How to Visit SeaWorld San Diego
Purchase your SeaWorld tickets online (or over the phone) before visiting the park, particularly if you are visiting from outside the US., Preview the attractions in the park before your visit., Pack water, snacks, money and most importantly your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Purchase your SeaWorld tickets online (or over the phone) before visiting the park
This will save you time when you arrive at the park
- you won't have to wait in any queues at the ticket offices! -
Step 2: particularly if you are visiting from outside the US.
Try previewing each attraction or show on YouTube, or take a peek at the ride through photos from others.
Learn from what others see.
This can help decide which rides and attractions will take priority during your visit. ,, The address to SeaWorld is 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CAThe cost to park your car at the SeaWorld San Diego resort will run you about $16 for cars and upwards from there (depending on complexity of vehicle).. , SeaWorld San Diego doesn't have "lands" in the way that some theme parks do, but it has many prominent attractions to help you navigate through the park.
Follow the park outline by taking a left and follow clockwise around the park. , If you'd like to touch sting rays and other aquatic animals, this is the place to go.
This attraction was also built to commemorate SeaWorld's 50th Anniversary. , Get to know a lot more about his habit and a little more information about how powerful his fins really are.
Find out what times the Shamu show is showing on that particular day.
It normally only has a few shows per day.
Be careful of the Splash Zone at the Shamu zone.
Sit back in the upper deck if you don't want to get super soaked.
If you're game to get soaked, you can try out the bottom row of seats. , You'll be able to see dolphins and otters in these two little areas. , It's a wild ride, much like Grizzly Peak White Water Raft Ride at Disney's California Adventure park, Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom (Lake Buena Vista, FL), or Rio Loco at SeaWorld San Antonio. , Here you'll see a whole bunch of types of fishes in an aquarium-like setting. , Some of these are truly interesting, and highlight some really neat recycling projects. ,,,, To get there from the Manta roller coaster, you need to take a left.
It's a little ways up, but the ride is cool and relatively easy and can definitely take a load off of any tired feet that may exist. , If you've caught the Bat Ray feeding and have taken in SkyTower as well, you'll most likely have missed the Sea Lion's feeding.
But if your timing is just right, you can catch them in the act! , You can catch the Otter show here. , You'll learn a lot about the solitary life of a flamingo and its biome.
There are two places you can see flamingoes.
The other one is to the one side of Animal connections near the Dippin Dot's Sundae Shop on the other side of the Arctic Plaza. (Arctic Plaza is a special events-only area across from Pets Stadium down a small pathway). ,, This Skyride is an out-and-back skyride that takes you out over the Bay and back around and back to the entrance house. , Look at how these clean fish and aquatic creatures live in such a secluded place. , Young children might be afraid of the sharks, but for most, this is an interesting stop. , It's definitely a less scary exhibit! ,, You'll be able to see many different turtles up close. , Although the ride vehicles look like life-boats, and the center column has an aquatic feel and a blue painted floor, it's actually not a boat.
If possible, take in at least one preview, as there are some differences between other Scrambler rides and this ride. , It is only open as a special events venue seating area. , Get a good glimpse of the habitat of a penguin.
This exhibit is walk-through and is exactly like the former Penguin Encounter at SeaWorld Orlando. , This is one area that is not to be missed. , Much like Universal's Animal Actors at Universal Studios Hollywood, this show is super funny and a good time for all. , Ride the Journey to Atlantis log-flume for an out-of-this-world experience. , This building offers a walk-through exhibit, so no need to fear you'll be taken quickly through this
- it's completely at your pace, and you can take your time. , It's official entrance is near Dolphin Treasures and directly across from Pinapple Pete's Island Eats and nearby Dolphin Stadium.
Take in SeaWorld's version of the teacup ride at Abby's Sea Star Spin in the Sesame Street Bay of Play area.
Ride the hub-and-spoke ride styled to Elmo's world at Elmo's Flying Fish ride.
Push the lever up to raise the fish high and release it down to descend downwards again.
Ride the rather tame version of a pirate ship-like ride at Oscar's Rockin Eel ride. -
Step 3: Preview the attractions in the park before your visit.
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Step 4: Pack water
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Step 5: snacks
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Step 6: money and most importantly your park tickets before you leave for the park that day!
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Step 7: Drive and park to the parking lot at SeaWorld SanDiego.
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Step 8: Look at the set up of SeaWorld San Diego as you enter through the turnstiles.
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Step 9: Take in the Explorer's Reef section of the park
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Step 10: just in front of you as you enter the park.
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Step 11: Watch Shamu (the icon of SeaWorld) at the Shamu Show (in One Ocean) at Shamu Stadium here.
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Step 12: Exit out of the stadium and head towards Dolphin Point and Otter Outlook (what you'll see in back of the Shamu screen several yards away).
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Step 13: Head towards Shipwreck Rapids
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Step 14: if you like whitewater rafting rides.
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Step 15: Pass in back and over top Aquaria: World of Fishes exhibit.
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Step 16: Look at some of the Washed Ashore Sculptures.
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Step 17: Take a right outside of the Washed Ashore Sculptures and head towards Manta and the Bat Ray Feeding area
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Step 18: if skyrides don't thrill you.
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Step 19: Catch feeding time at the Bat Ray exhibit
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Step 20: if you find yourself there at the right time.
