Children's Museums

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Name: Maritime Museum of San Diego
Address: 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, San Diego, CA, US
Telephone: (619) 234-9153 ext. 101
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (5333 reviews)

📍 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

📞 (619) 234-9153 ext. 101

🌐 www.sdmaritime.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–5 PM
Thursday	10 AM–5 PM
Friday	10 AM–5 PM
Saturday	10 AM–5 PM
Sunday	10 AM–5 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

Quick Facts

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The museum features the HMS Surprise, a replica ship that was featured in the film 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World'
⭐Visitors can board and explore multiple vessels including the Star of India, a historic sailing ship, the USS Dolphin research submarine from 1968, and a 1500s galleon replica
⭐The Californian, a schooner in the museum's collection, is actively used for sailing expeditions on the bay, making it a functioning historical vessel rather than a static display
⭐The museum offers optional bay cruises aboard vessels like the Pilot, allowing visitors to experience the San Diego waterfront and view military ships and cruise ships from the water

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Plan for at least 2.5-3 hours to properly explore all 7 vessels. Visitors report wishing they had more time, so arrive early in the day to maximize your visit.
💡Park on the side of the ships rather than across the street for more convenient access and an extra hour of parking time (3 hours vs 2 hours).
💬Pay the extra $10 for a tour aboard the Pilot or other harbor cruising vessels—visitors consistently report this as worthwhile and highly recommend experiencing the bay views and passing under the bridge.
💡Don't skip the smaller vessels and exhibits. The Berkeley has the most comprehensive model ship and maritime history exhibits, the USS Dolphin submarine is surprisingly engaging even for those with mild claustrophobia, and the Star of India features immersive below-deck exhibits showing period-accurate crew quarters and captain's quarters.
💡Take advantage of the knowledgeable and passionate staff (many appear to be volunteers). They're readily available to answer detailed questions and enhance your understanding of maritime history—engaging with them significantly improves the educational experience.