Cruise To or From the Port of San Diego – the "Port of Land & See"

San Diego is known for its beautiful beaches, craft beer, fish tacos, world-famous San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park and so much more. The Port of San Diego invites you to discover all San Diego has to offer, including cruising from San Diego harbor.

The Port of San Diego’s two cruise ship terminals are located in the North Embarcadero area of San Diego Bay – an area many refer to as “San Diego’s front porch” because of its picture-perfect postcard views and welcoming atmosphere. It fronts downtown San Diego and is home to attractions such as the U.S.S. Midway Museum and the Maritime Museum of San Diego. The Port recently put in about $31 million in improvements to the area, including adding a new visitor information center and walk-up restaurant and bar. There are also public gardens and seating areas to relax and enjoy the spectacular views and action along the waterfront.

The cruise ship terminals are easy to get to – they’re about a two-mile drive from San Diego International Airport and are a block away from the Santa Fe Deport train station.

One of the most popular cruise destinations from the Port of San Diego is the Mexican Riviera. Both Holland America Line and Disney Cruise Line offer this sailing from San Diego. Stops include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas. Holland America also offers a longer Mexico cruise that visits La Paz, Topolobampo and Loreto in addition to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo. Carnival Cruise Line offers three, four and five-day cruises to Baja California with a stop in Ensenada.

For the remainder of 2020, cruise passengers can sail from San Diego to not only the Mexico destinations, but Panama, the Hawaiian Islands, Tahiti and the California Coast.

There are also port of call cruises that stop in the Port of San Diego for the day. On these cruises, passengers can take advantage of San Diego’s perfect weather. Walk along the North Embarcadero and you will find several enticing dining choices. Just steps from the cruise terminal, the new Portside Pier development is nearing completion. Anticipated to open in  summer 2020, this dining venue will feature a Brigantine Seafood Restaurant, a Miguel’s Cocina Mexican Restaurant, Ketch Grill & Taps for casual pub fare and craft beer, and Portside Coffee and Gelato. Portside Pier will include a wraparound viewing deck for the public to enjoy, along with a dine and dock option that will give boaters the opportunity to dock alongside the restaurants for free.

South of the cruise ship terminals are more options to enjoy. Seaport Village is a short walk away and will include new, hip places to eat, drink and be entertained. Mike Hess Brewing, a local San Diego craft brewer, will partner with City Tacos for a fun and casual place to enjoy traditional street tacos and refreshing beer. Local celebrity chef “Sam the Cooking Guy” will also be opening a new restaurant. Both of these are anticipated to open by summer 2020.

Whether you plan on hanging out close to the cruise ship terminals while in port, or venturing out further to explore San Diego’s many wonderous amenities, you can be sure you will leave knowing that this is one of the most perfect places in the world to be.

This article is sponsored by the Port of San Diego. For more information, visit https://www.portofsandiego.org/.