Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission worth booking?
Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission is a 4-hour experience in San Diego, United States, from $85 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 6 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (6)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $85 per person
Californian was built from the ground up in 1984 at Spanish Landing in San Diego Bay. She was launched with great fanfare for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In July 2003, the Governor signed a bill into la
What you get
About this experience
Californian was built from the ground up in 1984 at Spanish Landing in San Diego Bay. She was launched with great fanfare for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In July 2003, the Governor signed a bill into law designating the Californian as the official tall ship of the State of California. She is the only ship to carry this prestigious title. Since her launching in San Diego the Californian has played host to thousands of adventure travelers, sailing enthusiasts, students and history buffs up and down the West coast. She has also made voyages to Hawaii, Mexico and the East coast of the United States. Californian casts a distinctive and instantly recognizable silhouette and has become one of the most well known tall ships in America. Sailing the Californian and experiencing a tall ship adventure with the Maritime Museum sail crew on San Diego Bay is a Top Thing To Do when in San Diego!
What's included
Included
- General Admission (Self-guided) to the Maritime Museum of San Diego
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Diego
Please check-in at the Maritime Museum of San Diego Ticket Booth located at 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 before boarding for your 4-hour sail. NOTE: Ticket includes general admission. Museum opens at 10:00 a.m.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please check-in at the Maritime Museum of San Diego Ticket Booth located at 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 before boarding for your 4-hour sail. NOTE: Ticket includes general admission. Museum opens at 10:00 a.m.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fun day sailing
Had a great time , water and chips were passed out when we came back in. Went out of the harbor into the ocean. Everyone gets to help rsise the sails. 4 hours under sail. The first 30 min of the trip is explaining safety features. They fire the canons as well ..it does rock and roll ! So take your sea sick pills 💊 parking was hard to find and expensive 40$. But free parking is in old town . And you can walk or Uber.
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us for a Tall Ship adventure sail and letting others know about your experience! Yes, parking can be a challenge and we always recommend looking elsewhere or depend on ride share or public transportation when possible. Thanks for sharing tips with others! Our crew work hard to deliver to guests aboard a day to remember!
via Tripadvisor
Sightseeing Sail on a Tall Ship! Restrooms on board. You can take your own food. We parked at the County Admin bldg.
I give this attraction 3.5 stars. SUMMARY Overall, I was expecting more narration during our Californian schooner adventure, perhaps about the ship, history and about surrounding San Diego sights. They did have two docents on-board who could answer any questions, but they weren't very forthcoming by themselves. The numerous, mostly voluntary crew worked hard and it was interesting to see how they worked as a team, erecting the sails, climbing the rigging and keeping a lookout for oncoming vessels, etc. It's a great way to see the sights and sounds in San Diego's harbor and out on the ocean. Read on for more details and see my attached photos. BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE We went on the California Schooner for my husband's birthday. It's a little pricey, but I'm always up for seeking out new things to do in San Diego. ($119 each plus parking in June 2025, which also includes admission to the Maritime Museum). It's a great way to see the sights in the harbor and we even sailed out into the open ocean for a while. BOOKED ON-LINE I booked on-line in advance and when we checked in at the white Maritime Museum kiosk in front of the museum on Harbor Drive where they gave us boarding passes. You may note whether there are any other major events going on downtown when you book. The year before, I had booked but realized last minute that the Rock-n-Roll Marathon coincided, so I cancelled, anticipating downtown road closures and chaos. SEE THE MUSEUM AS PART OF YOUR TICKET The museum was open 10am-5pm, so we had an hour and a half to see the museum before boarding time and an hour afterwards. We set sail at noon. The gift shop was closed by the time we exited, just after 5pm. RESTROOMS/TOILET Make sure to use the restroom at the museum. They do have one on board, but when they described how you operate it, I was not encouraged to use it. (I think that's their goal!) COMPLIMENTARY CHIPS AND WATER OR BRING YOUR OWN They offered a complimentary bag of salt and vinegar chips and a bottle of water on board, however since we were sailing over the lunch period, we brought our own picnic lunch. Any extra bags/coolers can be stored below deck. You do have to go backwards down a ladder to go below deck for the restroom, bag storage and to obtain the chips. ON BOARD While on board, you can sit or stand. You can take part in helping erect the sails at one point by pulling the rope