Woman looking across the water towards San Diego's skyline

Best Cruises in San Diego

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak

San Diego Bay is second to none when it comes to world-class beaches, shops, restaurants and entertainment, not to mention those swoonsome sunsets so typical of the SoCal coastline. You might find yourself hiking the pine-scented bluffs of La Jolla, diving kelp forests at Point Loma, fishing for herring from the historic Ocean Beach Pier, sipping craft beer on the Mission Bay boardwalk, or toasting s’mores at sundown on lively Pacific Beach. But there’s just as much fun to be had on the water, with sport and snorkeling activities aplenty as well as plenty of opportunities to go exploring and whale-watching by boat. Read on for our guide to making the best of the Bay (and beyond) with our pick of the best cruises in San Diego…

The Harbor Cruise

San Diego's Seaport Village

The classic harbor cruise is a must-do for newbies, as essential a San Diego activity as experiencing the Gaslamp Quarter nightlife, saying hey to the La Jolla seals, or ogling Monet masterpieces in the San Diego Museum of Art. Here’s your chance to kick back, relax and let the crew do the sightseeing for you. Landmarks you’ll spot along the way include Seaport Village (pictured), Coronado Island, the Cabrillo National Monument, and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse on the tip of the peninsula. Crew will also be on hand to serve drinks and point out any native marine life along the way. The San Diego Harbor cruise can be booked via a variety of different operators – the 90-minute City Cruises experience is one of the best and is available as part of the money-saving San Diego attraction pass from Go City. Get more info on pass options here.

The Whale-Watching Cruise

A gray whale's tail

If viewing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat is on your bucket list, you’ve come to the right place. San Diego’s balmy waters are prime territory for marine mammals: gray whales cruise through the bay en route to and from Mexico’s calving lagoons in winter and spring, while blues cruise the same aquatic highway in summer. Pods of dolphins and colonies of harbor seals mean you rarely have to wait long before some sort of sighting. 

Boat tours depart daily from Downtown and Mission Bay, with many guaranteeing a refund in the unlikely event you do fail to set eyes on any of our splendid sea-faring friends.

The Speed Boat Cruise

Speed boats in San Diego

Take it up a notch (or seven) on a speed boat adventure across San Diego Bay. Ok, so this one is less a cruise and more of a white-knuckle ride (depending on who’s doing the driving, of course). Just pick up your 13-foot, two-person cruiser and, well, the Bay is your oyster. Maybe you’ll cruise over for close-up views of the USS Midway aircraft museum, or meander down to admire the curvaceous Coronado Bridge, a 200-meter engineering masterpiece in concrete and steel that links Coronado Island to the mainland. Or, y’know, you can just spend the whole time doing donuts in the harbor. The choice is yours. Speed boat hire is also available as part of the Go City San Diego pass.

The Coronado Ferry Cruise

Woman in a summer dress in front of Coronado Island's iconic Hotel del Coronado

The cute old-fashioned ferry that chugs across the bay from San Diego to Coronado Island is hands-down the most romantic way to travel between the two. Hop aboard at Broadway Pier (every hour) or San Diego Convention Center (every half-hour) to reach the island in just a few short minutes. There’s plenty to do once on the island, too, from selfies at the iconic Hotel del Coronado (pictured) to farmers’ markets, coastal cycling adventures, and firepit s’mores on the beach. Check out our guide to all things Coronado here.

The Amphibious Cruise

Street sign over the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego

San Diego SEAL Tours offers the best of both sightseeing worlds thanks to its amphibious ‘boats with wheels’. Board at Seaport Village or the Embarcadero for a 100-minute narrated tour that takes you on one of San Diego’s best ‘cruises’ first through the scenic streets of downtown San Diego then into the water. Transformation from bus to boat complete, the tour continues to sights including the millionaire mansions at Point Loma, Shelter Island, and the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

The Foodie Cruise

Bottle of bubbly and two glasses on a boat

Everybody knows serious sightseeing can be hungry work. What better way to acknowledge this than by booking one of San Diego’s top brunch or dinner cruises? Again, there are loads of different operators to pick from, but City Cruises are among the most reputable locally. Get your sea legs on for a two-hour brunch/sightseeing experience that includes pastries, eggs, smoked salmon and more, plus unlimited mimosas during the two-hour cruise. Or, if you prefer to wait until the sun’s over the yardarm, opt for a dinner cruise that promises cocktails, a la carte dining, live DJs and swoonsome views of the San Diego skyline at sunset.

