SeaWorld is one of San Diego’s most popular theme parks, offering a wide range of fun and exciting experiences for both locals and tourists.
The park has something for everyone – thrilling rides, family-friendly entertainment, up-close animal encounters, and unique dining experiences.
From a fast-track entry with options like single-day or two-day tickets, to exploring with a San Diego pass, you’ll find the perfect way to enjoy the park.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the best ticket options, park opening hours, the ideal times to visit, tips on avoiding long queues, and the thrilling rides and entertainment awaiting you at SeaWorld San Diego.
SeaWorld San Diego tickets
There are three ways to experience SeaWorld San Diego
Top Tickets
# Fast-track entry ticket
# SeaWorld San Diego + Sesame Place entrance ticket
# San Diego PassIt’s highly recommended to book your SeaWorld San Diego tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
Each ticket option provides flexibility to suit your preferences and ensure a memorable visit.
For the best experience, it’s recommended to purchase your SeaWorld San Diego tickets online, saving both money and time.
Once purchased, your tickets will be emailed to you. On the day of your visit, show a photo ID at the entrance to gain access.
Fast-track entry ticket
This SeaWorld San Diego fast-track entry ticket lets you skip the lines and dive straight into an exciting aquatic adventure. Enjoy thrilling rides, live shows, and presentations without waiting at the ticket counter.
Experience the wonders of SeaWorld as you ride flumes and rollercoasters, meet otters, dolphins, sea lions, and other amazing creatures, and learn about marine conservation.
Get up close with the ocean’s inhabitants and even touch sea stars and sea urchins in the Aquaria Touch Pool.
Discover the world of orcas through the immersive virtual reality experience, DeepSEE VR: Orca 360.
You can choose from five different ticket options based on your preferences: single-day ticket, any-day ticket, single-day + all-day dining ticket, two-day ticket, and SeaWorld + Sesame Place ticket
Once activated, your ticket is valid for 7 days.
Ticket prices
Single-day ticket (Monday – Thursday): €82
Any day ticket: €87
Single-day ticket + all-day dining (free): €114
Two-day ticket (any day): €97
SeaWorld + Sesame Place ticket: €126
*2 park ticket: Valid for single-day admissions to SeaWorld and Sesame Place. The 2nd visit must be within 7 consecutive days from the first visit.
Note: Kids under three years can enter for free
Buy This TicketSan Diego Pass
The San Diego All-Inclusive Pass is the perfect way to experience over 50 top attractions in San Diego, including SeaWorld, all for one affordable price.
This pass offers flexibility and huge savings, allowing you to visit popular attractions like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Knott’s Berry Farm, LEGOLAND, USS Midway, Safari Park, and more.
It also comes with a digital guide and free app to help you plan your visit, offering detailed attraction information, reservation options, and directions.
Choose from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7-day passes and save up to 50% compared to purchasing separate attraction tickets.
Pass prices (depending on the no of days)
Adult (13+ years): €138 to €328
Child (3 to 12 years): €120 to €291
Infant (under 3 years): Free entry
Rides at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego offers a variety of thrilling and family-friendly rides such as high-speed coasters, water rides, fun for the little ones, and there’s something for everyone!
High Thrill Rides: SeaWorld San Diego’s high thrill rides are perfect for adventure seekers. Arctic Rescue offers the longest straddle coaster on the West Coast with three launches and speeds up to 40 mph (64 kmph). Emperor lets you dive and soar on California’s first floorless coaster. Manta provides thrilling launches in the spirit of the world’s largest ray. Electric Eel delivers intense twists, loops, and inversions. Finally, Journey to Atlantis is a flume ride full of splashes and adventure—unforgettable experience for all thrill lovers!
Medium Thrill Rides: Enjoy the perfect mix of excitement and fun with SeaWorld San Diego’s Medium Thrill Rides. Shipwreck Rapids takes you through rolling rapids and ends with a thrilling waterfall plunge, the perfect way to cool off. Then, go on an exciting Riptide Rescue, where you’ll spin through twists and turns on a sea turtle rescue mission. These attractions provide just the right amount of excitement for a memorable experience!
Low Thrill Rides: SeaWorld San Diego’s low thrill rides are perfect for families and young adventurers. Enjoy Tentacle Twirl, a jellyfish-themed swing ride, or Octarock, a gentle swing ride for younger guests. Experience the thrill of being part of the SeaWorld Rescue team on Rescue Rafter, where you board a rescue boat and ride the waves. Little heroes will love Rescue Riders, an exciting ride that brings the animal rescue adventure to life. Try the child-sized Sea Dragon Drop for some fun excitement. Tidepool Twist lets you twist and learn about sea life.
