San Diego’s Seaport Village is a shopping and restaurant complex similar to those found in many tourist-filled cities, primarily geared toward visitors and good for a few hours of fun.
Seaport Village is a good place to enjoy a meal overlooking the ocean or to pick up a souvenir of your visit. While it’s not among my best places to visit in San Diego, many other people disagree, earning it very high marks on Yelp. This review sums up what they have to say: “Fun stop for shopping and eating. Located in the port so you can watch the ships come and go.
Things to do in Seaport Village
In April, some of the best street performers in the world join those who work at Seaport Village during the Busker Festival. In September, you can celebrate Landlubbers Day, in honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day. Surfin ‘Santa splashes ashore in late November and stays to take photos at Christmas.
Most people go to Seaport Village to shop and eat. More than a dozen casual restaurants serve pizza, candy, burgers, sandwiches, and sandwiches. Four restaurants claim “bay view dining” and all offer views, but only the San Diego Pier Cafe is on the boardwalk.
If you’re looking for an indulgent treat, try Frost Me Gourmet for the best cupcakes in town. They have a cute patio, wild flavors like Dulce de Leche Habanero chocolate, and are proud winners of The Food Channel’s Cupcake Wars.
Shoppers will find nearly fifty Seaport Village stores selling collectibles, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs, and most of the stores are one-of-a-kind. One of the best shops in Seaport Village is the Wyland Gallery, a showcase for one of California’s most prominent marine artists, worth visiting even if you can only afford to look.
Kids and carousel lovers of all ages will enjoy Seaport Village’s 1890 Looff Carousel and its graceful steeds. A video arcade caters to electronics addicts.
With frequent two-seater concerts and musicians wandering around, Seaport Village is a musical venue. Free public concerts are scheduled most weekends and some weekdays.
The San Diego SEAL tour departs from Seaport Village and takes you over land and sea in an amphibious vehicle. San Diego Trolley Tours stops there, as well as other sights, and is a good way to get around the city without driving and parking hassles.
Tips for visiting Seaport Village
- Seaport Village is open daily and shops have longer hours in the summer. Go in the morning for smaller crowds, at noon for a meal or snack, or in the evening to watch the sunset.
- If you don’t like shopping, take a walk along the boardwalk. The views towards Coronado Island, the Coronado Bridge, and from the pier to the marina are photogenic enough to keep you busy for a while.
- Pick up a brochure. Not only does it have an event calendar, but it also has coupons to buy discounts and giveaways.
- If you park in the Seaport Village parking lot, please take your ticket with you to validate with purchase.
Where is Seaport Village located?
Seaport Village
849 W. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA
Sitio web de Seaport Village
Seaport Village is south of the cruise ship terminal and USS Midway. It’s easy to get to from anywhere in San Diego.
If you are in the Gaslamp area, walk to the boardwalk on Kettner Blvd., across Harbor Blvd. If you arrived on a cruise ship that is in port for the day, you can use their free shuttle from the cruise terminal.
To avoid traffic and parking problems, take the San Diego Trolley to Seaport Village Station and walk.
Call a pedicab (an open vehicle with a bicycle motor). They charge a flat rate for point-to-point travel, and the rates are somewhat negotiable when they are not busy.
Drive along Harbor Drive from the airport and the waterfront, or take Kettner Blvd. or Pacific Highway out of downtown.
Water taxis stop near the Greek Islands Cafe and are a good way to get to Coronado from the port. You can summon them by calling 619-235-8294.
