Last updated on March 16th, 2026
Curious about things to do in Seaport Village San Diego?
One of San Diego’s most popular attractions, Seaport Village San Diego is a 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, home to more than 50 unique shops and a number of restaurants and tasting rooms.
As San Diego area locals, we visit Seaport Village quite often. It is a nice spot to grab dinner or just take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. It is also very close to the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park.
Whether you are visiting the area on vacation or live nearby, Seaport Village is a must to include on your itinerary.
Things to Do in Seaport Village San Diego
Here are the best things to do in Seaport Village San Diego, plus some helpful information to help make the most of your visit.
1. Walk Along the Waterfront
Stretching along the waterfront between the San Diego Convention Center and the cruise ship terminal, downtown San Diego’s Seaport Village and the harborside boardwalk are some of the best places to enjoy the more than 250 days of sunshine each year.
The area features spectacular views of the Coronado Bridge, Coronado Island and boats on the bay. There are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the view, or you can walk out onto the peninsula for a little exercise.
Walk a little further down the boardwalk and you’ll past Embarcadero Marina Park and Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, San Diego’s open-air seafood market.
Past that area you’ll see the Embracing Peace statue (also called the Unconditional Surrender statue) a giant public art display depicting the famous photo taken at the end of World War II of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square.
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The statue is a great spot for a photo op, especially if you are traveling with your partner!
Finally, at the far end of the Embarcadero you’ll hit the USS Midway Museum and the San Diego Maritime Museum, two fantastic interactive museums in San Diego along the waterfront.
2. Visit the Headquarters
Adjacent to Seaport Village is The Headquarters, the former San Diego Police headquarters and jail. The Headquarters is now a revitalized entertainment spot with an eclectic mix of shops and some fabulous places to eat, all while maintaining the building’s original architectural style (it was built in 1939).
Tucked in the midst of the Headquarters at Seaport District is a cool exhibit. Pop down a secluded hallway where you can view original 5-by-8-foot jail cells where inmates were once held, and a long wall of historic photos and police memorabilia on display.
The exhibit is open the same hours as the restaurants and shops at The Headquarters. Kids and teens will love popping into this area – and it is totally free! In fact, generally speaking, visiting Seaport Village is one of the best free things to do in San Diego.
3. Explore the Shops at Seaport Village
Meandering through the shops is what visiting Seaport Village San Diego is all about! It is one of the most popular things to do in Seaport Village. With more than 50 stores, boutiques, and art galleries – it is the perfect place to buy your San Diego souvenirs or just window shop for fun!
Some of the items you’ll find include jewelry, handmade soaps, home accessories, flags, kites, clothing, hot sauce, books, art work, decorative tiles, sweet treats and more.
One of our favorite places to browse is Captain’s Cove, a shop specializing in nautical-themed home decor. The Bay Company is another great place to find gifts, souvenirs, and sportswear for the entire family.
Around the shops and eateries in Seaport Village are lovely cobblestone pathways bordered by ponds, benches, fountains, and colorful landscaping. It’s a nice spot to let the kids run free, or grab an ice cream cone and enjoy the beautiful setting.
► Check out this official Seaport Village directory for an up-to-date complete list of businesses and map of their locations.
4. Relax by the Koi Pond
Tucked in a quiet corner of Seaport Village is a peaceful little koi pond. It is just steps away from the shops and restaurants, but a peaceful spot to escape the buzz. Have a seat on one of the benches and enjoy watching the ducks and colorful fish swim by.
5. Embark on a Tour of San Diego
Seaport Village is the starting point to several San Diego tours, as well as Stop D for the Old Town Hop On Hop Off Trolley.
Our absolute favorite tour in the area is the San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour.
Taking a hop on hop off San Diego Tour is the perfect way to maximize your time and get around, all while learning some cool facts about the city!) You can purchase tickets at Seaport Village and start your tour from there.
One of the most unique and popular tours is the San Diego SEAL Tour. The SEAL tour departs right from Seaport Village! It takes place on an amphibious vehicle, which means the tour drives around town to see some popular sights before launching into the water for a ride around the harbor.
The San Diego SEAL Tour is fun way to see San Diego from both land and water, and a real thrill for kids whe n the bus drives right into the harbor! You can also catch a variety of different San Diego harbor cruises a little further down the waterfront along the Embarcadero.
6. Visit the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room
Locally made, award winning wine by the glass, bottle, and tasting. They have a private patio where you can enjoy a drink outdoors and take in the views of San Diego.
7. Dine at One of the Seaport Village San Diego Restaurants
One of the most popular things to do in Seaport Village San Diego is enjoy a great meal. Choose from more than a dozen restaurants, ranging from casual to fine dining.
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There is currently a lot of construction happening at Seaport Village, so be sure to check the directory as available shops and restaurants may change at any time!
There are spots to grab a coffee, ice cream, burgers, Mexican, or slice of pizza. Some open early to enjoy a quiet breakfast, others stay open late for cocktails and late night bites. Our favorite spot to grab a quick, inexpensive bite is Crack Taco Shop, because they are really good and you can enjoy them outside with a direct water view!
There are four upscale restaurants; these are the best restaurants in Seaport Village San Diego!
