City Guides: Things to do While Boating in San Diego, California
Located between Long Beach to the north and Tijuana at the Mexican border, San Diego sits in a sunny location along the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay. The Southern California city offers a variety of lakes, parks and beaches as well as family-friendly attractions, harbor cruises and cultural sites.
Whether you’re in town for a week, spending time at a private boat lift rental or just passing through, you’re gonna want to check out some of these San Diego attractions.
SeaWorld San Diego
Photo: SeaWorld San Diego (Facebook)
When you’re looking for a day away from a private boat dock for rent, but you still want to be around water, we’ve got the perfect solution. Spend the day riding roller coasters, watching animal presentations and visiting sea lions, penguins, dolphins, sharks, rays, eels and more at SeaWorld San Diego.
Interactive exhibits include touch pools, tide pools and bat ray pools. You can also take behind-the-scenes tours where you’ll get up close with beluga whales, pilot whales, penguins and sea lions. Don’t miss seasonal and special events such as Christmas, Halloween and craft beer festivals.
Cabrillo National Monument
Photo: Wikimedia
Whale-watching, photography and hiking along the bay and ocean are all popular activities at Cabrillo National Monument. The monument, which is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in San Diego Bay in 1542 (it was the first time a European expedition came to the West Coast of the U.S.).
The Cape Cod-style Old Point Loma Lighthouse (1855) offers great views of the ocean, mountains, Mexico and more. It’s now a museum and open for climbing. The New Point Loma Lighthouse was built after the old one closed in 1891. Explore the beachfront tide pools for anemones, abalone shells, starfish and barnacles. Be sure to check out the Visitor’s Center and gift shop before heading back to a private boat lift for rent.
San Diego Zoo
Photo: Pixabay
A fun spot for the whole crew, the San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park, a 1,400-acre park with art galleries, museums, trails and gardens. Check out giraffes, kangaroos, rhinos, capybaras, marine animals and more as well as a wide variety of plants that includes palms, ferns, flowers, trees and grasses. Before you head back to a private boat lift rental, be sure to explore the rest of Balboa Park. You can also visit the zoo’s sister park, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, in nearby Escondido.
USS Midway Museum
Photo: USS Midway Museum (Facebook)
Located at Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway Museum is the former aircraft carrier Midway. It’s now a museum and open to the public. It features more than 30 restored aircraft on 10 acres. Exhibits include World War II aircraft, helicopters and propeller planes as well as below deck displays, crew decks and admiral’s quarters.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Photo: Wikimedia
The rugged landscape of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the perfect setting for a family adventure from a private boat dock rental in San Diego. With 500 miles of dirt roads and miles and miles of hiking trails, it’s California’s largest state park. Activities include camping, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Explore the park for scenes of wildflowers, cacti, palm trees, roadrunners, bighorn sheep, iguanas and mule deer.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Photo: Maritime Museum of San Diego (Facebook)
Visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego to explore exhibits on sea monster myths, vintage maritime postcard art, model ships, wind and water (sailboats) photography, sea charting and the ages of sail and steam. Walk along the decks of the Star of India, the world’s oldest sailing ship, as well as ships such as the Navy frigate replica HMS Surprise (featured in the film Master and Commander), the San Salvador, the steam ferry Berkeley, the steam yacht Medea and the 555 US Dolphin submarine. This is one attraction the maritime history buffs in your crew won’t want to miss.
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
Photo: Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala (Wikimedia)
Add a new site to your National Historic Landmark bucket list. Founded in 1769, the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala was the first Franciscan mission in California (when it was a province of New Spain). It features a stunning exterior of sparkling white brick and adobe with an arched entry. This building was built between 1808 and 1813. The area offers a peaceful atmosphere and terrific views of Old Town.
Are you ready to sail to San Diego? Let’s go! We hope you’ve found some attractions and activities to add to your San Diego itinerary the next time you’re in town or staying at a private boat dock for rent.
