San Diego Shore Excursions

Across USA — laws, safety & health

National rules and risks that apply anywhere in USA — relayed from official sources, not our verdict. We pass on what the authority says and leave the judgement to you.

Laws that catch visitors out

• The national legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 21.
• Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties — a long jail sentence and heavy fines, including when transiting through airports. (US federal law applies even where a state has legalised cannabis.)
• Always carry a passport showing you have permission to enter or remain in the US.
• US law prohibits importing, exporting, making, selling or transporting drug paraphernalia.

Drones

Visitors flying a drone recreationally in the US must take the FAA’s free online TRUST safety test and carry proof. A drone of 250 g or more must have Remote ID and be registered — on the FAA DroneZone, or by filing a Notice of Identification if it is already registered in your home country. Fly at or below 400 ft in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, keep it within sight, and do not fly over people.

via US FAA — Recreational Flyers & Community-Based Organizations · 25 Jun 2026

Scams to watch

Do not leave passports in rental cars (especially the boot) — vehicles driven by people who look like tourists may be targeted.

Health hazards

The FCDO health page lists Zika virus, West Nile virus and altitude sickness (in parts of the country) among the health risks in the US. There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement — treatment is expensive, so comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Check current detail and vaccine recommendations on TravelHealthPro before you travel. The FCDO safety and security page adds that the Atlantic hurricane season normally runs June to November and the Pacific season May to November, and that hurricanes can affect coastal regions, Hawaii and Guam. Its instruction is to monitor approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Center website and follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders.

via UK FCDO travel advice — USA (health + safety and security) · 22 Aug 2026

Relayed from UK FCDO travel advice — USA · checked 18 Jul 2026

Traffic drives on the right. Look left first when you cross the road.

Docking & terminals in San Diego

Two cruise terminals sit side by side on San Diego Bay's Embarcadero, which the port describes as "a two-mile stretch of downtown waterfront offering dining, shopping, lodging, museums, attractions and more". The majority of cruise ships dock at the larger B Street Pier & Cruise Ship Terminal; the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier also handles cruise ships. Both piers have shore power.

• B Street Pier & Cruise Ship Terminal — In the heart of the city centre — the port's own directions put the Santa Fe Depot rail station "only two blocks east of the terminals", and San Diego International Airport approximately two miles north (under 10 minutes' drive). (Walk straight off the pier into the city centre: the port built and maintains the Embarcadero promenade, "designed and constructed for pedestrian use".)
• Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier — The neighbouring pier on North Harbor Drive, on the same central Embarcadero waterfront; Santa Fe Depot is likewise about two blocks east. (Also a venue for special events and public waterfront access, with a restaurant, visitor centre and public plaza (port's description); step off into the city centre on foot.)

Mobility & step-free access

Getting around between the pier and town:

• Walk — The Embarcadero promenade is port-built and "designed and constructed for pedestrian use"; the USS Midway Museum sits on the same street as the piers (910 N. Harbor Drive).
• Train and trolley — Santa Fe Depot — "only two blocks east of the terminals" per the port's directions — serves Amtrak – Pacific Surfliner rail services, and San Diego MTS runs the bus and trolley network ("San Diego's light rail system"). Check routes and fares on the MTS site.
• Shuttle — FRED, described on the port's transportation page as a "low-cost electric shuttle in downtown San Diego".

Step-free options vary by pier and by the day — confirm the specifics with your operator and the ship’s guest-services desk before booking.

Heading back at the end of the day: The two piers are neighbours on North Harbor Drive but are separate buildings with separate gates — check which pier your sailing uses before arranging drop-off or pickup. The port asks that your ride drops you "beyond the gate, on the pier".

Cruise lines don’t always tell you which pier you’re on, and it’s easy to forget once you’re ashore. As you leave the ship, note or photograph your pier’s name — then give your taxi that exact pier (or your ship’s name) for the trip back.

Your exact pier is assigned per sailing — confirm it on the ship's daily programme or gangway signage before heading ashore.

Getting around & must-sees in San Diego

Getting around

Both cruise piers open directly onto central San Diego's waterfront — the port says "your adventure awaits as soon as you step off the ship" and that it is "almost always a perfect day for a stroll to nearby attractions".

