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SeaWorld San Diego – The World’s Most Famous Marine Park
The primary reason to put San Diego on our USA road trip map was “fortunately” the world’s most famous marine mammal park called SeaWorld. There are three of those theme parks and Oceanariums in the USA, located in San Diego, San Antonio and Florida. The first park opened here in San Diego in 1964 and since then the park offers a wide program including Ocean Shows (Killer Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions, etc. shows as well as other attractions like a roller coaster, Journey to Atlantis, Fireworks Spectacular and others). Thinking about my childhood and the TV shows back in the ‘90s, there were many heartbreaking stories (about saving whales or dolphins), and many of them took place at the Sea theme parks. And my nostalgia for the movie industry from the ‘90s took me to my new favourite and beloved city – San Diego.
Source: www.seaworldparks.com
My advice about planning any trip to any attraction or park which involve buying tickets – buy them Online if you can! You’re going to save not only your money but also a precious time with NO-waiting-in-the-line-for-hours! Especially when you have a restricted time. So I bought the tickets online (maybe in April) and the best things about buying online (as well as booking e.g. rooms) is that you are not supposed to print and carry your paper stuff wherever you go. So I downloaded and saved all tickets on my phone, as well as in my online drop box. Anyhow, buying the tickets online I even saved about 20 $ p.p. which is in total 40 $!
San Diego
The second advice before visiting the SeaWorld theme park or whatever Zoo, Park, Museum etc. – go and check about some great Apps for Android or iOS and download them before visiting the attraction! For example, the App delivers all theme park hours, show schedules and a park map (see above). The map has the option “navigate to” and “where am I?” and works of course with GPS tracker on every smartphone. The Park is not as tiny as it seems to be on the map below so that the GPS park tracker was the perfect solution in order to find the right location or show On-Time!
Online Ticket ca. 70 $ (at SeaWorld ca. 90 $)
Parking Ticket ca. 10 $ (whole day parking ticket)
Inc. all Shows and Attractions!!!
Opening hours 10:00 to 17:00
Average visiting time is ca. 5h
Let’s talk about something that has been a subject of last years: the wild animal shows and adequate animal housing and welfare. As someone who is definitely against animal cruelty and violation, I went through many websites and reviews about the theme park and their wild animal programs and housing and I was definitely relieved while reading about their animal rescue and rehabilitation programs in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. The SeaWorld theme parks have saved more than 26 000 (ill, orphaned, injured, etc.) ocean animals during the years among which whales, dolphins, birds, turtles and many others! Anyhow there are still many questions about the animal welfare and housing in terms of wild mammals’ shows. As result, the theme park will ban the killer whale shows with the end of 2016, as well as the in-park orcas captive breeding programs. In the future, SeaWorld will offer more educational programs about e.g. orca’s wild and natural behaviour instead of traditional shows with tricks.
We spent about 5 hours in the park and we enjoyed every minute. We visited quite everything and saw 4 shows including the orca show, sea lions show, dolphin show and one educational show. I went speechless by the variety of animals, not only the dolphins and orcas, but also the penguins, white bears, sharks, belugas, turtles, mantas and many, many others! In the theme park I saw the best giant aquariums, lovely animal mentors, healthy and well-fed animals and probably the best animal housing outside the wild nature. Although SeaWorld has the best quality and perfect environment outside the wilderness, I still believe that the wild animals belong to the wild nature.
Enjoy the day!
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USA Accommodation
Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
- Explore a wide range of hotels in USA by clicking here (Booking.com)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in USA by clicking here (Tripadvisor)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in USA by clicking here (Agoda)
- Discover affordable hostels in USA by clicking here (Hostelworld)
- Easily compare prices and book hotels in USA by clicking here (Trip.com).
✔️ Compare multiple hotel sites at once with Trivago for great deals in USA. Click HERE to start your search.
✔️ Browse local rentals and vacation homes with VRBO – ideal for families and longer stays. Check options HERE.
USA Flights
Make the most of your trip by finding the most affordable flights. We highly recommend using Booking Flights, a reliable flight comparison site. Click here to compare and book cheap flights to USA.
✔️ Another great option is WayAway, which not only finds cheap flights but also gives you cashback on bookings. Check it out HERE.
Private Airport Transfers
Kiwitaxi is a popular online platform that specializes in providing private airport transfers and transportation services worldwide. It offers convenient and reliable door-to-door transfers between airports, hotels, and other destinations. With Kiwitaxi, you can pre-book private taxis or minivans with professional drivers, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free journey.
✔️ For budget travelers, GetTransfer offers both private transfers and shared rides at competitive rates. Compare prices HERE.
Rental Car in the USA
✔️ Looking to rent a car in USA? Rentalcars.com has you covered! We search through all the major car rental companies in USA to find you the best price possible. Click HERE to book.
✔️ Another trusted provider is Discover Cars, which lets you compare local and global companies with transparent insurance options. Click HERE to book.
✔️ If you're traveling across borders or need camper rentals, QEEQ and AutoEurope also offer flexible options.
USA Tours
If you enjoy guided tours, here you can find a wide variety of options to suit every preference. Discover and join fascinating guided tours across USA.
✔️ Use GetYourGuide or Viator to book authentic experiences, day trips, and cultural adventures across USA.
✔️ Go City offers attraction passes in many destinations, letting you save on entry fees if you’re planning multiple visits.
✔️ WeGoTrip is perfect for self-guided audio tours if you prefer to explore at your own pace.
Travel SIM for the USA
Stay connected from the moment you land in USA with a reliable eSIM. Avoid high roaming charges and enjoy seamless internet access for maps, bookings, and social sharing.
✔️ Yesim offers flexible data plans tailored for Southeast Asia, with easy activation and 24/7 support. You can order your eSim HERE.
✔️ Airalo is a popular choice for budget travelers, offering affordable and fast eSIM packages for USA and beyond. You can order your eSim HERE.
✔️ For longer travel, consider DrimSim – a global SIM card with flexible data options in 190+ countries. You can order it HERE.
Both options are perfect for hassle-free, instant connectivity — no physical SIM card required!
Travel Insurance
When it comes to travel insurance, we understand the importance of finding reliable coverage that suits your needs. That's why we highly recommend Safety Wing – a trusted provider offering comprehensive travel insurance plans even for digital nomads. Safeguard your travels and gain peace of mind by exploring the excellent coverage options provided by Safety Wing.
✔️ VisitorsCoverage is another strong option, offering extensive short- and long-term plans for all types of travelers.
✔️ If you’re an adventure traveler, EKTA also provides insurance tailored for hiking, diving, and outdoor activities.
Enjoy the day!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Rest assured, we only recommend products and services that meet our high standards and that we genuinely believe in. The opinions expressed are solely our own and are based on our personal experience.