Sail ships and spaceships: San Diego Air and Space Museum vs the Maritime Museum

From cockpit to crow’s nest—discover which museum sends your heart soaring or sailing.

Published: June 13, 2025
Maritime Museum of San Diego

San Diego invites you to soar above the clouds or dive deep into seafaring legend—all within a few miles of each other. The Air and Space Museum and the Maritime Museum of San Diego both deliver world-class adventures through time, technology and imagination. Whether your idea of excitement includes getting up close to a real Apollo capsule or scrambling over the deck of the world’s oldest active sailing ship, both museums will spark awe and keep you learning all day. Ready for takeoff? Or itching to hoist the mainsail? Here’s your full guide to picking the ultimate experience for your San Diego day.

The scoop…

 

San Diego Air and Space Museum

  • Located in Balboa Park’s classic Ford Building—a domed Art Deco landmark
  • More than 70 aircraft and space artifacts, including authentic Apollo and Gemini capsules, World War II fighters, bombers, jets and early flying machines
  • Dozens of immersive exhibits: flight simulators, a moon landing module, Women in Aviation, and futuristic Space Age galleries
  • Hands-on Discovery Center for kids, command center games and VR experiences
  • Rotating special exhibits (recent themes: aviation art, drones, and Mars missions)

Maritime Museum of San Diego

  • A living fleet of historic ships on San Diego Bay, including the famous Star of India (1863), ferryboat Berkeley, opulent steam yacht Medea, and a Soviet B-39 submarine
  • Interactive, climb-aboard experiences—steer a ship’s wheel, ring a bell, explore sailor bunks and scramble through tight submarine hatches
  • Pirate-themed weekends, cannon firings, kids’ scavenger hunts and navigation activity stations
  • Occasional tall ship cruises, sunset sail, and living history events with costumed re-enactors
  • Waterfront setting with epic skyline and harbor views

Sounds great, tell me more...

Spirit of St Louis plane in the Air and Space Museum
San Diego Air and Space Museum

Air and Space Museum: flights of fancy and rockets galore

You’ll spot the Air and Space Museum well before you reach the doors—its curved Art Deco façade, Model T parked outside, and monumental ‘Spirit of St. Louis’ dangling from the lobby all hint at the excitement inside. You’re immediately surrounded by real aircraft, from a hand-built Wright Flyer to a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet. Interactive touchscreens invite you to explore what pilots see, how cockpits evolved, and why jet engines roar the way they do.

The Apollo space capsules—yes, flown in real missions!—catch the eye, but there’s just as much drama in the sleek Blackbird spy plane, WWII biplanes and glimmering silver jets. Engaging exhibit zones like ‘Space: Our Greatest Adventure’ walk you through humanity’s journey from stargazing to moonwalking, with space suits, lunar rovers and a VR Mars landing mission.

For hands-on fun, try the motion simulators: barrel roll a fighter jet, attempt a moon landing, or test your skills on a Red Baron biplane. Little ones can build paper rockets, pilot vintage aircraft in pint-sized cockpits, and get inspired by stories of aviators from Amelia Earhart to today’s scientific rockstars. You’ll leave feeling a little more drive to chase your own big dream.

Maritime Museum: climb, crawl and sail through history

The Maritime Museum is an outdoor, all-weather playground, anchored along the Embarcadero. The centerpiece is the Star of India—the world’s oldest active sailing ship, where you can climb onto teak decks and gaze up at sky-high masts. You’re invited to ring the ship’s bell, peek into the galley and explore the below-deck hammocks where sailors once slept.

Step from tall ships to the Berkeley—a Victorian steam ferry boat packed with model ships, engine rooms and a richly paneled first-class salon. The B-39 submarine carries a real Cold War chill, with periscopes, torpedo rooms and enough narrow hatches to spark serious explorer fun (tip: mind your shins!). Docents bring every ship to life with salty stories, while little scavenger hunts and navigation demos get kids using compasses and firing virtual cannons.

