SeaWorld San Diego

California Theme Park

Sea World San Diego Phone:

(619) 226-3901

Operating Schedule:

The park is open year round and generally stays open longer during holidays and the peak summer season.

Location:

SeaWorld Drive in San Diego, California

Sea World San Diego Directions:

From I-5: Exit at SeaWorld Drive and head west.

From From I-8: Exit I-5 North to SeaWorld Drive and head west.

Sea World San Diego Admission Policy:

Reduced price for children 3 to 9. Ages 2 and under are free. Season passes and special promotions available for California residents.

Discount tickets:

• Get reduced price Sea World San Diego tickets in advance of your visit.
  
• Are you planning to visit other California theme parks? Consider getting the Southern California CityPass, which includes Sea World San Diego and offers considerable value.

Hotel Info:

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Sea World San Diego Features:

Sea World is both a marine life park, with compelling stadium shows and exhibits, and a ride park with a few attractions.

• The marine life highlights include:
  • The Shamu stadium show, "Believe," is Sea World's signature presentation. Combining choreographed stunts, music, video, and, of course, lots of splashes, the large-scale show matches the killer whale's size.
  • Shark Encounter sends guests through an acrylic tube into a giant shark tank to get up-close and personal with the fearsome animals.
  • Penguin Encounter offers views of the Arctic creatures. As a bonus for guests who visit on a hot California day, the exhibit is kept at a penguin-worthy 30 degrees.
  • At California Tide Pool and Rocky Point Preserve, guests can view, pet, and feed the animals.
• The ride and attraction highlights include:
  • Journey to Atlantis- A hybrid water ride/roller coaster.
  • Wild Arctic- A ride/exhibit hybrid, the attraction "transports" guests to the Arctic with a nifty motion simulator ridefilm and then offers a chilly view of real polar bears and whales.
  • Shipwreck Rapids- A river raft ride that's designed to get riders soaked .
  • Families with younger children will want to check out the pint-sized rides, such as Elmo’s Flying Fish.

Official Web Site:

Sea World San Diego

Sea World San Diego Overview:

Unlike the San Antonio and Orlando parks, the original SeaWorld is at least near the ocean. Like the other parks, Shamu and his killer whale pals are the stars (man, that Shamu gets around!). Sharks, dolphins, sea lions, and other aquatic creatures get their moments in the California sun as well.

Sea World is a huge park with lots of shows, exhibits, rides, and things to do. If you've never been, you could easily spend two days exploring the park. (And Sea World often offers free second-day admission with a one-day ticket. Check with the park to see if it is available.) If you have limited time at Sea World, take a few moments to get a sense of the lay of the land, note the times of the shows, and plan a rough itinerary before you wander aimlessly into the park. During peak season, the park often presents nighttime Shamu shows and an evening show with fireworks. Check the schedule.

The park offers lots of extra-fee experiences, some of which include a dolphin encounter and other opportunities that allow guests to get closer to the animals. Check with SeaWorld for info, reservation details, and prices for activities such as behind-the-scenes tours, VIP tours, and animal interaction programs.

There are plenty of dining choices, and like the other Busch parks, the food is mostly pretty good. SeaWorld also offers special dining experiences such as a dine with Shamu experience (Oddly, the buffet includes "Seafood Creole." Ew! Don't tell Shamu.), and a character breakfast with the Sesame Street gang. Make reservations well in advance for these popular choices.