‘Military Attractions’ Theme

Marine Corps Command Museum

Location: Midway District (3 Miles / 5 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 8AM – 4PM (Closed on Sundays)

Cost: Free

Features: History of the U.S. Marine Corps; Displays the Challenges of War and Sacrifices Made for Freedom

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Marine Corps Aviation Museum

Location: Miramar (15 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 9AM – 3:30PM (Closed on Mondays)

Cost: Free (Donations Appreciated)

Features: Only Museum in the Country Dedicated to Marine Corps Aviation

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San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum

Location: Downtown San Diego (North Embarcadero)

Open Daily: Entrance Allowed 10AM – 4PM (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Cost: $17 ($9 for Kids ages 6-17 and $13 for Seniors 62+). Parking Costs Extra.

Features: USS Midway – Longest Serving Aircraft Carrier in U.S. Naval History; Over 40 Exhibits, including Fighter Planes; Simulator Rides

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San Diego Maritime Museum

Location: Downtown San Diego (North Embarcadero)

Open Daily: 9AM – 8PM (9PM during Summer)

Cost: $14 ($8 for Kids ages 6-17 and $11 for Seniors 62+). Parking Costs Extra.

Features: Oldest Active Ship in the World; National Historic Landmarks; U.S. & Soviet Submarines; Nine Maritime Exhibitions, Ships used in the Movies Amistad & Master and Commander; Sailing Adventures.

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San Diego Harbor Cruises

Location: Downtown San Diego (North Embarcadero)

Harbor Tours Start: 10AM – 4:15PM (5:30 PM during Summer).

Cost: $20+ ($10+ for Kids ages 4-12 and $18+ for Seniors 55 and over)

Features: Take a cruise on San Diego Harbor, the most beautiful harbor in America. Enjoy breathtaking views of the downtown San Diego Skyline while passing by Yachts, Sailboats, Naval Warships, and Seals. Whale-watching, Brunch and Dinner Cruises, and Yacht Charters also available.

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Navy SEAL Boat Adventure Rides

Location: Harbor Island (2 Miles West of Downtown San Diego)

Schedule: Year-Round Chartered Tours

Cost: $65 – $75 for Adults ($50 – $60 for Kids)

Features: Naval Tour of San Diego Bay; Wildlife Tours to see Dolphins, Whales, and Mexico’s Coronado Islands; Custom Tours

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Coronado Museum of History and Art

Location: Coronado (6 Miles / 15 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM (Opens at 10AM on Weekends)

Cost: Suggested Donation of $4 ($2 for Kids Ages 8 – 19)

Features: Historical Look at the Hotel Del Coronado and the U.S. Naval Air Station

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Veterans Museum and Memorial Center

Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 10AM – 4PM. Closed on Mondays.

Cost: $3 Donation

Features: Extensive Collection of Stories and Artifacts from Military Conflicts; Represents Veterans from the Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Force.

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San Diego Air & Space Museum

Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 10AM – 4:30PM (Must enter by 4PM). Open until 5:30PM during Summer. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Cost: $15 ($6 for Kids ages 3-11 and $12 for Seniors)

Features: One of the Nation’s Best Aerospace Museums; San Diego has the Richest Aviation History in the World

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Gillespie Field Aircraft Museum

Location: El Cajon (17 Miles / 20 Minutes East of Downtown San Diego)

Hours: 8AM – 3PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Cost: Free (Donations Accepted)

Features: Restoration Hanger for the Air & Space Museum includes More than Two Dozen Aircraft and an Atlas Missile.

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San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park

Location: San Pasqual Valley (34 Miles / 40 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Weekends: 10AM – 5PM. (Closed Weekdays)

Cost: Free

Features: Bloodiest Battleground in the Mexican-American War. Also, the Most Controversial Battle Site in the War.

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San Diego Skyline Views from Coronado

Location: Coronado (6 Miles / 15 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)

Features: Magnificent Views of the City-Skyline, San Diego Bay, and Navy Aircraft Carriers; Shopping; Dining; Ferry Boat

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Cabrillo National Monument

Location: Point Loma (9 Miles / 20 Minutes West of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM

Cost: $5 per Vehicle

Features: Best Views of Downtown San Diego, San Diego Bay, and the Pacific Ocean; Tidepools; Hiking; Lighthouse Tour; Whale Watching; Visitor Center Exhibitions and Films about Juan Cabrillo, the First European Explorer to Arrive in California.

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Panoramic Views from Mount Soledad

Location: La Jolla (12 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Dawn – Dusk

Cost: None

Features: Park With Panoramic Views of San Diego County and the Pacific Ocean; Includes Views to Mexico and Los Angeles Mountains

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Marine Corps Mechanized Museum

Location: Oceanside (38 Miles / 40 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Weekdays: 7:30AM – 4PM (1PM on Fridays); Closed on Weekends

Cost: Free; Must Show Driver’s License and have Proof of Car Insurance to enter Camp Pendleton

Features: Relics of Past Conflicts including Tanks, Missile Carriers, Howitzer, and other Combat Vehicles

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Museum Honoring Buffalo Soldiers, US Cavalry, and The American Frontier

Location: Campo (51 Miles / 1.25 Hours East of Downtown San Diego)

Hours: 11AM – 5PM on Saturdays and Sundays

Cost: $2 (Free for Kids).

Features: History of Early Life in the American West Frontier, Buffalo Soldiers, and the U.S. Cavalry at Camp Lockett.

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Glamis & The Imperial Sand Dunes

Location: Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area (150 Miles / 2.5 Hours East of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Open Year-Round (October – May are the Main Months)

Cost: $25 per Vehicle and Up. (See Fee Information Below.)

Features: World’s Most Popular Sand Dunes; Off-Roading; Hiking; Horseback Riding; Camping

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San Diego Newspapers

Stay current on the latest happenings in San Diego with our Daily Newspapers, Business Periodicals, Weeklies, and Monthlies. Most are available in print and online with the links below.

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