SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld in San Diego is the original marine theme park, featuring killer whales, dolphins, shark encounters, manatee rescue, and Journey to Atlantis.
SeaWorld San Diego in California is the original SeaWorld, though there are now others in Orlando in Florida and in San Antonio in Texas. SeaWorld's star attractions include whales, dolphins, shark encounters, manatee rescue, and the fun ride: Journey to Atlantis.
How Long to Spend at SeaWorld San Diego?
Plan to spend one full day, at least, if you want to see everything SeaWorld has to offer. Two days is even better, but you can squeeze the highlights into one day if you plan carefully. As soon as you arrive, make sure you get not just a map of the park but also a timetable of show times.
SeaWorld Shows
You must definitely see the Dolphin Discovery show, and we laughed right through Clyde and Seamore's Risky Rescue. Personally we could have skipped Pets Rule! but lots of people loved it. Our advice: on no account miss the Dolphin Discovery, then fit in as many of the other shows as you can manage. We even went back to watch some of them a second time!
Show and Tell
We'll tell you what we discovered about the shows – get there early and don't sit near the front. Of course some folks love getting soaking wet, but if that's not your thing or you've got cameras, sit well back.
Our Pick of San Diego Guides
Out of season there's usually room for everyone in the large show theaters, so it's less of a problem, but when it's busy the late-comers might not get a seat. If you're not sure then ask someone – but do not miss the big shows.
Manatee Rescue
We love manatees, so for us this is a must-see. We watched manatees in the wild in Florida, so to see these magnificent creatures up close was amazing. The manatees at SeaWorld San Diego are Florida manatees that have been rescued after injury or which aren't ready to be back in the wild, so they're well looked-after with a huge, natural environment to swim around in.
SeaWorld Rides
We had a full day at SeaWorld and didn't even do any of the rides. We preferred to spend time with the shows and the up-close encounters, watching the dolphins and sea otters at the Rocky Point Preserve. But if you like adventure rides then Journey to Atlantis has been the most popular attraction ever, since SeaWorld first opened its gates in 1964. Shipwreck Rapids isn't far behind, and there were lots of laughing faces coming out of both those rides when we walked past.
Location
You'll find SeaWorld San Diego about 5 miles northwest of downtown, and just a 15-minute drive from either San Diego International Airport or San Diego Zoo. To get to SeaWorld head west on I-8 till you get to the end – just stop before you hit the Pacific Ocean.
More Information
For full information on what there is to do at SeaWorld San Diego, and to find out about current opening hours and ticket prices, visit the SeaWorld San Diego website. Here you can not only buy tickets online but even plan your full San Diego vacation package.
Other San Diego pages
Perfect Day in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel suggests how to spend the perfect day in San Diego, taking in Balboa Park, the Gaslight Quarter, and Little Italy.
Best Museums in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best museums in San Diego, including art museums, science centers, historical museums, and motor museums.
Whale Watching from the San Diego Shoreline
Whale watching trips and tours in San Diego are one of the California city's best activities but you can watch the whales from the San Diego shoreline too.
San Diego Whale Watching
San Diego whale watching tours like this from Hornblower Cruises let visitors get up close to see gray whales, dolphins, sea lions and other wildlife.
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park, San Diego, California has been called the best zoo in the world and is the most visited zoo in the United States.
Best Time to Visit San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best time to visit San Diego, giving the city’s weather and climate month by month and season by season.
San Diego Things to Do
Things to do in San Diego include visiting the world famous San Diego Zoo, touring the city's outstanding Wild Animal Park, whale-watching and visiting museums.
Cheap Flights to San Diego
Cheap flights to San Diego with Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, WestJet and other airlines from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Visiting Balboa Park
Visiting Balboa Park is one of the best things to do in San Diego, California, as the park is home to San Diego Zoo, several museums, and beautiful gardens.
Balboa Park in Facts and Figures
Here are facts and figures about Balboa Park in San Diego, which is bigger than New York's Central Park and contains 19 gardens, 17 museums and 14 restaurants.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's website recommendations on Where to Stay in San Diego include reviews of budget and luxury hotels in downtown San Diego.
San Diego
San Diego in Southern California is a major travel destination and this page from Pacific Coast Highway Travel has visitor information and best things to do.
San Diego Museum of Art
The San Diego Museum of Art is in Balboa Park, San Diego, and is the oldest and biggest art museum in the city with a fine collection of Spanish art.
Travel Guide to Coronado
Pacific Coast Highway Travel brings you a travel guide to Coronado, near San Diego, the perfect place to relax for a few days either before or after your drive.
Good Cheap Motels in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends good cheap motels in San Diego including Super-8, Motel 6, Travelodge and Days Inn.
Where to Eat in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to where to eat in San Diego from fresh local seafood to Mexican, Italian, fine dining and the best fried chicken in the US.
Recent Articles
-
Unassuming northern California town surprisingly ranked as the No.1 place in America for food and wine
Sep 11, 24 03:58 AM
A tiny northern California town has been named the best small town in America for foodies and wine lovers. The quiet idyll of Elk, which is located three hours drive north up the coast from San Franci… -
Autumn Adventures: 8 Road Trips Perfect for Leaf-Peeping Across America
Sep 11, 24 03:58 AM
From cloud-tickling mountain roads to historic routes that wind through the nation’s past, we’ve curated a collection of journeys that will make you wonder if you’ve accidentally stepped into a living… -
Summer doesn’t have to end yet with these fall getaways
Sep 11, 24 03:58 AM
From surfing in the Great Lakes to neon-lit kayaking in Florida, these destinations offer autumn adventures without the chill.
FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!
LATEST BOOKS
Take a look at our latest books: 101 Best Things to Do on the Pacific Coast Highway and 101 Budget Hotels along the Pacific Coast Highway. Click on the covers to learn more.
LATEST NEWS
Recent Articles
-
Unassuming northern California town surprisingly ranked as the No.1 place in America for food and wine
Sep 11, 24 03:58 AM
A tiny northern California town has been named the best small town in America for foodies and wine lovers. The quiet idyll of Elk, which is located three hours drive north up the coast from San Franci… -
Autumn Adventures: 8 Road Trips Perfect for Leaf-Peeping Across America
Sep 11, 24 03:58 AM
From cloud-tickling mountain roads to historic routes that wind through the nation’s past, we’ve curated a collection of journeys that will make you wonder if you’ve accidentally stepped into a living… -
Summer doesn’t have to end yet with these fall getaways
Sep 11, 24 03:58 AM
From surfing in the Great Lakes to neon-lit kayaking in Florida, these destinations offer autumn adventures without the chill.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
Buy an inexpensive journal to record your own Pacific Coast Highway adventure!
If you're planning a PCH road trip, take a look at our guide to hotels along the way:
FOLLOW OUR PCH VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE
The Best PCH Guide
We've read lots of guides to the Pacific Coast, and easily the best one is the Moon Handbook. You can read our review here, or buy it through the Amazon link below.
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Pacific Coast Highway Travel does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
