SeaWorld San Diego sits on the south shore of Mission Bay, close to where Interstate 5 meets Interstate 8. It mixes marine animal habitats, shows and big roller coasters. This guide covers what you need before you go: how to check today’s hours and show times, tickets, parking prices, height rules for rides, and the easiest way to get there from the airport or your hotel.
Quick answer: SeaWorld San Diego is at 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109. It is open every day, but hours change by date, so check the calendar on the official park hours page or in the free SeaWorld app on the morning of your visit. General parking is $35 per car when booked online, and preferred spots near the entrance cost more. From San Diego International Airport the drive is usually around 15 minutes. A private SUV drops you at the entrance, so you skip the lot and the parking fee.
Book Your RideSeaWorld San Diego at a glance
SeaWorld is a full-day park. Here are the basics in one place.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109 (Mission Bay) |
| Open | Every day of the year; opening and closing times vary by date |
| Where to check hours | Park hours calendar on seaworld.com/san-diego, or the free SeaWorld app |
| Tickets | Needed for ages 3 and up; children 2 and under are free |
| General parking | $35 per vehicle online; free for Annual Pass members whose pass includes parking |
| Payment | The park is cashless; use a card at the toll booths and inside |
| From the airport | Usually around 15 minutes by car, longer at rush hour |
SeaWorld hours today: how to check
SeaWorld San Diego is open daily, but the opening and closing times are not fixed. They change with the season, the day of the week and special events. A weekday in fall may close in the late afternoon. A summer weekend or an event night can run much later.
The reliable way to check:
- Official hours page: go to seaworld.com/san-diego and open “Park Hours & Showtimes”. Pick the month and day from the calendar to see that date’s hours.
- SeaWorld app: the free app shows the current day’s hours, ride wait times and upcoming show times. It also has a park map.
- Check again on the day: times can change. Look the morning of your visit, and again before you book your ride home.
When you know the closing time, plan your pickup about 20 to 30 minutes after it. The exit plaza gets busy as the park empties.
SeaWorld show times and what to see
All shows, exhibits, aquariums and rides are included with admission. The two exceptions are the Skytower and the Bayside Skyride, which cost extra.
Shows and animal presentations
The park runs orca encounters, dolphin experiences at Dolphin Point and sea lion presentations. Show times change daily, so the app is the best place to check the schedule. Popular shows fill early, so arrive a little before the start time.
Rides and roller coasters
SeaWorld San Diego has a good set of thrill rides alongside the animal areas:
- Emperor: a tall dive coaster.
- Electric Eel: a fast launch coaster with the highest height rule in the park.
- Manta: a launched coaster themed to rays.
- Arctic Rescue: a straddle-style coaster with a polar theme.
- Journey to Atlantis: part water flume, part coaster. Expect to get wet.
- Shipwreck Rapids: a river raft ride. You will get wet here too.
Rescue Jr. for younger children
Families who remember the old Sesame Street area should know it is gone. In 2023 SeaWorld San Diego replaced it with Rescue Jr., a play area near the entrance themed to marine animal rescue. It has a splash pad, climbing and soft-play areas, and small rides such as Rescue Riders, Rescue Rafter and Tidepool Twist. Sesame Street characters now live at the separate Sesame Place San Diego park.
Seasonal events
In fall, SeaWorld runs a family Halloween event on select weekends and a separately ticketed Howl-O-Scream on select nights through October 31. A Christmas event follows later in the year. Event nights often mean longer hours, so check the calendar for your date.
Height requirements
Height rules matter a lot with children. Measure your kids at home before the trip so nobody is disappointed at the ride entrance. The table below shows the minimum heights listed on the official rides page. Some rides also have a maximum height.
| Ride | Minimum height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Eel | 54 in | Highest rule in the park |
| Emperor | 52 in | Maximum height also applies |
| Manta | 48 in | Launched coaster |
| Arctic Rescue | 48 in | Maximum height also applies |
| Journey to Atlantis | 42 in | Water ride and coaster |
| Shipwreck Rapids | 42 in | Raft ride, you will get wet |
| Octarock | 36 in alone | 31 to 36 in with a companion |
Several family rides let shorter children ride with a supervising companion who is 14 or older. Rules can change, so always check the sign at each ride entrance.
SeaWorld tickets
Buy tickets online before your visit. SeaWorld says this saves both time and money compared with buying at the gate. Prices change by date, so compare a few days if your plans are flexible.
- Who needs a ticket: everyone 3 and older. Children 2 and under get in free.
- Annual passes: worth a look if you will visit more than once in a year. Some passes include free general parking.
- Upgrades: Quick Queue (shorter ride lines), dining deals and reserved show seats are sold separately.
- Rain: the park stays open in bad weather and does not refund tickets for it. If rain spoils your day, the park offers a return visit when you show your original ticket at the Tickets & Reservations counter near the entrance.
SeaWorld San Diego parking
Parking is sold per vehicle and does not include admission. SeaWorld strongly recommends buying parking online in advance to save time at the toll booth. Prices vary by season, so check your date.
| Parking option | Online price | Location |
|---|---|---|
| General | $35 per vehicle | Main lot |
| Up-Close | $55 per vehicle | First six rows near the entrance |
| VIP | $77 per vehicle | Reserved spot in the closest section |
A few more points:
- Up-Close and General parking are non-refundable. Changes need at least 24 hours’ notice.