• Walk — The Embarcadero promenade is port-built and "designed and constructed for pedestrian use"; the USS Midway Museum sits on the same street as the piers (910 N. Harbor Drive).
• Train and trolley — Santa Fe Depot — "only two blocks east of the terminals" per the port's directions — serves Amtrak – Pacific Surfliner rail services, and San Diego MTS runs the bus and trolley network ("San Diego's light rail system"). Check routes and fares on the MTS site.
• Shuttle — FRED, described on the port's transportation page as a "low-cost electric shuttle in downtown San Diego".

More on getting around ↗

Must-see sights

• USS Midway Museum — Aircraft-carrier museum at 910 N. Harbor Drive — the same street as the cruise piers — with "more than 30 restored aircraft and nearly 10 acres of exhibits"; open daily 10am–5pm, last admission 4pm.
• Balboa Park — "San Diego's ever-changing, always amazing, 1,200-acre backyard" — museums, gardens and performing arts, in the park's own words.
• San Diego Zoo — "Located in Balboa Park, minutes from downtown San Diego" — the zoo's own description; 2920 Zoo Drive.

Taxis & ride-hailing — Uber, Lyft work here — both are listed on the Port of San Diego's own transportation page, alongside taxis (confirm in the app — you’ll need mobile data).

Getting back to the pier

Head back to North Harbor Drive — both piers are on the city-centre waterfront, with Santa Fe Depot about two blocks away for rail and trolley connections.

• Trolley — San Diego MTS bus and trolley connect via Santa Fe Depot, "only two blocks east of the terminals" (port directions).
• Taxi — Taxis serve the whole San Diego region (port-listed); rides may drop you "beyond the gate, on the pier" per the port's boarding tips.

More on getting back ↗

Key facts only — confirm times, fares and seasonal openings locally.

Operator policies we’ve checked in San Diego

Before a tour earns its trust pills, we read the operator’s own site — their terms, cancellation and accessibility pages — and relay what they state. These are the operators’ own terms, not our verdicts; confirm when booking.

• Bike and Kayak Tours, Inc.

  • Cancellation policy — Cancellation is possible up to 24 hours ahead, but a 10% non-refundable deposit always applies — not a free cancellation.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• Bike and Kayak Tours, Inc. (La Jolla)

  • Cancellation policy — Operator's own cancellation policy: "All 3rd party tickets are non-refundable, non-cancelable, and non-transferable." — a booking made through a marketplace rather than direct with the operator falls under that clause. Booking direct would not be free either: advance sales carry a 10% non-refundable deposit alongside a 24-hour cancellation window.

  Checked 20 Aug 2026 · covers 2 tours listed on this page

• Border Tours

  • Cancellation policy — No published cancellation window could be verified on the operator's own site — check the booking platform's policy before booking.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• City Cruises California

  • Cancellation policy — Operator's own wording: "Our cruises are non-refundable final sale, and you have up to 48 hours prior to the cruise to reschedule or receive a gift card." — so cancelling does not get your money back; 48 hours' notice buys a change of date or a gift card. The operator sells an optional paid add-on, Ticket Assurance, which allows cancellation up to 2 hours before departure for a refund minus the cost of the add-on itself.

  Checked 20 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• Cruise San Diego

  • Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Full refund for cancellations made at least 48 hours before the scheduled cruise; the boat departs promptly and cannot return for late arrivals.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• Everyday California

  • Cancellation policy — Operator's own wording: "We have a 48-hour change and cancellation policy for most bookings... For larger groups of 10 or more, we require at least 10 days' notice for any changes or cancellations." It sets the notice you must give, but it does not say a refund follows, and the operator's terms state no cancellation policy at all — so we make no claim about getting your money back. Check the terms shown at checkout before you book.

  Checked 20 Aug 2026 · covers 2 tours listed on this page

• Flagship Cruises and Events

  • Cancellation policy — Operator's own wording: "Reservations are non-refundable. Please provide Flagship with 24-hour notice prior to the cruise date to reschedule your cruise to another time and date." — the 24-hour notice buys a change of date, not your money back. The operator does promise a full refund in the other direction, if it is the one who cancels the sailing.
  • Accessibility — Operator's own wording: "Flagship Cruises & Events offers assistance by its uniformed staff for all persons using a wheelchair or who otherwise need assistance boarding a vessel.".

  Checked 20 Aug 2026 · covers 2 tours listed on this page

• Legacy Whale Watch

  • Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund — but cancellations are taken by phone during business hours only, not by email.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• Next Level Sailing

  • Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Operator's own booking page: "Customers will receive a full refund for cancellation requests that are received 48 hours prior to the sail departure time." — and a full refund too if the operator cancels for weather. Two conditions worth knowing: you cancel by phone, not online, and a no-show is charged in full.
  • Accessibility — Operator's own wording: "Next Level Sailing does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, activities, and employment practices.".

