Location: Downtown Embarcadero · Admission: $28 at the window · Open: Daily 10 to 5, last entry 4 · Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
One of the best things to do in San Diego for kids is to visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego for its large collection of historic vessels (originals and replicas). Adults will find climbing aboard these docked ships and the submarine and learning about the roles they played in history from docents equally cool.
The good news is that this San Diego museum is located on the Embarcadero downtown, just a few minutes walk from Little Italy and the USS Midway Museum, making it easy to see all plus Seaport Village in one pleasant day spent enjoying our year-round sunshine.
Things to Know Before Visiting the Maritime Museum of San Diego
If you’re planning a trip to the Maritime Museum of San Diego, this section will detail ticket prices, opening hours, available parking, and more.
Tickets and Hours
The Maritime Museum of San Diego is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though the entrance gate closes at 4 p.m.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- General admission: $28 at the window, or $26 through our ticket page
- Seniors 62 and over, and military with ID: $20 at the window, $18 through us
- Youth 6 to 17: $15 at the window, $14 through us
- Children 5 and under: Free
Some add-on activities will require payment. Walk-up tickets are available at the ticket booth for the 45-minute Historical Bay Cruise between Monday and Friday. Note that the museum’s own website charges more than the window does, because its online price carries the ticketing fees.
Don’t pay full price
Ticket choices
Buy a single admission at a discount, or cover the Maritime Museum plus dozens of other San Diego attractions with one pass.
★ Best for one visit
Maritime Museum, single admission
One adult ticket, covering every ship you can board. Gate price is $28, and the museum’s own website charges $30.36.
$26Save $2 on the gate
★ Best for a whole trip
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The Maritime Museum is also one of the picks on San Diego CityPASS, alongside the USS Midway and Birch Aquarium. Compare the two passes here.
Tips from Katie · Sightseeing passes
The museum is also covered by the Go City San Diego passes, which is worth checking before you buy a single admission.
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Gift Shops
The Maritime Museum of San Diego gift shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. aboard the steam ferry Berkeley.
You don’t need admission to enter the gift shop. Here you can browse a neat collection of books, maritime memorabilia, San Diego souvenirs, and even homemade gifts.
Parking and Public Transportation
As parking in the downtown San Diego area is challenging, the Maritime Museum of San Diego suggests using public transportation, rideshares like Uber or Lyft, or a taxi. Some of the public transportation options available can be found below:
- FRED (Free Ride Everywhere Downtown)
- MTS Bus
- MTS Trolly
- Coaster (the Coaster/Amtrak station called Santa Fe Depot is a short walk from the museum)
Some parking lot locations can be found on these websites:
- Port of San Diego: Downtown San Diego waterfront area parking lots
- Parkopedia
Some metered street parking is available but difficult to come by.
The Ships You Can Board
These are docked and included with admission, so you can walk aboard as many as you like on one ticket.
See the Official Tall Ship of the State of California (Replica)
The Californian set sail for the first time to celebrate the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. The replica ship is modeled after 1847 Revenue Cutter C.W. Lawrence which patrolled the coast during the Gold Rush.
She’s built for speed and has hosted living history overnight adventures for students, sailing enthusiasts, and history buffs on various excursions up the coast of California and even to Hawaii.
In 2003, the Californian was declared by the Governor as the Official Tall Ship of the State of California.
You can join a Sunday 4-hour sailing where passengers are invited to participate in the ship’s sailing. The day ends with a cannon salute.
Admire the Ship That Discovered California (Replica)
The San Salvador is a replica ship of the one Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed on when he discovered San Diego.
Like the other Maritime Museum of San Diego ships, it’s neat to see the parlors and rooms that are certainly a step back in time.
Tip: If you’re in San Diego to learn about California history, it’s easy to pair a visit to this San Diego museum with exploring Cabrillo National Monument and Old Town San Diego on the same (full) day.
While it’s usually docked at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, you can join a 4-hour sailing tour on San Salvador that departs on some Saturdays.
Climb Aboard the World’s Oldest Active Sailing Ship
Star of India is the most prominent ship that you can see from some downtown San Diego hotels and as you walk or drive along the Embarcadero.
She set sail five days before Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and is the world’s oldest active sailing ship. The iron ship’s career involved sailing from Great Britain to India and New Zealand 21 times.
During our most recent visit, a docent who sailed on Star of India captured the attention of many guests onboard with his colorful stories.
The Rest of the Fleet
Three vessels get overlooked because they sit behind the tall ships, and one of them is the newest thing here.
- Scrimshaw, a custom Block Island schooner, is the most recent addition to the fleet.
- Medea, a 1904 steam yacht whose history runs through both World Wars.
- USS Dolphin, the deepest-diving submarine in US Navy history, a research boat rather than a combat one.
Getting Out on the Water
Both of these leave from the museum and are sold separately from admission.
Book San Diego Bay Cruises on Pilot
Join a public 45-minute San Diego Bay cruise on Pilot, the ship responsible for guiding commercial ships into the bay between 1914 – 1996.
