Along the San Diego Boardwalk, below the elegant high-rise buildings of downtown is the San Diego Maritime Museum. San Diego’s history is tied to the sea, and the museum’s collection includes ships that illustrate port activities around the world.
The Maritime Museum attracts most age groups, but there are stairs and walkways to negotiate and tight spaces on the submarine. The Star of India has a play area where younger children can dress up in costumes and play sailing games. Due to their construction, some parts of the historic ships are not handicap accessible.
Ships at the San Diego Maritime Museum
- The Berkeley – This 1898 Victorian style steam ferry carried passengers in San Francisco Bay from 1898 to 1973. It is an elegant 19th century landmark, the restored main passenger deck wooden benches illuminated through stained glass. Berkeley’s lower decks house exhibits and a model shipbuilding workshop.
- Submarine B-39: A diesel-electric submarine of the Soviet Navy commissioned in the early 1970s that served active service for more than 20 years.
- The Californian: The official sailing ship of the State of California was built in 1984. She is a replica of the 1847 Revenue Cutter, the CW Lawrence, a ship that brought law and order to the California coast during the Gold Rush.
- HMS Surprise: The sailboat used in the academy award-winning film “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” and “Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides” is a 179-foot-tall full-rigged ship launched by first time in 1970
- Medea – Built in Scotland in 1904 as a private ship, Medea’s career includes service as a French Navy gunboat from World War I, a British Royal Navy balloon bomber ship from World War II, and a charter yacht. She is preserved as seen when it was first used as a floating hunting lodge.
- The Pilot – Used to transfer pilots from port to incoming ships, The Pilot had the longest run of any ship in operation in the Western Hemisphere, from 1914 to 1996.
- Star of India – The centerpiece of the San Diego Maritime Museum is the world’s oldest active sailing ship, the Star of India. During its long maritime career, the sturdy iron ship transported cargo from England to India, transported immigrants from England to New Zealand, and worked as a salmon packing ship in the Bering Sea. Rescued history buffs rescued the Star of India from the junkyard in 1923, and in 1976 it was fully restored and put to sea for the first time in 50 years. She is kept to illustrate her role as an immigrant ship.
More activities at the San Diego Maritime Museum
You can add a 45-minute excursion aboard The Pilot for just $ 5. You can also get an adventure package that includes general admission and a three-hour adventure sailing aboard The Californian.
Special events at the San Diego Maritime Museum
During the Sailing Festival, an armada of tall ships joins the historic ships of the San Diego Maritime Museum, and the shoreline comes to life with tall ship parades, mock gun battle cruises, and dock entertainment.
Enjoy an evening of classical music aboard the Berkeley during its musical concert series.
Families can enjoy fun sleepover nights at the Star of India, with many additional activities.
What you need to know about the San Diego Maritime Museum
The San Diego Maritime Museum is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm, some holidays or events may have shorter hours. Find the current hours on their website. There is an admission charge. Check current prices. Wait about three to four hours to see everything. If you have less than an hour, enjoy it from the dock or focus on a single boat
How to get to the San Diego Maritime Museum
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA
(619) 234-9153
San Diego Maritime Museum website
The San Diego Maritime Museum is on Harbor Drive, near the corner of Ash Street, a few blocks west of I-5. Take the exit “Airport” and follow the signs that read “Museo Embarcadero Marítimo”. Metered parking in front of the San Diego Maritime Museum is limited to two hours if you can find it. You can find several paid parking lots in the area.
To avoid traffic and parking problems, take the San Diego Trolley to the County Center / Little Italy and walk two blocks to the San Diego Maritime Museum.
