Southern California Outdoor Wilderness
Four large national forest areas protest some of the best local outdoor recreation adventure areas that are a prime destination for
camping, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and wintersports.
Bernardino N.F. - Highest mountains in Southern California are home to several lakes and ski resorts.
Angeles N.F. - Over 650,000 acres of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Los Padres N.F. - Includes coastal area, semi-desert and pine-timbered areas near Santa Barbara.
Cleveland N.F. - The popular scenic driving loop here is to follow Sunrise Highway (County Hwy-S1) up past Mount Laguna.
- San Diego Transit - 619-233-3004
- North County Transit - 760-722-6283
- Metrolink - 800-371-5465
- Amtrak - 800-USA-RAIL
Sea World is one of the premier theme park attractions of Southern California. This 166-acre marine zoological park was founded in 1964 and is located on beautiful Mission Bay. It is home to dolphins, sharks, penquins, polar bears, manatees, otters, seals, sea lions, walruses, flamingoes, and much more. This park also operates a major marine life rescue and research program.
During the summer season Sea World offers special evening entertainment venues.
Sea World San Diego
1720 South Shores Rd, San Diego, CA 92109; 619-226-3901;
Park Website;
Open: Daily 10AM-6PM / Summer 9AM-8PM;
SeaWorld.Org - Animal education programs
ShamuCam - ShamuCam is located in SeaWorld San Diego and can be viewed during daylight hours 10:00 am to 6:00 pm PST.
Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks - Theme Park Directory
Career Opportunity Center - Online Employment Info
Best times to visit - try for Sept-Nov when the school year starts, the crowds are thin and there are next to no lines for most features and thrill rides.
To get a head start on the crowds - show up one hour early to park up close and buy your ticket ahead of time. There is no any waiting in lines for your favorite ride when you're the first person thru the gate.
Some of the best discounts available on Southern California amusement parks apply to AAA AutoClub Members. Be sure to ask.
Parking
Sea World charges a $7 fee ($9 for RV's) for parking but there are alternatives which include using public transportation or parking a half-mile away at public beach lots along South Shores Rd. (avoid long lines during peak tourism season). Buses and Bicycles enter free.
Public Transportation
The following offer public transportation to Sea World:
ShamuCam
A live view of Shamu - ShamuCam is located in SeaWorld San Diego and can be viewed during daylight hours 10:00 am to 6:00 pm PST.
Tour Mission Bay
This large aquatic recreation area has miles of shoreline and small boat marina. Home to Sea World
and Belmont Park.
More Sea World Features
Sea World Auditions
- Entertainment Department at SeaWorld in San Diego California. Here you will find exciting career possibilities.
| MainTour Resort Lodging Search Engine - San Diego CA | |
|---|---|
|
|
MainTour Las Vegas -
Preview over 80 of the biggest and brightest resorts on the Strip
and related special features for adventure, recreation, entertainment, wedding packages
and other great attractions.
Shipwreck Rapids
New feature includes a water-raft
thrill ride opening on Memorial Day weekend 1999. This is the park's
first venture into this type of attraction. Guests ride a 9-passenger raft
through a dark tunnel, raging rapids and over a roaring waterfall that
takes them pass sunbathing sea turtles and shipwreck castaways. Two huge
Archimede screws (40 feet long and 10 feet in diameter) will propel the
water in the 600,000 gallon pool from the bottom to the top.
Sea World also has excellent exhibits of flamingoes, eco-garden, tide pools, beached marine animals, ocean and freshwater aquariums. Other Attractions include:
Wild Arctic
Exciting similuted helicopter ride through polar terrain. Disembark
into the polar exhibit including beluga whales, polar bears and harbor
seals.
Penquin Encounter
polar exhibit with 300 antarctic penguins
and arctic alcids. Regular feeding.
Skytower
Very prominent landmark feature takes you 265 feet
into the air for an inspiring view of the San Diego skyline.
Shark Encounter
World's largest aquarium display of its
kind.