Relaxing and Scenic Rides: SeaWorld San Diego offers Relaxing and Scenic Rides for those looking to enjoy beautiful views at a leisurely pace. SkyTower provides stunning views of San Diego, stretching from Mission Bay to the Pacific Ocean, while Bayside Skyride lets you unwind on a gentle gondola ride, offering scenic views of the park and Mission Bay.
Height requirements
It’s important to know the height requirements for each ride to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
| Ride Name | Height Requirement |
| Electric Eel | 54 inches min |
| Emperor | 52 inches min & 78 inches max |
| Arctic Rescue | 48 inches min & 77 inches max |
| Manta | 48 inches min |
| Tentacle Twirl | 48 inches min |
| SkyTower | 48 inches min |
| Rescue Riders | 48 inches min |
| Riptide Rescue | 45 inches min |
| Shipwreck Rapids | 42 inches min & 74 inches max |
| Journey to Atlantis | 42 inches min |
| Sea Dragon Drop | 42 inches min |
| Tidepool Twist | 42 inches min |
| Rescue Rafter | 42 inches min |
| Octarock | 31 inches min & 73 inches max |
Animal interactions at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego offers visitors a chance to interact with a diverse range of animals, providing unforgettable experiences that bring you closer to the wonders of marine life.
Animals at SeaWorld
SeaWorld is home to a variety of fascinating creatures. Explore incredible animals and their natural behaviors at SeaWorld San Diego.
Marvel at the graceful Bat Rays, watch the playful Dolphins, or enjoy the social behaviors of Beluga Whales.
For bird lovers, the vibrant Macaws and Humboldt Penguins bring color to the park.
You can also get up close with Orcas through underwater viewing and learn about rescued animals like Harbor Seals and Pilot Whales.
Interactions with animals
SeaWorld offers several interactive exhibits where guests can engage with marine life and gain educational insights.
At Explorer’s Reef Touchpools, you can touch sea creatures, while the Bat Ray Shallows lets you interact with friendly bat rays.
The Tidepools offer hands-on learning with sea stars, and Ocean Explorer Animals introduces creatures like the giant Pacific octopus.
At Sea Lion Point, visitors can feed and learn about seals and sea lions. The Aquariums and Turtle Reef provide more up-close experiences with marine life.
Presentations at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego offers captivating presentations that allow visitors to connect with marine life in a deeper way.
Orca Encounter: Get an up-close look at the ocean’s most powerful predator, the orca. This unique experience showcases orca hunting techniques, communication, and the importance of family and play, all while highlighting the role SeaWorld plays in helping whales in the wild.
Dolphin Adventures: Celebrate the incredible athleticism of the park’s bottlenose dolphins as they show off their high-flying skills, while learning about the dedicated team that cares for them.
Flippers, Facts, and Fun: “The Sea Lion Experience” held at the Sea Lion Amphitheater, this fun and educational presentation features California sea lions, Clyde and Seamore, as they demonstrate their swimming speed and jumping abilities, and highlight the importance of protecting their natural environment.
Opening hours
During the peak season, from April to September, the park opens at 10 am and closes at either 9 or 10 pm, depending on the day.
In the lean season, from October to March, the park opens at 9 or 10 am and closes at 7 pm or 8 pm.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit SeaWorld San Diego is on weekdays, particularly Tuesday or Wednesday, when the park is less crowded and wait times are shorter.
Off-peak seasons, such as late fall and early spring, also provide a more relaxed experience with fewer visitors.
To avoid large crowds, it’s best to avoid visiting on major holidays and the summer months.
For a more enjoyable visit, consider arriving earlier in the day or planning an afternoon trip.
How to avoid queue
Arrive early: The first hour after the park opens (at 10.00 am) is the best time to visit as most visitors haven’t reached the major attractions yet, so you’ll face shorter lines.
Visit on off-peak days: Weekdays (especially Tuesday and Wednesday) are less crowded, so if you can plan your visit during the week, you’ll experience much shorter wait times.
Head to the popular rides first: When you arrive, head straight to the most popular rides, like Emperor and Electric Eel, before the crowds build up. These rides tend to have long lines quickly, so it’s best to ride them early in the day.
Take Advantage of Meal Times: Wait times often drop during meal times (around 12-1 pm or 5-6 pm) when people are eating. This is a good opportunity to ride the bigger attractions with shorter queues.
Evening Visits: The last hour before the park closes often has much shorter lines,so take advantage of this time to fit in a few more rides before you leave.
