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San Diego Naval Base Tours

San Diego has the largest Naval Base on the west coast and is home to the Pacific Fleet. San Diego's Naval Bases are closed to visitors most of the time, but there are other ways to get a look at the Navy in this port city. An excellent option is to take a harbor cruise that tours past the naval ships. A maritime museum is also available, as well as an aircraft carrier open to visiting.

The one time of year that there are Navy base tours is during Fleet Week San Diego . Events include a Navy Open House at Naval Air Station North Island, Ship Tours at Broadway Pier, Sea & Air Parade on the San Diego bayfront, and Miramar Air Show (September 24-26, 2021).

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Throughout the year, Flagship Cruises Harbor Tours take you by boat to see the Naval Base, the Pacific Fleet, the Naval Air Station, and the Sub Base. You'll get a great view of the Navy ships and operations from the water.

Hornblower Cruises Harbor Tours also take you on the water to see all the sights, including the Naval Bases.

Adventure R.I.B. Rides Naval Heritage Tours are another way to see the bases from the water. Their boats are small for a personal and fast-moving tour experience.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego offers a San Diego's Navy exhibit . It depicts 100 years of the Navy here, and includes artifacts and models.

The USS Midway aircraft carrier is the most visited naval ship museum in the world. The Midway was the longest serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century and 225,000 sailors served our country on this huge ship. Your tour includes 29 restored aircraft, and two fun flight simulators for you to try. You'll see the carrier's crew quarters, big galley, engine room, machine shops, flight control, and the bridge. The USS Midway is located on the downtown San Diego waterfront.

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us navy ship tours san diego

Military Ship Tours

November 10 – 12, 2023.

Event Times:  10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Broadway Pier 1000 N. Harbor Dr. San Diego, CA 92132

We invite you to come down to the spectacular San Diego bayfront to tour our visiting ships docked at Broadway Pier and get a glimpse of the day-to-day lives of the sailors serving in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.

Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors must be at least five years old to tour the ships. Strollers, glass, large bags and large backpacks will not be permitted on board. Closed toe shoes are Highly recommended.  There are no elevators aboard the ships, those with limited mobility should not join the tour.

Due to the Navy’s current operational security posture, we cannot confirm the names of the ships participating until the ships are pier side. Thank you for understanding.

  • Ship tours are FREE
  • No Tickets needed
  • No Advance Reservation needed
  • Valid Government Picture ID Required. (i.e.: Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, etc.)

CLOSED-TOE SHOES ARE REQUIRED.

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USS Midway Museum

san diego uss midway

The USS Midway Museum sits in San Diego at the Navy Pier welcoming and enriching guests from around the world. Its patriotic service and military operations are brought to life throughout this interactive museum. Relive the legacy of the longest-serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Naval history-47 years! “Midway Magic” became a recognized term describing the amazing tenacity of the Midway and its crew. When other ships broke down or headed for port, the Midway continued to respond, to perform from the end of WWII all the way through Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Admissions

Coming in at #6 on the Tripadvisor® 2016 Travelers’ Choice list of the Top 25 Museums in the United States, the USS Midway  Aircraft Carrier Museum doesn’t disappoint. Standing tall in the San Diego Bay, this impressive aircraft carrier is likened to a floating city on the sea and delights visitors year ‘round. During the sunlit-filled hours of the day, locals and travelers alike take pride in the nearly 50 years of military history showcased aboard this stunning vessel. And in the evening, the red, white and blue lights adorning the deck shine brightly across the harbor.

Visitor Information

A short drive from the international airport and Port of San Diego, the USS Midway Museum serves as a constant reminder of the symbiotic relationship that San Diego has with the military. After a walk along the Embarcadero, purchase your ticket and climb aboard. A “Welcome Aboard” sign greets visitors as they enter. Once on board the longest serving naval aircraft carrier of the 20th century, guests can grab an audio guide and continue on their way.

The Self-Guided Tour

USS Midway Museum

Over 225,000 service members have served aboard the USS Midway . Once your headsets are on and you’re ready to enjoy your journey, the tour will take you from deck to deck wiggling through the ins and outs of the aft and starboard sides. Some of the many spectacular spaces showcased on the tour are the sick bay, combat stations, jail, laundry, mess halls, galleys, bridge, and quarters of all different levels of servicemen. From the tiny quarters of sailors to the large sized rooms for the Admiral, you can walk through the footsteps of history to feel what it was like to live, work and serve aboard this floating sea vessel.

Family Activities

Families can take part in flight simulations, interactive exhibits, films, knot-tying exercises and conversations with military veterans. On a regular basis, World War II combat veterans are aboard the ship to speak to guests. Give a hug, shake a hand, take a photo or listen to a story – these revered veterans have much to share and much to teach.

