By: Coleen Gomez, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
San Diego is a beautiful vacation destination all on its own, so what else can you do to make your trip even better? Book a Disney Cruise, of course! If you are thinking about booking a cruise out of San Diego you have made a fantastic vacation decision!
2012 was the first year a Disney ship sailed from San Diego. That is also the year my first child was born. I always had my heart set on taking a Disney Cruise with my family, and I will never forget the time we made it happen! I have sailed on a Disney Cruise twice from San Diego within the last year and had a wonderful time on each sailing. Not only are the ports of call great, but there is so much to do in San Diego before and after your cruise. Here are my top 5 recommended things to do in San Diego to add on to your cruise vacation experience.
You must visit the “World Famous" San Diego Zoo when you come to San Diego. It's located at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. The Zoo is about 4 miles away from the Port of San Diego. It is home to over 3,500 animals from around the world and is close to 100 acres right in the city's heart. The Zoo is an excellent half to full-day experience for everyone. My kids love the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. I prefer to hang out watching the Gorillas play. Head in early while the weather is cooler, and the animals are most active. You can also grab a bit to eat at Albert’s Restaurant located in the heart of the Lost Forest. I also recommend riding the Skyfari to get back to the front of the park and enjoy the city views.
SeaWorld San Diego is located at 500 SeaWorld Dr., San Diego, CA 92109 which is about 5 miles from the Port of San Diego. Here you can catch the famous Orca encounter show where you learn about these fantastic creatures, and see some of their fun tricks! The Dolphin Adventure show is one of my favorite shows, and you can also book an up close encounter with them. Don’t forget to check out the newest coaster “Emperor”! This is California’s tallest and fastest dive coaster that plummets you 14 stories facedown! My favorite thing to do here is to hop on the Sky Tower which is a circular room that rotates 360 degrees and shows off the city of San Diego. It is located in the heart of Mission Bay which is the largest man made aquatic park. Don’t forget to drive a few blocks more blocks west to check out the famous Belmont park and ride the Giant Dipper roller coaster. This is the second surviving wooden roller coaster on the west coast. Hang on tight, it’s a bumpy ride!
Oldtown is known as the birthplace of modern-day California, where Father Serra established the very first Mission in 1769. Yes, you can find plenty of shopping and dining in this very popular tourist area, but what I find the most appealing is the history and historical buildings surrounding these streets. Here you can find San Diego first courthouse, which was built in the 1870s. The Mason Streetschool house was built in 1865. My favorite building however, is La Casa de Estudillo which was an adobe-style home built in the 1820s. Make sure you go inside all of the buildings and check out the antiques and see how people lived in the past. If you’re looking for good Mexican food and margarita’s there are plenty of options on every corner. My favorite restaurant in the area is Casa Guadalajara.
If you have just a few hours to kill and want to stay close to the port or your hotel, the waterfront park is a great way to pass the time and enjoy the urban scenery. Kids can enjoy running and splashing around in the large water fountain while you enjoy some snacks from the snack bar, and food trucks. A short stroll south from the waterfront park and you come upon the USS Midway, a retired Naval aircraft carrier. If you have time I do recommend taking the museum/exhibit tour. A bit more south and you will find yourself at Seaport Village which is a fun area to grab a bit to eat, ride the carousel, or simply take a walk along the beautiful bay. Don't have kids? The Gaslamp Quarter is where you’ll want to be before or after your cruise! It is known for its nightlife and dining. There is a wide variety of local restaurants and some of your favorite restaurant chains such as well. My favorite after-hours hot spot is Shout House which is a dueling piano bar. Whatever scene you are into it can be found here.
I know, I know...Disneyland is not in San Diego, but you’re going on a Disney Cruise and Disneyland is only an hour and a half away. You pretty much have to go! There are many car rental locations and parking garages located in the area so you can easily get to and from these two destinations. I have been on land and sea Disney vacations on both coasts, and my advice is the same in both locations, always go to the parks first! Your feet will thank you for it! There is nothing like a land-and-sea Disney vacation, it’s a perfect combination of fun and relaxation, and your travel agent can help you make it easy!
Reach out to your favorite Marvelous Mouse Travels vacation planner to help you plan the very best vacation to suit your needs. Our planning services are 100% free!
