World class maritime museum offers ships, subs, displays, nautical history and a fun cruise on San Diego Bay

 

Bruce Keller has sailed all his life, as a native San Diegan with a love of the sea.  He taught sailing
to Christene "Cookie" Meyers. She learned sailing and he learned to ballroom dance. Here they are
at San Diego Maritime Museum, a world renowned museum with vessels, exhibits and much more.

AHOY MATIES, SET SAIL FOR A DAY OF ADVENTURE, DISCOVERY, MAYBE A PIRATE

SHIPS, HISTORY, EXHIBITS,

Keller is in his element on the Star of India, one of several
vessels at the museum which visitors can board and admire.

MOVIE LORE, SAILING, 

MEMORABILIA & MORE

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

Ships and nautical history are front and 
center, here a view of several of the boats.

From various vantage points at the museum and out on the sea,
one can enjoy splendid views of San Diego and the skyline.

IF  YOU WANT a taste of the sea, with the vessels which explored the world, you won't find a better place to indulge your secret sailor than the San Diego Maritime Museum. The excitement, lore and lure of the sea are represented in myriad vessels and carefully designed displays. You're in for treats galore at San Diego Maritime Museum.

The collection of boats is a focal point on San Diego's waterfront, a treasure trove of all things nautical.
A knowledgeable, sea loving staff and an equally enthusiastic volunteer force have spent thousands of hours and months of care developing a rare collection of vessels. So expansive and well curated is its collection of vessels and exhibition space that the facility enjoys a worldwide reputation. Named one of three top worldwide maritime museums, this one needs to be on your bucket list!

Moored along the waterfront on the Embarcadero, it is one of the city's chief delights. 

The beloved Berkeley was moved from northern California
to its home in San Diego. Notice the beautifully preserved
wooden tables and elegant stained glass windows.

The museum sports more than a dozen boats and ships, including a submarine you can explore, and expertly curated and researched maps and nautical paraphernalia.  Visitors get a double treat: a traditional indoor museum and an opportunity to board and inspect the vessels.  Sometimes there is action and entertainment as "pirates" stroll and strut.  And there are always workers doing endless repair and maintenance, all eager to share their knowledge with ship loving visitors.

A favorite part of the exhibit is the stately Star of India, built in 1863.  This graceful ship is the oldest active merchant sailing ship in the world.

From time to time, the museum takes her out.  We enjoyed a sail on her many years ago, and have our fingers crossed for an encore as plans are firmed 

A delightful pilot boat takes museum guests on
the bay and harbor, pointing out spots of interest.
We've had wonderful guides, including Kiki.

for an outing in a year or two. 

We took our British friends aboard the Star, with its elegant wooden decks and English-related stories of her sailing days of yore. Fun to see her rooms and picture life in her difficult sailing times.

Star of India began life during the Civil War, in November of 1863.  Her first voyages took her to India, where she supplied badly needed jute to England. This replaced cotton, which because of the war was unavailable from the U.S.

SAN DIEGO'S fine staff and devoted volunteers are constantly restoring and maintaining the Star and other historic vessels to insure that future generations may come aboard to learn and enjoy. Restoration excellence makes the museum unique. 

Two crewmen get their exercise lashing and unfurling the
sails during a lively four-hour sail on the Californian. 
This adventure is highly recommended for fun seekers.

Our sail on the Californian was a delightful one. As our state's official tall ship, she was built from the ground up in 1984 at Spanish Landing in San Diego Bay, Californian was launched with great fanfare for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In July 2003, she was officially designated the tall ship of the State of California, the only vessel to hold this prestigious title.
Since her launch, Californian has hosted thousands of adventure seekers, sailing enthusiasts, students, and history buffs along the West Coast. She has  embarked on voyages to Hawaii, Mexico, and the East Coast, becoming one of the most recognizable and celebrated tall ships in  America. We highly recommend a trip on her. 

From the stern of the Berkeley,
Keller and Cookie are framed by
the San Salvador, rear right.

THE FERRY Berkeley is another treat, the first ship you'll see after you leave the ticket booth and approach the museum. She is full of lore from her days as a ferry in the Bay Area.  Among her surprises:  a vintage upright piano, donated by a local music lover and ship aficionado and lovingly cared for.

The Berkeley has beautiful stained glass windows, polished wooden tables and original sturdy floors. The San Salvador has movie lore and offers pirate adventure. 

Berkeley also hosts a delightful concert series, "Music at the Maritime."  It features concerts Sept. 14 and Nov. 9, with the Hausmann Quartet presenting "Haydn Voyages." The concerts finish the 2025 season series. So you see the variety of experiences -- from elegant to rustic, all for those who love maritime lore.

More about the museum:

#sdmaritime

@sdmaritime

www.sdmaritime.org

www.sdmaritime.org/visit/on-the-water-adventures/tall-ship-adventure-aboard-californian/

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ON TAP: While we're diving into the wonders of maritime museums and exploring our beautiful Pacific Ocean, come with us to two world class aquariums. First, we visit Newport, California's extraordinary Aquarium of the Pacific. The award winning facility is dedicated to instilling "a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems." Then we take readers inside another fine aquarium, Maui's Ocean Center, a great spot to view our oceans' residents, including an octopus. You'll also see a research lab where coral is grown. Both offer fine arrays of exhibits, surprises and delights -- with an education bent. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, the nature, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com