View of San Diego’s downtown skyline with tall buildings, a busy marina, and surrounding mountains under a clear blue sky.

San Diego, California

Cruises to San Diego

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Things to do in San Diego

San Diego throws more than sunshine your way — it throws seaside chill, cross‑border zest and a dose of California cool into one breezy package. And while its history runs deep (think Spanish missions, Mexican heritage and U.S. expansion), today you’ll find surf, craft beer and coastline that doesn’t quit. Here are some top suggestions on how to optimize your stay.

Explore things to do in San Diego
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  • Wooden wagon and barrels decorated with flowers in San Diego’s Old Town surrounded by trees, cacti, and historic wooden buildings.

    Make your way through Old Town, where the first Spanish settlement in California left its mark and local shops and live music fill the air.

  • Balboa Park’s Botanical Building in San Diego with a domed wooden structure, palm trees, colorful flowers, and a pond with ducks in the foreground.

    Explore Balboa Park, an urban cultural giant with museums, gardens and a world-class zoo tucked between palms and concrete arches.

  • Coastal view of La Jolla in San Diego with ocean waves, rocky cliffs, and wildflowers under a warm sunset glow.

    Visit La Jolla, perched above bluffs and beaches, offering fine shopping, sunset views and some of the softest sand your toes have ever touched.

  • Witness the power of San Diego’s naval pride as an aircraft carrier sails at sunset with a helicopter overhead.

    Cruise the harbor past aircraft carriers and submarines like it’s just another Tuesday — because here, it is.

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Shore excursions to explore in San Diego

There’s no wrong way to explore San Diego, but these excursions make sure you skip the guesswork and head straight for the ‘wow.’ From land-to-sea hybrids to culinary deep dives, this lineup serves up the best of America’s Finest City — no planning required.

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  • Red San Diego trolley passing through downtown with modern buildings, palm trees, and clear blue skies in the background.

    Old Town Trolley Tour

    Board an open-air trolley and roll through San Diego’s greatest hits — think harbor views, Gaslamp Quarter history, Coronado’s beachy charm and Balboa Park’s green sprawl. You’ll even swing by Little Italy and Old Town. Hop on, hop off or just stay parked and soak it all in. Your schedule, your call.

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  • Group of sea lions resting on coastal rocks with waves splashing around them along San Diego’s shore.

    Best of the Bay Cruise

    Glide past sea lions, shipyards and maybe even a migrating whale on this narrated 90-minute bay cruise. From the Point Loma Lighthouse to the Coronado Bridge and Hotel del Coronado, this tour serves up classic San Diego sights with an ocean breeze and zero effort. Pro tip: grab a spot on deck for the full effect.

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  • Residential street in San Diego lined with palm trees and houses, sloping toward the ocean under a cloudy sky.

    The San Diego Seal

    Start on land, splash into the bay and then call it a day. This amphibious adventure takes you past downtown landmarks, then dives into the harbor for a waterborne loop near Point Loma. Wildlife sightings are likely, fun facts are guaranteed and your Instagram will never recover.

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  • Two large Galápagos tortoises resting on sandy ground at the San Diego Zoo with textured shells and wrinkled skin.

    San Diego Zoo On Your Own

    Spend a full day exploring the legendary San Diego Zoo: over 4,000 animals, 700,000 plants, tram rides, double‑deck buses and habitats built for jaguars, condors and elephants (to name a few). You roam at your own pace and decide when to pause for snacks.

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  • Close-up of a vendor preparing a taco with grilled meat and vegetables using tongs at a food stand in San Diego.

    Local Connections: Explore San Diego’s Culinary Roots

    With Mexico’s border just 17 miles away, you better believe that local food traditions lean south. This half‑day experience plunges you into Barrio Logan’s Chicano murals, street‑style tacos and fresh agua frescas, then into Old Town’s culinary scene where guacamole, tortillas and tequila sampling redefine tradition and taste.

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  • Ornate domed fountain surrounded by tall palm trees with the historic Horton Plaza buildings in downtown San Diego behind it.

    City Drive & La Jolla Highlights

    This four-hour ride gives you San Diego’s greatest hits: La Jolla’s swanky beaches, Old Town’s adobe charm, Balboa Park’s green heart and the waterfront’s Embarcadero vibes. Finish your tour or hop off for some solo exploring. Return to ship or linger near Horton Plaza for shopping? Sorry, but  that’s a choice you’re going to have to make on your own.

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Explore itineraries with cruises to San Diego

When you arrive at the port, you’re stepping into a city that rolls waves and sidewalks in equal measure. San Diego’s cruise terminal sits right on the Embarcadero, with walkable access to shopping, dining and historic neighborhoods. It’s one of the easiest U.S. ports to explore on foot, and a great starting point for California coast itineraries that let you roll from skyline to sand in minutes.

 

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6-Day Pacific Wine Country

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16-Day Panama Canal - Ocean to Ocean

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27-Day Tahiti, Hawaii & South Pacific Crossing

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Discover San Diego on your next cruise

San Diego cruises bring together Spanish missions, beachside bliss and big-city perks — all in one sun-drenched stop. Whether you're checking out the zoo, sipping your way through Old Town or sailing under the Coronado Bridge, this city always over-delivers. Princess Cruises® adds comfort, smart itineraries and the kind of shipboard amenities that make your day ashore feel like part of a longer story. If you’re looking at destinations accessible from San Diego, this one checks all the boxes (and then some).

Cruises to San Diego
California Tower and domed building in Balboa Park, San Diego, framed by palm trees and colorful flowers under a bright blue sky.

Gaze up at Balboa Park’s iconic California Tower rising above gardens bursting with vibrant blooms.

Coastal cliffs in La Jolla, San Diego, with blooming purple wildflowers overlooking the sandy beach and calm ocean at sunset.

Soak in a golden sunset along La Jolla’s cliffs where wildflowers meet the Pacific shore.

a smiling couple stands at the railing of a Princess® cruise ship, enjoying the open sea and blue sky.

A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.

Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

Discover our ships

Comfort? Absolutely. Views? All day. Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards. 


No two ships are identical, but they all share one mission: turn your vacation into a standing ovation.

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Cruises to San Diego FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

Let Princess get you there with travel, airfare & hotels

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  • Princess EZair

    Princess EZAir® Flights

    Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time, and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair® flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airline, allow you to book early and pay later with no penalty, and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. Princess EZair flight quotes are available on our cruise search result details pages. Please note: Princess EZair® is only available in certain markets.

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    Airplane to Ship Transfer

    Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

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  • Cruise Plus hotel packages

    Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

    Extend your cruise vacation and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the representative’s services.

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Cruise deals and promotions

Find our top sales, deals, partnerships and promotions for our destinations all in one place. We run promotions throughout the year and sometimes run sweepstakes where you can win prizes.

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Escape to the open sea with Princess Cruises.

A couple stands together on the deck of a cruise ship, smiling as they enjoy the ocean view under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

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