The Gondola Cruise

The Coronado Bridge at sunset

Like your cruise experiences a little more… quirky? San Diego Gondola Cruises has just the thing for you! As the name suggests, this experience brings a little slice of Venice to Southern California, with your choice of daytime or sunset cruises of the Coronado Cays aboard a Venetian-style gondola. The ride comes complete with stripy-shirted gondolier, traditional Italian music, and (for an extra charge) a real-life mandolin player. You can even add wine and truffles to the 50-minute experience. Who said romance is dead?

The Fishing Cruise

Deep-sea fishing reel

The waters around San Diego are rich in sea bass, rock fish, halibut, yellowtail and more. Why else did you think so many dolphins, seals and gulls hang out along the coastline here? There’s a wide range of fishing charters available, from half-day local forays into the harbor and kelp fields to epic voyages into Mexican waters for prized game including dorado and bluefin tuna. Check out the plethora of local operators to find the trip that best suits your skill level and preferred catches.

Save on Tours, Attractions and Activities in San Diego

Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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A Guide to Whale Watching in San Diego

Due to its ideal location along the Pacific coast, San Diego is one of the premier spots for whale watching in the U.S. Travelers will be amazed at the variety of whales that swim majestically along their migratory patterns through the Pacific Ocean, passing San Diego on their long treks. In fact, roughly 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000-mile round-trip journey from Alaska to Baja California each year! If you’re interested in going whale watching in San Diego, there are a few things to keep in mind before heading out into the open ocean. Check out our guide to San Diego whale watching for important info and tips. When is the best time to go on a Whale Watch? There are two primary seasons for whale watching cruises in San Diego: summer/fall, and winter/spring. During the summer months (mid-June through September), you're more likely to see a greater variety of whales. You could see whales including minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales, orcas, and the largest animal on earth—the blue whale. During the winter whale watch season (mid-December through April), you'll mainly see the remarkable gray whales. Other animals frequently spotted on San Diego whale watches include a diverse array of dolphin species, including bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins. You could also see sea lions and several types of sea birds like herons, gulls, and pelicans. Essentially, if you have the freedom to decide what time of year your trip to San Diego will occur, you can arrange it around which kind of whale you’d like to see the most. What to Bring on a Whale Watch? While San Diego’s climate is renowned for being temperate, it’s still chilly out on the open ocean. Bring layers and prepare for unpredictable wind and weather. You’ll be out on the ocean during the day, so it’s also important to wear sunblock and protective eyewear/headwear. As mentioned, it can get breezy and the ocean reflects a tremendous amount of light. (Even on cloudy days.) You should also bring a camera or recording device, ideally a waterproof one. Newer smartphones are usually reliably good for these kinds of photo opportunities, too, if you don’t want to spring for a nice camera. One thing you won’t have to bring is snacks. Most whale watch companies offer their own onboard food and drink, and usually prohibit outside fare anyway. Where Does the Whale Watch Go? Depending on the time of year you’ve selected for your cruise, whale watching ships in San Diego can travel a varying distance away from the coast. During the beginning of the whale watching season (starting in December), gray whales migrating south to warmer waters will stay nearer to the coast. At that time of year, you may only need to sail a few miles offshore to reach their routes. However, later in the spring and into the summer, whales tend to stay further away from the coast so your captain may choose to take the ship about ten or more miles from shore. If you choose a summer whale watch, you may see more diverse marine life as well. Many whale enthusiasts also like to venture further up the coast towards Los Angeles in search of these amazing but elusive creatures. If you choose a whale-watching cruise that departs from Newport Beach, you’ll sail out to one of the largest protected marine parks in the region, located just outside Newport Bay. Whale Watching San Diego Tips Research your whale watching company wisely. Some companies are more of a commercial venture, while others employ real marine biologists from respected institutions like the San Diego Natural History Museum. Certain companies also fail to practice eco-friendly and sustainable behavior toward whales. Therefore, it’s important to choose an ethical whale watch. Be patient. It often takes quite some time for whales to surface around human vessels. Be prepared to sit offshore for a while before sighting any of these gentle giants. This behavior is often the reason whale watch cruises usually last between 3 to 4 hours. Appreciate the other creatures. Whales aren’t the only marine life you’ll come across on your nautical adventures. Keep a careful eye out for cavorting dolphins, swooping birds, and glistening sunfish. They’re just as much fun to see as the star attraction, and are usually more plentiful. You can also see some whales from land. While it’s hard to beat the appeal of being out on the open ocean so close to these impressive creatures, you can also see gray whale migration from places just on the Pacific, like the Birch Aquarium at Scripps or Torrey Pines State Reserve. Whale watching is a great family activity. Kids of all ages will love the chance to catch glimpses of marine mammals several hundred times their size. Just remember to pack things to keep them occupied during the time you’ll be waiting for the whales to breach—even if you think the novelty of being on a boat will be sufficient entertainment. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination too!
Katie Sagal
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San Diego Air & Space Museum Discount Tickets & Tips for Visiting

