Fleet Week
Date: 9/25 - 10/23/04
Be a part of the nation's largest tribute to enlisted military personnel and their families.
Nearly a month-long, this celebration is highlighted by a wide range of activities that
will provide families and individuals a chance to see and better understand military life. Some of the featured events include the spectacular Sea-n-Air Parade, Navy ship tours,
a classic car speed festival, and the wildly popular MCAS Miramar Air Show featuring the Blue Angels and "Fat Albert."
The Facts
San Diego Fleet Week Foundation
Information: 800-FLEETWEEK (800-353-389335) or www.fleetweeksandiego.org.
Featured Events
Sept 25 - Troop Salute & Family Fun Day - Gillespie Field Airport
The whole family will enjoy this fun-filled event that features interactive aircraft displays, children's fleet festival area, Family Fun Boot Camp Experience, and entertainment. A Child's Safety Fair will offer information and tips on public safety as well as games and activities.
Hours: 10am-4pm
Admission: free
Information: 619-445-0180
Oct 2 - Port of San Diego Sea-n-Air Parade - San Diego Bay
Don't miss Fleet Week's spectacular flagship event showcasing ships and aircraft parading down The Big Bay from the world's mightiest Navy. The impressive list of ships includes an aircraft carrier, cruiser, guided missile destroyer, destroyer, frigate, nuclear submarine, amphibious assault ship, amphibious dock and platform landing ships, and SEAL support boat. The best viewing will be from Harbor Island, Shelter Island, the Cruise Ship Terminal, Broadway Pier and the grassy knoll next to the Fish Market Restaurant.
Hours: noon - 2:30pm
Admission: free
Oct 2-3 & 9-10 - U.S. Navy Ship Tours - Broadway Pier, corner of North Harbor Drive & Broadway
Take advantage of this exciting invitation from the Commanders of the U.S. Navy's Third Fleet and Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet to tour the inside of a Navy ship.
Tours: 10:00am - 6:30pm (last tour begins at 6:00pm)
Sign-up time: same day as the tour from 9:00am - 2pm or until time slots filled. No advance reservations. Minimum age for tours: 4 yrs. Valid government photo ID required for all guests over 16 yrs.
Admission: free
Oct 9 & 10 - Chrysler Classic Speed Festival - NAS North Island, Naval Base Coronado
Car enthusiasts will get a thrill as more than 200 of the world's top vintage race cars compete on the spectator-friendly runways and taxiways of Naval Base Coronado. Fans are invited to tour the pits, meet the drivers, view over 1,000 cars in the Car Club Corral, tour Vendor Village for high-tech exhibits and racing paraphernalia, or admire the Classic Car Collection.
Hours: 8:30am - 5pm
General admission: $20 one-day; $25-$35 weekend; ages 12 & under free with paid adult. Free parking
Information & tickets: (619) 283-5808, Ticketmaster (619) 220-TIXS or www.pacificlifeholidaybowl.com
Oct 15 -17 - MCAS Miramar Air Show - MCAS Miramar
Watch the world's best military and civilian pilots demonstrate aerial excellence at this spectacular, world-famous air show. Military performers will include the Blue Angels flying F/A-18 Hornets, the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier, F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, and the 15-man U.S. Navy Parachute Team. There will also be over 200 hands-on static display exhibits and a simulated combat demonstration from the Marine Air and Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Special Twilight Show, Great Wall of Fire and Fireworks Grande Finale on 10/16.
Hours: gates open at 8am daily; shows 9:30am-4pm. Sat Twilight Show: 5:30-8:30pm
General admission & parking: free; preferred seating available
Information: 858-577-1000 or www.miramarairshow.com
Great Hotel Offerings
Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside - Rates starting from $93.00 based on availability
Shelter Point Hotel & Marina - Rates starting from $110.00 based on availability
Radisson Hotel Harbor View (Midway Magic Package) - Rates starting from $120.00 based on availability
Manchester Grand Hyatt (Grand Getaway Package) - Rates starting from $204.00 based on availability
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina (Extended Stay Package) - Rates starting from $149.00 based on availability
All Vacation Packages
Hot Tips
Looking for a way to avoid the crowds and still get the best view of the Sea-n-Air Parade? San Diego Harbor Excursion and Hornblower Cruises & Events will offer special cruises on the day of the event. Choose from a Spectator Cruise (full snack and cocktail bar available) or a Brunch Cruise (includes a sumptuous buffet and champagne). Children under 4 sail free on all cruises.
Buy tickets now for a cruise with San Diego Harbor Excursion or buy tickets now for a cruise with Hornblower Cruises & Events.
Want to experience San Diego Bay as only a SEAL can experience it? The SEAL Amphibious Tour is a 90-minute, fully-narrated, sea and land sightseeing tour. After departing from the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum or Seaport Village, you’ll travel along the Big Bay by land while you hear stories of early sailors and learn the importance of the military in San Diego. Next, you’ll splash down into San Diego Bay where you’ll view Point Loma, Naval Air Station North Island, the Point Loma Submarine Base, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and perhaps a sea lion or two!
Hours: tours daily; hours fluctuate seasonally
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