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Maritime Museum of San Diego General Admission Ticket

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$28.00 /person
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About the activity

Experience 500 Years of Seafaring History—from tall ships to submarine—at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Discover historic vessels, hands-on exhibits, and below-deck galleries at your own pace.

  • Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
  • Instant confirmation & Mobile tickets
    Receive your ticket right away. Use your phone or print your voucher.
  • Host or greeter
    English
  • Valid
    1 day
  • Includes
    • General admission ticket
    • Access to all historic vessels and onboard exhibits
    • Self-guided exploration with map
    • Optional sailing experiences (tall ship sails)
    • Narrated bay cruises (when available)
    • Swift Boat Tours (when available)
    • Food and beverages
    • Parking
Highlights & Description

Highlights

  • The Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship
  • The Californian, California’s official state tall ship
  • The 16th-century galleon replica San Salvador
  • The Victorian-era steam yacht Medea
  • Explore the H.M.S. Surprise, star of the films 'Master and Commander'.

Description

The Maritime Museum of San Diego is renowned for its excellence in restoring and operating historic vessels, including the world’s oldest active ship, the Star of India. Home to one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships and exhibits, the Museum has been recognized among the top maritime museums globally—and is a must-see on any San Diego visit.

Step aboard one of the city’s most unique waterfront experiences and explore a world-class fleet of historic vessels and immersive exhibits at your own pace. Your visit begins at the ticket booth, where you’ll receive a map to guide you through the collection.

Start with the 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley, home to engaging below-deck galleries featuring maritime history, naval exploration, vintage photography, and finely crafted ship models.

Continue your journey beneath the surface aboard the USS Dolphin, the Navy’s deepest-diving research submarine, and discover how sailors lived and worked at sea.

As you make your way along the waterfront, you’ll encounter a diverse range of historic ships spanning centuries of seafaring history.

Don’t miss the HMS Surprise, a fully rigged naval frigate featured in Master and Commander and Pirates of the Caribbean, with restored exhibit spaces both above and below deck.

Throughout the Museum, many ships feature hands-on exhibits and below-deck access, offering a deeper, immersive look into life at sea.

Good to know before you go
  • This is a self-guided experience across multiple historic ships and exhibits.
  • Visitors should be comfortable walking and climbing stairs or ladders between decks.
  • Some areas may have low ceilings, narrow passageways, and uneven surfaces.
  • Food and drinks are not permitted inside exhibit areas.
  • Open daily: 10 AM – 5 PM (entry gate closes at 4 PM).
  • Allow 1.5 to 3 hours to fully explore the museum.
  • Some ships may occasionally close for special events or maintenance.
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cancellation policy for this activity?
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
2. When will I receive the confirmation of my booking?
You will receive an email notification right after your successful payment. If you don't see it in your inbox, check your spam or junk mail folder. When the payment is completed you have the option to download your ticket directly.
3. Are mobile tickets enough or do I have to print them?
Tickets don't need to be printed. You can show your ticket from your smartphone as a PDF.
  • Adults
    18-61 years
  • Seniors
    62-99 years
  • Youth
    6-17 years
  • Children
    0-5 years
March 2026
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