Anchors Aweigh: Why the Maritime Museum of San Diego Totally Floats Our Boat
Kelsi: Look, I’m not saying I was a pirate in a past life, but I am saying I’ve never been more at peace than standing on the deck of a historic ship pretending I’m about to yell “Land ho!”
Katherine: She wasn’t pretending. She actually did yell it. Twice.
If you’ve ever wanted to live your best Master and Commander fantasy, learn some seriously cool California history, or just feel the ocean breeze on your face while climbing through ships and a real submarine, the Maritime Museum of San Diego is your spot.
This floating museum is docked along the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego, which means it’s perfectly positioned for a “let’s do a little bit of everything today” itinerary. Think: Little Italy lunch, a USS Midway flyby, some Seaport Village strolling, and boom—you’ve earned your maritime stripes.
Is This Museum Actually Cool?
Kelsi: Excuse me. This museum has tall ships, a real submarine, and a movie-famous replica ship. It’s beyond cool—it’s cinematic.
The Maritime Museum isn’t some sleepy exhibit behind glass cases. It’s a walk-through-history, climb-the-ladders, ring-the-bell kind of place—with a mix of replicas and original vessels that are way more immersive than you’d expect. It’s educational the way National Treasure is educational: you’re learning, but you’re also having the time of your life.
From Cannons to Knots: 13 Times We Accidentally Became Boat People
1. Board the Californian, California’s Official Tall Ship
This replica of an 1847 Revenue Cutter was built to celebrate the 1984 Olympics and is officially the Tall Ship of the State of California. She’s all sails and swagger, with a history of student sleepovers, cross-Pacific adventures, and Sunday sailing tours where you can help hoist the sails before a cannon salute closes out the day like a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean. She’s built for speed—and drama.
2. Step Into the Past on San Salvador
The San Salvador is a full-scale replica of the ship Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo used to “discover” the San Diego coast in 1542. Walking the deck feels like entering a Spanish expedition movie—complete with moody wood interiors and candlelit vibes.
Pro Tip: Pair this visit with Cabrillo National Monument and Old Town for a day of time-traveling through California’s earliest chapters.
3. Marvel at the Star of India
This iron-hulled beauty has lived many lives—sailing from Great Britain to New Zealand 21 times and even surviving a cyclone. Launched five days before the Gettysburg Address, she’s the world’s oldest active sailing ship.
4. Climb Aboard HMS Surprise
Any Master and Commander or Pirates of the Caribbean fans? This one’s for you. HMS Surprise is a stunning replica of a 18th-century Royal Navy frigate, made famous by Russell Crowe’s brooding stares and dramatic ocean battles. She’s all polished wood, period-perfect detail, and the kind of ship that makes you want to yell, “Full sail ahead!” even if you don’t know what that means.
5. Tour the USS Dolphin Submarine
This isn’t a replica. This is the real deal. The USS Dolphin was the deepest-diving submarine in the world (think: spy movie depths), and it’s now docked for you to explore. It’s cramped, yes—but in a thrilling, adrenaline-kicks-in kind of way. You’ll duck through hatches, peer through periscopes, and suddenly understand the phrase “close quarters” very intimately.
6. Catch a Ride on the Swift Boat PCF 816
These Patrol Craft Fast boats were used in the Vietnam War, and the 75-minute bay cruise aboard one of them comes with commentary from retired Swift Boat veterans and museum docents. Think roaring diesel engines, 980 horsepower, salty air, and firsthand stories that somehow manage to be both sobering and riveting. It’s not just a ride—it’s living history.
7. Admire the Model Ship Collection
Tucked inside the historic ferry Berkeley, the model ship gallery is both a love letter to craftsmanship and a flex from local collectors. These aren’t toy boats. These are museum-grade, handcrafted mini marvels with tiny sails, perfect rigging, and details so intricate you’ll want to whisper in the room out of respect. They’re floating works of art.
8. Try Your Hand at Sailor’s Knots
Warning: this will seem easy. It is not. But it is deeply satisfying when you finally figure it out. Adults and kids alike get sucked into this tactile challenge—plus, it gives you a whole new appreciation for the sailors who used these knots to literally survive at sea.
9. Explore the Exhibition Gallery on Berkeley
This isn’t just a ferry—it’s the heart of the museum. The Steam Ferry Berkeley rescued people during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and now houses the museum’s rotating and permanent exhibits, including shipwreck stories, regional maritime history, and impressive restoration work. It also smells faintly of old wood and oil in the best way possible.
10. Book a Docent-Led Group Tour
If you’ve got 10 or more people, don’t go it alone—get a docent. On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, these guides show just how much they know their stuff and make 19th-century sailing jargon fascinating. They’ve got stories, jokes, and actual sea legs (some of them have sailed these ships for real). You’ll walk away with a brain full of trivia and a heart full of ship-based joy.
11. Dig Deep in the Maritime Research Library
The Berkeley also holds a maritime library and archives for serious sea history nerds (and we mean that lovingly). It’s filled with rare books, navigation charts, original ship plans, photos, and logbooks from centuries past. If you’re the type who can lose hours down a Wikipedia rabbit hole, this library is your treasure chest. By appointment only, but so worth it.
12. Join an On-the-Water Adventure
From rowing longboats to multi-day tall ship living programs, the Maritime Museum’s educational offerings are next-level. This isn’t just for kids—there are grown-up options, too. Want to know what it’s like to live and work aboard a historic ship? You can literally do that. It’s part theater, part boot camp, and entirely unforgettable.
13. Meet Medea: The Glamorous Steam Queen of the Fleet
Katherine: I’d like to formally thank whoever designed Medea for understanding that ships can be both historical and stunning.
Kelsi: She’s giving Downton Abbey, but make it nautical.
Built in 1904 as a luxury steam yacht for Scottish high society, Medea is all polished teak, gleaming oak, and subtle opulence. But don’t let the looks fool you—she served in both World Wars, complete with guns, depth charges, and balloon surveillance (casual). After decades of globe-trotting and reinvention, she was restored and gifted to the museum in 1973. Today, she sits pretty on the bay, offering a front-row seat to the golden age of steam yachting.
What to Know Before You Go
📅 Hours:
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission at 4 p.m.)
🎟 Tickets:
- Adults: Starting at $21
- Seniors and teens (13–17): Starting at $16
- Kids (3–12): Starting at $10.60
- Littles under 3: Free
🎁 Gift Shop:
Open Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. You don’t need a ticket to enter, so feel free to swing by for sea-themed gifts, local crafts, and the kind of quirky books that make excellent coffee table conversation starters.
🚗 Getting There:
Parking downtown is… a thing. We suggest:
- Taking the MTS Trolley or Bus
- Hopping on FRED (Free Ride Everywhere Downtown)
- Using Uber/Lyft
If you must drive, check Parkopedia or the Port of San Diego website for parking lots. Metered spots exist but vanish fast.
Final Thoughts
The Maritime Museum of San Diego hits that rare sweet spot: immersive, educational, and genuinely fun. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to read plaques and climb ropes. Whether you’re into history, adventure, ships, or just pretending you’re on a secret naval mission, it delivers a day that’s equal parts fascinating and FOMO-inducing.
Here’s Why It Deserves a Spot on Your San Diego Itinerary
- Historic ships, a real submarine, and a Master and Commander moment? Check.
- Perfectly walkable from Little Italy, Seaport Village, and Midway.
- Hands-on experiences for all ages (and attention spans).
- Affordable entry, epic views, and docents with the best stories.
- A sea-sational way to spend your day.