Frequent living history events mean you might run into pirates in full costume, or try your hand at rope splicing and signal-flag decoding. Special cruises—think pirate adventures and sunset sails—turn the experience into an epic day on San Diego Bay, complete with cool breezes and unbeatable skyline views.

Ok, so which is more impressive?

 

When it comes to sheer scope, history and wow factor, the Air and Space Museum is a world-class heavyweight. You’ll stand below real space capsules, military jets that once snapped the sound barrier and legendary planes that shaped entire eras of technology. The variety, the scale and the awe of seeing a Blackbird or Apollo capsule in person are hard to beat.

Which is more fun?

 

Maritime Museum packs in more hands-on challenges—kids (and grown-ups!) will crawl through bunks, ring bells, steer giant wheels, decode signal flags and hear salty stories from costumed pirates on weekends. 

Which is more beautiful?

 

The Maritime Museum’s location is hard to beat: historic ships glisten on the sparkling bay, San Diego’s skyline shimmers across the water, and sunsets reflect off dramatic masts, sails, and polished woodwork. Every ship is a photographic treasure, especially as the golden hour paints the decks and city in magical tones.

Stand on the Star of India, Medea yacht, or ferryboat deck and take in the bay, city skyline, bridge and harbor hustle—all with ocean breezes in your hair. Photos from the bowsprit or across the water are Instagram gold, especially at sunset.

How do I get there?

Friends in a car

Air and Space Museum

By public transit: Take MTS’s #7 or #215 bus to Park Boulevard/Palisades, with a short stroll through Balboa Park to the museum in the stunning Ford Building. If you’re downtown, the #3 bus (or even a Lime scooter) drops you near the Cabrillo Bridge for a pleasant walk through palm-lined paths and colorful gardens.

By car: Enter 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 into your GPS. There’s free parking in adjacent Balboa Park lots—Inspiration Point is usually your best bet on busy weekends, with a free Park Tram that whisks you straight to the museum’s front door.

By bike/on foot: Safe bike racks are steps from the entrance, and pedestrian paths connect you to all of Balboa Park’s main attractions.

Maritime Museum of San Diego

By public transit: The MTS Blue and Green line Trolley stops at Santa Fe Depot—walk south along the Embarcadero for about 10 minutes, enjoying the sea breeze and bay views as you approach the ships.

By car: Set GPS to 1492 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Paid parking lots and meters line Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway, but make sure to arrive early for the best spots, especially in summer or on weekends.

By bike/on foot: Embarcadero pedestrian and bike paths run right past the Maritime Museum—perfect for a scenic arrival or a stroll to Seaport Village before or after your visit.

Best choice for families, couples or friends

 

  • For families: Both museums are knockouts for families. If your crew loves breaking up the day with climbing, crawling and hands-on learning, the Maritime Museum is a standout. Ship scavenger hunts, pirate weekends and real-life hide and seek in the submarine make for an unforgettable visit. The Air and Space Museum’s simulators, Discovery Center and VR rides transform any kid (or adult) into a pilot or astronaut for the afternoon—and it’s a blast for school-age children with big imaginations.
  • For couples: Looking for adventure laced with history? The Maritime Museum’s sunset or special event sails are hard to beat—think sea breezes, city lights and a dash of maritime romance. Walkable Embarcadero bars and waterfront dining make planning a post-museum date a breeze.
  • For friends: Group days out are stellar at both. Chase the wildest scavenger hunt riddles on the Star of India or run a race to the moon via simulator at Air and Space. Flights of fancy or tales of the seven seas—either way, you’re spoiled for choice.

I have fidgety kids - which has more hands-on fun?

 

The Maritime Museum shines for fidgety kids. From ringing bells and steering wheels to crawling through submarine corridors and raising a real sail, every deck encourages play and discovery. During pirate weekends (check the schedule!), costumed characters guide interactive storytelling, and shipboard games bring maritime adventures to life.

What’s the accessibility like?