- Edgewater Grill
- Malibu Farm
- Shorebird Restaurant
- Zytoun Gourmet Mediterranean Restaurant
Each of these Seaport Village San Diego restaurants offer harbor views, and some have outdoor seating.
8. Ride the Seaport Village Carousel
Seaport Village San Diego is home to a beautiful, historic carousel dating back to 1895.
Featuring 54 hand-carved animals and two chariots, the carousel has been delighting both children and adults for decades.
A bit of history:
The carousel was built in 1895 in Brooklyn, NY, by Charles I.D. Looff and had its debut in 1904 at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. In the 1950s, it moved to Pacific Ocean Park in Santa Monica, where it operated for about 20 years before moving to Washington. The carousel was relocated to Portland, Oregon in 1979, where it was part of the Portland City Dedication in 1982.
In 1991, Historic Carousels, Inc., did a complete restoration of the Fair Park Looff for the 1992 AmeriFlora international horticultural exhibition held in Columbus, Ohio. The Looff carousel then made its way to Burbank, CA in 1997, and in 2004 made its final move to San Diego, where it still resides today!
The cost to ride the carousel is $5 per person.
9. See a Concert at The Rady Shell
One of the newest concert venues in Southern California, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park adjacent to Seaport Village opened in 2021. If you are visiting San Diego in summer, you can enjoy the San Diego Symphony with an outdoor concert. The venue also hosts other live entertainment throughout the year.
10. Rent Bikes & More
Located on the waterfront, Wheel Fun Rentals rents electric bikes, specialty cycles, cruiser bicycles, hybrids, multi-passenger bikes, kids bikes, and more!
Rent a bike from Wheel Fun Rentals and have fun exploring the area. Riding bikes along the waterfront (though note there is a stretch of boardwalk where biking is not allowed) is one of the most fun things to do in Seaport Village.
11. Meet Surfin’ Santa in Seaport Village
Named one of the ten best Santa sightings by USA Today, every holiday season in San Diego Santa breaks out his board shorts and favorite Hawaiian shirt to cruise in from San Diego Bay for the Surfin’ Santa celebration at Seaport Village. He arrives on the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year to spread holiday cheer in true Southern California fashion.
Christmastime at Seaport Village also includes special entertainment, shopping and of course pictures with Santa. It’s a season of celebration at Seaport Village, with live music, crafts, holiday décor, menorah lighting, and festive events throughout the holidays!
The promenade also provides an excellent vantage point for watching the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, where hundreds of boats sail through the harbor adorned with festive holiday lights.
Seaport Village San Diego Map & Directory
With more than 50 shops and restaurants, there’s a lot to explore at Seaport Village! Here is a map of Seaport Village in San Diego to help you plan your visit.
I know the print is tiny in this picture! You can view the most up-to-date directory or download your own copy of the Seaport Village directory and map here.
How to Save on Your San Diego Vacation
There are a variety of ways to save money on hotels and tickets to San Diego’s many theme parks and attractions – including AAA discounts, military or student discounts, and CityPASS San Diego.
I highly recommend CityPASS when visiting San Diego, as you can bundle and save up to 45% on admission to the top theme parks and attractions in San Diego. Choose either SeaWorld San Diego or LEGOLAND and then add three other attractions of your choice, with options including the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, Old Town Trolley Tours, and more! It’s a great way to save money and makes planning your itinerary easy.
Where to Stay at Seaport Village
There are two hotels right on the waterfront, along with numerous other hotels near Seaport Village that are located across the street or within a very short walk!
Here are details on the two Seaport Village San Diego Hotels.
📍 Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is a huge, waterfront hotel located adjacent to Seaport Village. It features 1,628 rooms in two high-rise towers, eight restaurants, and two rooftop pools.
- 1 Market Place, San Diego
- (619) 232-1234
📍 Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
The Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina features 1,362 rooms all boasting phenomenal views of the harbor and a tropical pool area. It is located adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center and Seaport Village, and has a private marina.
- 333 W Harbor Drive, San Diego
- (619) 234-1500
Seaport Village San Diego Hours
Seaport Village San Diego is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hours may vary at some shops and restaurants.
Parking at Seaport Village
Seaport Village is located at 849 West Harbor Drive.
There are two parking lots. The larger main lot is located on the west side of Kettner Blvd. and the smaller secondary lot is on the east side of Kettner Blvd.
Standard Rate $8 per hour (or part thereof). No maximum
Discounted Parking Rates:
Receive a discounted parking rate when you spend a minimum of $10 at a Seaport Village business.
Monday – Thursday:
$5 for the first 3 hours or part thereof
$3 every 30 minutes thereafter or part thereof
Friday – Sunday:
$5 for the first 2 hours or part thereof
$3 every 30 minutes thereafter or part thereof
It is not untypical for the lots to fill up on busy weekends. If you are looking for more Seaport Village San Diego parking options, there are more parking lots nearby, as well as metered parking on the street.
Final Thoughts: Is Seaport Village Worth Visiting?
Seaport Village is definitely one of San Diego’s more touristy destinations, but there is a reason it’s popular!
Is Seaport Village worth visiting? That’s a yes for sure! Seaport Village San Diego is family-friendly and has something for everyone to enjoy. You won’t need a whole day like you do for SeaWorld San Diego or other popular San Diego attractions, but it is definitely worth an hour or two of your time to explore this lovely year-round waterfront destination.
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