Visit the Aircraft

USS Midway Museum

Special Events

Before you head out, check out the many other opportunities offered aboard the USS Midway . From venue spaces for special events to onboard educational programs, this aircraft carrier provides information of seafaring history in a variety of ways. Teachers can plan real and virtual field trips, schools can receive professional development and you can even sleep overnight aboard the carrier. Find out about the many military ceremonies and the countless events open to the public. In the summer, be sure to check out the movie nights on the flight deck and join in for the celebration at one of the best viewing spots for the Fourth of July fireworks over the water.

Things to Do Nearby

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Nearby the USS Midway are a number of attractions with various ways to take in the joys of downtown San Diego. Check out some adventures not far away:

  • Old Town Trolley Tour : The best way to see the city of San Diego
  • Hornblower Cruises: Dinner and entertainment cruises
  • Maritime Museum : Museum of tall ships and submarines
  • Embarcadero : Boardwalk beside the San Diego Bay
  • Little Italy : Saturday farmer’s market, shopping, dining and entertainment
  • Lane Field: Former baseball stadium and original home to the San Diego Padres
  • Liberty Station: Former Naval Training Center turned shopping and dining area
  • Seaport Village/The Headquarters : Shopping, dining and entertainment
  • Convention Center : Home to the International Comic-Con event
  • Gaslamp Quarter : Historic dining, shopping and entertainment precinct

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san diego maritime museum

Navytown, USA: 12 must-visit naval sites in San Diego

As one of the largest fleet concentration areas in the world and home to the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet, San Diego’s temperate climate isn’t the only draw for tourists and transplants. The Navy snagged some of the best oceanfront real estate in America’s Finest City, but due to security measures, opportunities for the general public to access military bases nationwide are limited. For those who want to experience naval activities in San Diego that aren’t camouflaged, there are still many opportunities to say “hooyah!”

1. Perhaps the most popular Navy attraction is the USS Midway Museum , a decommissioned aircraft carrier-turned-museum that sees more than one million visitors annually. As the Navy’s longest-serving carrier of the 20th century, the USS Midway (CV 41) was in active service until 1992. Today visitors can explore 60 exhibits, see 29 restored aircraft and complete a self-guided audio tour. The museum hosts about 400 active-duty military events onboard annually, which the public is welcome to observe.

San Diego, so close yet so far from L.A.

2. Adjacent to the Midway, get in line to take a picture of the iconic 25-foot Unconditional Surrender sculpture replicating the famously photographed embrace of a sailor and nurse celebrating the end of World War II in Times Square. Nearby, the USS San Diego (CL 53) Memorial is a sculpture honoring the service and sacrifice of the World War II-era light cruiser and her crew.

3.  Fleet Week San Diego (Sept. 3 to Oct. 1, 2016) takes place annually during the fall, featuring public events like Navy ship tours, the Sea & Air Parade with Navy assets on San Diego Bay, the Coronado Speed Festival auto show and exhibition held on Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), and the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (MCAS Miramar) Air Show flight demonstration, among others. Fleet Week events are typically the best opportunities for the general public to visit a military installation.

4.  Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is a military cemetery and California Historical Landmark in Point Loma, located on the grounds of a former Army artillery station. Spanning 77 acres, the cemetery holds more than 100,000 graves, including those of many notable Medal of Honor recipients. Memorial Day is one of the most popular times to visit.

5. Just past the cemetery, Cabrillo National Monument is home to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and a statue of Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. At 422 feet above sea level, the monument is a great vantage point to see the entire military footprint in San Diego, spanning the submarine, surface ship and aviation hubs.

6. Once a Naval Training Center, Liberty Station in Point Loma opened in 1923 as a training facility for Navy recruits. After the Cold War, the Navy eventually closed the base, which was later acquired by the City of San Diego. Today, Liberty Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a popular shopping, arts and culinary district with much of the original Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture still intact. The district’s layout still closely resembles a Navy base, with nods to its earlier life in many of the design elements.

7. Located within Balboa Park, the San Diego Air & Space Museum has a large collection of fully restored military aircraft from both World Wars, the Korean War and Vietnam War. While there, test-drive one of the flight simulators or take a guided tour of the museum to hear about the history of aviation.

