Model Boat Pond

About Model Boat Pond

I discovered Model Boat Pond after stumbling upon a public body of water via Google Satellite one day. Determined to visit as many ponds and lakes as I can in San Diego County, I set out to visit it!

I happened to visit on a day that people actually come out here with their model boats and race them across the pond. Turns out they’re a group of hobbyists called the Argonauts that are dedicated to promoting radio control model boating and racing.

Everyone was friendly and happy to have me hang out and watch. This pond is located within a beautiful little nook right next to Vacation Isle.  This is a great starting point for a beautiful walk.  So many scenic points of interest in such a small area.

History of Model Boat Pond

It turns out this pond has quite an extensive history, dating back to 1939! The pond was originally built into the Mission Bay master plan in 1939 as a continuation of a long standing program with the City Schools of San Diego of building Model Boats and competing between schools on the pond.

Once the club was formed the program was eventually cut off, by the Argonauts continued their gatherings.

In the 50’s both radio-controlled model boats at the Model Yacht Club shared the pond. With the demise of the San Diego Model Yacht Club, the Argonauts became the only organization using the pond and today considers the pond its home water.

You can usually find people driving their boats in the afternoon on the weekends.  I was told that the last Sunday of each month they race them too!