The Maritime Museum of San Diego is a collection of historic ships docked on San Diego Bay, including the world’s oldest active sailing ship. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning a visit — part of my wider San Diego travel guides.
This guide was last checked in August 2026. Note: walk-up tickets are cheaper than online tickets here, since online prices include booking fees — adults pay $28 at the door versus $30.36 online. Online sales also close at 8am, so anyone booking later in the day needs to buy in person.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Open daily, 10am–5pm. Last entry 4pm; visitors already inside may stay until 5pm. |
| Ticket prices | Adults $28 walk-up / $30.36 online; Military & Senior (62+) $20/$21.69; Youth (6–17) $15/$16.34; 5 and under free. |
| Address | 1492 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, California 92101 (at Star of India Wharf) |
| Nearest transport | MTS Trolley stops at County Center/Little Italy (Green/Blue Line) and Courthouse (Orange Line), both a short walk away. |
| Typical time needed | Around 2 to 3 hours. |
Maritime Museum of San Diego opening hours: when to visit
The Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. Visitors already inside at 4pm may stay until closing at 5pm. Some ships may occasionally close for special events or maintenance, so it’s worth checking the official site before a visit if a specific vessel is the main draw.
Five great things to do in San Diego
- 🦁 Visit one of the greatest zoos in the world – with a San Diego Zoo day pass.
- 🇲🇽 Take a day tour to Tijuana – for a taste of Mexico.
- 🐋 See whales and dolphins – on a three hour wildlife cruise.
- 🍸 Enjoy a food and drink tour – of the Gaslamp Quarter.
- 🛶 Explore the sea caves of La Jolla – on a guided kayaking adventure.
Maritime Museum of San Diego ticket prices: how much does entry cost?
General admission costs $28 for adults at the walk-up ticket window, or $30.36 online once fees are included. Military and seniors (62+) pay $20 walk-up / $21.69 online, youth (6–17) pay $15 walk-up / $16.34 online, and children 5 and under enter free. One ticket covers all-day access to the museum’s ships and exhibits.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026. Check the official site for current details or to buy tickets online.
The Maritime Museum is included in San Diego CityPASS, which bundles savings across several of the city’s theme parks and attractions. Museums for All discounted tickets are also available at the Ticket House for EBT cardholders.
How to get to the Maritime Museum of San Diego: transport guide
The Museum is located on Harbor Drive near Ash Street, a few blocks west of Interstate 5; from I-5, take the “Airport” exit and follow signs for “Embarcadero – Maritime Museum.” The MTS Trolley stops within a short walk: the Green and Blue Lines at County Center/Little Italy, and the Orange Line at Courthouse. The Coaster train also serves the area.
Given how busy San Diego’s Embarcadero gets, public transport or rideshare is often more convenient than driving.
Parking at the Maritime Museum of San Diego
Port-metered parking is available directly outside, but it’s capped at a 3-hour maximum, runs 10am to 8pm daily, and takes credit cards only. Certain holidays offer free parking, though the time limit still applies.
Visitors planning to stay longer than 3 hours should look at nearby downtown waterfront car parks instead, since the on-site meters will run out.
How long to spend at the Maritime Museum of San Diego
Most visitors spend around 2 to 3 hours exploring the fleet, since the ticket covers multiple historic vessels across open decks and below-deck exhibits. Add extra time for any of the museum’s optional on-the-water adventures, which are booked separately.
Accessibility at the Maritime Museum of San Diego
Much of the Museum is wheelchair accessible, including the Berkeley‘s McKinney Deck, reached via a lift at the vessel’s forward end, starboard side. Other parts of the historic ships are accessible with staff assistance, depending on the disability and current weather or sea conditions; visitors needing assistance should notify the Museum in advance.
Because some vessels can’t be made safely accessible even with assistance, the Museum grants free admission to visitors in wheelchairs. The PCF 816 Swift Boat isn’t practical for wheelchair users to board, while the Pilot boat has been adapted for wheelchair access, provided a narrow chair or the Museum’s own wheelchair is used.
Inside the Maritime Museum of San Diego: what to see
The flagship vessel, Star of India (1863), is the world’s oldest active sailing ship and a National Register of Historic Places landmark. The steam ferry Berkeley (1898) played a role in the rescue efforts after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and now also houses the museum’s exhibits.
Other vessels include HMS Surprise, a replica 18th-century Royal Navy frigate featured in Master and Commander; San Salvador, a recreation of the 1542 galleon that first explored the West Coast; the Vietnam War-era PCF 816 Swift Boat; and USS Dolphin, the deepest-diving submarine in US Navy history. The 1914 harbor pilot boat Pilot and 1904 steam yacht Medea round out the collection, alongside Californian, California’s official state tall ship.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Booking online before 8am secures the lower advertised rate before sales switch to walk-up only. |
| Crowds | Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than weekend afternoons. |
| Layout | The fleet is spread across several piers, so comfortable shoes make moving between ships easier. |
| Entry process | Walk-up tickets remain available until 4pm daily, even after online sales close. |
| On-site logistics | Some ships may be temporarily closed for events or maintenance, so check the website before visiting for a specific vessel. |
Frequently asked questions about the Maritime Museum of San Diego
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Maritime Museum of San Diego suitable for children? | Yes, children 5 and under enter free, and youth tickets apply for ages 6–17. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, walk-up tickets are available until 4pm daily, and they’re cheaper than booking online. |
| Is the Maritime Museum of San Diego open every day? | Yes, it’s open daily from 10am to 5pm. |
| Is parking free at the Maritime Museum of San Diego? | No, on-site metered parking has a 3-hour limit and takes credit cards only. |
| Is the Maritime Museum of San Diego wheelchair accessible? | Largely yes, though some vessels are only accessible with staff assistance, and wheelchair users receive free admission. |
Things to do near the Maritime Museum of San Diego
- USS Midway Museum: A retired aircraft carrier turned museum, directly across the harbor.
- Cabrillo National Monument: A coastal park with tide pools and lighthouse views, a short drive away on Point Loma.
- San Diego Air & Space Museum: An aviation museum in Balboa Park, about a 10-minute drive away.
- Fleet Science Center: An interactive science museum, also in Balboa Park.
- San Diego Natural History Museum: A natural history museum, likewise a short drive away in Balboa Park.
Alternative attractions to visit
- Los Angeles Maritime Museum, San Pedro: A maritime museum covering the Port of Los Angeles, roughly a 2-hour drive away.
- Battleship USS Iowa, San Pedro: A retired US Navy battleship open for tours, also about a 2-hour drive away.
- Queen Mary, Long Beach: A retired ocean liner permanently docked as a hotel and attraction, roughly a 2-hour drive away.
More California travel
Other California travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Visiting the Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine.
- Why you should take the drive up through the Eastern Sierra to Whitney Portal.
- How to save money on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
- Plan your visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
- Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica Mountains attraction guides: Getty Villa, Will Rogers State Historic Park, Topanga State Park.