 

Air & Space Museum

Fully accessible for wheelchairs, strollers and mobility aids, with ramps and elevators to every major exhibit, plus wide galleries and accessible restrooms. Special sensory-friendly days and extra resources for those with additional needs can be arranged—just check the website or ask at entry.

Maritime Museum

Most of the outdoor exhibits and main decks (especially the Berkeley ferry and steam yacht Medea) are wheelchair and stroller accessible. Some historic vessels (Submarine B-39, Star of India’s lower decks) are not, due to narrow ladders and uneven gangways—a reality for many authentic nautical ships. The main promenade and portions of larger vessels are accessible, and staff are happy to help guests make the most of their visit.

Best lunch spots nearby?

Seafood lunch

Air and Space Museum (Balboa Park)

  • The Prado: Just steps away—California-Mediterranean eats in a Spanish Revival palace, with standout Baja fish tacos and a lush patio.
  • Panama 66: Local brews, inventive salads, burgers and sandwiches in a sculpture garden hideaway; perfect for kicking back after a morning in the museum.
  • Craveology at Fleet Science Center: Fast-casual options, family-friendly, and tons of grab-and-go snacks for park picnics.

Maritime Museum (Embarcadero)

  • Portside Pier: Four dining options, all with killer bay views—try Ketch Grill for fish tacos or Brigantine for seafood platters.
  • Carnitas Snack Shack: Decadent pork sandwiches, local beer, and picnic tables right on the water—you can practically hear the ship bells from your seat.
  • The Fish Market: Just across Harbor Drive, perfect for a leisurely seafood lunch, house-baked sourdough and unbeatable people watching.

Where can I find the best photo ops?

 

Air and Space Museum

  • Stand below the enormous Blue Angels F/A-18 jet or beside the shiny Blackbird spy plane for prime ‘Top Gun’ poses.
  • The domed main atrium, with its circular panorama of suspended historic airplanes, is irresistible.
  • Dramatic shots inside the Apollo and Gemini capsules, especially with a helmet or flight suit from the interactive exhibits.
  • Outside, the historic Ford Building curves in a way that’s perfect for classic Art Deco architectural snaps.

Maritime Museum

  • Star of India’s rigging at sunset, with the city skyline in the background, is pure San Diego.
  • Climbing through the periscope hatch on the B-39 makes for one-of-a-kind photos.
  • Group shots on the open-air ferry deck, ship’s wheel selfies, and wide harbor panoramas.
  • Pirate weekends: the best spot for nautical costumes, parrots and other playful props.

We’re finished and thirsty – any good bars nearby?

 

Near Air and Space Museum

  • Misters Cocktail Bar: Speakeasy-style spot in Bankers Hill, shaking up unique drinks with fresh botanicals. Try the Aviator gin cocktail!
  • Thorn Brewing (Balboa Park Taproom): Intimate taproom pouring local IPAs and rotating seasonal brews—perfect for a quick break before heading deeper into the park.
  • The Balboa Bar: Cozy, retro, and friendly; they do a mean old fashioned and solid local taps.

Near Maritime Museum

  • Waterfront Bar & Grill: San Diego’s oldest tavern—a lively fisherman’s bar with cheap drafts and plenty of stories.
  • False Idol: Legendary tiki bar hidden under Craft & Commerce; wild decor and a Zombie cocktail with enough rum to make any sailor sing.
  • Harbor House Upstairs Lounge: Scenic views, oysters, and a legendary martini—ideal for toasting your maritime exploration.

Any other good stuff nearby?

USS Midway Museum
USS Midway Museum

In Balboa Park

On the Embarcadero

  • USS Midway Museum: Massive aircraft carrier packed with planes, flight simulators and awe-inspiring deck views.
  • Seaport Village: Breezy shops, carousel and casual waterfront eateries.
  • Waterfront Park: Splash fountains for kids, art installations and sunset views—perfect for a picnic to round out your day.

