Regarding harbor tours, San Diego is the place to go. Flagship Cruises and Hornblower are the largest and most popular tour operators. San Diego Bay Cruises, scenic brunch, dinner, and Whale Watching tours are also offered from downtown San Diego.
You don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy this boat ride. Southern California locals will enjoy this fun outing just as much as out-of-state visitors. Learn some history and fun facts you never knew about San Diego Bay on this narrated water tour. Take some great photos and enjoy the view.
San Diego Harbor Cruise – Flagship Cruises
A one-hour cruise saves $500 – A two-hour cruise saves $5.00. Dinner and brunch cruises.
North Bay Cruise
North Cruise takes passengers out to Point Loma and the entrance to San Diego Bay. From there, the tour passes NAS North Island Port, where passengers get an up-close view of aircraft carriers docked along the bay.
South Bay Cruise
The South cruise goes underneath the Coronado Bridge and passes by Naval Amphibious Base. The tour boat passes by the San Diego Naval Base on the return trip, usually jam-packed with ships. Both North and South Cruises offer spectacular views of the San Diego Skyline.
Two-hour Cruise
If you have the time, the two-hour cruise is a great choice. The two-hour includes the entire San Diego Bay loop. There is a snack bar on board if you get hungry, although we suggest waiting until you get back to the dock, with plenty of dining options.
Where to Sit – best Seating
Both indoor and outdoor Seating is available. Most people choose to sit up top. If you decide to view the bay from the top deck, you might want to bring a sweater or jacket. It can get chilly even on a sunny San Diego day. You can always sit below, view the bay from the large windows, and sip a warm cup of coffee.
Where to Park
Nearby metered parking is available, but finding an open space on the weekend is hard. Your best parking option is the USS Midway Parking Lot. Parking is for up to 12 hours at a very reasonable rate—another option is to leave the car at home and take Amtrak. Trains arrive and depart from the nearby historic Santa Fe Depot about once an hour.
A cruise around the harbor is a great way to spend time in San Diego and fun for locals and tourists. There are plenty of nearby attractions along the boardwalk, including the USS Midway and the San Diego Maritime Museum. So put a Bay Cruise on your to-do list the next time you visit San Diego, California.
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