8. Over the landmark bridge in Coronado, much of the island belongs to the Navy, including NASNI and Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado, making it a major site of naval activity. Navy SEAL candidates endure a rigorous course called Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado. Guests at Hotel del Coronado usually know when candidates make it to week four of training, also known as Hell Week, because the exercises are done on the beach near the hotel. The teamwork exercise “rock portage” is one of the most visible, where candidates simulate landing a boat on rocks, then carry the boat out of the water above their heads. A prime viewing spot, the same beach also falls along the flight line for aircraft landing at NASNI, recognized as the birthplace of naval aviation and home to the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Naval Air Forces.

9. The 1986 blockbuster movie Top Gun is perhaps the naval aviation community’s best recruiting tool. Audiences watch Tom Cruise train at the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School at MCAS Miramar, one of many local filming locations. Known as the “Top Gun bar” downtown where several scenes were filmed, Kansas City Barbeque is where the memorable jukebox serenade takes place with Kelly McGillis. To visit the “Top Gun house” where McGillis lived in the movie, drive north to the Oceanside cottage that still stands today on an empty lot in front of Hello Betty Fish House.

10. Owned by a former Navy SEAL, McP’s Irish Pub in Coronado is a favorite off-duty hangout among the Navy community. Previous patrons include Prince Harry and his British military brethren in 2011.

11. For the best views of San Diego Bay, head to Harbor Island, Shelter Island or Coronado Ferry Landing to see ships as they transit the harbor. Typically Mondays and Fridays are the best opportunities to spot a ship in action. In years past at Naval Base San Diego, homeport to the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Naval Surface Force, the base has opened to the public for a holiday lights open house when ships along the waterfront are aglow from bow to stern.

12. The Navy’s Marine Mammal Program is only visible by water from a few vantage points. The enclosure of dolphins and sea lions is located on Naval Base Point Loma, home to the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Naval Submarine Force, where the mammals are trained to detect sea mines and other harmful underwater objects. Take a harbor cruise or ride a stand-up paddleboard through the channel between Liberty Station and Marine Corps Recruit Depot to get a peek of the enclosures and — just maybe — the top of a submarine.

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Fleet Week Military Ship Tours

Tours of US Navy and US Coast Guard ships will be available during Fleet Week on a first come, first served basis.

Visitors must be at least 5 years old to tour ships; strollers, glass, large bags and backpacks will not be permitted on-board.

San Diego Fleet Week

Neighborhood: Downtown

Broadway Pier

1000 N Harbor Dr CA 92101

Contact Info

[email protected]

Date & Time

Oct 26 - Oct 28, 2018 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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San diego crew classic.

Regarded as the first major regatta of the year, the San Diego Crew Classic brings together thousands of athletes from more than 100 universities, clubs and high school programs across the United States. Spanning ages 14 – 84, the Crew Classic is a competition for future Olympians as well as for those new to the sport. This event is often a highlight of their competitive rowing careers. The Crew Classic is not only an athletic event with competitors at the peak of physical fitness, but a social gathering for enthusiasts to enjoy great local food, a beer garden with San Diego’s famous local craft breweries, and shopping. The event is held at Mission Bay, just a mile from the Pacific Beach.

Port of San Diego's Day at the Docks

A San Diego sportfishing tradition, The Port Of San Diego’s Day At The Docks is the West Coast’s largest public celebration of sportfishing. Signaling the official start of Southern California’s spring saltwater fishing season, Day At The Docks takes place on Sunday, April 7, 2024 against the colorful and dynamic backdrop of world renown sportfishing fleet on San Diego Bay.

Gator By The Bay-Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival

The spirit, sounds and flavors of southwest Louisiana come alive at the largest and most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou. With everything from A to Zydeco, this 4-day, family-friendly cultural celebration takes place on picture-perfect San Diego Bay, featuring 100+ live musical acts & performances on 7 stages, wooden dance floors, shade, green grass and plenty of fun for the kids.

Come for the music, stay for the food. Gator By The Bay’s mouthwatering French Quarter Food Court is what foodie dreams are made of. Check off every box on your bayou-inspired culinary bucket list and chow down on authentic Cajun, Creole and Southern culinary delights, including gumbo, jambalaya, beignets and 10,000 pounds of crawfish brought directly from Louisiana. Gator By The Bay is Mardi Gras in May

La Jolla Half Marathon & Shores 5K

The La Jolla Half Marathon is one of America's most picturesque and beautiful point-to-point races. Starting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the course follows a scenic coastal route before reaching the challenging climb to the summit of Torrey Pines State Park. The course then rolls atop Torrey Pines mesa, continues down through residential La Jolla Shores, and finishes at La Jolla Cove.

For those interested in a shorter option, the La Jolla Shores 5K offers a mostly downhill course and features some of the most scenic views of the last 3.1 miles of the half marathon course.

