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.

SeaWorld will celebrate Independence Day with a 15-minute display of fireworks set to a patriotic soundtrack, starting at 9:45 PM on July 4. Park hours on the Fourth will be 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

All summer long, SeaWorld lights up with Electric Ocean™, a summer nighttime extravaganza that transforms the park into an underwater world of colorful luminescence. Electric Ocean immerses guests in a glowing sea of wonder with bioluminescent-like lighting, an electrifying dance club with a world-class DJ and your favorite SeaWorld attractions like never before. Electric Ocean kicks off June 15 and runs on select dates through September 2.

Stay after dark and celebrate summer during Nighttime Zoo presented by One Medical, June 16 through September 2. Enjoy live music, fun shows, animal encounters, food, and more!

Festival of the Sea, produced by the Maritime Museum and sponsored by the Port of San Diego, is one of the keynote events that will take place during 2019 commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the beginning of modern-day San Diego. The Port of San Diego Festival of the Sea will be held Memorial Day weekend and has something for everyone to enjoy. Taking place aboard several of the historic vessels of the Maritime Museum and on the adjacent scenic North Embarcadero region of downtown San Diego, Maritime Museum of San Diego will be open to the public Saturday, Sunday and Monday May 25 to 27 with special general admission hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  General admission tickets for the three-day event include entrance to all vessels, exhibits, live music, education zone and artist exhibition with market. 

The USS Midway Museum is the heart and soul of Memorial Day celebration in San Diego. The lineup of activities range from a Wreath Memorial ceremony, benefit concert, family activities, blood drive, interactive exhibits and more. Each element of Midway’s Legacy Week commemoration is designed to honor and remember our heroes and celebrate our military heritage. Events also offer the community an affordable and inspiring way to kick off summer in San Diego on one of the most iconic museums in the world.