It all starts with the San Diego Airport. If you are a light packer, you could literally take a leisurely walk from the airport to downtown San Diego’s top attractions. Your 1.3 mile walk would take you along the glistening San Diego Harbor full of sailboats while you enjoyed spectacular views of the downtown skyline. You would pass by the Coast Guard Station, a Mediterranean mooring area for the largest private ships in the world, and arrive at the San Diego Maritime Museum, which is home to the world’s oldest sailing vessel and ships used in blockbuster Hollywood movies.

Continue walking along the harbor for another 1.3 miles and you will pass the starting spot for the Harbor Boat Cruises and City Bus Tours, the Visitor Information Center, Cruise Ship Terminal, U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, Seaport Village Shopping Area, and the Convention Center before arriving at the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres.

Along the way, you will pass within two blocks of the AMTRAK station, Trolley stops, the New Children’s Museum, and the Chinese Historical District.

Visitors are always amazed at the convenience, beauty, and pedestrian-friendly nature of downtown San Diego. Select each of the picture tabs above to start exploring what Downtown San Diego has to offer or start making your plans to enjoy the walk along the downtown harbor.

Little Italy

Location: Downtown San Diego (Little Italy)

Features: Italian Restaurants, Art & Home Furnishing Shops, Festivals, and Farmers Market.

(more…)

Beautiful Stroll Along San Diego Bay

Location: Downtown San Diego (From the San Diego Convention Center to the Airport)

Hours: Always Open

Things to Do & See: Enjoy the Views of San Diego Harbor and Skyline while walking several miles along the waterfront, visiting world-class attractions, dining at restaurants, shopping in unique stores, looking at artwork, and people watching. You can also ride an Antique Carousel or take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride.

(more…)

San Diego Maritime Museum

Location: Downtown San Diego (North Embarcadero)

Open Daily: 9AM – 8PM (9PM during Summer)

Cost: $16 ($8 for Kids ages 3-12 and $13 for Students, Military, and Seniors 62+). Parking Costs Extra.

Features: Oldest Active Ship in the World; National Historic Landmarks; U.S. & Soviet Submarines; Nine Maritime Exhibitions, Ships used in the Movies Amistad & Master and Commander; Sailing Adventures.

(more…)

Port of San Diego Art Collections

Location: Downtown San Diego (North Embarcadero)

Hours: Year-Round

Cost: Free

Features: A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military; Over 30 Large Pieces of Art Along the San Diego Waterfront

(more…)

San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum

Location: Downtown San Diego (North Embarcadero)

Open Daily: Entrance Allowed 10AM – 4PM (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Cost: $20 ($10 for Kids ages 6-12 and $17 for Seniors 62+). Parking Costs Extra.

Features: USS Midway – Longest Serving Aircraft Carrier in U.S. Naval History; Over 40 Exhibits, including Fighter Planes; Simulator Rides

(more…)

San Diego Harbor Cruises

Location: Downtown San Diego (North Embarcadero)

Harbor Tours Start: 10AM – 4:15PM (5:30 PM during Summer).

Cost: $20+ ($10+ for Kids ages 4-12 and $18+ for Seniors 55 and over)

Features: Take a cruise on San Diego Harbor, the most beautiful harbor in America. Enjoy breathtaking views of the downtown San Diego Skyline while passing by Yachts, Sailboats, Naval Warships, and Seals. Whale-watching, Brunch and Dinner Cruises, and Yacht Charters also available.

(more…)