Seaport Village - San Diego

• Hours: Open daily
• Reservations: Not required
• Location: San Diego waterfront near downtown
• How Long: Allow 1-2 hours, more if dining or shopping a lot
• Best Time to Visit: Any time

Seaport Village Review

San Diego's Seaport Village is a shopping and dining complex similar to those found in many tourist-filled cities, mostly targeted toward visitors and good for a few hours of fun. Seaport Village is a good place to have a meal with a waterfront view, or to pick up a souvenir of your visit, especially if you want something other than t-shirts and coffee mugs.

Things to Do at Seaport Village

Most people go to Seaport Village to shop and eat. Over a dozen casual dining spots serve pizza, sweets, burgers, sandwiches and snacks. Four Seaport Village restaurants claim "bayview dining" and all offer views, but only the San Diego Pier Cafe is on the waterfront. Its outdoor patio is the scene of many sun-drenched, casual meals.

Shoppers will find almost fifty Seaport Village shops selling collectibles, clothing, jewelry and souvenirs, and most shops are one-of-a-kind. One of the best Seaport Village shops is the Wyland Gallery, showcase for one of California's foremost marine artists, worth a visit even if you can't afford Wyland's steep prices.

Children and carousel-lovers of all ages will enjoy Seaport Village's 1890s Looff Carousel and its fanciful steeds. A video arcade caters to the electronically-addicted.

With frequent concerts in two plazas and strolling musicians throughout the complex, Seaport Village is a musical place. Free public concerts are scheduled most weekends and some weekdays, and their schedule is in the brochures available in many locations.

Tours departing from Seaport Village include Cinderella Carriage Co, and the San Diego SEAL Tours, taking you on land and sea in an amphibious vehicle.

Pedicab drivers will take you point to point for a fixed fee or on a rolling tour of downtown and the waterfront by the hour. Their open cabs are a fun vantage point for seeing Seaport Village without worrying about traffic, and many of the drivers are happy to share their extensive San Diego knowledge.

Tips for Visiting Seaport Village

• Seaport Village is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p. m., and later in summer. Go in the morning for smaller crowds, mid-day for a meal or snack, or in the evening to watch the sunset.

• If you don't like shopping, go anyway and take a walk along the waterfront. The views from here toward Coronado Island, Coronado Bridge, and from the pier around to the marina are photogenic enough to keep you busy for a while.

• Pick up a brochure. Not only does it have an event schedule, but it also has coupons for purchase discounts and free gifts.

• If you park in the Seaport Village parking lot, take your parking ticket with you for validation with purchase.

Getting to Seaport Village

Seaport Village
849 W. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA
(619) 235-4014
Seaport Village website

You can reach Seaport Village from anywhere in San Diego.

• Drive along Harbor Drive from the airport and waterfront, or take Kettner Blvd. or Pacific Highway out of downtown.

• Water Taxis stop near Greek Islands Cafe. You can summon them by calling (619) 235-8294.

• Take a pedicab. They charge a flat fee for a point-to-point trip, and rates are somewhat negotiable when they're not busy.

• San Diego Trolley Tours stops here as well as other sights, and it's a good way to get around town without driving and parking hassles. Save time. Order your trolley tickets from Viator.com. They guarantee the best price, and you get a print-at-home voucher right away.

  To avoid traffic and parking hassles, take the San Diego Trolley to Seaport Village Station and walk.