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Location
Visitor tip
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).
Visitor tip
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.
Visitor tip
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.
About Maritime Museum of San Diego
Destination for restored antique ships. Waterfront venue showcasing many types of restored vintage ships & historical exhibits.
What visitors say
Wanted to stop in and see what it was, expected to see some boats, nothing too spectacular, boy were we mistaken. They displays were informative and well put together. All the staff were knowledgeable and super friendly. It was an…
This was not at all what I expected! I expected to be able to tour around the big Star of India ship, and perhaps go aboard her deck. And that there would be a boring building with exhibits in it. Instead I was able to board all of the…
I was only in town for a short visit, and inadvertently ended up checking out the museum. What a great surprise! Tickets get you access to 7 of the vessels, including onto a research sub from 1968 and a replica of a galleon from (I…
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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
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