  Checked 20 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego (Historic Tours of America)

  • Cancellation policy — Refunds before the travel date carry a 10% fee (waived only with Trip Protection); tickets are non-refundable after the travel date. Booked via a platform, the platform's policy applies.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 2 tours listed on this page

• San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours

  • Cancellation policy — Refunds are typically not issued once booked; the operator may offer a reschedule or gift certificate at their discretion.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• San Diego Jet Ski Rentals

  • Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Full refund for cancellations more than 24 hours ahead; inside 24 hours no refund ("No Exceptions"), and arriving 15+ minutes late forfeits the booking.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• San Diego SEAL Tours (Historic Tours of America)

  • Cancellation policy — Date-specific tickets are non-refundable; the operator offers rescheduling up to 24 hours ahead rather than a refund.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• San Diego Whale Watch

  • Cancellation policy — Cancellations are accepted up to 24 hours before departure, but the terms do not state whether a refund follows — confirm before booking.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• San Diego Zoo

  • Cancellation policy — The zoo's own help centre states tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable once purchased, and that refunds and exchanges are not possible for bad weather or a habitat closure either.

  Checked 12 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• Snorkel San Diego (Scuba San Diego)

  • Cancellation policy — No general cancellation window is published on the operator's own site — confirm the booking platform's policy before booking.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• So Diego Tours

  • Cancellation policy — The operator's cancellation terms could not be verified at their own site during our check — confirm the window before booking.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• USS Midway Museum

  • Cancellation policy — We could not find a cancellation or refund policy for general admission published on this operator's own site, and its ticket store, where the purchase terms would sit, was unreachable to us — so we make no claim either way; check the terms shown at checkout before you book.
  • Accessibility — Operator's own wording: "Elevators are available, providing to-and-from transportation between the Navy Pier and the ship entrance on the Hangar Deck, between the Hangar Deck and the second deck below, and between the Flight Deck and the Hangar Deck.".

  Checked 24 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

• Wild Pacific Whale Watch

  • Cancellation policy — Operator T&C offers refunds for cancellations made at least 48 hours ahead (no-shows not refunded) — attribution to this operator awaits confirmation, so the pill is withheld.

  Checked 20 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page

How we check, and what “not stated” means

Local know-hows in San Diego

Money

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the U.S., including for hotels, dining, entertainment, and public transportation.

ATMs

ATMs are found across the country.

Tipping

Tipping is a common practice, especially at restaurants; many service employees rely on tips. Some restaurants automatically add a gratuity for parties of six or more, usually noted on the menu or check.

Practicalities

Tap water

Tap water is supplied by the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, which "conducts regular water sampling and quality testing throughout the distribution system" and states that in more than 100 years it has "never sold a drop of water deemed unsafe by any local, state or federal agency". Supply blends nine local reservoirs with water imported from hundreds of miles away, serving nearly 2 million people; quality is reported annually in the state-mandated Drinking Water Quality Report under California State Water Resources Control Board and US EPA oversight.

Plugs

110/120 volts (standardised across the United States); international visitors may need a voltage converter for 220/240V appliances. Laptops, razors and cameras usually have built-in converters.

More practical info ↗

Key facts to know before you step off — confirm anything time-sensitive locally.

Port busyness in San Diego

Usually quiet

San Diego is a big-city home port: the port's 2026–27 schedule lists 177 ship calls, concentrated October to April, and the city-centre waterfront absorbs cruise crowds easily.

Peak pattern: Season runs roughly October to April; several dates carry two or more ships at once (port's 2026–27 schedule).

• Large city centre absorbs crowds
• Season concentrated October–April
• Some multi-ship days
• Two terminals in the heart of the city

This shows a typical day for the time of year — actual crowds vary on your date, and it isn’t a guarantee.

What we’ve checked in San Diego — and when

We last checked the facts on this page on 20 Jul 2026. Live travel advisories refresh automatically from the official sources.

Docking & getting ashore

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 20 Jul 2026

Getting around

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 20 Jul 2026

How busy it gets

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 20 Jul 2026

Operator policies

From each operator’s own site and terms · 24 Aug 2026

Travel advisories

FCDO (GOV.UK) & US State Department · refreshed automatically

How we check, and what “not stated” means