Cliff note version (until county/state/fed rules change): Visiting the museum; If you are un-vaccinated masks are required. If you are vaccinated, masks are optional, but encouraged. Recommend keeping a mask with you, in-case masks become a requirement for all, on the day of your visit. Unless noted otherwise per event.
Subject to change, thank you for your cooperation.
Indoor Exhibits, Below Deck Galleries Reopen At Maritime Museum Of San Diego, June 15
Affordable Narrated Bay Tour Experiences Continued with General Admission
SAN DIEGO, CA – Maritime Museum of San Diego, serving as the community memory of our seafaring experience by collecting, preserving, and presenting our rich maritime heritage and historic connections with the Pacific world, will reopen indoor exhibits, below ship deck galleries and the USS Dolphin submarine Tuesday, June 15, 2021. The Museum is open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entrance to all exhibits are included in general admission, with Maritime Museum Bay Boat tours only an additional $10.00 or $15.00 per person. The Maritime Museum Gift Store located on the lower deck of the steam ferry Berkeley will also reopen 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. featuring Father’s Day gift ideas and maritime treasures for all ages.
Raymond Ashley, Ph.D., K.C.I., President/CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego states, “We are thrilled to reopen our indoor visitor areas after temporary closure of these popular spaces for fifteen months to comply with state guidelines during the pandemic. Thanks to our generous donors, members, community of supporters, dedicated staff and volunteers, we have survived this pandemic and together eager to welcome back local San Diego and visitors’ alike to our immersive waterfront experience.” He adds, “Nested below deck are hidden historical treasure stops taking visitors back in time. The Museum’s below deck gallery space cannot be seen by visitors when looking at the fleet from the embarcadero. These are truly unseen treasures worth a visit.” Permanent exhibits found as visitors move from ship to ship include San Diego’s Naval History, Harvesting the Ocean, Age of Steam, Age of Sail, Charting the Sea, Wind and Water Photography, Man-of-War, and Wish You Were Here postcard and photography display.
Exhibits reopened include fascinating galleries and maritime artifact and photographic displays found throughout the fleet including aboard the iconic and world’s oldest sailing ship the 1863 Star of India, 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley, Navy Frigate replica H.M.S. Surprise, Spanish galleon replica San Salvador, Official Tall ship of the state, Californian, 1904 Steam yacht Medea, and USS Dolphin submarine. The Russian Foxtrot class attack submarine B-39 remains closed. Adventures Sails will resume this summer. Details to be announced.
Daily 45-minute narrated Historic Bay Cruises aboard the 1914 San Diego Harbor Pilot boat are only $10.00 per person and weekend only 75-minute Naval History Bay Tours aboard the Vietnam-era US Naval PCF 816 Swift Boat are only $15.00 with purchase of general admission.
Check-in for Historic Bay Cruises are 11:00 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Check-in for Naval History Bay Tours are Saturdays and Sundays at 12:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Bay Boat tour reservations can be made by customers upon arriving at the Museum when purchasing general admission passes from the Ticket Booth or online in advance at tickets, while supplies last. Guests may enjoy these popular, educational boat tours before or after they explore the Maritime Museum.
General admission tickets are $20.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors 62+, military and ages 13-17, children 12 and under $10.00 and can be purchased at the Museum Ticket booth daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. located on the north embarcadero at 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-3309. Credit/Debit cards may be used to purchase tickets at the Museum Ticket Booth located on the embarcadero, or online at tickets. Cash transactions are not available.
Additional sanitation, disinfection and cleaning procedures will continue even with the lift of state health guidelines. For visitor convenience, the Museum has invested in additional hand sanitizer dispensaries available for use before and after touching handrails.
Located at Star of India Wharf, the Maritime Museum of San Diego is a collection of historic vessels moored together dockside along the north embarcadero between Grape and Ash Streets located at 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-3309. For more information, to make a donation or learn more about the restoration projects underway, visit sdmaritime.org.
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.
