• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
PassPort to San Diego

PassPort to San Diego

LOCAL LIVING RESOURCE for Residents, Visitors & Newcomers

Maritime Museum of San Diego

LOCAL LIVING RESOURCE for Residents, Visitors & Newcomers

CouponsEvents
  • Attractions
  • Activities & Recreation
    • Outdoor
    • Indoor
    • Water Activities
    • Parks & Recreation
    • Camping
    • Tours
    • Golf
    • Casinos
    • Spas & Treatments
    • Farmers & Sunset Markets
  • Restaurants
    • Restaurants
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Happy Hours
    • Healthy Meal Prep To Go
    • Coffee & Tea
    • Patio & Outdoor Dining
    • Dog Friendly
  • Museums
  • Wine & Beer
    • Wineries
    • Breweries & Tap Houses
    • Cocktail Lounges
    • Distilleries
    • Happy Hours
  • Shopping
    • Shopping Destinations
    • Shops & Boutiques
    • Antiques
    • Farmers & Sunset Markets
    • Auto Sales
    • Healthy Meal Prep Store
    • Dispensaries
  • Accommodations
    • Hotels & Resorts
    • Extended Stay
    • Timeshares
    • Home Rentals
    • Vacation Rentals
    • Apartments
  • Kids
  • Casinos
  • Communities
  • Home Buying
    • New Home Builders
    • Master-Planned Communities
    • Realtors
    • Moving & Storage
  • Home & Decor
    • Furniture
    • Mattress & Bedding
    • Flooring &Tile
    • Carpet & Rugs
    • Kitchen Essentials
    • Patio & Outdoor Living
    • Decor
    • Antiques
  • Health
    • Spas & Treatments
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Cosmetic Surgery
    • Dispensaries
    • Healthy Meal Prep
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Dentists
    • Hair & Nail
  • Services
    • Auto Sales
    • Banking
    • Business Centers
    • Education
    • Insurance
    • Moving & Storage
    • Pet Care & Adoptions
  • Event Planning
    • Banquets & Catering
    • Corporate Team Building
    • Kids Parties
    • Large Event Venues
    • Party Rentals
    • Restaurants
    • Weddings & Events
    • Spas & Treatments
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Concerts & Music
    • Live Theatre
    • Museums
  • Transportation
    • Trolley (MTS)
    • Bus Transportation (MTS)
    • Cross Border Xpress
    • Coaster Train (NCTD)
    • Sprinter Commuter Rail (NCTD)
    • Airports
    • Parking & Shuttles
    • Moving & Storage
    • Car Rentals
    • Auto Sales
    • Coronado Ferry
    • Bicycle & Surrey Rentals

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Explore historic ships via land and on-the-water tours; art, maritime history and commerce exhibits; plus thrilling events aboard this treasured San Diego Bay attraction!

  • Screen Shot 2024-02-12 at 8.04.58 PM copy
  • 2019 MMSDAug60+0249-1
  • 2019 MMSD Calif Stivers0161-1
  • 2019 MMSD Pilot0492sm – Copy
  • 2019 MMSDAug60+0572-1
  • 2019 MMSDAug60+0987-1
  • 2019 MMSDAug60+1080-1
  • 2019MMSD04170109-1
  • 2019MMSD04170248-1
  • 2019MMSD04170314-3
  • 2019MMSD04170601-1
  • Screen Shot 2024-02-12 at 8.02.07 PM copy
  • Buy Tickets
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Plan Your Event
  • Explore The Ships
  • Education Programs
  • Support The Museum
  • Memberships

Walk along downtown San Diego’s waterfront, and you’ll see one of the city’s most well-known attractions — the floating Maritime Museum of San Diego – where a fleet of historic vessels and exhibits await. This Museum is nontraditional with the experience found throughout an iconic collection of ships, nesting exhibits and galleries, with the magnificent Star of India, an 1863 iron bark, as the main draw.

The Museum’s collection includes the 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley; the topsail schooner Californian; the USS Dolphin, an American research submarine; the 1904 steam yacht Medea; a Vietnam Era PCF 816 Swift boat; and the Navy frigate replica H.M.S. Surprise (featured in the popular films “Master and Commander” and “Pirates of the Caribbean 4.”) The most recent fleet addition is the 16th-century galleon San Salvador, a replica of the first European ship to reach America’s West Coast in 1542.