This historic cruise is a great activity for those who would like to sightsee from the bay (you may see some sea lions and other marine life) but have limited time. There are multiple daily departures.
Take a PCF 816 Swift Boat Bay Cruise
These boats are called PCFs (Patrol Craft Fasts) by the U.S. Navy, but sailors refer to them as Swift Boats. They were used in the Vietnam War.
Two V12 diesel engines deliver 980 horsepower as you roar through the San Diego Bay on a 75-minute PCF 816 Swift Boat cruise.
You’ll listen to retired Swift Boat Sailors and docents talk about what it was like to be a crewman in Vietnam while also addressing San Diego military history.
Inside the Berkeley
The steam ferry holds the museum’s indoor half: galleries, the model ship collection, the research library, the gift shop and the offices.
Walk Through the Exhibition Gallery on Berkeley
After touring the Maritime Museum of San Diego ships, spend some time walking through the permanent and visiting exhibition galleries on the Steam Ferry Berkeley.
Berkeley hails from the San Francisco Bay, where she operated for 60 years. She played an important role in rescuing San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake/fire victims.
The sizable ship is home to the museum’s offices, a major maritime research library, the museum store, event space for 800, museum exhibits, and more.
Check out the Model Ships
At the aft-end of Berkeley, you’ll find some incredible model ships considered fine art pieces from the museum’s collection and others donated by local philanthropists and enthusiasts.
Browse the Library
Not only does the Maritime Museum of San Diego release its own publications, but they also have a library, archives, and an impressive collection of objects available to view aboard the Berkeley.
Hands-on Programs, Tours and Events
Tie a Knot
This activity can be a bit more challenging than it looks, but it’s one that both kids and adults love to tackle. Try your hand at tying various sailors’ knots. It’s fun.
Reserve Guided Tours
Book a guided tour if you have a group of 10 or more people. These can be self-guided, docent-led (recommend), or youth group tours.
Plan Special Events
At the Maritime Museum of San Diego, these events include the likes of channeling your inner pirate during a themed sailing, aboard one of the tall ships, New Year’s Eve parties, and much more.
One of my missions is to remind San Diego residents and visitors to check local museum special events to take advantage of one-of-a-kind programming.
Get Really Hands-on
The Maritime Museum of San Diego facilitates educational programs and workshops led by trained docents. Check out the docked and on the water adventures.
Row in one of the museum’s longboats or spend multiple days aboard one of the tall ships! The offerings are super cool and diverse no matter your age.
One deadline is worth knowing before you plan a visit. HMS Surprise, the frigate used in Master and Commander, closes to visitors permanently on 1 August 2027, after the museum concluded that the investment needed to restore and maintain her is no longer financially viable. She has been part of the fleet since 2004, and she is boardable until 31 July 2027 and not after.
Visit Three Museums, Pay Less at Each
Since 1 March 2026 the Maritime Museum, the USS Midway Museum and the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego have run a Triad Discount program: a ticket to any one of them earns a reduced rate at the other two. The Midway is a short walk along the Embarcadero, so pairing those two is the easy version.
Maritime Museum of San Diego FAQs
Is the Maritime Museum of San Diego free?
No, admission is charged, but the gift shop aboard the steam ferry Berkeley is open to anyone daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no ticket required. That is the only part of the museum you can see without paying.
What time does the Maritime Museum open and close?
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. If you are already aboard at 4 you can stay until closing, so arriving at 3.30 is the difference between a rushed visit and no visit.
How much is the Maritime Museum of San Diego?
Adults are $28 at the window, seniors 62 and over and military with ID are $20, and youth 6 to 17 are $15. Children 5 and under are free. Buying on the museum’s own website costs more than the window because the online price carries ticketing fees, and we sell it for less than either.
What ships can you board at the Maritime Museum?
Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship, plus the Californian, the San Salvador replica, the steam ferry Berkeley, the 1904 steam yacht Medea, the schooner Scrimshaw, the submarine USS Dolphin and the PCF 816 Swift Boat. HMS Surprise is boardable only until 31 July 2027.
How long do you need at the Maritime Museum?
Two to three hours to board the ships without rushing. Add another 45 minutes for a bay cruise aboard Pilot, or 75 for the Swift Boat, since both leave from the museum and are sold separately.
Is the Maritime Museum worth visiting?
You board the exhibits here, which is the difference between this and every other museum on the Embarcadero. If ships hold no interest at all it will not convert you. The docents change that for most people. On our most recent visit one of them had sailed on Star of India himself, and the stories held a crowd of strangers who had not come for a lecture.
Why We Love the Maritime Museum of San Diego
There’s much to love about the Maritime Museum of San Diego, especially if you’re interested in nautical history. Even if you aren’t, there’s plenty to learn and do here.
As a family-friendly museum, it’s no surprise that many exhibits are very hands-on. The cool factor of this experience is part of why it’s on my list of best museums in San Diego for kids.
Address: 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Phone: (619) 234-9153 · Website: sdmaritime.org