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Step 21: Ride the Manta roller coaster.
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Step 22: Look at the park from the SkyTower.
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Step 23: Pass by the Sea Lion feeding.
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Step 24: Head up towards the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium.
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Step 25: Watch the flamingoes at the Flamingo exhibit just outside of the Mission Bay Theater.
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Step 26: Take in a few minutes of the theatrical performance (if one is showing) at the Mission Bay Theater.
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Step 27: Ride the Bayside Skyride at this point.
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Step 28: Take a look into the Freshwater Aquarium.
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Step 29: Walk through the Shark Encounter exhibit.
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Step 30: Take a look at the Turtle Reef just around the corner from the Shark Encounter.
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Step 31: Watch the SeaWorld's dolphin show called Dolphin Days at Dolphin Stadium.
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Step 32: Check out the turtles in the Turtle Trek exhibit.
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Step 33: Head towards Riptide Rescue
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Step 34: if you like "Scrambler-like" rides.
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Step 35: Skip the Nautilus Pavilion area unless you're attending a special event.
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Step 36: View the Penguin Encounter area of SeaWorld San Diego.
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Step 37: See the polar bears up close in the Wild Arctic exhibit.
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Step 38: Take in the funny show at Pets Stadium.
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Step 39: Head down towards the Journey into the Atlantis area near the tip of the bottom of the park.
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Step 40: Connect with several different types of animals at the Animal Connections building.
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Step 41: Have your kids play with Sesame Street and the gang in the Sesame Street Bay of Play.
Detailed Guide
This will save you time when you arrive at the park
- you won't have to wait in any queues at the ticket offices!
Try previewing each attraction or show on YouTube, or take a peek at the ride through photos from others.
Learn from what others see.
This can help decide which rides and attractions will take priority during your visit. ,, The address to SeaWorld is 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CAThe cost to park your car at the SeaWorld San Diego resort will run you about $16 for cars and upwards from there (depending on complexity of vehicle).. , SeaWorld San Diego doesn't have "lands" in the way that some theme parks do, but it has many prominent attractions to help you navigate through the park.
Follow the park outline by taking a left and follow clockwise around the park. , If you'd like to touch sting rays and other aquatic animals, this is the place to go.
This attraction was also built to commemorate SeaWorld's 50th Anniversary. , Get to know a lot more about his habit and a little more information about how powerful his fins really are.
Find out what times the Shamu show is showing on that particular day.
It normally only has a few shows per day.
Be careful of the Splash Zone at the Shamu zone.
Sit back in the upper deck if you don't want to get super soaked.
If you're game to get soaked, you can try out the bottom row of seats. , You'll be able to see dolphins and otters in these two little areas. , It's a wild ride, much like Grizzly Peak White Water Raft Ride at Disney's California Adventure park, Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom (Lake Buena Vista, FL), or Rio Loco at SeaWorld San Antonio. , Here you'll see a whole bunch of types of fishes in an aquarium-like setting. , Some of these are truly interesting, and highlight some really neat recycling projects. ,,,, To get there from the Manta roller coaster, you need to take a left.
It's a little ways up, but the ride is cool and relatively easy and can definitely take a load off of any tired feet that may exist. , If you've caught the Bat Ray feeding and have taken in SkyTower as well, you'll most likely have missed the Sea Lion's feeding.
But if your timing is just right, you can catch them in the act! , You can catch the Otter show here. , You'll learn a lot about the solitary life of a flamingo and its biome.
There are two places you can see flamingoes.
The other one is to the one side of Animal connections near the Dippin Dot's Sundae Shop on the other side of the Arctic Plaza. (Arctic Plaza is a special events-only area across from Pets Stadium down a small pathway). ,, This Skyride is an out-and-back skyride that takes you out over the Bay and back around and back to the entrance house. , Look at how these clean fish and aquatic creatures live in such a secluded place. , Young children might be afraid of the sharks, but for most, this is an interesting stop. , It's definitely a less scary exhibit! ,, You'll be able to see many different turtles up close. , Although the ride vehicles look like life-boats, and the center column has an aquatic feel and a blue painted floor, it's actually not a boat.
If possible, take in at least one preview, as there are some differences between other Scrambler rides and this ride. , It is only open as a special events venue seating area. , Get a good glimpse of the habitat of a penguin.
This exhibit is walk-through and is exactly like the former Penguin Encounter at SeaWorld Orlando. , This is one area that is not to be missed. , Much like Universal's Animal Actors at Universal Studios Hollywood, this show is super funny and a good time for all. , Ride the Journey to Atlantis log-flume for an out-of-this-world experience. , This building offers a walk-through exhibit, so no need to fear you'll be taken quickly through this
- it's completely at your pace, and you can take your time. , It's official entrance is near Dolphin Treasures and directly across from Pinapple Pete's Island Eats and nearby Dolphin Stadium.
Take in SeaWorld's version of the teacup ride at Abby's Sea Star Spin in the Sesame Street Bay of Play area.
Ride the hub-and-spoke ride styled to Elmo's world at Elmo's Flying Fish ride.
Push the lever up to raise the fish high and release it down to descend downwards again.
Ride the rather tame version of a pirate ship-like ride at Oscar's Rockin Eel ride.
About the Author
Beverly Jones
Creates helpful guides on pet care to inspire and educate readers.
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