SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego (must see)

SeaWorld San Diego resides in Mission Bay Park in San Diego. Operated and owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, this park offers a diverse array of attractions centered around marine mammals, serving as a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and aquarium. It boasts both indoor and outdoor aquatic exhibits.

Additionally, SeaWorld San Diego is recognized as a renowned marine animal rehabilitation center, working behind the scenes. Its advantageous location adjacent to Mission Bay's interconnected waters with the Pacific Ocean allows for the rescue, rehabilitation, and potential release of injured, orphaned, or stranded marine creatures, facilitated by boat accessibility.

As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), SeaWorld San Diego is part of a larger community committed to wildlife conservation. The neighboring Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute contributes significantly to marine biology research while offering educational and outreach programs to raise awareness about marine issues among the general public.

SeaWorld's journey began on March 21, 1964, when four University of California, Los Angeles graduates conceptualized an underwater restaurant. While the original idea wasn't feasible, it evolved into a 22-acre (8.9 ha) marine zoological park. With 45 employees, a collection of dolphins, sea lions, and two seawater aquariums, the park opened its doors. After initially operating as a private partnership, SeaWorld went public in 1968, enabling its expansion and the establishment of new parks.

Within SeaWorld San Diego, visitors can explore 19 aquariums, each housing a variety of freshwater and saltwater aquatic species. Among these is the Ocean Explorer Aquarium, where marine animals like Moray eels, Octopuses, and Japanese spider crabs reside. Adjacent to Journey to Atlantis, the Ray Aquarium showcases an assortment of rays and fishes.

Many of SeaWorld's shows are seasonal, subject to change based on the time of year. The Orca Encounter is a live presentation that showcases the park's killer whales, providing insights into their lives, biology, and adaptations. Dolphin Adventures offers guests the opportunity to meet and learn about the park's whale and dolphin family, discovering what inspires their caretakers. The park also features the Sea Rescue indoor theater, where episodes of the television series with the same name are screened, showcasing marine rescue efforts.