Wait times
Here are the approximate wait times for some of the top rides at SeaWorld San Diego. Remember that these times can vary depending on the day, season, and time of day.
| Ride | Average Wait Time |
| Manta | 20 – 35 minutes |
| Electric Eel | 20 – 35 minutes |
| Emperor | 20 – 30 minutes |
| Arctic Rescue | 25 – 40 minutes |
| Journey to Atlantis | 15 – 25 minutes |
| Shipwreck Rapids | 10 – 20 minutes |
| Tidepool Twist | 5 – 10 minutes |
Park map
SeaWorld San Diego is divided into several key areas: thrilling rides, Bay of Play, Explorer’s Reef, Sea Lion Point, etc. Each section offers unique attractions, rides, and exhibits.
With many attractions spread out over a large area, it’s a good idea to keep a map of the theme park with you.
Download Map (924 KB, pdf)
You can see your location and nearby attractions, find directions to your favorite spots, and filter points of interest like animal experiences, shows, and rides. The maps also help you locate restrooms.
SeaWorld San Diego’s mobile app (Android & iOS) has an interactive map that you can use to filter for things like rides, food, and more.
How to reach
Address: 500 Sea World Drive, 92109, San Diego Get Directions
By Car: Drive through Interstate 5 (I-5) highway and exit at SeaWorld Drive street. Then, turn left onto SeaWorld Drive and continue straight until you reach the park entrance., with ample parking available for a fee.
By Public Transport: Take an MTS Bus to the Old Town Transit Center. From there, board Bus Route 9, which stops directly at SeaWorld.
By Taxi/ Ride-Sharing: Use a taxi or ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft to reach the park directly.
By Walking: SeaWorld is a short walk from nearby hotels and attractions in San Diego.
Parking at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego offers several parking options for a fee, including General, Up-Close, and VIP parking. Prices start at $25 for General Parking.
Annual pass members enjoy free General Parking but can upgrade to Up-Close parking for an additional fee.
Parking fees for a single car or motorcycle are as follows: $25 for General Parking, $28 for Up-Close Parking, and $35 for VIP Parking.
For RVs and campers, parking starts at $30, and these options are available for purchase only at the park.
To ensure a convenient spot and avoid long lines, it’s recommended to arrive early.
Rentals
Stroller Rental: Single strollers are available for rent starting at $40 per day, and double strollers are available for $50 per day. These strollers come with a sunshade and storage space for your belongings.
Electric Scooter (ECV) with Canopy Rental: Four-wheel electric scooters with a canopy for sun protection are available for rent starting at $110 per day. These scooters are perfect for those who need extra assistance while exploring the park.
Manual Wheelchair Rental: Manual, lightweight wheelchairs are available for rent starting at $40 per day. These are designed for easy handling throughout the park.
Dining and Food options
SeaWorld San Diego offers a variety of dining options to suit different tastes and preferences. Guests can enjoy diverse cuisines.
For craft beer enthusiasts, High Tide Brews offers a selection of local brews in a scenic garden setting. The park also provides unique dining experiences such as “Dine With Orcas,” where guests can enjoy a buffet while learning about these majestic marine mammals.
SeaWorld San Diego’s All-Day Dining Deal allows guests to enjoy a variety of meals throughout the day at participating restaurants.
The deal permits one entrée, one side or dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage every 90 minutes at select locations. Participating restaurants include Shipwreck Reef Cafe, Calypso Bay Smokehouse, Mama Stella’s Pizza Kitchen, Pineapple Pet’’s Island Eats, and The Chicken Snack Shack.
Please note that offerings and availability are subject to change, so it’s advisable to confirm current details upon arrival.
Hotels near SeaWorld San Diego
If you’re visiting SeaWorld San Diego, there are plenty of nearby hotels to choose from, offering a range of options from budget-friendly to luxury. Many hotels provide family-friendly amenities like pools and easy access to the park. Here are some popular hotels close to SeaWorld:
| Hotel | Distance from SeaWorld | Features |
| Wyndham Garden San Diego | 1 mile | Outdoor heated pool, hot tub, five-building complex surrounded by palm trees. |
| The Dana on Mission Bay | 0.6 miles | Located on 10 acres next to Mission Bay, with tropical landscaping, close to Mission Beach. |
| Paradise Point Resort & Spa | 1 mile | Private island resort, multiple pools, beachfront dining, tropical landscaping. |
| Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina | 1 mile | Modern rooms, private balconies, three heated pools, and marina access. |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | 0.7 miles | Waterfront property with a private beach located on Mission Bay. |