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is a stunning collection of authentic and reproduced artifacts related to air and space technology set in Balboa Park. The museum’s motto is “Preserve, Inspire, Educate, Celebrate!” and it certainly succeeds in its mission. Check out our helpful guide for visiting the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park, packed full of ways to save on admission, tips for visiting, other nearby attractions, and much more. How to get San Diego Air and Space Museum discount tickets? We’ve got you covered – San Diego Air and Space Museum admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that’s right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. San Diego 4-Choice Flex Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission to 4 attractions. 3. Build Your Own Pass – Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Tips for Visiting the San Diego Air & Space Museum The Museum offers free admission for San Diego County residents and active duty military and their families on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Definitely scout out parking options prior to going to the museum. It is located in Balboa Park, which is extremely popular for both tourists and locals. You can find a printable map on the Balboa Park website. It includes instructions for parking at Inspiration Point to catch a tram to the park. Plan on visiting several of the park’s excellent museums and attractions. They are all within walking distance of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Check with the admissions staff when entering to see if any of the docents are available for tours. They are excellent sources of information. Bring a little extra cash if you wish to enjoy the flight simulators. Plan on spending a little extra time to watch one or more of the museum’s videos highlighting the role aviation played in armed forces throughout the twentieth century. Special exhibits are not included with the Go San Diego Card. For current exhibit and upgrade information, please call (619) 234-8291. When is the best time to visit San Diego Air & Space Museum? Since the museum exhibits are indoors, just about any time of year is a good time to visit the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Parking lots in Balboa Park fill up quickly. If you prefer not to use the tram, arrive by 9:00 a.m. and enjoy walking in the gardens until the museum opens. Avoid Tuesdays if possible. The museums and other attractions in Balboa Park are free to San Diego residents on a rotating basis on Tuesdays. This is a popular day for school field trips, and the museums are quite busy. What should I bring to the San Diego Air & Space Museum? Bring your shopping list for holiday and birthday presents! The gift shop has a wide selection of space and flight themed merchandise that make excellent, unique and fun gifts for kids and adults alike. Bring a snack or picnic to enjoy in the atrium that is located in the middle of the museum. The atrium is light and airy as well as peaceful, and you will enjoy looking up at the vintage aircraft hanging from the ceiling. Wear a nice outfit if you wish to have your picture taken standing on the moon! The pictures are a whimsical addition to any photo display at home. What to do at the San Diego Air & Space Museum? The museum guides you through several galleries containing exhibits that highlight the unique role San Diego played in aviation. See exhibits including the Theodore Gildred Rotunda, the World War I Gallery, and the World War II Gallery. Plus, the Golden Age of Flight Gallery, and the Modern Jet and Space Age Gallery. The museum is located in the Ford Building which was constructed for the California Pacific International Exposition. In 2005 it became affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. Only ten aerospace museums exist in the United States. The San Diego Air & Space Museum is the only one to have such an affiliation. Upon entering the foyer, you will find the actual landing module from Apollo 9. This is only the beginning of an amazing journey through aviation and space flight technology and history. The history of aviation represents a significant element of our history. The museum includes displays including a model of the Montgolfier brother’s hot air balloon launched in 1783. It the very first manned contraption in history to break free from gravity and fly humans above Earth. You can also see the advancement of flight technology. Progress from vintage aircraft from the two world wars, the Korean War and the Vietnamese War. Guests can visit the rotunda free of charge and shop at the gift store, although admission is required for the remaining exhibits. World War I Gallery The World War I gallery includes realistic touches such as a boardwalk and tent displays from the era. Plus, it. features reproductions of a Fokker Dr. I, Albatros D. Va, and Fokker