The Port of San Diego is a self-supporting NGO (Non-Government Organization) that is one of the top 30 United States containership ports, bringing in an estimated 3 million metric tons of cargo every year. It is the primary port of entry in the U.S. for Honda, Volkswagen, Dole, and a wide range of other companies. Besides receiving tons of cargo, it also serves as a Marine cargo facility and a thriving tourist destination. The Port of San Diego is also a popular cruise ship launching point. You could literally spend your entire vacation in this area of San Diego enjoying tours, visiting fine restaurants, boating, and taking in San Diego nightlife and entertainment.

Taking Port of San Diego tours to begin your stay in the area may be the best way to get a comprehensive understanding of all that is available to you. Take waterfront bus tours or guided walking tours of select parts of the Port that interest you. The Port of San Diego tours by bus give visitors a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a working shipyard at the National City Marine Terminal. These tickets can sometimes be hard to secure and are offered on a first come, first serve basis. Secure your tickets on Port of San Diego bus tours in advance to ensure a seat on one of the buses.

Many of the major cruise liners have permanent docking locations at the Port of San Diego, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Cruises from the Port of San Diego depart from the sparkling bay and embark upon various journeys around the world. For instance, the cruise ship Elation takes passengers on a four-day trip to Catalina Island and the Oosterdam is at the ready to set sail on a seven-day voyage to Mexico, including tours of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas. And these are just a couple of the options available to you in terms of cruises from the Port of San Diego. Many other cruises can be booked for destinations such as Tahiti and Hawaii as well.

San Diego Map

The entertainment factor in the Port of San Diego is undeniably appealing largely because of the over 60 waterfront restaurants and bars. There are also a number of large luxury hotels with which the Port of San Diego has agreements (making it more convenient to schedule transportation, tours, and reservations) including the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego and the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. The restaurants in the Port include everything from casual fare to some of the most exquisite fine dining in the city of San Diego. Perhaps one of the coolest options for things to do in the Port of San Diego is docking and dining. This is an excellent opportunity to cut the hassle of driving or public transportation out of a romantic or leisurely evening in the Port. Simply arrange for transportation from your hotel and enjoy a boat ride out to one of the restaurants available for docking and dining services. This is a unique and memorable way to spend an evening on the ocean enjoying a beautiful meal with wonderful vistas of the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Whether you make reservations for one of the behind-the-scenes Port of San Diego tours or embark on one of the cruises from the Port of San Diego, be sure to make your plans as far in advance as possible to ensure reservations and take advantage of favorable rates.