Notable Landmarks and Sites to See

As you soak in the sun, we’ll sail past some of San Diego’s most spectacular coastal sites introducing (or reacquainting) you with the:

• USS Midway Aircraft Carrier – The USS Midway was commissioned one week after the end of World War II, was the largest ship in the world until 1955 and was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century. The Midway was so large it could carry 120 planes on its armored flight deck and was the first aircraft carrier unable to cruise the Panama Canal due to its sheer size. While you are visiting San Diego, be sure to check out the USS Midway Museum to learn more about this iconic ship. 

• Star of India – Star of India is the world’s oldest active sailing ship. She is an iron ship with a long and storied past that includes collisions, mutiny and cyclones. She worked as a cargo ship and then spent half a century bringing emigrants to New Zealand. You can tour the Star of India at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. 

• North Island Military Base – Dubbed the official birthplace of aviation, the North Island Military Base is an active military base home to two aircraft carriers and 23 fixed and rotary wing squadrons

• Cabrillo National Museum – The Cabrillo National Monument and museum mark the location where the first European set foot on the western US. There is a lot to take in at Cabrillo park including the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and the rocky intertidal zone. 

• Hotel del Coronado – The Hotel Del is a historic beachfront luxury hotel situated in the city of Coronado, just over the bridge from downtown San Diego. It opened in 1888 as the largest resort hotel in the world and today is the second-largest wooden structure in the US. If you are visiting San Diego, it is definitely worth spending a couple of hours at The Del — grab lunch or stroll the pristine beach. 

• Maritime Museum of San Diego. The collection of fully restored vessels date from the mid-1800’s to modern day and include a fully functioning replica of a Spanish Galleon from 1542. You’ll probably recognize the tall ship HMS Surprise which featured in the popular Pirates of the Caribbean films though don’t expect to see Johnny Depp walking the gangplank. The oldest ship exhibited is the Star of India which vies for attention with the museums two submarines.

• Coronado Bridge, commonly referred to as the Coronado Bridge, is a prestressed concrete/steel girder fixed-link bridge crossing over San Diego Bay, linking San Diego with Coronado, California. It is signed as part of State Route 75. 

• Embarcadero is a busy cruise-ship hub, known for seafood and souvenir shops at Seaport Village. The Headquarters, an old police command post, is now home to chic eateries and boutiques. Nearby, flight simulators, restored planes and life-at-sea exhibits are the draws at the USS Midway Museum, a former naval aircraft carrier. Waterfront Park and the 2 Embarcadero Marina parks have grassy lawns and ocean views.

• San Diego Downtown Skyline- The city’s culture hub, Downtown encompasses the historic Gaslamp Quarter, with a lively dining and bar scene, and Little Italy, lined with trattorias. Performing arts venues include the grand Civic Theatre for opera and bands. On the bayfront, there are tall ships at the Maritime Museum and vintage planes on the USS Midway, plus shops at Seaport Village.  

• The Rady Shell - An open-air music venue in San Diego, California. It first opened in 2021, and is operated by the San Diego Symphony on the grounds of Embarcadero Marina Park South, which the symphony leases from the Port of San Diego.

• Glorietta Bay- A secluded and picturesque area of San Diego Bay with calm, protected waters, great for anchor N chill parties.