SeaWorld San Diego is so much more than a large, popular animal theme park. It is also an outside aquarium, oceanarium, and marine animal rehabilitation center. SeaWorld San Diego has been delighting people of all ages for years.
While SeaWorld San Diego is a fantastic attraction, there are also several other fantastic things to see and do nearby. Visit the beach, lounge in an urban park, stroll through Old Town San Diego, and visit a haunted museum.
No matter which activities you decide to check out, you will want to find suitcase storage in the area. Don’t dragging bulky bags with you as you explore SeaWorld San Diego and other great attractions close by. There is so much to see!
Belmont Park
This historic amusement park is in the Mission Bay area and is only about six minutes from SeaWorld San Diego. Belmont Park first opened in 1925 and was originally known as the Mission Beach Amusement Center.
It is free to enter Belmont Park but it does cost to play the games and ride the rides. You just have to buy tickets at the different ticket booths throughout the park. When you visit, head straight for the Giant Dipper, the historic roller coaster!
Grab a bite to eat at the Cannonball Restaurant or one of the other little eateries in the park then play arcade games and carnival games as well as laser tag and mini-golf. Before heading home, order a gigantic ice cream cone and look out over the ocean.
Mission Beach
Mission Beach is only about a two-minute walk from Belmont Park and only about six minutes from SeaWorld San Diego. Stroll along the boardwalk and look out over the sandy beach and sparkling ocean.
Mission Beach just happens to be one of the most popular San Diego beaches and is the perfect place to stretch out and enjoy a day in the Southern California sun. Rent a beach chair and umbrella for a day of lounging or rent a surfboard or boogie board.
When lifeguards are on duty you can take a dip in the ocean. Sit back and watch beach games or join in the fun; maybe start a spirited game of volleyball or build a sandcastle with the kids. Remember to bring plenty of sunscreen when you visit the beach.
Ocean Front Walk
The Ocean Front Walk is a beach boardwalk that covers about three miles and stretches between the Pacific Beach and South Mission Beach neighborhoods. The boardwalk is a great place for a leisurely walk or a morning jog.
Keep an eye out for skateboarders and inline skaters; they tend to whiz right by. You can even rent a beach cruiser and helmet for safety from Mission Beach Surf Rentals and enjoy gliding along the Ocean Front Walk.
There is always something going on when you visit the Ocean Front Walk from street performers to artists to vendors, this happening area is a great place to visit. Visit the boardwalk for epic sunset or sunrise views when you are in the neighborhood.
Old Town San Diego
Located only about ten minutes from SeaWorld San Diego, Old Town San Diego is one of the best places to explore when you are in the city. Filled with old-world charm, there is something for everyone.
Sit down to a fantastic meal of authentic Mexican cuisine and don’t forget to order a margarita to help you unwind. Visit some of the quaint shops and museums and search for fun and unique souvenirs and gifts.
Old Town San Diego has been called the birthplace of California and is where the first of 21 missions were founded by Father Junípero Serro in 1769. Many of the missions and museums in the area are free to explore.
Whaley House Museum
This rather unique historical landmark was built in 1857 and is located in Old Town San Diego. The Whaley House Museum was once the home of the Thomas Whaley family. The actual house sits on an ancient graveyard and has served many purposes.
The Whaley House has been a general store, San Diego’s first commercial theater, and even served as the count’s courthouse. The house has a sordid past as well including the suicide of Violet Whaley, the daughter of Thomas and Anna Whaley.
When the house served as a courthouse, gallows were set up in the backyard and several executions by hanging were carried out. The Whaley House was listed as the most haunted house in the U.S. by the Travel Channel’s America’s Most Haunted.
It is said the ghost of Thomas Whaley has been seen wandering through the house. Others have sighted the ghost of Violet Whaley in the upstairs rooms and several of the criminals that were hanged have also been spotted by museum visitors.
Junípero Serro Museum
Head over to Presidio Park, a short car ride from SeaWorld San Diego, and visit the Junípero Serro Museum. The museum sits just above Old Town San Diego and is an iconic landmark is named after Father Junípero Serro.
There are many amazing exhibits; one of the most popular relates the stories of real people who helped found San Diego and their struggles to survive in this untamed and harsh land. Photos and letters along with artifacts from their daily lives are on display.
The museum is housed in the Presidio, one of the first European settlements in the San Diego area. It was also an active military garrison where soldiers were housed in the church and Presidio from 1769 until 1835.
Aside from spending a few hours or even an entire day at SeaWorld San Diego, there are so many fun, interesting, educational, and exciting places to visit within the same area; many in the same neighborhood.
You may even want to find time to see the La Jolla seals and sea lions. Spend a few minutes or hours at the Children’s Pool Beach where you are most likely to see the seals and sea lions as they come ashore.
Whether you are spending time with family or friends, there is something for everyone in San Diego. Enjoy a trip to this popular destination and check out all the wonderful attractions and places near SeaWorld San Diego.