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us navy ship tours san diego

us navy ship tours san diego

10 Incredible San Diego Sailing Tours to Get Your Sailing On

S ometimes we just want to ditch the on-land attractions and head out to the ocean for a sailing adventure. Whether you’ve never been on a boat before or you’re a seasoned sailor yourself but couldn’t get your boat down to San Diego and still need your fix of the sea breeze. Thankfully, plenty of companies offer San Diego sailing tours.

Greg and I got into sailing a few years ago. We currently don’t have our sailing certification but love spending time on the water. So until we can safely maneuver our own sailboat, we either head out with one of our friends (Big shout out to Joe! Thank you!!!) or go on a sailing tour.

Here is a list of our most loved San Diego sailing tours to get you in the mood to hit the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

The Best San Diego Sailing Tours

🥇best rated san diego sailing tour.

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Book the highest-rated San Diego Sailing Tour with 380+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star ratings on Viator! Book this tour

Small Group San Diego Sunset Sailing Excursion

This three-hour San Diego sunset sail tour brings lovers of the sea out on a Catalina-style sailboat to watch the last of the sun rays fall behind the ocean. The idea of this excursion is to create an intimate feeling, only allowing six guests on board.

There will be beer, soft drinks, and snacks provided by the captain during the ride. Additionally, warm jackets will be on standby in case the wind off the sea becomes too much.

Pass by San Diego’s private marina Point Loma, the USS Midway Museum, and under Coronado Bridge to the island.

The sailing boat has a modern sound system, so if anyone would like to play their favorite songs for some added ambiance, they’re free to do so.

Before you head off, meet at the Sail San Diego Office on Shelter Island. You need to receive a physical paper ticket to board the ship. It will be given to you upon check in.

Sunset Sailing Experience On San Diego Bay

Sunset is, without a doubt, the best time to take a boat out to sea. Watching the dramatic orange colors explode throughout the sky from a top deck is a blissful experience.

Hop on board a classic sailing yacht and make your way down San Diego Bay, catching glimpses of military ships and some of the city’s key sights from a unique perspective.

Take advantage of the many photo opportunities while watching the California sun slowly fades away. As well as an unforgettable sailing experience, you get some white wine, chocolates, soda, and water with your booking.

This fantastic two-hour tour is popular among those looking to celebrate something, e.g., engagement or proposal. This sunset sail in San Diego is one you won’t be soon to forget.

A maximum of six people can reserve a space on the ship which departs from Harbor Island. It’s recommended that you arrive 20 minutes beforehand, so you have time to find the gate. The company is not able to wait for anyone.

Book here San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

Would you like to see some whales? Head out to sea with an expert guide who will provide interesting knowledge about grey whales, dolphins, and other animals that roam around San Diego.

They’ll bring you to several areas where they have spotted whales in the past. This exciting 4.5-hour whale-watching tour takes you aboard a ship modeling a sailing schooner that won a prize at the world’s first America’s Cup sailing competition in 1851. 

This outstanding whale-watching tour includes drinks and snacks, sightings of whales guaranteed, and a no-sickness promise.

Check-in is at the Next Level Sailing office. It opens an hour before departure and closes 30 minutes before. If you’re looking for a small private tour, this isn’t the one for you. The ship can hold up to 77 passengers.

Book here Small Group Afternoon Sailing Excursion

Board a Catalina-style sailboat for six people and embark on a semi-private sailing tour of San Diego.

Get your binoculars ready because you’ll see an array of sights like the San Diego Convention Center, Seaport Village , the USS Midway , and much more.

The boat’s crew members will take good care of you for the duration of the tour, offering complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks. If the sun gets too much for you, sunscreen will be on board too. 

Check in for this activity is at the Sail San Diego office. The captain will meet you there and bring you to the ship, where the fun will begin!

San Diego Bay Relaxing Sailing Tour

Step aboard a luxuriously designed Beneteau sailing yacht and cruise around San Diego Bay VIP style. Pop your head inside the spacious cabin kitted out with cushioned seats, soft blankets, pillows, and bean bags to relax on the bow of the boat.

The 2.5 tour starts by taking passengers to catch some gorgeous harbor views of the military ships parked up, including the USS Midway and the Star of India. After, they’ll be taken under the Coronado Bridge to see San Diego Seaport area.

The boat will then venture over the bay to the Naval Air Station and a couple of other notable attractions before making the return to land.

The tour will leave from the Claire Sailing office, only a few minutes from downtown. Beverages are provided by the company, e.g., beer and soda, and passengers can have a shot of driving the boat once given the go-ahead from the captain.

Private Sailing Charter on San Diego Bay

Enjoy a 2.5-hour private sailing charter tour along San Diego Bay.

