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| | California | San Diego | |||
| Downtown San Diego | |||
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Maritime Museum – Since the 16th century, an accessible bay and good climate has made San Diego a popular stopover for ships. At the Maritime Museum, absorb the history of 19th century sailing and steam ships. (Tip: Museum is included in a San Diego Passport.) | |
| Explore the Star of India, a British merchant ship that sailed to India and made 21 trips around the world. Standing at the helm, you can imagine this sailing ship under your command. In the hold, there are hands-on exhibits. Kids can try their hands at tying knots, hoisting loads, or testing out the bunks for sailors (rather compact). The captain's quarters were much more plush, with carpets and curtains. | |||
| You can also tour the Medea, a 1904 steam yacht that sailed around Scotland, or the Berkeley, a 1898 ferryboat. On the Berkeley, there are tons of ships models, and those amazing ships-in-bottles. | |||
| Click here for a calendar of seasonal events, family days at the museum, family sleepovers, where you can stay overnight on the Star of India! | |||
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San Diego Bay Walk – The Bay Walk extends all the way from Shelter Island around the bay to the Embarcadero Marina Park. Bike, walk or rollerblade on the bay walk. | |
| From the Maritime Museum, walk south along the waterfront, to Tuna Harbor Park (picnic areas), on to Seaport Village, continue to Embarcadero Marina Park North and South, where there're picnic tables and grassy areas, right along the water. | |||
| Going north from the Maritime Museum, head for Harbor Island or Spanish Landing. | |||
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San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum – It's a biggie, the USS Midway aircraft carrier, in service from World War II to the Gulf War. Now a museum, you can run all over, checking out the acres of flight deck, the bridge, captain's and crew's quarters, fighter jets. Pick up the self-paced audio-tour to hear real-life stories of people who sailed on the Midway. Tip: Free with a Go San Diego Card |
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Seaport Village – Stop into Seaport Village for a light meal, snacks, or get sandwiches for a picnic in the park. Buy a kite at Kite Flite, and fly it at the Embarcadero Marina Park. Little ones will want to take a spin on the 1890's Flying Horses Carousel. (Tip: Free carousel ride with a San Diego Passport.) | ||
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Boats, boats, boats – The port of San Diego is teeming with boats of all kinds, sail boats, cruise ships, yachts, motorboats, Navy ships. A boat ride around the harbor is a "must do." | ||
 Harbor
Excursions – Take a one hour or two hour tour of the harbor. Sail
under the Coronado Bridge, close to the Hotel del Coronado, past U.S. Navy
ships, submarines and merchant ships. Tip: Use your Go San Diego Card |
| Ferry
to Coronado – From the San Diego Broadway Pier, take the pint-sized
ferry to the Ferry Landing Marketplace on Coronado Island. You get a great
view of the harbor from the upper deck. Click
here for the ferry schedule. |
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Diego Water Taxi – For short hops around the bay, take the San
Diego Water Taxi from Broadway Pier. On-call transpotation with stops at
the Harbor Island, the Ferry Landing, Hotel Del Coronado and Glorietta Bay
on Coronado, and Seaport Village. Call in advance, 619.235.8294. |
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| Whale
Watching – December through April, take a whale watching trip to
spot the gray whales in their yearly migration from Alaska to Baja California
(and back). During your three hour trip, you'll have a chance to see these
extraordinary whales, covered with barnacles, often traveling in mother
and calf pairs. Call for reservations, 619.234.4111 or toll free 1.800.442.7847 |
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Tip: Stuck in the San Diego International Airport with some time to kill? Just walk across Harbor Blvd., and you'll find Spanish Landing Park. Have fun in the playground, watch the ducks in the water and boats in the harbor. Picnic tables and bike path. |
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