Nerissa Sounds Brings Jazz Brunch to San Diego Bay
There’s something about September in San Diego that makes dining outdoors feel essential, and the husband-and-wife team behind Zolna Yachts gets it.
Shari and Amos Zolna have opened their 73-foot private charter yacht, Nerissa, for an intimate live music series called Nerissa Sounds, and their upcoming Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise hits all the right notes for locals’ summer.
The Intimate Experience
This isn’t one of those massive party boats where you’re elbow-to-elbow with strangers. Nerissa caps each cruise at 49 guests, which creates that “secret concert at sea” atmosphere the Zolnas are going for.
Charlie Arbelaez’s four-piece ensemble provides live jazz while you’re cruising the bay with brunch bites and a champagne toast.
The two-hour timeframe works perfectly for a Sunday afternoon—long enough to actually relax and enjoy the experience, but not so long that it takes over your entire day. Plus, there’s something about live jazz on the water that feels more sophisticated than your typical weekend brunch scene.
What Sets This Apart
The intimate guest count makes a real difference. Instead of competing for space at the railing or straining to hear the music over crowd noise, you actually get to enjoy both the performance and the scenery.
The Zolnas have been longtime San Diegans, so they understand what locals want from a water experience—something that feels special without being touristy.
At $185 per person (or $148 with the JAZZ20 code for 20% off), it’s positioned as a premium experience. That pricing reflects the intimate nature and the fact that you’re getting live music, food, drinks, and a private yacht cruise all rolled into one.
The Timing Factor
September really is the sweet spot for outdoor dining in San Diego. The summer crowds have thinned out, but the weather is still perfect for being on the water. A Sunday afternoon jazz brunch captures that locals’ summer vibe when we finally get to enjoy our city without fighting tourists for space.
See you there!
Sometimes the best experiences are the ones that feel like someone’s well-connected friends invited you aboard their yacht. Nerissa Sounds is designed to deliver exactly that feeling.
📆 September 21, 12 PM–2 PM
🎟️ Buy tickets here
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!
