The SeaWorld San Diego is managed by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and is recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The park’s operating hours are as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 10:30 AM to 5 PM.
- Saturdays: 10 AM to 8 PM.
- Sundays: 10 AM to 7 PM.
History Of SeaWorld In San Diego
SeaWorld was originally conceptualized as an underwater restaurant with marine entertainment by UCLA graduates George Millay, Milton Shedd, Dave Demotte, and Ken Norris in 1964. When the idea proved to be impossible, they decided on a 22-acre oceanarium by the Mission Bay shore in San Diego, California, inspired by the existing Marineland of the Pacific in Palos Verde, Los Angeles, California.
SeaWorld San Diego officially opened on March 21, 1964, with sea lion and dolphin exhibits. The park’s success led to other parks being established in Aurora, Ohio (1970); Orlando, Florida (1973); and San Antonio, Texas (1988).
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. managed SeaWorld back in 1976 until 1989 when the Shark and Penguin Encounters and a Shamu Stadium were introduced. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. was also responsible for shutting down SeaWorld’s major competitor, Marineland, and relocating its marine mammals into SeaWorld San Diego, most notably the orcas Corky and Orky.
SeaWorld was purchased by Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc in 1989 and was operated by Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC). Several attractions were added to SeaWorld San Diego during their time, such as the Wild Arctic ride and exhibit in 1997, Shipwreck Rapids raft ride in 1999, Journey to Atlantis ride in 2004, and Sesame Street Bay of Play kiddie-ride in 2008.
SeaWorld was sold to The Blackstone Group in 2008 who introduced a Manta roller coaster. SeaWorld is currently owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.
The rapid growth of SeaWorld led to some locations and attractions being replaced with newer ones, starting with its original entrance which was replaced by Shamu Stadium. Theater of the Sea was replaced by Shipwreck Rapids while the Hawaiian Punch village was remodeled to be the Bayside Café for some time before its demolition. The Japanese Village was replaced by the Forbidden Reef and later by the Manta Roller Coaster.
Ticket Info
Guests are able to purchase the following tickets, fun cards, and passes:
- Date-specific tickets are priced at $64.99.
- Single-day and 2-day tickets are priced at $99.99.
- 2-Park tickets (SeaWorld San Diego and Sesame Place San Diego) cost $124.99.
- A San Diego 3-For-1 ticket (SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park) costs from $164 to $173.
- Fun cards cost $109.99/person, and provide you with unlimited visits for the rest of year until next year (i.e., the rest of 2022 and the whole of 2023).
- SeaWorld SoCal Pass is also available for $10/month or $120/year, which comes with unlimited visits, 50% off general parking, and discounted Howl-O-Scream tickets.
Attractions Inside SeaWorld
The main shows featured in SeaWorld San Diego include the Orca Encounter, Dolphin Adventures, Sea Lion and Otter Spotlight, Sea Rescue, and Cirque Electrique. The main theme park rides available are the following:
- Bayside Skyride.
- Ocean Explorer’s Aqua Scout, Octarock, Sea Dragon Drop, and Tentacle Twirl.
- Riptide Rescue.
- Sesame Street’s Bay of Play’s Abby’s Seastar Spin, Elmo’s Flying Fish, and Oscar’s Rockin’ Eel.
- Shipwreck Rapids.
- Skytower.
- Electric Eel.
- Journey to Atlantis.
- Emperor.
- Manta.
- Tidal Twister.
SeaWorld San Diego in San Diego, California is the best theme park for marine mammal enthusiasts and anything related to it. Find killer whales, walruses, sea otters, dolphins, and more in SeaWorld!
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