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Explore These Awesome Museums

Where learning is more like recess

Join us on Dec. 1 and 2 for the City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival in beautiful Balboa Park. The family friendly event brings San Diegans together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, the amazing food.

This boat tour provides visitors with an educational tour of San Diego Bay. The 45-minute Bay sightseeing tour takes guests out on the water in a large loop first heading toward North Island and the Aircraft Carriers, then stopping at buoy 22. Guests will then head just under Coronado Bridge and make a port (left) turn around one of the bridge pillars. The vessels then heads back towards the Maritime Museum along the downtown side of the waterfront.  Several attractions will be highlighted along the way as guests enjoy the fresh air and view.

Sheduled daily tour times may vary. 

The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition brought to San Diego by the boating community. Continuing its long-standing San Diego tradition, the annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights promises to dazzle and entertain bayfront crowds during 2 evenings on Sundays, December 10 and December 17, 2023. Participants in this year’s highly anticipated holiday boat parade will decorate their boats to fit the Traditions of Christmas theme.

Maritime Museum of San Diego has been known for years as the best place on the waterfront to view the annual Parade of Lights on San Diego Bay from the Museum’s historic 1898 steam ferry boat Berkeley located along Star of India wharf. 

Parade of Lights Dinner tickets are a great value with dinner, boat parade viewing, and museum general admission (valid before the dinner only) included.

The fun begins at the lighted Campo Depot. Pick up your tickets from the Ticket Agent in our restored passenger waiting room. We recommend you plan on arriving at the Campo Depot at least 45 minutes before your train departs to allow ample time to park, get your tickets, and pass through our gift shop. Don’t forget to stop by the Hobo Camp next to the Depot to hear tales from railroading’s past.
Once onboard the North Pole Limited, Santa’s elves will sing our favorite Christmas carols, read a popular Christmas story to all of our young ones, and pass out cookies and hot chocolate to all passengers. The North Pole Limited will stop at Santa’s Workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus who will visit with all passengers on the train on our way back to the Campo Depot.

The train ride lasts for approximately 90 minutes depending on the number of passengers Santa needs to visit with.