This is different from other excursions where the company chooses the itinerary. Instead, you decide what you want to see. Whether you want to go whale watching, swimming, or lay an anchor somewhere, the sky is the limit. Additionally, if you’d like the captain to plan your time out carefully, that can be arranged too. See sights like Tijuana , Hotel del Coronado, or Point Loma Lighthouse.

Make sure you arrive outside Clayton’s Galley 10 minutes before departure time. That’s where the captain will meet you beforehand.

Look out for dolphins, sea lions, and whales when you’re out at sea. If it’s the season, you can see them.

Again, this charter sailboat tour of San Diego is private. It will only be your group on the boat with the captain and their team. Snacks and water are included with the tour.

Book here Luxury Catamaran Sailing Charter of San Diego

Take on the San Diego waves on your private catamaran sailing charter that can hold up to 12 passengers.

Set off from the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay for an eight-hour cruise to see exciting attractions like Sunset Cliffs Natural Park , Ocean Beach Pier, La Jolla, and Pacific Beach. Soak up stunning seascapes while trying to spot aquatic animals. The captain can help you out with that one.

The crew on board will be looking after you for the day and will provide five-star, personalized service. This is the perfect tour if you have a big family and want to celebrate fashionably.

Private Luxurious Sailing Cruise in San Diego Bay

This is arguably the fanciest sailing tour you can book in California. It’s a private excursion that tailors to passengers’ needs.

Fancy a sail and swim in Glorietta Bay? Or a romantic cruise along Coronado? Pick where you’d like to see. It’s your three hours. Let the crew do the hard work while you relax, sipping on an ice-cold drink.

The tour is limited to you and 5 other guests. You’ll depart from Harbor Island at 5 pm and have three hours out at sea.

When you see inside this yacht, you won’t want to get off. Its elegant design creates a warm, homey feeling. You’ll forget you’re out on the sea.

The captain and his team are attentive and will look after your group in whatever way they can. To top it all off, alcoholic beverages are included, so grab a beer and watch the sun go down with those you love.

There’s no doubt, this is definitely one of the best sailboat tours in San Diego.

Book here Private Sail Yacht Experience on San Diego Bay

Grab some lovely photographs of San Diego Bay on this two-hour private sailing tour.

Have a 37-foot (11.2 meters) yacht all to yourselves while you kick back with a bottle of champagne, and the captain brings you to see dolphins and other sea creatures along the coast.

The tour is suitable for a maximum of six people and comes with some luxuries such as champagne, white wine, chocolates, and soda. You’re free to bring your own food and drink as well.

Book here Sterling Sails 2-Hour Private Sailing Experience

Did anyone ever tell you that San Diego looks better from the water? See it for yourself on this two hour private sailing experience with your own private yacht and a captain who’s well versed in handling navigation.

Sail all along San Diego Bay, scouting out sea lion hideouts and old military ships like the USS Midway.

The ship can hold six people, making this tour ideal for small families or groups on vacation looking for an ocean escape. Captain Liz will meet your group at the benches beside Marina Cortez 15 minutes before the ship’s sailing time.

San Diego is an amazing place for a sailing tour, with stable winds and a balmy climate; it’s no wonder boating enthusiasts love it here. 

When choosing a sailing tour, you’ll have to ask yourself some questions:

What’s your budget? 

Which attractions would you like to see? 

How much time do you have?

Once you’ve determined this, you’ll be on the boat, ready for your San Diego sailing tour!

Looking for more ideas? Check out these San Diego Whale Watching Tours .

Last Updated on August 2, 2023 by Maria Haase

The post 10 Incredible San Diego Sailing Tours to Get Your Sailing On appeared first on San Diego Explorer .

10 Incredible San Diego Sailing Tours to Get Your Sailing On

Trouble-plagued amphibious assault ship USS Boxer finally leaves San Diego for the Indo-Pacific

The USS Boxer, the flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, arrives at Naval Base San Diego.

The ‘mini-carrier’ had experienced a series of costly mechanical problems that Navy investigators say could have been avoided

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The USS Boxer, one of the Navy’s key “mini-carriers,” has left San Diego for the Indo-Pacific following a series of costly engineering problems a Navy probe says could have been avoided.

The 843-foot amphibious assault ship, which carries a mix of aircraft, deployed on Monday for the first time in five years. Such ships more commonly deploy every year or two, if they’re not undergoing extended maintenance.

The Boxer had experienced three significant engineering failures that a Navy review obtained by KPBS found were caused, at least in part, by cost-cutting, under-skilled workers, complacency and poor leadership .