Visitors not only explore the decks of these world-class vessels via self-guided or docent-led tours, but experience firsthand the thrills of sailing on them too. Four-hour excursions include the tall-ship adventure aboard the schooner Californian, a traditionally rigged tall ship. Haul a line, man the helm and end the day with a cannon salute. Embark upon another half-day sail aboard the 16th-century Spanish galleon San Salvador. The majestic ship was hand-built by Museum staff and volunteers, and made possible by generous supporters and donors over many years and launched in 2015.

Shorter adventures include a 45-minute narrated harbor cruise aboard the Pilot, an assistance craft for commercial ships first launched in 1914. If you’re lucky, the boat will take you right under the flight deck of the awe-inspiring aircraft carrier USS Midway nearby. Also enjoy a 75-minute Docent Veteran volunteer-narrated Naval History Bay tour, describing the region’s strong ties with the U.S. Navy and PCF 816 Swift boat’s role in the U.S., Malta, Vietnam and more. Each of the bay tours can be added to general admission.

Book any of these on-the-water adventures online at http://www.sdmaritime.org/  or walk up to the waterfront ticket booth and ask about availability.

Aside from unforgettable tours, the Museum also features fascinating maritime-themed exhibits and hosts popular events such as exquisite Hausmann Quartet concerts, hilarious interactive pirate theatrics in ‘BOARDED! A New Pirate Adventure,” Big Bay Boom (Independence Day) fireworks dinner and the holiday San Diego Bay Parade of Lights dinner aboard the Berkeley, as well as Living History educational programs for K-12 students. Visitors also shouldn’t miss the Museum’s world-renowned research library for members as well as a retail shop with lots of souvenirs, historic and academic books or memorabilia.

Getting married? Having a party? The venue is available for weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, retirement celebrations and children’s pirate-themed birthdays! Sailing charters, or a celebration of life through the scattering of ashes at sea can also be arranged by the Museum’s event planners.

From fascinating exhibits and family-friendly bayside events to ocean-going fun on world-class vessels, the Maritime Museum of San Diego offers adventure for both landlubbers and seafarers. The iconic venue at 1492 North Harbor Drive is open year round 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with last visitor entry at 4 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.sdmaritime.org or call (619) 234-9153.

 Coupon

  • $3 OFF General Admission

    Print Coupon

 Locations

Located in Embarcadero / Marina District

1492 North Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-234-9153
Visit Website

Hours of Operation:

Open Daily
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Located in Downtown San Diego

1492 North Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-234-9153
Visit Website

Hours of Operation:

Open Daily
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Learn More About Maritime Museum of San Diego

Buy Tickets

Plan Your Visit

Explore The Ships

Plan Your Event

Support The Museum

Memberships

Filed Under: Activities & Recreation, Attractions, Banquets, Banquets & Catering, Corporate Team Building, Event Planning, Indoor, Kids, Kids Parties, Large Event Venues, Museums, Outdoor, Party Rentals, Tours, Water Activities, Weddings & Events

Primary Sidebar

  • Maritime Museum of San Diego
  • Maritime Museum of San Diego
  • THE PASSPORT BLOG
  • View this profile on Instagram

    Maritime Museum of San Diego (@sdmaritime) • Instagram photos and videos

  • The Meal Prep Co Makes Healthy Meals
  • Footer Widget - Supported Organizations

    • Father Joe's Villages
    • San Diego Humane Society
    • I Love A Clean San Diego
    • Rady Children's Hospital
    • WRC
    • PassPort to San Diego supports these outstanding organizations. Find out how to you can donate or volunteer today.

    Footer

    Contact Us

    info@passport-sd.com

    Connect & Share

    Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Blog

    Promote Your Business

    We love helping San Diego businesses THRIVE. Contact us today to learn about promoting your company with PassPort to San Diego!

    Contact us today: sales@passport-sd.com

    Recent Posts

    • Power your ride by exploring Pedego Electric Bikes, available for sale or rent at Pedego La Jolla — Bird Rock!
    • Witness The Majesty of Blue or Gray Whales Up Close During A Thrilling and Educational Tour with San Diego Whale Watch!
    • Enjoy True Italian Heritage In Every Dish at Nicolosi’s, a Dining Institution Since 1952! Locations in Santee and Miramar!

    © 2025 · PassPort to San Diego · All rights reserved · Web maintenance by Webdezined