Must-See California Theme Parks & Attractions

San Diego is packed with great things to see and do including these top theme parks and attractions.

SeaWorld San Diego

Spread across 190 acres on beautiful Mission Bay Park, SeaWorld is known for its amazing animals, interactive attractions, aquariums, rides, beautiful landscaping and education programs for all ages.

Enjoy a BBQ Dinner and spectacular fireworks viewing from the McKinney Deck of the 1898 Berkeley, a national and state historic landmark, or the waterfront barge to the rear of the Berkeley.

Maritime Museum of San Diego hosts this annual favorite every year welcoming locals and visitors for a front row seat to the Big Bay Boom. Adult BBQ dinners include pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, chips, and cookie. Child BBQ dinners includes hot dog, potato salad, chips, and cookie. Plant-based vegetarian pulled pork or hot dog options will be available upon request. Additional snacks including cookies or chips may be purchased too. Tickets for the dinner must be purchased online in advance. Seating is first come first serve.

Guided Docent Led Tours at the Maritime Museum of San Diego is your opportunity to learn of the ships in-depth stories from our trained knowledgeable historians, and enjoy the waterfront sights of San Diego Bay while meeting other people with like interests in maritime heritage and history. The docent and volunteer community share a wealth of knowledge, and a passion and pride with visitors for these extra special tours. Guided Docent-led Tour tickets include General Admission. So, after your tour you are welcome to explore more of the fleet and exhibits if you have time. Once at the museum, you can add-on a 45 min Historic Bay Cruise for only $10.00 more. Check with the Ticket Booth staff on availability. Leaving the museum for lunch, and returning is allowed, with lot’s of lunch and nibble options in close walking distance.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego invites you to join us for Tall Ship adventure sailing! This is a four-hour adventure history sail aboard the schooner Californian.
The Californian is a replica of a gold rush era revenue cutter and the Official Tall Ship of the State of California.

Arrive early to take in your general admission visit to the entire fleet and exhibits, then set sail! 

Join the crew in sailing a traditionally rigged tall ship! Passengers will be invited to haul a line, man the helm and watch the crew as they scamper up and down the rigging to set and furl the sails. Listen as the Californian’s crew relates the history of sailing and exploration in San Diego, tales of whaling and sea otter trade, local sea battles, the art of ship’s gunnery, life at sea and more.

These popular 90-minute Pirate-themed performances are staged aboard the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s 16th century Spanish galleon San Salvador. Guests will be fully engaged in pirate theatrics at the dock and underway on San Diego Bay. This hilarious interactive show puts visitors right in the middle of the pirate action. Participants will be sworn in as part of the ship crew, trained how to navigate, sword fight, bail water from a sinking ship, escape from the King’s Jail, swab the deck and other pirate skills. 

Two shows to choose from at 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Check-in 30 minutes prior to your performance time. And remember general admission is included! SO plan to stay and play and tour the Museum fleet and exhibits before or after your show!