Due to the present public health situation, this event has been postponed to a future date, yet to be determined.
2nd Annual Port Of San Diego Festival Of The Sea returns To Waterfront Memorial Day Weekend May 23-25, 2020 at Maritime Museum of San Diego
Maritime Museum of San Diego, home to one of the world’s finest collections of historic vessels, exhibits, and on-the-water adventure guest experiences, will host the region’s second annual Port of San Diego Festival of the Sea on Memorial Day weekend, Saturday through Monday, May 23-25, 2020. Festival of the Sea is produced by the Maritime Museum of San Diego and sponsored by the Port of San Diego as part of its Tidelands Activation Program (TAP), an annual grant initiative that sponsors large and small events that engage the community and inspire visitors to enjoy San Diego Bay.
The Port of San Diego Festival of the Sea takes place aboard the historic vessels only found at the Maritime Museum of San Diego Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 23-25, 2020 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. General admission ticket prices apply for the Memorial Day weekend at $20.00 for adults, teens 13-17/military/seniors 62+ $15.00, and children 12 and under $10.00. Group rates will not apply for Festival of the Sea Memorial Day weekend.
Raymond Ashley, Ph.D., K.C.I., President/CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego is enthusiastic about the new annual tradition. “Visitors to Maritime Museum of San Diego Memorial Day weekend have so much more in-store and included with their general admission. For our 2nd annual event, we have added even more entertainment, educational activities and refreshment options that will allow the public to spend a longer time on the waterfront with family and friends.”
“The Port of San Diego is proud to sponsor Festival of the Sea, now in its second year. This wonderful and unique Memorial Day weekend event on San Diego Bay provides the opportunity for visitors to learn about and experience maritime culture and history in our region and beyond,” said Chair Ann Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners.
2020 Port of San Diego Festival of the Sea gives everyone a taste of the museum experience. General admission Maritime Museum of San Diego tickets include:
- Freedom to tour all Museum restored historic vessels including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, the 1863 iron-hulled sailing ship Star of India, 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley, British navy frigate replica HMS Surprise, topsail schooner Californian, 1542 galleon replica San Salvador, 1914 steam yacht Medea, PCF 816 Swift boat, 1914 San Diego Harbor Pilot boat, USS Dolphin and B-39 Soviet Naval submarines plus dozens of fascinating exhibits below deck
For Festival of the Sea weekend only, the Museum offers:
- Weekend live entertainment and music aboard Star of India including popular maritime groups performing “Songs of the Sea” concert Saturday, May 23, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and live bands continuing the fun Saturday and Sunday evening, May 23 and 24 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- A new unique shipboard Star of India Tween Deck Pub will be open Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. featuring cash bar for adults 21 and up
- Monday, Memorial Day, May 25 local Classic Rock quartet favorite, Paul Hartley & The Chiefs return to perform on the Star of India main deck from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- A daily fun-filled Education Zone for kids will be open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. aboard the Historic Landmark steam ferryboat Berkeley offering artistic activities for kids including miniature wooden ship building, learning your signal flags, sea creature and ship coloring, student STEAM project fair, and storytelling. A delicious cookie-decorating station will also available for a small additional charge.
- Special Guest Lecture: Travel with Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet Through Postcards. On Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 4:30, guests will travel with Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet of sixteen battleships through colored postcards as they cruised around the world from 1907-1909. Author Leslie Compton will talk about the development of postcards, the reason for this cruise, the political climate at the time, the animals aboard the ships, and some of the unexpected mishaps; while focusing on their visit to Southern California.
- Chamber music concert treat presented by The Hausmann Quartet performing Sunday, May 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the McKinney deck of the Berkeley
- Entrance to the Berkeley Bar refreshment station open daily 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
On-the-water adventures
Festival of the Sea general admission tickets are not included with the following boating activities presented by the Maritime Museum of San Diego:
Adventure calls for all that want to partake in an exciting Gun Battle between the state’s official tall ship schooner Californian and the 136’ two-masted, gaff-rigged schooner Bill of Rights. Tickets are $25 for 12 and under and $40.00 for ages 13 and over Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 23, 24 and 25 boarding guests at 10:30 a.m. for the 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. gun battle and boarding at 2:00 p.m. for the 2:30 p.m to 5:00 p.m. gun battle. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Click here to purchase tickets.
For those longing to enjoy evenings on the Bay, the Museum will also offer an elegant 3-hour sunset cruise experience aboard the galleon replica San Salvador with check in at 4:00 p.m. returning to the dock at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24. Tickets are $59.00 per person. A no-host bar (cash only) will also be on board. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Click here to purchase tickets.
Boarded! A Pirate Adventure, an unforgettable theatrical boating experience, will also be offered Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 for guests 5 and up. Guests can choose from two 90-minute performances staged aboard the galleon replica, San Salvador. Check-in for shows will be at 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. This hilarious interactive show puts visitors right in the middle of the pirate action. Participants will be sworn in as part of the ship crew, trained how to navigate, sword fight, bail from a sinking ship, escape from the King’s jail, swab the deck and other pirate skills. San Salvador does leave the dock for this experience, sails are not set. Tickets are $40.00 for adults and $25.00 for 12 and under. Young guests 12 and under can also participate in a fun costume contest. The winner will receive a $20.00 gift certificate to shop at the Museum Gift Shop following the sail. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Click here to purchase tickets.
Thirty-minute narrated Bay tours will also be available on the Museum’s engine-powered vintage vessels Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for only an additional $10 with general admission ticket purchase.
Maritime Museum of San Diego is located at Star of India Wharf between Grape and Ash on the North Embarcadero at 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-3309. For more information and tickets guests may visit sdmaritime.org
or call 619.234.9153 ext. 101.
Schedule & Events, subject to change.
About the Maritime Museum of San Diego
The Maritime Museum of San Diego experience includes admission to a world-class collection of historic sailing ships, steam-powered boats, and submarines, each offering entertaining and educational exhibits. The 501c3 non-profit Museum enjoys an international reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining, and operating historic vessels including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, Star of India. Maritime Museum of San Diego is ranked as one of the nation’s top attractions offering self-guided tours, docent guided-group tours, tall ship charters, year round public events, educational programs, and a distinctive venue for corporate/private events. The Museum is open daily along Star of India Wharf at 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-3309.
About The Port Of San Diego’s Tidelands Activation Program
Port of San Diego Experiences includes the Tidelands Activation Program (TAP). TAP awards grant funds and waives service fees to community organizations for public events along the waterfront that connect visitors and residents to new cultures and vibrant activities. Artistic and cultural exhibitions, along with exclusive interactive installations inspire visitors and residents to push the boundaries of creativity. Additionally, Port Experiences sponsors and hosts events across San Diego Bay, including organized runs, parades, cultural festivals, concerts and more.