Drone Show Event on November 13, 2026 at Embarcadero Marina Park North
Summary
SCH Number
2026110258
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Drone Show Event on November 13, 2026 at Embarcadero Marina Park North
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/6/2026
Document Description
The proposed project is for an approximately 10-minute drone show on November 13, 2026 at Embarcadero Marina Park North (EMPN) in San Diego, CA. The drones would be deployed from and recovered at the southeastern curved edge of EMPN and displayed southwest of the launch site directly over the water. The proposed event would have a duration of one (1) day, including set-up at approximately noon and clean-up in the evening.
The applicant would assign staff to establish and maintain a temporary safety perimeter along the southeastern curved park edge of EMPN using traffic cones. This perimeter would temporarily restrict access to a portion of the park area and its adjacent walkway to accommodate the staging area, drone flight path and the area of water over which the show would be performed. The safety perimeter is positioned as close to the water as possible to provide the safest and most direct flight path from the staging area to the over-water show area, and to minimize temporary impacts to public access to the fullest extent feasible. Access within the safety perimeter would be temporarily restricted for a total of 30 minutes to include the duration of the drone show, 10 minutes prior to the drone show and 10 minutes following the drone show. Adjacent park space would remain open at all times. Following the approximately 30-minute restriction period, the water area, park space and walkway would be reopened. No other closures of the walkways or road are anticipated to occur. The proposed event would be publicly viewable at no cost from various areas throughout the Embarcadero. Once the drone show concludes and the drones are secured, the temporary safety perimeter would be removed.
Staging for the proposed event would consist of a flight operations tent station and approximately 300 drones. In the unlikely event a drone descends into the water, a dedicated safety boat would be on site to recover the drone.
The drone show operation would have staff assigned as visual observers. Visual observers are responsible for scanning and monitoring for any and all airborne activity, such as aircraft, failed drones, and activity involving wildlife, and reporting any relevant observations to the District. Additionally, the Applicant is required to comply with FAA regulations and obtain any applicable approvals.
Contact Information
Name
Betsy Viramontes
Agency Name
Port of San Diego
Job Title
Planner I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Rodrigo Serzedello
Agency Name
Creative Skies
Job Title
Director of Commercial Operations
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
1 Embarcadero Marina Park North, San Diego, CA 92101
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15304 (Class 4)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) and Section 3.d. of the District’s Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it is for a temporary event that would result in no permanent effects on the environment, and would not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees.
3.d. Minor Alterations to Land: Includes minor alterations in the condition of land, water and/or vegetation not involving the removal of mature, scenic trees, including, but not limited to: (6) Minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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