In summary…

 

Whether you’re climbing through a Cold War sub or landing on the moon, San Diego’s Air and Space and Maritime Museums are both world-class adventures. Each promises hands-on fun, stunning photo spots and stories that stick with you long after you leave. Why choose? With Go City®, you can do both in one trip—save big, see more, and turn your San Diego getaway into a legendary journey through sea and sky. 

Looking for other things to do in and around San Diego? Discover some of San Diego’s top wildlife adventures, and geek out at some of Balboa Park’s quirkier transport museums.

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Things to do in La Jolla San Diego

Sun, sea, and miles and miles of golden Californian sands... San Diego’s picturesque La Jolla neighborhood is famed for its wild, verdant hills and epic 11-kilometer stretch of Pacific coastline that’s perfect for surfing, sunbathing and seal-spotting. Add to that some fine boutique shopping and gourmet dining and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect sunshine break. Dive in to discover our favorite things to do in La Jolla San Diego. Fun in the Sun There’s much to enjoy in La Jolla, especially if you’re the outdoor type. This coastal neighborhood is set in pine-scented hills around 20 kilometers north of San Diego’s downtown, and is chock-full of great walks, sandy beaches and hidden coves. Hit the hiking trails through Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, 2,000 acres of wild plateau and rugged cliffs named for its incredibly rare Torrey pine, a species you won’t find anywhere else on the planet. Pop to the visitor center for guided hikes of the reserve or pick up a map and go it alone: there are a number of unchallenging walks along marked trails. In the best tradition of American nature reserves, you can expect colorful wildflowers, giant rock and sandstone formations and viewpoints with sensational panoramic views of the coastal bluffs and beach below. Head up to Yucca Point Overlook for what are generally considered the best in the park. If you’re lucky you may even spot whales and dolphins breaking surface out at sea and native bobcats, lizards and raccoons skulking among the cacti. La Jolla’s mild climate makes time spent on the beaches here an absolute joy. Seasoned surfers can show off their board skills at the aptly named Windansea and Wipeout beaches, while beginners should head to the calmer waters of La Jolla Shores beach. The palm-fringed crescent of soft golden sand here is also great for family days out. There’s a huge grassy park bordering the beach and plenty of waterfront restaurants and snack bars; bikes, kayaks, surfboards and snorkeling gear are also all available to rent nearby. Don’t forget to grab a snap or two gazing out to sea from between the giant struts under Scripps Pier: it’s one of the most popular selfie spots in the area, and not without good reason. Visit at sunset for the very best views and Instagram-friendly shots like this one. Under the Sea Budding marine biologists can search for sea urchins, anemones and hermit crabs in the tide pools at Dike Rock, while the nearby Birch Aquarium at Scripps has residents including leopard sharks, a loggerhead Sea Turtle and the world’s biggest octopus species. Don’t miss the two-story kelp forest here, where bright orange Garibaldi fish dart among the enormous green tendrils. Or get even closer to some of the planet’s most amazing critters on a scuba diving tour to the kelp forests at La Jolla Cove and Point Loma, where you might come face to face with moray eels, blue sharks, sea lions and California spiny lobsters. Just round the coast, Children’s Pool is one of La Jolla’s best beaches for seal-spotting. You shouldn’t have to look too hard: a colony of around 200 harbor seals call this particular stretch of coast home. Art and Culture If there’s a better spot for a contemporary art museum than high on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific, we’ve yet to find it. Reopened in 2022 after a $105m renovation and expansion, La Jolla’s branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego runs the full gamut of Pop Art, Minimalism and Abstract Expressionism, with a special focus on the city’s connection to Tijuana and Latin America in general. The museum boasts the world’s biggest collection of works by American installation artist Robert Irwin, while other highlights include Earth Bolts, a masterclass in dark abstraction by Dorothy Hood, Miriam Schapiro’s boldly feminist Big Ox #2 and a satanic marionette by Tijuanan Benjamín Serrano. Outdoors, the Stuart Collection comprises over 20 astounding works of public art dotted around the La Jolla campus of the University of California in San Diego. Try to spot them all on the relatively short walking trail. Here, a 23-foot-tall teddy bear made from boulders looms into view as you come round the bed, there a tiny cottage teeters precariously on top of a university building. This astonishing collection also features trees that recite poetry and play music as you pass, as well as important works by the likes of Ian Hamilton Finlay, Kiki Smith and Robert Irwin. Also on campus, La Jolla Playhouse is the place to take in a show. This multi-award-winning theater has birthed many plays and musicals that went on to find success on Broadway, including Jersey Boys, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and The Who’s Tommy. Shopping and Leisure Head down to La Jolla Village for some of the best independent boutique shopping in the neighborhood. No faceless department stores here: for those you’ll need to head out to the sprawling Westfield UTC complex, home to stores galore including the likes of Macy’s, LEGO and Apple, plus dozens of bars and restaurants and a whopping 14 (count ‘em) cinema screens. Meanwhile, back in La Jolla Village it’s all about up-and-coming designers and one-off vintage thrift-store discoveries. Get your fashion fix on Girard Avenue and Prospect Street, pick up books and gifts on Ivanhoe Street and pause to recharge your batteries and people-watch over coffee and homemade cake at any one of the several laidback cafés here. Golfers will be in seventh heaven at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Here, a pair of courses unfold across undulating landscapes atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific. The challenging South Course has hosted the US Open Championships twice (most recently in 2021) and will test even the most seasoned swinger. The slightly more forgiving North Course has the better views although, up here in the clean California sea air, such observations are perhaps all relative. Save on things to do in La Jolla San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
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Explore Balboa Park’s best free finds near the Nat

