Best Attractions near the Cruise Port in San Diego

Hornblower Cruises in San Diego can handle everything from weddings to birthday parties to just a nice evening for two out on the San Diego Bay. Dinner cruises depart nightly and last for 3 hours. Cruises leave from San Diego Grape Street pier at 6:30pm, which is within walking distance of a number of downtown hotels. Not to worry if you have the kids in tow, there's a menu for them, too. Hornblower has a fleet of seven ships. The dinner cruise boat, Lord Hornblower, is inspired by designs of historic steamships. Book wildlife excursions such as whale watching and more.

Don't leave San Diego without visiting the Cabrillo National Monument, perched high on the cliffs at the end of the Pt. Loma peninsula. You'll be awed by the spectacular view onto San Diego Bay, downtown San Diego, and the mountains looming beyond the skyline. Pose for a photo in front of the massive statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the Portuguese explorer who sailed into port under the Spanish flag in 1542. A museum, run by the National Park Service, tells the story of San Diego's discovery through films and displays. Wander through the Old Pt. Loma Lighthouse, built in 1854, to see how life was then for the lighthouse keeper and his family.

The New Children's Museum re-opened in 2008 with a motto of think, play and create, which is exactly what kids do here. What is different about The New Children's Museum is that they specifically commission works of art with tactile features that appeal to kids rather than re-create existing art to suit a younger generation. The hands-on art and exhibits hold the attention of toddlers and teens who can climb the Trojan horse, build stuff with blocks or drop into an art class. The 50,000 square foot environmentally-sustainable building has an open yet clean feel. Family memberships are a good deal at $80 for the year.

If it's major league baseball time, why not grab some tickets to a Padres home game at PETCO park if they're in town? Not only does PETCO park have the best sight lines in baseball, there's also great views of San Diego from some spots. Innovative design features make it an intimate sports viewing environment and there are also state-of-the-art amenities to suit fans of any budget. Tailgating prior to games is permitted on a limited basis so check PETCO Park's website for details. Driving and parking at the game is relatively easy with 9000 spots designated specifically for Padres fans. The ballpark is operated in an eco-friendly manner due to the Padres' commitment to green practices.

Quite possibly the largest tour company in San Diego, Another Side Of San Diego Tours can customize any itinerary you'd like from shopping tours to VIP helicopter or hot air balloon tours. They've got wine tasting, horseback riding, hiking, skydiving, fishing and more already organized tours than we could possibly list. If you've always wanted to try out a Segway, their tours are ranked number one on TripAdvisor. The company is run by highly-trained travel agents and they have a long list of corporate clients. They even have tours that cover San Diego through Los Angeles and back for those who want a long day trip.

Need to grab some San Diego souvenirs? Seaport Village is an entertainment complex located on the waterfront in downtown San Diego. Full of casual dining from sit-down steak and seafood at Edgewater Grill to a casual bag of popcorn to-go from a vendor, there's a lot to choose from. Bay views are also abundant. The shops are geared toward tourists with souvenirs and trinkets galore, but if you need to bring home something that says "San Diego" on it, this is your place. There's plenty of live entertainment from musicians to balloon artists. Kids will love the old historic carousel. Check the event calendar online especially around the holidays to see what's on tap here.

The orange and green trolleys have been touring San Diego for over 20 years. Trolleys depart every 30 minutes from 11 stops (covering over 100 points of interest), so guests can hop on and off at their leisure. The trolleys are eco-friendly as they run on propane. You can start and end your trolley tour at any stop. It was also voted the best way to see the city by the online version of San Diego's major newspaper. The trolley map is on their website, should you want to plan your day in advance. During the fall, there's even a ghost tour focusing on haunted ships and cemeteries.

This is San Diego's only bus-boat amphibious tour. You start out on land at Seaport Village, traversing bayside roads as you listen to interesting and witty commentary about San Diego history, wildlife, the military and more. Then the Coast Guard-approved vehicle dives into the bay for a look at the highlights from a different perspective. It's fun for the whole family. Tours last about 90 minutes and are fully-narrated. Interestingly enough, the tour spots more sea lions than seals. Do book in advance to avoid disappointment. The tour is 90 minutes long and residents can go for free with a paid adult if they have the Hometown Pass.

The Maritime Museum is home to one world's most impressive collections of historic ships. The Star of India (1863) is the oldest active ship in the world. The Berkeley is an 1898 steam ferryboat. The tall ship Californian was built for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and was subsequently named the official state tall ship. Medea is a steam yacht dating to 1904. For 82 years, the Pilot (1914) was the official pilot boat for ships entering and leaving San Diego Bay. The HMS Surprise is a replica of an 18th century Royal Navy frigate that was used in the film Master and Commander. Additionally, there are five galleries of exhibits detailing San Diego's Navy, Pirates of the Pacific, and other interesting topics.

Just a few minutes walk from the cruise port, the aircraft carrier USS Midway, which served from 1945-1992, offers a fascinating glimpse into life aboard a giant ship. Take the self-guided audio tour through the ship, then check out some two dozen aircraft on the flight deck and experience the simulator ride. Docents, some of whom served on the ship while it was active, are on board every day to answer questions and can occasionally be persuaded to relate a funny or interesting story or two. There are 29 restored aircraft on the ship as well as more than 60 exhibits and two flight simulators. There's also a cafe and a gift shop on board.