Sea Turtles
Special enclosure adjacent to Shipwreck Cafe.
Manatee Rescue
Recently open is the only U.S. location outside
of Florida that houses a group of Manatees in a 200,000 freshwater tank.
It includes displays about the endangered manatee, a slow-moving gentle
sea cow.
Freshwater Aquarium
Includes rare species such as four-eyed fish, blind fish, and piranhas
(ask about feeding time).
World of the Sea Aquarium
Undersea communities such as coral reefs, kelp beds, schooling fish
and gamefish.
Shamu's Happy Harbour
Tropical themed childrens playground
with over 20 interactive play elements.
Hawaiian Island Getaway
One of the most popular tourism destinations in the world is the Hawaiian Islands. Local attractions include touring royal palaces,
miles of beautiful beaches and polynesian cultural entertainment venues.
Tour Palm Springs
This desert oasis is a most popular warm-weather winter retreat with over 100
championship golf courses to play on, fine dining and great entertainment.
Dolphin Interaction Program
Now you can get in the water with the dolphins and help with their
training. Reservations required - for more info call (877) 436-5746.
Behind-the-Scenes Guided Tour
90-minute guided tour shows you what it takes to keep Sea World running.
Inquire at the maingate reservation center.
Forbidden Reef
See closeup Eels and Manta Rays.
Special petting pool lets you interact with the Manta Rays.
Rocky Point Preserve
Feed and interact with bottlenose
dolphins. Sea Otter viewing.
Tide Pool
See and touch sea stars, sea snails and other creatures
from the California coastal shallows.
Shipwreck Reef Cafe
1,000 seat sit down diner is the
centerpiece of the new Shipwreck Rapids recreating the
atmosphere of marooned castaways on a South Seas Island.
Island fare includes salmon fillets, jambalaya, chicken, ribs
and tropical fruits.
Romantic Getaways of the Southwest
Lake Tahoe - Popular wilderness destination winter or summer.
Morro Bay - California Central Coastline resort destination.
Sedona - Famous Arizona red rock desert resort community
Lake Mead - Watersport recreation area located near Las Vegas
Park City - Hosted many wintersport competition venues during the 2002 Winter Olympics
Big Bear Lake - Southern California mountain retreat.
An absolute must (!) is to see the various shows performing throughout the day. This is a great opportunity to see famous creatures perform their best stunts. Fair warning - in some of these shows the spectators can get quite wet.
Shamu the Killer Whale
The most famous attraction of Sea World
- Housed in gigantic pool (and its big!) this terror of the high seas puts
on amazing show that displays many of its abilities.
See also the "Shamu's House of Douse" - a whale of a pool party promises
to get the audience soaked. Summer evenings only.
Sea Lion and Otter Show - Must See Feature.
This is the most comical and entertaining animal show I have ever seen.
Second show "Sea Lions Tonite" is a spoof of favorite TV shows - premiers
only on summer evenings. Sometimes the walrus makes a special guest appearance.
Pirates 4-D - New Show 2000!
Join Captain Lucky and his hapless crew in a funny, interactive 4-D
experience.
Dolphin Discovery Show
Watch these amazing animals perform aquatic acrobatics.
Wings of the World
Displays some amazing birds from around the world. Flight demonstrations.
World Rhythms on Ice
Summer evenings special of gymnastics and dynamic ice skating.
Intensity Games
Thrilling Gen-X sports games on, over and around the water. Daily
at the Sports Lagoon.
Band Jam 2000
Summer evening dance party inside the main gate.
In addition to the traditional fare of "fun foods" (i.e., cotton candy, ice cream, hot dogs and soft drinks) Sea World offers the following diverse and healthier choices:
Shipwreck Reef Cafe
1,000 seat sit down diner is the
centerpiece of the new Shipwreck Rapids recreating the
atmosphere of marooned castaways on a South Seas Island.
Island fare includes salmon fillets, jambalaya, chicken, ribs
and tropical fruits.
Dine with Shamu Buffet
Serves up Beef Bourguignon
and shrimp creole.