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Best Time To Visit San Diego

Let’s be honest: there’s no such thing as a bad time to vacation in San Diego. But when’s best to visit will mostly depend on what kind of break you’re looking for. Cultural sightseeing trip? Visit in February for half-price entry to dozens of museums during San Diego Museum Month. Traveling on a budget? You’ll find some of the best hotel rates between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Just looking to top up your tan? July through September is when beaches swarm with sun-worshippers as temperatures soar. Check out our short guide to the best time to visit San Diego, by season. Spring March through May is a fine time to visit San Diego, with low hotel rates compared to the summer season and Balboa Park’s thousands of flowers coming into spectacular bloom. Pack a picnic and make a pilgrimage to the city’s great green lung, where March is your last opportunity to admire flowering succulents and cacti in the Desert Garden, all brilliant reds, oranges and pinks contrasting with the dark green flesh of these otherworldly plants. Conversely, the neighboring Rose Garden is just getting started, with its near-200 varieties creating an absolute riot of scent and color through its peak in April and May. Meanwhile, March's enchanting Cherry Blossom Festival in the zen-like Japanese Friendship Garden will make all your Instagram dreams come true. This time of year sees beach life in San Diego already in full swing, with skaters whizzing along the boardwalk at Pacific Beach, firepit cookouts in front of the legendary Hotel del Coronado and kids foraging for mussels, anemones and hermit crabs at low-tide in the kelp-rich tidepools under Ocean Beach Pier and around La Jolla Cove. You can swim, snorkel and surf in the San Diego sea year-round, but you'll want to bring a wetsuit (or rent one from one of the city’s many, many surf shops) if you’re planning on getting wet in March, when the water temperature is still a teeth-chattering 60°F. May tends to bring overcast skies to San Diego. This coastal phenomenon is known locally as the ‘May Gray’ and just happens to make for ideal conditions for hiking the canyons, exploring Balboa Park’s trails or renting a bike to explore the long, rugged coastline with its plethora of sandy beaches. Indeed, for active outdoor types, this may be the best time to visit San Diego, when you get to have all the fun without the sweat. It’s also when the huge zydeco, blues and crawfish festival that is Gator by the Bay rolls into town, with great live music and dancing, plus 10,000 pounds of live crawfish imported straight from Louisiana and cooked to sizzling perfection, Cajun and Creole style! Summer As summer kicks off in earnest, you’ll find wetsuit-free locals and vacationers splashing around in the sea, even as the May Gray continues, becoming – wait for it – the ‘June Gloom’. Don’t worry, it’ll soon burn off! This is the season when sun-worshippers in search of that perfect California tan can be found lounging on beaches along the coast, with an occasional languid foray into the water to cool off. Average daily highs hit 77°F in August, so don’t forget your essentials: sunglasses, an oversized floppy hat and lashings of sunscreen! As well as being San Diego’s hottest season, it’s also its most expensive, with prices soaring in tandem with the summer temperatures, particularly in July when the massive comic book convention that is Comic-Con takes over Downtown, pushing hotel prices higher than Superman can fly – that’s if you can even find a Downtown hotel with any rooms left available. Hillcrest – heart of San