The delays caused deep concern in the Navy because the Boxer was needed to help maintain an American presence in the Indo-Pacific, where China has threatened to invade Taiwan.

Now that the ship is underway, the Boxer will serve as the flagship of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) that includes Camp Pendleton’s 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The ARG also includes two other large, San Diego-based amphibious warships, the USS Somerset and USS Harpers Ferry, both which deployed earlier.

The Marines will deploy their new amphibious combat vehicle for the first time during this deployment.

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San Diego, CA - October 14: On Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in San Diego, CA, Talie Izacard was among the hundreds who came out to Balboa Park to observe the solar eclipse. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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FILE - Lou Conter, an Arizona crewman, attends ceremonies for the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 2016, in Honolulu. Conter, the last living survivor of the USS Arizona battleship that exploded and sank during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, died on Monday, April 1, 2024, following congestive heart failure, his daughter said. He was 102. (Craig T. Kojima/Honolulu Star-Advertiser via AP, Pool, File)

Nation-World

Lou Conter, last survivor of USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor attack, dies at 102

Lou Conter, the last living survivor of the USS Arizona battleship that exploded and sank during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, has died

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Marine Corps Col. Brian Mulvihill, right, meets Royal Australian Navy Capt. Mitchell Livingstone.

Camp Pendleton Marines arrive in Australia for large-scale training exercises

The visit also is meant to bolster the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific amid tensions with China

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The USS Somerset is training with India's Navy in the Indian Ocean.

San Diego sailors and Marines are helping lead a major training exercise with India’s Navy

The amphibious transport dock USS Somerset is among the ships taking the lead

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San Diego, California - March 26: In honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Friday, March 29th, Miramar National Cemetery hosted a ceremony to honor Vietnam War Veterans. Keynote speaker is Colonel Brendan P. Sullivan, Commanding Officer, 1st Marine Regiment - his father served in the Vietnam War. Sullivan takes a photo with veterans in Miramar on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Vietnam Veterans Day

In honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, Miramar National Cemetery hosted a ceremony Tuesday to honor Vietnam War veterans.

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The USS Hampton poked through ice in the Beaufort Sea in March.

San Diego fast-attack submarine USS Hampton pokes through the ice in the Arctic Circle

The sub’s crew has been participating in drills that assess the Navy’s ability to operate in the hostile environment

Charles Jackson French with his sister, Viola, at a Creighton University football game on Oct. 31, 1942.

Navy will name a destroyer after the late San Diego war hero Charles Jackson French

He towed a raft holding 15 injured shipmates to safety after their ship was sunk by a Japanese destroyer

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USS Midway

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  • 360 Virtual Tour

Explore the USS Midway Museum from home!

Enjoy a unique and exclusive virtual opportunity to explore America’s favorite aircraft carrier museum’s most popular spaces and exhibits. Listen to the award-winning audio tour, view a naval aircraft gallery and read amazing historical accounts of the USS Midway.

Scroll down to start your adventure !

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Listen to what it was like to live aboard a floating city at sea.

Choose from two engaging audio experiences for the entire family to enjoy! Midway’s award-winning  Audio Tour  &  Family Audio Tour  bring the ship’s history to life.

Our  Family Audio Tour  is perfect for our Little Skippers! Families can follow Airman Sam Rodriguez as he leads youngsters on an eye-opening and entertaining audio tour to more than 30 locations throughout the aircraft carrier.

Our  Audio Tour  is great to listen to Midway pilots describe their incredible experiences flying more than 20 different aircraft from the flight deck off of this floating airport. Learn what it was like to drop anchor, sleep in an enlisted sailor’s bunk or fly a WWII aircraft. From the Sick Bay, Galley, Laundry and Engine room hear Midway sailors describe their daily shipboard life in their own words!

Turn your speakers up and click on the numbered sound bites to begin your tour of the USS Midway!  Tours are available in 6 languages, simply click on the flag to access your desired language.

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FREE- Get your official USS Midway cell phone wall paper! Be the talk of your “crew” with these one of a kind photo backdrops for your cell phone.

Midway’s aircraft gallery.

Explore a unique collection of more than 30 Navy aircraft including jets, propeller planes, and helicopters! Aircraft Gallery »

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Karl's Korner: History Blog

Meet Karl Zingheim, USS Midway’s ship historian and a San Diego State University military professor and specialist in naval history. Karl shares slices of naval history in his blogs that are family friendly and compelling reads for the military history or curious buff. Click below to read.