- The booths are cashless. Have a card ready.
- RV and camper parking is sold only at the park.
- On busy days, the lines at the toll booths and the walk from the far rows add time before you even reach the gate.
Getting to SeaWorld San Diego
The park is just off Interstate 5, a short drive from the airport, downtown and the Mission Bay hotels. Here is how the main options compare.
| Option | Good for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Private SUV | Families, groups up to 6, airport arrivals | Drop-off at the entrance, no parking fee, child seats on request, fixed price per vehicle |
| Driving yourself | Visitors with a rental car | Parking from $35, toll booth line, walk from the lot |
| Taxi | Short one-way trips | Metered fare; plan how you will get one at closing time |
| Bus and trolley (MTS) | Budget travelers | Serves the park daily; a $6 day pass is sold in the Compass Cloud app; slower with strollers and bags |
| Hotel shuttle | Guests of some nearby hotels | Ask your hotel; schedules may not match the park’s hours |
From San Diego International Airport
The airport is about 6 to 8 miles from SeaWorld, and the drive usually takes around 15 minutes on Interstate 5. Weekday rush hour can add time. If you land in the morning, you can go straight to the park. Your luggage stays with the chauffeur during an hourly booking, or you can drop bags at your hotel on the way. Our airport car service meets you at the curb outside arrivals as standard. With Meet & Greet (+$30), the chauffeur waits inside at baggage claim with a name sign. We track your flight and wait up to an hour after landing at no extra charge.
From downtown and Mission Bay hotels
From downtown hotels, SeaWorld is usually a short drive up Interstate 5. From Mission Bay resorts, it is closer still. Popular bases include the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay and the Bahia Resort, both a few minutes from the park.
Drop-off versus parking
For a family of four or more, a ride with drop-off often makes sense. You avoid the parking fee, the booth line and the long walk from the far rows. You arrive at the entrance plaza with your strollers and bags, and nobody has to drive home tired after a long day. Book a return ride for closing time, or arrange the pickup time with your chauffeur.
Family tips for a SeaWorld day
- Arrive at opening: lines for coasters and Rescue Jr. are shortest in the first hour.
- Check show times first: build your day around one or two shows, then fill gaps with rides and animal areas.
- Pack light: large coolers, glass containers and flavored drinks are not allowed. Water bottles are fine. Bags are checked at the entrance.
- Use lockers: loose items are not allowed on most rides. Lockers are inside the park, not outside the entrance.
- Strollers: you can rent one online in advance. Strollers are parked outside most exhibits and rides.
- Picnic option: picnic areas are outside the park beside the entrance plaza. Get a hand stamp to come back in.
- Child seats: we fit them before pickup, $20 each, up to two per vehicle. Tell us your children’s ages when you book.
Making a day of it with an hourly booking
Most visitors only need a ride there and a ride back. An hourly booking suits days with more than one stop. For example: an airport pickup, a few hours at SeaWorld with bags locked in the car, then the ride to your hotel. Or a morning at the park followed by dinner in La Jolla or Old Town. Hourly trips have a 3-hour minimum, and the chauffeur stays nearby. See our chauffeur service in San Diego for more.
Planning a bigger theme park trip? We also drive families to Carlsbad. See our LEGOLAND car service.
Frequently asked questions
What time does SeaWorld San Diego open and close today?
It depends on the date. SeaWorld is open every day, but hours change through the year. Check the park hours calendar on the official site or in the SeaWorld app on the day you go.
How much is parking at SeaWorld San Diego?
General parking is $35 per vehicle online. Up-Close parking is $55 and VIP is $77. Prices vary by season. A private ride with drop-off at the entrance avoids the parking fee.
Where can I find SeaWorld show times?
In the free SeaWorld app and on the “Park Hours & Showtimes” page of the official site. Show times change daily.
How far is SeaWorld from San Diego Airport?
About 6 to 8 miles. The drive usually takes around 15 minutes, a bit more at rush hour.
Is there still a Sesame Street area at SeaWorld San Diego?
No. It was replaced in 2023 by Rescue Jr., a kids’ area with a splash pad, play areas and small rides. Sesame Street characters are at the separate Sesame Place San Diego park.
Can you drop us at the SeaWorld entrance?
Yes. We drop you at the entrance area and agree on a pickup time and place for the ride back. With an hourly booking, the chauffeur stays nearby.
Do you provide child seats?
Yes. Child seats are $20 each, up to two per vehicle. Add them when you book so they are fitted before pickup.
How many people fit in one SUV?
Up to 6 passengers and 5 large bags. The price is fixed per vehicle, not per person, and includes the chauffeur, fuel and tolls. Gratuity is not included.
Book your ride to SeaWorld San Diego
Enter your pickup address, SeaWorld as the drop-off, and your date on the booking page. You see the fixed price for each SUV before you pay, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Book Your RideQuestions or a large group? Call us at (858) 413-8888.