Recommended Experiences in San Diego

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What People are Saying

We were able to take a whale watching tour on the first day of the season and it was OUTSTANDING! My expectations were pretty low and figured we wouldn’t see any whales but instead, we saw about a dozen in the open water and even got to see them fluke several times for a deep dive. Incredible! - Maria Healey
I went on a dining cruise on Saturday Night with my husband, and it was a really awesome experience, the food was very delicious. I had the Salmon and my husband had the chicken, and we both had the cheese cake. The waiter and waitress were really nice and professional, also the host was always playing good music, and would also play what other people requested. Me and my husband had a very fun experience and we love it - Omicamy Myers
The experience is so good that I would to go again and again. I am huge fan of San Diego. You can see city's skyline. It is amazing. - Jaimeen Mehta

San Diego City Cruises Blog

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San Diego Whale Watching: Naturalist Notes – 7/4/25 – 7/12/25

July 14, 2025
San Diego Whale Sightings 7/4/25 – 7/12/25. Please find the Naturalist Notes for 7/4/25 – 7/12/25 from the onboard team of volunteer naturalists for our San Diego Whale & Dolphin
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San Diego Whale Watching: Naturalist Notes – 6/22/25-6/29/25

June 23, 2025
San Diego Whale Sightings 6/22/25 – 6/29/25. Please find the Naturalist Notes for 6/22/25 – 6/29/25 from the onboard team of volunteer naturalists for our San Diego Whale & Dolphin
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San Diego Whale Watching: Naturalist Notes – 4/11/25-4/12/25

April 15, 2025
San Diego Whale Sightings 4/11/25-4/12/25. Please find the Naturalist Notes for4/11/25-4/12/25 from the onboard team of volunteer naturalists for our San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventure: up-close views and educational
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San Diego Whale Watching: Naturalist Notes – 3/28/25-3/30/25

April 3, 2025
San Diego Whale Sightings 3/28/25 – 3/30/25. Please find the Naturalist Notes for 3/28/25 -3/30/35 from the onboard team of volunteer naturalists for our San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching
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San Diego Whale Watching: Naturalist Notes – 3/22/25-3/24/25

March 27, 2025
San Diego Whale Sightings 3/22/25 – 3/24/25. Please find the Naturalist Notes for 3/22/25 – 3/24/25 from the onboard team of volunteer naturalists for our San Diego Whale & Dolphin
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San Diego Whale Watching: Naturalist Notes – 3/15/25

March 20, 2025
San Diego Whale Sightings 3/15/25. Please find the Naturalist Notes for 3/15/25 – 3/16/25 from the onboard team of volunteer naturalists for our San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventure:
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Baseball Built on the Bay: The San Diego Padres

March 13, 2025
Since their inception in 1969, the San Diego Padres have been a staple of baseball, bringing passion and excitement to America’s Finest City. They have built a legacy filled with iconic players, thrilling moments, and an unwavering commitment to their...
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Women at the Helm: Celebrating International Women’s Day at Hornblower

March 6, 2025
  International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the achievements and contributions of women across every industry and community. It’s a day to recognize progress toward gender equality while
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San Diego Whale Watching: Naturalist Notes – 3/1/25

March 6, 2025
San Diego Whale Sightings 3/1/25. Please find the Naturalist Notes for the week of 3/1/25 from the onboard team of volunteer naturalists for our San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching
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San Diego Whale Watching: Naturalist Notes – 2/17/25 – 2/23/25

February 26, 2025
San Diego Whale Sightings 2/17/25 to 2/23/25. Please find the Naturalist Notes for the week of 2/17/25 to 2/23/25. from the onboard team of volunteer naturalists for our San Diego
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top cruises in San Diego?

More about the best boat tours in San Diego

The best boat tours in San Diego range from dining cruises to harbor tours and whale watching! San Diego is home to some of the best whale watching tours in the world. Dining cruises, including brunch and dinner, are also some of the most popular options. If interested in dining, a sunset dinner cruise on the San Diego Bay is truly unforgettable. You will get to see the skyline and enjoy a three-course meal as the sun sets. Not to mention the Coronado Bridge! For more sightseeing focused cruises, a tour of the harbor is a fantastic opportunity to soak in views and take lots of photos to share.

Are private boat charters in San Diego available?

They sure are! Examples of private boat charters include:

Which landmarks and famous sights can you see on a San Diego cruise?

On a San Diego cruise, you will experience some of San Diego’s most iconic landmarks. This includes the Coronado Bridge, Cabrillo National Monument, and the USS Midway Museum. You can also get a great view of the cityscape from your cruise ship. This is one of the best views you can find to see Downtown San Diego!