Karl’s Korner »

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Little Skippers: Activities for Kids

Learn naval history and all about the USS Midway Museum from Airman Sam Rodriguez. Download activity sheets, recipes, and enjoy the Family Audio Tour for some family fun in the comfort of your home. Little Skippers   »

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Local News and Opinion for San Diego

San Diego-Based U.S. Navy Officers Promoted to Rear Admiral

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Nimitz change command Sicola

Two U.S. Navy officers in San Diego have been promoted to rear admiral, according to the Department of Defense.

Capt. Timothy A. Brown has been selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half) and assigned as director of the Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations Division (N4L), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C.  

Brown is currently serving as assistant chief of staff for Force Logistics, Naval Air Forces/Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet .

Capt. Craig C. Sicola has been selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half) and will be assigned as deputy director, Strategy, Plans and Policy (DJ5) for U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.  

Sicola is currently serving as assistant chief of staff for Education, Training and Planning, Naval Air Forces/Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Meanwhile, Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael B. Devore will be assigned as the senior military official for Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, part of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Apra, Guam.  

Devore is currently serving as chief of staff, Naval Surface Forces/Naval Surface Force for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. 

COMMENTS

  1. USS Midway Aircraft Carrier

    If you go to San Diego the USS Midway a must see attraction! Make sure you give yourself enough time to tour and listen to the amazing volunteers tell their stories. It was a great day-wish we had more time! fayes64 Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.

  2. San Diego Naval Base Tours and Cruises

    Their boats are small for a personal and fast-moving tour experience. The Maritime Museum of San Diego offers a San Diego's Navy exhibit. It depicts 100 years of the Navy here, and includes artifacts and models. The USS Midway aircraft carrier is the most visited naval ship museum in the world. The Midway was the longest serving aircraft ...

  3. Military Ship Tours

    November 10 - 12, 2023. Event Times: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Location: We invite you to come down to the spectacular San Diego bayfront to tour our visiting ships docked at Broadway Pier and get a glimpse of the day-to-day lives of the sailors serving in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  4. Buy Tickets

    $5 off Adult General Admission, $3 off Child ticket at the San Diego Maritime Museum. $5 off per person for 1 or 2 hour Harbor Tour with Hornblower Cruises and Events. Adult ticket only. $5 off per person for 1 or 2 hour Harbor Tour with Flagship Cruises and Events. Adult ticket only.

  5. Skip the Line: USS Midway Museum Admission Ticket in San Diego

    Take a trip through American naval history with admission to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. This enormous ship, known as the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now offers a range of interactive exhibits, a self-guided audio tour and numerous restored aircraft across its 4-acre (1.6-hectare) flight deck and sections below.

  6. USS Midway Museum, San Diego

    Take a trip through American naval history with admission to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. This enormous ship, known as the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now offers a range of interactive exhibits, a self-guided audio tour and numerous restored aircraft across its 4-acre (1.6-hectare) flight deck and sections below.

  7. Swift Boat Naval History Tour

    This is a narrated tour describing PCF 816's role in the U.S., Malta, Viet Nam, Swift Boat sailors, and the above establishments on the Bay. A unique one of a kind adventure. Book now! Swift Boat Naval History Tour, includes General Admission. Ticket range: $48 to $24. Boarding starts at the early time listed on your ticket (either 12:15 or 2 ...

  8. Plan Your Adventure

    Purchase your Midway Museum General Admission ticket on our website for the BEST VALUE! Your online ticket includes the Embarcadero Adventure Offers featuring discounts from various activities along the San Diego Embarcadero! $34 - Adult (ages 13+) $24 - Youth (ages 4-12) $24 - Veterans (w/ID) *Must show ID at entrance.

  9. USS Midway Museum

    Specialties: The USS Midway Museum is San Diego's #1 visitor attraction, this real naval aircraft carrier offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for everyone. Guests of all ages can enjoy a self-guided audio tour featuring 60 exhibits highlighting this "city at sea" and 29 restored aircraft. Explore galleys, officer's country and sleeping quarters of a 69,000 ton ship, naturally located in ...

  10. San Diego's Navy

    San Diego's Navy is the only exhibit depicting the remarkable history of the United States Navy in San Diego. From the visit of the "Great White Fleet" over 100 years ago, when the harbor was too shallow to accommodate the Navy's large ships, San Diego has grown into the largest naval base in the Pacific. San Diego's Navy uses ...

  11. USS Midway & the Waterfront

    Downtown San Diego 's USS Midway Museum is just that: a retired aircraft carrier that is now permanently docked and open to visitors along the city's Embarcadero. The deck of the enormous ship is covered with naval aircraft from World War II through Operation Desert Storm—not just for looking at but for climbing inside and exploring, too ...

