Maritime Museum of San Diego

Head to the Maritime Museum of San Diego and learn all about Western maritime history.

Visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego with Go City®

• With us, there are no entry fees on the day – all you've got to do is show your pass.
• General admission includes the boarding of historic vessels including Star of India.
• Immersive exhibits and storytelling of Pacific heritage.

This must-see maritime museum is home to the oldest active ship in existence and the world’s deepest diving submarine, the USS Dolphin.

Discover San Diego Maritime Museum

Step into the captivating world of seafaring at the Maritime Museum San Diego. This nautical wonderland showcases a diverse collection of historic vessels and fascinating exhibits, unveiling the rich maritime heritage of the region.

You'll have access to one of the finest collections of historic ships in the US, which are all faithfully restored and maintained by the museum.

Many ships, including Star of India, are National Historic Landmarks and listed in the US Register of Historic Places. Other vessels you’ll experience include the San Salvador, the 1898 steam ferry Berkeley, the 1914 Pilot, and the Vietnam-era PCF 816 Swift boat. 

You'll also find plenty of family-friendly, immersive exhibits detailing ancient voyages, the San Diego Navy, commercial fishing, and a complete history of western maritime travel.

Maritime Museum of San Diego highlights

The Star of India – this ancient ship has something of a cursed history. Built in 1863 at the Ramsey Shipyard in the Isle of Man, the unusual iron ship began its sailing life with two almost-deadly voyages to India, surviving a collision and a mutiny, and ending up in the middle of a cyclone. Shortly afterwards, her first captain died on board. The ship subsequently went on to make 21 circumnavigations and carried many immigrants to faraway lands.

The Californian – the official tall ship of the State of California. It was built in San Diego from the ground up in 1984, just in time for the Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.

USS Dolphin – the deepest-diving submarine in existence.

San Salvador – the first European vessel to reach America’s West Coast, a startling sixty-five years before the first English Settlement came to be on the continent, and eighty years before the Mayflower ever made its famed voyage.

H.M.S. Surprise – check out the ship that is featured in the award-winning film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

Getting in: just show your pass at the Maritime Museum of San Diego admission counter and you're in – there's no need to purchase individual tickets at any of the San Diego attractions included on your pass. 

Please note: boat tours are not included. The 45-minute historic bay cruise is an additional $18.00 per person (including children under 3). The 75-minute Naval History Bay Tours aboard the restored PCF 816 is $24.00 per person (including children under 3). Payment and scheduling at the Maritime Museum of San Diego ticket booth are required. Capacity is limited.

For more information, visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego website.

FAQs

Q. What is the Maritime Museum of San Diego?
A. The Maritime Museum of San Diego is a museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the maritime history of the West Coast and beyond.

Q. What exhibits can I see at the Maritime Museum of San Diego?
A. The museum features a variety of exhibits, including historic ships, maritime art, and artifacts from various time periods and cultures.

Q. Can I board and tour the historic ships at the museum?

A. Yes, visitors can board and explore several ships and explore below deck galleries nested among the historic fleet, including the Star of India, the world's oldest active sailing ship. Most weekends, the museum offers visitors tall ship sailing opportunities aboard Californian and the 16th-century galleon San Salvador.

Q. What special events does the Maritime Museum of San Diego host?

A. The museum hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including festivals, concerts, docent-led tours and educational programs for children and adults.

Q. Is the Maritime Museum of San Diego accessible for visitors with disabilities?

A. The museum may be challenging for visitors with limited mobility. Ships are connected via docks and barges and visitors will encounter different staircases and ladders on some ships.

Q. Can I book a private event or wedding at the Maritime Museum of San Diego?
A. Yes, the museum offers a unique and memorable setting for private events and weddings, with stunning waterfront views and historic ships as a backdrop.