From its beginnings as a burial ground for early Spanish expedition members to its transformation into a bustling railroad, Seaport Village is now a welcoming waterfront shopping complex with winding cobblestone pathways full of history, culture, and activities.
Located less than 10 minutes from Downtown San Diego, it’s a convenient spot to pick up gifts, grab a meal, and take in panoramic views of San Diego Bay. Sightseeing is easy as the complex serves as a tour hub and is walkable to other iconic waterfront attractions. With stores, restaurants, parks, and more, it’s a great place to spend a scenic afternoon in San Diego.
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Know Before You Go
Check out the online map and directory to navigate Seaport Village. In addition to live music, they also host events and holiday celebrations. You’ll find the parking lot at 849 W Harbor Dr. and valet parking at the entrance on Kettner Blvd or Pacific Hwy.
9 Things to do at Seaport Village
Sit Back and Enjoy The View
The boardwalk of this open outdoor village is a prime spot to watch boats journeying in and out of San Diego Bay as the sun sets. If San Diego’s scenic parks enamor you, you’ll find several on its 14 acres as well as picturesque landscaping, ponds, and fountains.
Designed with a mix of Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Revival, Pueblo Revival, and Classical Revival architecture, its appearance is a nod to the rich local heritage. You can sit on ledge of the boardwalk and gaze upon the San Diego Bay for hours.
Explore the Food & Shops
Search for gifts and souvenirs at over 70 shops, boutiques, and galleries offering items from clothing to cigars and Christmas decor. Specialty stores sell unique products like custom hats, flags, and spices. Upscale and casual dining options are plentiful, in addition to a brewery, wine bar, and places to stop for sweets.
Catch a Live Show at Rady Shell
A half-mile down The Embarcadero, a sidewalk along the marina, is a futuristic open-air music venue you won’t want to miss. Operated by the San Diego Symphony, Rady Shell is not just a seashell-like architectural wonder; it’s a state of the art amphitheater situated on the edge of the bay.
Show-goers rave about the elevated live music experience with state-of-the-art sound & lighting systems and waterfront vistas. Tickets offer a range of seating options from standard row seating to table seating with a 3-course meal or bring your own blanket seating on the Mission Fed Community Green. With multiple options for locally sourced food and beverages, you can plan to show up hungry.
Pro Tip – No matter the weather, don’t forget a sweater! This is an open venue, so even on the warmest nights, the breeze from the bay can be chilly.
Ride the Seaport Village Historic Carousel
Crafted in 1895 by the renowned carousel builder Charles I.D. Loof, the timeless Seaport Village Historic Carousel, is a charming merry-go-round decorated with 54 hand-carved animals and two whimsical horse-drawn carriages.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, the carousel embarked on its journey delighting riders in various cities before finding its home at Seaport Village in 2004. It’s not just kids who fall in love with this piece of history – everyone can relish the magic of this 127-year-old gem, which earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Take an Old Town Trolley Tour
Seaport Village is a central hub for Old Town Trolley Tour, providing regular tours throughout the city and Coronado via the renowned San Diego-Coronado Bridge. You’ll follow a continuous 25-mile route with stops at various neighborhoods, totaling 12 destination points.
Hop on and off with unlimited free reboarding to adventure at your own pace. The 100-minute SEAL Tour explores the streets of San Diego before splashing into the bay on an amphibious vehicle, where you’ll learn about San Diego’s strong military history and ecological wonders.
Fly a Kite
Kite Flight has a prime location along the water with a sandy area and Adirondack chairs set up to face the bay. Inside, they carry a variety of colorful high-flying toys to choose from.
Not only will the staff lend their expertise to find the right kite for you, but you can test it before making your final selection. Fly your kite at one of the surrounding parks just outside the shop.
Tour the USS Midway Museum
The longest-serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Naval history, The USS Midway, is just a 10-minute walk north of Seaport Village on Naval Pier. During its 47 years of service, from the end of WW II to Operation Desert Storm in 1991, this iconic ship never backed down.
The museum showcases glimpses into ship life during its active service years and an impressive collection of aircraft, many of which were built in Southern California.
Visit the Headquarters at Seaport
This historic complex, designed in 1939 by master architects Charles and Edward Quayle and Alberto Treganza, served not only as the San Diego Police Headquarters but also as an enemy aircraft lookout during World War II.
It housed all police operations, from courtrooms and jail cells to a law library and even a crime lab. Later, it added a four-lane bowling alley where inmates worked as pinsetters. Today, it’s a vibrant hub where you can tour the jail cells, browse the stores, and dine at the restaurants. It’s located less than a 5-minute walk from the Seaport Village parking lot.
Pro Tip – Use The Headquarters property map to navigate your way around the complex.
Take in Live Music & the Arts
Live music entertainment from a mix of genres takes place in the Food Court every day from 12-4 p.m. For art enthusiasts, the Christopher Harvey Art Gallery is a pop-up art gallery and studio that also hosts workshops, classes, lectures, and performances.
A 10-minute walk north of the Seaport Village is the “Unconditional Surrender” statue, which pays tribute to World War II veterans who sacrificed their lives. It is said to resemble an iconic 1945 photograph of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square on V-J, the day World War II ended.