  12. San Diego Hosts Downtown Ship Tours

    The guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) opened its doors to more than 2,000 San Diego residents and tourists while moored at the Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego, Oct. 17-18.,

  13. The Ships

    The Maritime Museum of San Diego's experience includes a walking ship tour clearly marked to comply with social distancing guidelines. Tours take guests back in time as they stroll the upper decks of the historic fleet, including the world's oldest sailing ship, Star of India, Navy frigate replica H.M.S. Surprise, featured in the award-winning film, Master and Commander, and California's ...

  14. Public Tours

    In San Diego there are many military-centric sites and museums such as: USS Midway Museum, which is a decommissioned U.S. Navy aircraft carrier located in downtown San Diego. The museum features 60 exhibits, 29 restored aircraft, a self-guided audio tour, and two flight simulators.

  15. San Diego USS Midway Information Guide

    TOUR San Diego SEAL ... Relive the legacy of the longest-serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Naval history-47 years! "Midway Magic" became a recognized term describing the amazing tenacity of the Midway and its crew. ... When other ships broke down or headed for port, the Midway continued to respond, to perform from the end of WWII all the way ...

  16. Navytown, USA: 12 must-visit naval sites in San Diego

    Fleet Week San Diego (Sept. 3 to Oct. 1, 2016) takes place annually during the fall, featuring public events like Navy ship tours, the Sea & Air Parade with Navy assets on San Diego Bay, the ...

  17. San Diego: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket

    The USS Midway Foundation is a non-profit organization. Please consider making a donation on the check-out page. Kids are free in October. 2 free children (6-12) admission tickets with each adult ticket. No child ticket is required at checkout. Child tickets are issued at the ticket booth when the adult ticket is shown.

  18. Visit

    While the museum is closed, the Midway can still be experienced by visiting our website for virtual tours of the ship, children's activities, ship stories and blogs, a photo gallery of our military aircraft, and much more. ... San Diego Travel Info. GROUP VISIT. Docent Tours. Student & Youth Groups Admission.

  19. Fleet Week Military Ship Tours

    Tours of US Navy and US Coast Guard ships will be available during Fleet Week on a first come, first served basis. ... A San Diego sportfishing tradition, The Port Of San Diego's Day At The Docks is the West Coast's largest public celebration of sportfishing. Signaling the official start of Southern California's spring saltwater fishing ...

  20. USS Midway Museum

    Main exhibit area of Midway on the hangar deck. The USS Midway Museum is a historical naval aircraft carrier museum located in downtown San Diego, California at Navy Pier. The museum consists of the aircraft carrier Midway. The ship houses an extensive collection of aircraft, many of which were built in Southern California. [1] [2]

  21. Lake Erie Hosts Public Tours in Downtown San Diego

    Guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) played host to 3,415 San Diego residents and tourists for public ship tours May 21-22 while moored at Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego.,

  22. Naval Base San Diego

    Naval Base San Diego is homeport to the Pacific Fleet Surface Navy with 56 U.S. Navy ships and two auxiliary vessels including USNS Mercy (TAH - 19). The base often hosts visiting surface ships from foreign Navies, other U.S. homeports and the Coast Guard. Naval Base San Diego is also home to more than 200 tenant commands, each having specific ...

  23. 10 Incredible San Diego Sailing Tours to Get Your Sailing On

    Read on for the best San Diego Sailing Tours! ... This exciting 4.5-hour whale-watching tour takes you aboard a ship modeling a ... The boat will then venture over the bay to the Naval Air Station ...

  24. USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 25, 2024

    Sailors load a Mark 46 torpedo into a surface vessel torpedo tube (SVTT) aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) on March 21, 2024. US Navy Photo ...

  25. Troubled assault ship USS Boxer finally leaves San Diego

    April 3, 2024 1:02 PM PT. The USS Boxer, one of the Navy's key "mini-carriers," has left San Diego for the Indo-Pacific following a series of costly engineering problems a Navy probe says ...

  26. 360 Virtual Tour

    Listen to the award-winning audio tour, view a naval aircraft gallery and read amazing historical accounts of the USS Midway. Scroll down to start your adventure ! Entrance; Flight Deck; ... USS Midway's ship historian and a San Diego State University military professor and specialist in naval history. Karl shares slices of naval history in ...

  27. San Diego-Based U.S. Navy Officers Promoted to Rear Admiral

    Capt. Craig Sicola, outgoing commanding officer, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) addresses the crowd during a June 29, 2023 ceremony. Photo credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class ...

  28. Navy destroyer rescues boaters off San Diego coast

    SHARE. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A U.S. Navy ship rescued two boaters off San Diego's coast earlier this month. On March 4, the USS Curtis Wilbur, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile ...