San Diego in a day: must-see highlights and adventure

The vessels all come with safety equipment that has been approved by the Coast Guard and use super-quiet, eco-friendly, 30-horsepower outboard motors. Boats can carry up to three passengers and come with comfortable cushioned seats.You don't need to be an experienced driver to pilot the boats either. They're controlled with a steering wheel that handles just like a car, and the throttle only has three positions.You can choose to cruise slowly like a houseboat and take in all the sights or whizz across the water.Along the way, you'll get views of the Navy Ships, the USS Midway aircraft museum, Coronado Bridge, famous Star of India, and the Seaport Village.

Fifteen minutes north of downtown San Diego, Birch Aquarium nestles among the cliffs of La Jolla. Serving as the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, Birch Aquarium offers hands-on exhibits that spotlight cutting-edge ocean research and introduce guests to an incredible cast of ocean creatures.Discover the wonders of the ocean in Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery, get hands-on with tide animals at the Tide Pool Plaza, and learn so much more about the magic of the aquatic world at this immersive aquarium in San Diego.You'll see everything from sharks and lobsters to turtles while learning all about ocean science and the marine environment. There are daily feedings and sea life interactions to watch, and if you want to get hands-on, you can head to the touch pool and pet sea stars and crabs.Birch Aquarium interprets the research and discoveries of Scripps Institution of Oceanography – a world leader in marine science – so you'll be learning straight from the source.

Find something for every adventure-seeker at this fun-filled park.