done up in Port Townsend a year and a half ago. I am very excited and grateful to see this outcome .