From swooshing and swooping rides to interactive animal experiences and world-class attractions, SeaWorld San Diego truly makes a big, big splash. See—and learn about—the amazing undersea worlds of animals from around the globe, including penguins, turtles, walruses, beluga whales, and sea lions. Behind the scenes, SeaWorld is also home to marine animals that were injured or orphaned on Southern California beaches, and are being nursed or rehabilitated before they can be returned to the wild.
Located just off San Diego’s Mission Bay, the park offers a variety of ways to learn about and celebrate marine life. Dive into a deep-sea adventure in the Ocean Explorer area to explore children's rides and unique aquariums. See (and touch) harmless rays and sharks, or just be inspired by the killer whales at Orca Encounter, featuring the orcas breaching, spouting, and generally acting naturally in the water, against the backdrop of an infinity screen showing a documentary-style presentation with interesting facts about the majestic mammals. Or, take one of the park’s exclusive tours and you can get up-close encounters with resident dolphins, sea lions, penguins, or gentle beluga whales, also known as the “canaries of the sea.”
Climb aboard a host of rides, too—from mild to wild, there’s something for everyone. If you’ve got small kids in your crew, head to the Rescue Jr. area, with its rescue-themed rides, splash zone, and real rescue vehicles on display; bigger kids, meanwhile, will beeline for the flume ride Journey to Atlantis and the park’s latest addition, Arctic Rescue, where you’ll mount a simulated snowmobile and go on a mission at speeds up to 40 mph to save an arctic animal in distress. For serious thrill seekers, Manta, a high-tech, double-launch coaster twists and dives like a ray, and Emperor—inspired by the deep-diving emperor penguin—dives 14 stories straight down to reach speeds of 60 mph, and is the tallest, fastest, longest (and only floorless) dive coaster in the state.
Special events are another reason to plan your visit to SeaWorld San Diego, such as SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular and the teens-and-adult-friendly Howl-O-Scream on weekends in September and October. When the holiday season gets into full swing, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration (typically mid-November to around New Year’s) includes a Santa’s Christmas Village, Rudolph’s Christmastown, and holiday-themed shows.
When booking a hotel in the Mission Bay area of San Diego, visitors have plenty of options. SeaWorld has an extensive list of nearby accommodations they partner with that range from deluxe resorts to reliable chains. There are also bed-and-breakfasts which offer the opportunity to stay in a historic home or a beachside residence.
Click here for schedule and hours of operation.
SeaWorld San Diego Address
500 Sea World Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: 619.222.4732