Diego’s thriving LGBTQ+ community – also hosts the annual Pride Festival around this time, putting a further squeeze on the city center, but otherwise making it a lively time to visit. Prices increase everywhere at this time but, if you like your summer break a little less hectic, you may find the laid back beachy vibe of family-friendly La Jolla and boho Ocean Beach a little more palatable. Cool off at the San Diego International Beer Festival in June, when ale aficionados can sip, slurp and sample their way through hundreds of beers and ciders from nearly 200 breweries. Of course, great beer is a year-round preoccupation here in the craft-brewing capital of the US, where you can barely leave your hotel without accidentally stumbling into a microbrewery taproom, especially in hip young neighborhoods like North Park, Hillcrest and Ocean Beach. This convention at the Del Mar Fairgrounds merely serves to cement that reputation. Bottoms up! Fall September through November delivers some of the best times to visit San Diego, with clear blue skies, balmy Santa Ana breezes and relatively low rates between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. With kids back at school, major attractions like Pacific Beach, SeaWorld and San Diego Zoo are way less crowded, while late summer and early fall also sees some of the best surfing conditions, when surfers ride the gnarly swells beneath Sunset Cliffs and off the La Jolla coastline, especially at Black’s and Windansea beaches. A glut of events and celebrations lend a real carnival spirit to fall in San Diego, when the world’s fastest super-boats tear around Mission Bay for the San Diego Bayfair and America’s biggest military air show lifts off in Miramar. In October, kids go free at many of San Diego’s biggest attractions, including the zoo, LEGOLAND and the USS Midway Museum. Meanwhile, November’s rock-bottom rates, week-long beer festival (yes, another!) and the San Diego Bay Food and Wine Festival make for a fine cocktail of affordable gluttony and boozy revelry. Winter Winter is a great time to visit San Diego, thanks to the mild climate and stacks of seasonal events. Prices are inevitably up again during the festive period, but it’s worth it for the opportunity to ice-skate in your shorts at Hotel del Coronado’s annual Skating by the Sea event, right? Come for the Christmassy goings-on at Balboa Park’s December Nights festival, including magical light displays, carol singing and fab street food; stay for the Parade of Lights, when boats draped in colorful festive lights and holiday decorations cruise through San Diego Bay by the dozen. December to March is whale-watching season, when gray whales migrate en masse from Alaska to the warm calving grounds of Baja’s lagoons and spotters crowd the cliffs from La Jolla to the Point Loma peninsula in the hope of catching a glimpse. Get up close on a whale-spotting boat trip: there are plenty departing from in and around Mission Bay every day during migration season. You’ve nothing to lose: most will guarantee a sighting or refund your money, and you really can’t say fairer than that. Culture vultures make a beeline for San Diego’s world-class museums every February when Museum Month knocks 50% off the entry price at close to 50 venues. This includes big-hitters such as the San Diego Museum of Art and Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park as well as Downtown’s historic Gaslamp Museum and New Children’s Museum. Associated events in public libraries, where you can pick up your pass, are free. Save on things to do in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
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