What to See at the Maritime Museum of San Diego

A Journey Through Centuries of Maritime History

If you’re a fan of water sports, be sure to visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego. The variety of ships and exhibits showcasing different stages of maritime history will leave you amazed. Discover how humanity’s connection with the ocean has shaped civilizations and influenced the future of seafaring. The museum allows you to explore all types of historical vessels, from sailing ships to submarines, including the world’s oldest active ship, Star of India. Guided tours provide insight into the craftsmanship and skills necessary for sailors.

We recommend leaving your shorts and flip-flops at home — here, you'll need pants and sturdy shoes to navigate the narrow and low corridors of the ships with ease. Along with the tours, you’ll find several permanent exhibits that delve deep into San Diego’s maritime heritage. Tour prices and availability depend on the vessel, so be sure to check the website for more information.

In the article below, we outline the museum’s exhibits and the tours available.

The Museum’s Collection: From Ancient Vessels to Modern Ships

When it first opened in 1948, the museum centered around a single historic vessel — the Star of India. Built in 1863, the Star of India made her maiden voyage on November 14 of that same year. Over the years, the ship sailed from the UK to India, and later to New Zealand.

After many challenging voyages, the ship retired and was acquired by maritime enthusiasts. Today, the vessel is a designated historical landmark. Fully restored, it is lovingly maintained and sails at least once a year. The Maritime Museum of San Diego boasts five permanent exhibits:

• The Age of Sail.
• The Age of Steam.
• Mapping the Seas.
• Harvesting the Ocean.
• San Diego’s Navy.

These exhibits highlight the rise and fall of commercial fishing and explore how San Diego evolved into the largest naval base in the Pacific. Particularly noteworthy is the exhibit "Tattoos and Scrimshaw: Maritime Art," which explores the connection between tattoos and maritime service. Out of the eleven ships housed by the Maritime Museum, visitors can tour three.

Interactive Exhibits and Educational Programs

The Maritime Museum of San Diego is renowned for its educational programs and interactive exhibits, making visits enjoyable for all ages. Young visitors can participate in maritime workshops where they’ll learn how ships were built in the past and even try their hand at tying maritime knots.

For those interested in science, the museum offers engaging lectures and demonstrations on marine biology, ocean exploration, and the latest technologies used in maritime navigation.

What to See

The museum features four sailing ships:

• Star of India — the world’s oldest active sailing ship, which has sailed around the globe more than 20 times.
• Californian — the only official tall ship of the state. It is a replica of an 1847 model that once patrolled the coast during the Gold Rush.
• HMS Surprise — an authentic replica of a 24-gun British frigate, used in the film Master and Commander.
• San Salvador — currently under construction in San Diego Bay, visitors can observe the progress firsthand.

The 1898 steam ferry Berkeley and the 1904 steam yacht Medea are also significant attractions. The Berkeley houses a museum, a shop, event space, and a library.

Two submarines also make a notable contribution to the museum:

• B-39 — a diesel-electric Soviet-era submarine that played a significant role in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
• USS Dolphin — the world’s deepest-diving submarine, still in service today, primarily for testing and deep-sea research.

The museum’s mission is simple: to preserve San Diego’s maritime heritage by telling its story. A visit to the Maritime Museum offers an experience you can’t get anywhere else.