Come aboard the Maritime Museum of San Diego and get ready for a voyage that takes you nearly three to four hundred years back.
There is no better waterfront attraction than this for kids and adults!
The Maritime Museum San Diego is widely recognized for its outstanding efforts in preserving historic vessels, making it a must-visit attraction.
The exhibits and galleries await you to wipe off the splash of water and learn about the countless stories associated with historic ships.
This article shares everything you must know before booking your San Diego Maritime Museum tour
Top Maritime Museum of San Diego Tickets
# Tickets for Maritime Museum of San Diego
# Maritime Museum + USS Midway Museum
# Maritime Museum + Dinner Cruise
Table of contents
What to expect at Maritime Museum
Unearth the maritime history of the US at the San Diego Maritime Museum, where the ship itself is a museum.
Board historical ships like Star of India, HMS Surprise, Steam Ferry Berkeley, or USS Dolphin submarine and learn how sailors managed to live in the waters.
Every vessel offers a different and fascinating experience.
As you walk on the decks of the ships and narrow passages of submarines, see how the crew slept, what they ate, how they navigated by stars, and many more.
You’ll be intrigued by the fact that during colonial rule, these vessels transported cargo and immigrants who worked as slaves.
The visit to the Maritime Museum is an exhilarating experience, promising learning with every step you take forward.
Where to book tickets for Maritime Museum
You can get San Diego Maritime Museum tickets at the ticket booth or book them online, in advance.
We strongly recommend our guests make reservations online for a better experience.
When you book online tickets, you can avoid the queue at the ticket counter.
Online tickets are also cheaper than the price you will pay at the venue.
How online ticket works
Go to the Maritime Museum of San Diego ticket booking page, select the number of tickets and date, and click the Book Now button!
Immediately after purchase the tickets will be emailed to you.
On the day of your tour, show the ticket on your smartphone and you can walk in!
Don’t forget to bring your official IDs (especially your Military ID if you’re active military personnel).
Cost of tickets for Maritime Museum
Tickets for the Maritime Museum are priced at US$20 for adults aged between 18 to 61 years.
Young visitors/students between 13 to 17 years, seniors aged 65 years and above, and military personnel get a discount of US$5 and pay only US$15 for the tour.
Kids aged three to 12 years receive 50% off online tickets, paying just US$10 for entry.
Infants up to two years get free admission.
But remember, tickets for kids and infants can be purchased only in combination with Adult/Youth/Senior/Military tickets.
Also, adults must accompany kids under 18 years.
Tickets for Maritime Museum of San Diego
The ticket to San Diego Maritime Museum gives you access to all exhibits, and you move from one ship to another to get the real experience.
This is not a guided tour; hence you’re allowed to discover and learn everything at your pace and by yourself, giving you the freedom to explore.
The museum houses permanent exhibits, Sea Monsters: Delving Into The Deep Myth, To The Brink Of War, and Age of Sail, to name a few.
Some temporary exhibits keep rotating year-round.
You’d get to know the rich history of San Diego and why it was called a powerful naval base back in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (18 to 61 years): US$20
Youth Ticket (13 to 17 years): US$15
Senior Ticket (62+ years): US$15
Military Ticket: US$15
Child Ticket (3 to 12 years): US$10
Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free
Visitors can enjoy a 45-minute narrated Historic Bay Tour by paying an additional S$10. A 75-minute narrated Naval History Bay Tour is also available on weekends, for which one needs to pay an extra US$15.
Combo tickets
Combo tickets are the best way to discover two attractions at attractive discounts!
You can buy San Diego Maritime Museum tickets in combination with USS Midway Museum or San Diego Bay Dinner Cruise.
On these combo tickets, you can avail a discount of up to 10%.
Maritime Museum + USS Midway Museum
The Maritime Museum San Diego and USS Midway Museum are 0.6 miles (approx 1 km) away, and what could be better than exploring both historical attractions on the same day?
Get this combo ticket at a 10% discount and be prepared for this adventure cum educational tour.
Get an immersive experience at the USS Midway Museum, boarding America’s oldest aircraft carrier.
At the Maritime Museum, jump into the vessels and go on a historical and educational voyage.
Discover stories as you walk past hands-on exhibits, galleries, and rooms.
Ticket Cost: US$46
Maritime Museum + Dinner Cruise
After a visit to the Maritime Museum, why not go for a Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay and make the most of your day?
Book this combo ticket that allows you to witness two different experiences.
The cruise offers first-class facilities, and you can feast your eyes on scenic views, dig in scrumptious dishes and enjoy the LIVE music onboard.
The best part is that you get a 10% discount on this combo ticket, making it truly a steal deal!
Ticket Cost: US$124
Maritime Museum timings
The Maritime Museum of San Diego opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm, on all days of the week.
The last entry to the museum is one hour before closure.
How long does Maritime Museum take
Visitors interested in maritime history spend two to three hours exploring the exhibits and experiences at Maritime Museum San Diego.
If you’re really not a history person but still wish to see the museum, expect your voyage to last an hour (assuming you just pass by the exhibits taking a quick glance).
Best time to visit Maritime Museum
The best time to visit Maritime Museum in San Diego is as soon as they open at 10 am.
Getting to the museum early in the morning has its own advantages – less rush, uninterrupted photo sessions, and sufficient time to walk on decks.
On weekends, visitors usually throng the museum, so consider making a reservation on weekdays.
How to reach Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is located on the San Diego Bay.
Address: 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States. Get Directions
You can take public transport or a personal vehicle to reach the San Diego Maritime Museum.
By Bus
N Harbor Dr & Ash St (Bus No. 280, 290, 923, 992) is just a seven-minute walk away!
By Ferry
Broadway Pier Ferry Terminal is within 4 miles (approx 6 km) of the museum.
By Train
Santa Fe Depot is the closest train station to the Maritime Museum, under seven miles (approx 11 km).
By car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on Google Maps and head to the museum.
Click here to view the nearby car parking garages.
Popular attractions in San Diego
Sources
# sdmaritime.org
# Wikipedia.org
# Tripadvisor.com
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