USS MIDWAY MUSEUM

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier features an interactive museum to teach visitors about its military operations. It is the longest-serving aircraft carrier in US Naval history with 47 years of service to its credit! The guided tour is very informative, and there are many different types of aircraft on its deck to explore as well as great views across the water from the bow.

DON’T MISS:

• The Bridge Tour for a view of the whole carrier.
• The two dozen aircraft on display.
• The ready room where you can be ‘Maverick’.
• The active US carriers across the water.
• Below decks which show just how many people are required to run an aircraft carrier.
• Stand on the see-through floor and peer down several decks.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are $23 for 13 years old and over, $20 for seniors, $10 for children 6-12 and free for under 6s.
• Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day from 10:00 to 17:00.
• This is a former military vessel, it was designed for war, not tourists; it has steps, stairs and corridors which should be navigated with care!
• This attraction is on the Go San Diego Card.

910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-544-9600 | Attraction 1 on Map Below

KANSAS CITY BARBEQUE

Why not stop for lunch at a bona fide piece of movie history? Kansas City Barbeque is where the famous sleazy bar scene, where Goose and Maverick sing Great Balls of Fire from Top Gun was filmed, so after a bite to eat, check out the many quotes, pictures and signed photos that adorn the walls. If no-one says “Negative Ghostrider. Pattern is full”, or “I feel the need, the need for speed” at some point, we’d be surprised!

DON’T MISS:

• The movie quotes that adorn the walls.
• The memorabilia from Top Gun.
• Lunch.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Check out the menu of this movie eatery here.
• Open 11:00 to 17:00 for lunch and 17:00 to 01:00 for Dinner, bar closes at 02:00.

600 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-231-9680 | Attraction 2 on Map Below

TROLLEY TOUR

Combine this with a Harbor Tour and you will have seen all the major points of interest in San Diego.

With 10 stops at key points around the city where you can get off to explore and catch a later trolley, this is a great way to get a feel of the city and/or use it as an easy way to get around.

DON’T MISS:

• Coronado Bridge and the views as you cross it.
• Gaslamp Quarter with its beautiful buildings.
• The information from the informative guides.
• Balboa Park with its open spaces, museums and other attractions.
• Old Town State Historic Park which showcases San Diego’s origins.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are $39.95 for 13 years old and over, $24.95 for children 4-12 and free for under 4s.
• Tours run from 09:00 to 17:00 November to February, 09:00 to 18:00 March to Mid-June and Late August to October and 09:00 to 19:00 during high season. No tours on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days
• Tours depart every 30-minutes and the whole tour takes around 2 hours.
• Special events and holidays can affect timings, route and stops.
• This attraction is on the Go San Diego Card.

Stop A – 4010 Twiggs St, San Diego, CA 92110 | 866-754-0966 | Attraction 3 on Map Below

SEAWORLD

SeaWorld is part marine zoo and part theme park, so you can be looking at killer whales and turtles one minute and riding roller-coasters the next. Split into seven zones, or ‘seas’, the park covers all manner of marine life, interspersed with live shows and adrenaline pumping rides.

DON’T MISS:

• Dolphin Theater for live shows.
• Manta roller-coaster which mimics the movements of giant rays.
• Sky Tower for a view over the park.
• The interactive Aquaria Touch Pool.
• Shark Encounter where you can see sharks up close in the aquarium tunnel.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are $74.99 for 3 years old and over and free for under 3s.
• Open every day of the year, even Christmas Day, from 10:00 to at least 17:00. For more details click here.
• This attraction is on the Go San Diego Card.

500 Sea World Dr, San Diego, CA 92109 | 619-222-4732 |  Attraction 4 on Map Below

GASLAMP QUARTER

The Gaslamp Quarter is a historic area with pretty buildings decorated with stained glass, carvings, and columns, and then gas lamps (of course!) light up the streets outside them. This area is also known for its restaurants, shopping, bars, and nightlife.