E. III Eindecker. In addition, you will find authentic specimens of the Nieuport 28, Sopwith Pup, and a SPAD VII c. 1. The museum removed the fabric skin from the Sopwith Pup for visitors to have a clear view. See the craftsmanship and technology that went into making the aircraft up close. By pressing a button, you can see rotary engine and propeller movements and how they coordinated with the triggers so pilots could avoid shooting their own plane. World War II Gallery The World War II Gallery has exhibits of a Curtiss P-40E Warhawk, Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet, and North American P-51D Mustang. Additionally, it features a Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI, Messerschmitt Bf109G-14, and a Douglas C-47 nose and cockpit section. The gallery has a wide array of other aircraft from the era, in addition to movies highlighting battles and other actions in the war. In addition, the exhibit includes engines used in the war such as the Rolls-Royce Merlin 62, Junkers Jumo 004B-1, and the Pratt & Whitney R-1830-17. Golden Age of Flight Gallery The Golden Age of Flight Gallery has vintage aircraft on deck and hanging from the rafters. Exhibits include a Consolidated Pt-1 Trusty, Lincoln Standard J-1, Aeronca C-3 Collegian, Gee Bee R-1, Albatross, Pitts Special, Fleet Model 2, Piper J-3 Cub, and a Ryan B-5 Brougham. Modern Jet & Space Age Gallery The Modern Jet & Space Age Gallery offers a thrilling view into the space race and modern flight era. The gallery has a Bee Aviation Wee Bee, F/A-18 A Hornet Blue Angel 1, Douglas A-4B Skyhaw, Apollo Command and Space Module, and Gemini spacecraft. In addition, you will find a Boeing GPS-12 satellite that was operational and launched into orbit with the original 23 GPS satellites. The exhibit includes displays honoring the astronauts of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. Edwin D. Mckeller Pavilion of Flight The Edwin D. McKeller Pavilion of Flight includes the Education Center that hosts Family Day activities occurring monthly. It includes a comprehensive exhibit of artifacts from the now defunct Pacific Southwest Airlines, and a display honoring women in flight. What attractions are near the San Diego Air & Space Museum? The San Diego Air & Space Museum is located in Balboa Park, which offers visitors choices that include art museums, exhibits, botanical gardens and more. Here are a few we suggest adding to your itinerary... The Japanese Friendship Garden is just steps away from the San Diego Air & Space Museum, and it represents an expression of friendship between sister cities San Diego and Yokohama. The gardens utilize a design method known as shibui, which highlights elegant simplicity and quiet beauty. They combine the elements of shrubs, trees, water and rock to create a harmonious, contemplative environment. The San Diego Natural History Museum is a short walk within the park from the Air & Space Museum. It was founded in 1874, and it is the oldest scientific institution in Southern California. You will enjoy a stunning collection of fossils, artifacts and environmental displays in the four story building. The Botanical Building in Balboa Park includes the tranquil lily pond near the entrance. The building was constructed for the 1915 Exposition, and it is one of the biggest lath structures worldwide. The Botanical Building has over 2,000 permanent plants such as ferns, cycads, orchids and an array of tropical palms and plants. Where to eat near the San Diego Air & Space Museum? The Prado Restaurant is located in the House of Hospitality near the Visitor Center in Balboa Park. It offers elegant, full service dining. The menu includes beautiful salads, seafood, braised short ribs, duck, steaks and other delectable fare. Anthony’s Seafood is a short drive to the harbor district. This iconic restaurant offers a wide array of delicious seafood dishes. In addition, the restaurant sits at the water’s edge. It has stunning views of the San Diego bay, Coronado Island and Point Loma. Need to Know Hours Daily, 10:00 am-4:30 pm. Hours subject to change. Please contact (619) 234-8291 or visit the museum website for current hours. Closings: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. All holiday hours are subject to change without notice. Address 2001 Pan American Plaza San Diego, CA 92101 Save on Tickets with a Go San Diego Card Remember, the Go San Diego® Card is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes San Diego Air & Space Museum tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price.
Lindsay Eagan
Belmont Park
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Tips for visiting Belmont Park

Belmont Park is special because it's made up of many smaller rides and attractions, meaning there's something for the whole family. Read on for our top tips on spending a day here.
Lindsay Eagan

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