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I've been visiting SeaWorld San Diego since I was a child and it's still fun to go now as a mom. This theme park does the best job of catering to kids of all ages from toddlers to teens because you can see Elmo, but also ride multiple high-speed roller coasters (that I can see from my backyard over Mission Bay).
Save on tickets
My ticket site has great prices on admission to SeaWorld San Diego.
I (Katie Dillon) have been going to SeaWorld San Diego since the age of two and I can see the park from my house.
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Tickets & passes
Short answers first. Each link goes to the full comparison in my ticket guide, which we fact-check multiple times a month.
The complete rundown lives in one place: how to buy discount SeaWorld San Diego tickets, all 13 ways.
Coming up
The big seasonal events come back every year. Dates can shift, so confirm before you book.
The basics
What to see
Where to eat
Outside of the Seven Seas Food Festival and special events like the winter holiday season (where the food is great including the waffle on a stick), dining is just okay at this theme park. Lines can be long at the counter-service restaurants, so plan your meals before you are starving.
You'll find plenty of fun food like ice cream and cotton candy. Starbucks drinks like Frappucinos and lattes are made to order at Coral Market. BBQ from Calypso Bay Smokehouse is one of the most popular meal items. Healthier grab-and-go snacks await at Discoveries Fresh Market. Find tacos and bowls at the new Hibiscus Tacos.
Plenty of adult beverages from carts and restaurants can be found across the theme park. And did you know that you can add All-Day Dining to your ticket?
The essentials
Hours
Summer days can run 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the park can close as early as 5 p.m. in the off-season. Check the SeaWorld calendar for your date.
Address
San Diego, CA 92109. On Mission Bay, just minutes from I-5 and I-8.
Parking
General, Up-Close, and VIP parking can be bought in advance online. Annual Passes include parking.
Getting there
Most people drive or take rideshare. Public transportation works but it is a grind.
Plan ahead
A few tips from a local who's been visiting SeaWorld San Diego since age two.
Mornings on weekdays. The park opens at 10 a.m. and the crowds build through midday, especially on weekends and during summer. Special seasonal events like the Seven Seas Food Festival, Spooktacular, Howl-O-Scream, and the Christmas Celebration are worth planning around. Locals often do the opposite: we use our passes to go at the end of the day for just a few hours, when the lines are shorter and there is less pressure to add Quick Queue.
Combine attractions
My ticket site is the best place to start. If you are visiting more than one attraction, a sightseeing pass may save more.
Sightseeing pass purchases redirect to the partner site (Go City or CityPASS), not to my ticket site. Promo codes apply at the partner's checkout.
For locals
San Diegans get their own discounts and programs. The current details live in my ticket guide, which we update as programs change.
Stay nearby
I have written extensively about hotels near SeaWorld San Diego. Most people stay in the Mission Bay area. My favorites:
Our local kids use their passes for a few hours at the end of the day, when the lines are shorter and there’s less pressure to make the day count. If you’re planning more than one visit, the Fun Card pays for itself on the second.
Learn whether SeaWorld San Diego or San Diego Zoo is the best for your vacation if you can only choose one theme park. I have memberships to both.
Fun activities at SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration include returning favorites like Santa and Rudolph.
Events include the family-friendly Spooktacular and nighttime Howl-O-Scream. What to expect at both and how admission works.
The best things to do near SeaWorld San Diego include picnic spots, playgrounds, water sports, beach activities, and more animal encounters.
SeaWorld San Diego tips and tricks for how to save money, maximize time, and visit sanely with kids for an easy day.
I’ll guide you to the right ticket or sightseeing pass for your visit. I can see the park from my house and have been visiting for four decades.
I like these hotels close to SeaWorld San Diego because they balance location with family-friendly amenities and usually good prices. Here’s everything you need to know.
Height decides more of your day here than thrill level does. Start with the chart near the top, find your shortest rider, and you’ll know which rides your group can get on before you go.