DON’T MISS:

• The stunning Victorian architecture.
• One of the walking tours of the area.
• The specialist shops and great restaurants.
• And of course, the gaslamps!

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Parking is best done using the parkmobile app. You can download the app before your visit to be ready to go.

Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, CA 92101 | Attraction 5 on Map Below

SUNSET CLIFFS NATURAL PARK

As the name suggests, this is a great place to come and watch the sunset over the Pacific ocean. If you arrive a little earlier, you ill probably see surfers catching some waves on below the cliffs, then chill out, enjoy the sounds of the ocean and watch the sun disappear into the Pacific.

DON’T MISS:

• The sunset the cliffs are named for.
• Relaxing to the sound of the ocean after a busy day enjoying San Diego.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Entrance to the park is free.
• The gates of the car park are locked overnight.

Ladera St, San Diego, CA 92107 | 619-525-8213 | Attraction 6 on Map Below

HARBOUR CRUISE

You can either do the whole bay on a 2-hour cruise, or just one half of it on a 1-hour cruise. The North Bay part of the tour cruises past the North Island Naval Air Station, the US Naval Submarine Base, Point Loma, and some sea lions just out relaxing for the day. The South Bay features the Coronado Bay Bridge and the Navy Shipyards.

DON’T MISS:

• The US Navy warships and submarines
• USS Midway from the water.
• Sea lions relaxing in the sun.
• Coronado Bay Bridges elegant curve and why it exists.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• 1-hour tour tickets are $27 for 13 years old and over, $16.20 for children 4-12 and free for under 4s.
• 2-hour tour tickets are $32 for 13 years old and over, $19.20 for children 4-12 and free for under 4s.
• Tours run several times a day and you can select your preferred time when you book.
• This attraction is on the Go San Diego Card.

990 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-234-4111 | Attraction 7 on Map Below

SAN DIEGO ZOO

Voted the number one zoo in the world by Tripadvisor, San Diego zoo has plenty to offer visitors. Like most zoos around the world, the focus has shifted from animals in captivity to wildlife conservancy and you can learn all about global efforts. With 3,700 animal of 650 different species to check out, you can tour the animal kingdom worldwide in a single day.

DON’T MISS:

• The two 4D theatres.
• Northern Frontier where you can see Polar Bears.
• Both aviaries to see our feathered friends.
• The big cats, from lions to tigers.
• Hundreds of other animals from all over the planet.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are $54 for 12 years old and over, $44 for children 3-11 and free for under 3s.
• Open every day of the year, even Christmas Day, from 09:00 to at least 17:00. For more details click here.
• This attraction is on the Go San Diego Card.

2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-231-1515 | Attraction 8 on Map Below

MORMON BATTALION HISTORIC SITE

The Mormon Battalion was the only religiously based unit in U.S. military history and a memorial has been built here in their honor for their service during the Mexican-American War. Guides are on hand to give visitors very informative and interesting tours.

DON’T MISS:

• The free 45-minute tour.
• Learning about this unique military unit.
• The demonstrations by docents.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Admission to the site is Free
• Open Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 21:00 and Sunday 13:00 to 21:00. For more details click here.

2510 Juan St, San Diego, CA 92110 | 619-298-3317 | Attraction 9 on Map Below

OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO STATE HISTORIC PARK

Visit the birthplace of California at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, dating back to 1769, it was California’s first settlement with just a fort and a mission. Now it offers beautiful gardens, authentic foods and a rich history shown through historic sites and museums.

DON’T MISS:

• The many historic buildings like La Casa de Bandini.
• The restored Victorian Homes.
• Little Adobe Chapel, the first church in San Diego.
• The many speciality shops and restaurants.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Entrance to the park is free.
• Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to at least 16:00.

4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110 | 619-220-5422 | Attraction 10 on Map Below

MAP

The map below shows all the above attractions in San Diego in relation to the cruise terminal as well as the route of the trolley tour and harbor cruise.