Harborview

The cruise ship terminals & the Maritime Museum are in Harborview! Stroll the boardwalk & parks or tour local museums. Cafés and shopping within walking distance!
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Harborview
Overview
Things to Do
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Popular Activities
Attractions
Best Hotels
Featured Hotel
Know Before You Go
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Similar Neighborhoods

Highlights

Harborview
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Museums
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Overview
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Embark on a Cruise or Tour Museums in Harborview

Street Side Saxophone Player in the Harborview next to San Diego BayThe Disney Wonder Docked at the Port of San Diego

Harborview is a small, waterfront neighborhood in downtown San Diego. As the name implies, it borders the San Diego Harbor on its west side. To the east is Little Italy, to the north is the San Diego International Airport and to the south is the Embarcadero.

This neighborhood combines a pleasant, waterside experience with the immense convenience of downtown. If you are planning a trip to the city, you should strongly consider this area. The San Diego International Airport (SAN) is also just to the northwest of the neighborhood and the San Diego Cruise Ship Port is a few blocks south. In other words, Harborview is well located for reaching many important locations in the city.

Visitors to the city who are interested in the harbor, restaurants and downtown activities will likely love visiting Harborview. Additionally, due to its proximity to travel hubs, many people just arriving or about to leave like to stay in the neighborhood.

One of the key attractions of the neighborhood is Waterfront Park, a family-oriented public park. It sits just across a boulevard from the harbor. In the same area, there are also several museum ships and other water-themed activities. Not much further down the road, visitors can rent boats or take a San Diego harbor tour.

There are a number of eateries, bars and other places where visitors can watch the cruise ship port. Seeing the huge ships coming in and out of the harbor can be a fascinating experience for anyone interested in ships or the sea.

The neighborhood is in a great place for anyone planning to visit major downtown attractions such as Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo or Petco Park. Harborview is within a short trip to many of the most famous and popular places in the city.

As with the rest of San Diego, the weather in Harborview is mild and pleasant almost all year-round. This offers the perfect setting for enjoying the bay vistas. Whether you just sit along the coast or explore the many shoreside businesses in the area, the weather makes everything better.

Overall, Harborview has a lot to offer. It’s convenient, shoreside location makes it a great choice for San Diego travelers.

Harborview
Why you'll love Harborview
The cruise ship terminals & the Maritime Museum are in Harborview! Stroll the boardwalk & parks or tour local museums. Cafés and shopping within walking distance!

Things to Do

Biking
Biking
Cruise Ship Terminal
Cruise Ship Terminal
Museums
Museums
Picnic Tables
Picnic Tables
Skateboarding
Skateboarding
USS Midway
USS Midway

Things to Do in Harborview

Although Harborview is a relatively small neighborhood, there is plenty to do in the area. It’s close location to Little Italy means that there are many great restaurants located along the eastern edge of the neighborhood. Additionally, the proximity to the San Diego Bay means that there are plenty of water-based activities to enjoy.

Star of India and Museum Ships

At the south end of Harborview, the Star of India is moored. This is a popular museum ship and the oldest ship in the world still actively sailing (a few others such as the USS Constitution and HMS Victory are older but mostly stay in port). She is both interesting to board and watch sail out into the ocean.

There are several other museum ships in the same section of the harbor. Not much further south, the USS Midway, a museum aircraft carrier is also moored. Anyone with a nautical interest will enjoy exploring these ships.

Local Tips
Don't Miss Out on the Waterfront Park
The Waterfront Park is a favorite among local San Diegans. There is a great playground as well as well as a shallow water feature where kids can run through and play in the water. For adults there is a large grassy area that is perfect for a picnic with spectacular views of San Diego Bay.

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is one of the main centers of activity in Harborview. It is situated parallel to the San Diego Bay across the road from the water. The park features many fountains and equipment for kids to play on.

In addition to the children’s section of the park, there are public art installations, native plant gardens and venues for weddings and other events. It is a lovely place to relax for a little while and enjoy the water. The park is also a great spot for watching the sunset over the harbor, a big attraction in San Diego.

Maritime Museum of San Diego

The museum ships are moored at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. The Star of India is the centerpiece of the museum. However, there are a number of interesting exhibits in the main building.

These exhibits rotate around and cover everything from the maritime history of San Diego to the science of naval navigation. This is a great experience for families. There is a lot to learn at this museum whether you want to explore for an hour or a full day.

Local Tips
Don't Miss Out on the Waterfront Park
The Waterfront Park is a favorite among local San Diegans. There is a great playground as well as well as a shallow water feature where kids can run through and play in the water. For adults there is a large grassy area that is perfect for a picnic with spectacular views of San Diego Bay.

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is one of the main centers of activity in Harborview. It is situated parallel to the San Diego Bay across the road from the water. The park features many fountains and equipment for kids to play on.

In addition to the children’s section of the park, there are public art installations, native plant gardens and venues for weddings and other events. It is a lovely place to relax for a little while and enjoy the water. The park is also a great spot for watching the sunset over the harbor, a big attraction in San Diego.

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Orangutan at San Diego Zoo
The World Famous San Diego Zoo
Explore the top zoo in America! The San Diego Zoo is located in iconic Balboa Park, and features over 3,500 animal in their habitats. Bundle with other attractions in Balboa Park for top savings - like the Air and Space Museum!
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Local Tips
What attractions are included with a Go City San Diego pass?

Attractions that you can visit with a Go City San Diego pass include:

The San Diego Zoo, Birch Aquarium, SeaWorld, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, Harbor Cruise, USS Midway Museum, the NAT Museum, Whaley House, PETCO Park Tour, iFLY San Diego and many, many more!