in line with crew members. You can watch crew climb the rigging and listen and watch crew give and take orders. I thought the First Mate was a bit of a bear and he chastised one of the volunteer crew members at one point, but it is a lot of responsibility and I guess he was just doing his job. One exciting part is when they shoot the cannons into the harbor, right before returning to dock. (They shoot blanks). It's very loud and they recommend you cover your ears. WHAT YOU SEE As you sail, you can see the surrounding San Diego sites, the skyline, Ballast Point, the lighthouses at Point Loma, other sailing vessels, North Island, the Coronado bridge and shoreline, seals, birds, the Coronado islands, Navy vessels. WHY 3.5 OUT OF 5? Honestly, I could have cut the 4-hour trip in half. A couple of the young kids on board fell asleep and one couple sat and looked at their phones almost the entire time. Like I mentioned, I was expecting more narration and interaction. It's virtually a sightseeing cruise, but it's novel being on a tall ship. HOW TO DRESS We sailed on a particularly overcast day. I wore 4 layers of clothing, plus long pants, hiking shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Despite the overcast weather, I saw a fair-skinned person afterwards that looked quite sunburned in the face, so even if it's cloudy, cover up! There did not seem to be blankets offered if you were cold. PARKING We parked across the street underground at the San Diego County Administration Center which allows public parking on weekends. ($15 flat fee, June 2025). Allow time to park and to get to the museum and check in before you sail. Please click the thumbs-up if you found this helpful.
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us for the tall ship adventure aboard the schooner Californian! You outlined quite a bit of information for others on what to expect and what your highlights were.
via Tripadvisor
Okay ish
I really wanted to love this trip, but we were bored. It’s fun to watch put the sails up and take them dow, but mostly it’s an uncomfortable seat going into and out of the harbor area. The guys and gals working on the ship were fabulous. IDK. Just not for us I guess.
Response from the operator: We love hearing from our guests. And we wish your experience had been more exciting for you. Our sail crew and volunteers work hard to maintain and operate this tall ship state schooner for visitors and locals alike. Thank you for acknowledging how fabulous they are.
via Tripadvisor
Sailing sailing over the …
Exciting sailing aboard a tall ship out of San Diego into the Pacific. The crew worked as a team and the two docents shared historical perspectives.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sailing aboard Californian with the Maritime Museum of San Diego sail crew and docents1 Sounds like you surely enjoyed this experience!
via Tripadvisor
A Wonderful Experience!
Step aboard the "Californian" and step back in time for a fun, relaxing, informative sail of San Diego harbor. I enjoyed "joining" the crew by hauling lines in raising and lowering the sails. My wife enjoyed watching the sea glide by and we both loved the engaging, informative informal narration and history shared by the crew and onboard docents. The ticket includes water and snacks, available below decks in the cabin. And no need to worry about seasickness as this is a smooth, quiet trip at sea. We marveled as a pod of dolphins ran alongside the ship for a time before crossing our bow and journeying on. Firing the guns before returning to port was another bit of fun, making this the perfect experience for those who--like me--enjoy Patrick O'Brian's books and the "Master and Commander" film. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience with us! It sounds like you had a wonderful time sailing aboard Californian and enjoying the crew, docents, views, and action with the gunnery as well! We hope to see you again!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Diego.
How much does Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission cost?
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Prices start at $85 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Diego usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Diego is not rushed.
Is Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in San Diego, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Diego can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Diego and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Tall Ship Adventure aboard the Schooner Californian with General Admission start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Diego within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Diego?
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San Diego is an outdoor-first city: whale watching from December through April, La Jolla kayak and snorkel runs year round, harbour cruises and the USS Midway, plus Balboa Park museums when the marine layer sits low. We rank water operators on group ratios and gear quality, which is where the cheap La Jolla trips fall down. On Outty we rank every San Diego experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date, Taste of Little Italy in San Diego, San Diego Whale Watching Cruise. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
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March to May and September to November, either side of the June overcast. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Diego?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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