Want to save more? Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

Popular Activities

San Diego Air and Space Museum
San Diego Air and Space Museum
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San Diego Harbor Cruise
San Diego Harbor Cruise
$36 per person
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The San Diego Maritime Museum
The San Diego Maritime Museum
Discounts Available
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Attractions Near Harborview

Harborview is well-located for anyone who wants to visit some of the major attractions in the city. Being part of downtown and only a short walk or public transportation trip from major sites such as Balboa Park make the neighborhood a very popular place to stay.

Balboa Park

This 1,200-acre urban park is one of the biggest attractions in San Diego. It is a centerpiece of the downtown area. More than just a park, it is a major cultural center for the city.

The biggest attraction within Balboa Park is the world-famous San Diego Zoo. There are also many museums, theaters and other sites to visit within the park. For example, Balboa Park houses a photographic art exhibit, the mineral and gem society and a botanic-themed escape room.

Kids will enjoy the carousel and miniature train. The park has something for everyone. Whether you want to relax for a little while or take in some culture, this is the place to visit.

World Famous San Diego Zoo

The world famous San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous and well-regarded in the world. It has a collection of over 3,700 rare and endangered animals from more than 660 species and subspecies. The zoo is known for its naturalistic habitats and impressive diversity.

No trip to San Diego is complete without going to the zoo. Furthermore, since it is located within Balboa Park, the zoo can work as either a full-day activity or one of several stops in your day.

Cruise Ships

Many popular cruise ships come in and out of San Diego. Harborview is very close to the San Diego Cruise Ship Port. This makes it a great place to visit or stay if you are embarking or disembarking from a cruise. Furthermore, it can be fun to watch the ships come in or depart.

Little Italy

Little Italy is just a few minutes’ walk from Harborview. Although relatively small, Little Italy boasts a lively fun atmosphere. It is a great place to grab lunch or dinner or just stroll along India Street to explore all of the shops. There is also an iconic bar, The Waterfront Bar & Grill, that is the oldest bar in San Diego. Little Italy is definitely worth a visit.

Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter is a lively part of downtown San Diego. It is known for its clubs, bars and lounges as well as some excellent restaurants. Anyone seeking a fun night out in the city should consider heading to this part of the city.

It is located only a short way southeast of Harborview. The Gaslamp Quarter is a beautiful place to see, especially at night when its namesake lamps are illuminated.

Featured Activity

San Diego SEAL Tour
Explore San Diego Bay
Check out the fully-narrated, land & sea San Diego SEAL tour! After riding through the picturesque streets of San Diego, this amphibious vehicle splashes into the bay towards Shelter Island!
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Places to Stay in Harborview

There are several hotels located right in Harborview. Since the neighborhood is very close to the San Diego Airport and the cruise ship port, many of the accommodation options are familiar hotel chains. Alternatively, visitors can consider vacation rentals in the area.

One of our favorite hotels is the Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Downtown / Bayfront. The Residence Inn by Marriott is technically in the Embarcadero but it is a block or so away from the Harborview neighborhood and just next to the San Diego Cruise Ship Port.

Downtown San Diego has plenty of hotel options also, including some nice, boutique options. Each of the neighborhoods that borders has options ranging from hole-in-the-wall, independent inns with unique experiences to major, four- to five-star urban hotels. A favorite hotel here is The US Grant, it is worth seeing if they have availability for the dates you are looking to come to San Diego.

Featured Hotel
Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Downtown / Bayfront
Exterior view of Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Downtown / Bayfront
Bayfront
Bayfront
Conventions
Conventions
Families
Families
3 Stars3 Stars3 Stars
Take your business trip or vacation by the water when you visit Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront. You’ll have plenty of room to spread out.
Prices Starting at $199
Check Availability

Know Before You Go & Tips

Amazing Sunsets
Amazing Sunsets
Boardwalk
Boardwalk
Cafes
Cafes
Cruise Ship Terminal
Cruise Ship Terminal
Museums
Museums
Parks
Parks
Trolley Stop
Trolley Stop
Walkable
Walkable

Tips for Visiting Harborview

Getting to the Cruise Ship Terminal

The cruise ship terminal is just a block or so away from the Harborview neighborhood in San Diego. If you are looking to embark on a cruise ship from San Diego there are a few different ways to get to the cruise ship terminal. Most people will opt to have a friend or family member drop them off at the terminal but if this is not an option there are some other very easy ways to get to the terminal.

Of course, rideshare or a taxi are options but also consider taking the Trolley or the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train to the Santa Fe Depot. The Santa Fe Depot is only a block or two away from the cruise ship terminal and it can be a cost-effective way to arrive at the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal.

Save on Tickets to the USS Midway Aircraft Museum

If you are looking to go to the USS Midway Aircraft Museum staying in Harborview is a good option. We can help you save on tickets to the USS Midway and other major attractions like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego as well as many museums in Balboa park.

The Go San Diego Card is a discount card that will gain you access into over 50 different attractions and activities all around San Diego for a fraction of the cost of regular admission costs. We can also get you an additional discount off of the Go San Diego Card if you use our link to purchase it.

Harborview
is Famous For:
Cruise Ship Terminal
Cruise Ship Terminal
Museums
Museums
Parks
Parks
Walkable
Walkable
Known For:
Boardwalk
Boardwalk
Hop on Hop off Bus
Hop on Hop off Bus
Sidewalk Cafés
Sidewalk Cafés
Sunsets
Sunsets
USS Midway
USS Midway
This Month's Forecast
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Sunny in February