San Diego is home to the world's very first SeaWorld. The park was founded in 1964 as a marine zoological park along Mission Bay. Today, the park is as much a theme park as it is a marine park, with fantastic shows, animal exhibits, aquariums and, yes, a growing list of hang-onto-your-hat thrill rides. Plus the play areas keep the tadpoles hoppin’. There is plenty to see and do in a day at SeaWorld, and we definitely recommend you plan in advance so that you don't miss out on anything. Here are our favorite SeaWorld San Diego shows and attractions.
You'll want to check the showtimes for your visit online or in the SeaWorld San Diego app and plan your day around the show schedule. Keep in mind that you may even get to experience additional seasonal shows, depending on when you visit. Our post on SeaWorld San Diego events will fill you in on seasonal entertainment and fun that may be hoppening when you visit.
The Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience and refurbished Shark Encounter are now open! These immersive and interactive aquariums at SeaWorld San Diego are toadally cool!
Keep an eye out for new family-friendly entertainment in 2026! Look for seasonal shows as well as an all-new drone show in summer.
Undercover Tourist is now including a FREE $20 DiningDollars.com credit to each ticket purchased for all United Parks & Resorts, including SeaWorld (Orlando, San Diego, San Antonio), Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay, Williamsburg), Discovery Cove, Sesame Place (San Diego, Philadelphia), Aquatica (Orlando, San Antonio), Adventure Island and Water Country USA. You can save up to 15% off toward the purchase of discount gift cards for United Parks & Resorts on DiningDollars.com. To learn more, hop over to our Dining Dollars guide.
The Best SeaWorld San Diego Shows and Attractions
Here are the top things to do at SeaWorld San Diego. From rides to shows to animal exhibits, you'll find something to interest each member of your family.
Rescue Jr. (formerly Sesame Street Bay of Play)
Your tadpoles will have some splish-splashin' fun with the water play area, air bounce, toddler mat and rides that are just their speed. Your tadpoles can explore a three-story-high climbing area. Bring swimsuits for the splash pad.
What's new? Your tadpoles can test their rescue skills in an ocean-themed Mini Rescuer Training Zone. The soft play area is full of ocean themed play structures! They can sit and play on a Rescue boat or plane, climb on a sandcastle, some ocean rocks and a pier.
Your family can meet Animal Conservation Ambassadors and learn about and meet rescued animals (including marsupials, primates and reptiles) during presentations (during busier times). Get a close-up look at real rescue vehicles such as a pickup truck and a dinghy boat.
You'll also find some tadpole-friendly rides at Rescue Jr. There are a few more kid rides located just outside Rescue Jr., between the park entrance and Electric Eel. In fact, if you are are visiting with tadpoles who do not quite measure up to big rides, these rides can be a lot of fun and have our whole family ribbiting with laughter. Visit in the morning for the shortest ride wait times.
Sea Lion & Otter Spotlight and the Sea Lions Tonite
Those talented, clever sea lions, Clyde and Seamore, are up to their usual hijinks. Joined by their buddy, OP, an Asian small-clawed otter, they show off their skills in this silly but educational 20-minute show.
On evenings during some times of the year, you can catch the fan favorite new Sea Lions Tonite show. The sea lions bring the laughs and plenty of sea lion sass, blending hilarious pop culture parodies with engaging animal education for an unfrogettable night.
A high-energy cast of trainers comment on everything from trending moments to SeaWorld’s own attractions. Through humor and storytelling, guests gain a deeper appreciation for marine mammals and the role they play in ocean ecosystems.
Journey to Atlantis (Recently updated with new ride elements.)
While it shares the same name as the SeaWorld Orlando water flume ride, the San Diego version is more of a coaster than a water ride — although you will get wet! If you ride early in the day when it's cooler, you may need your poncho. The tadpoles love standing in the splash zone and watching the boats come down on a hot day. They don't even have to ride to get wet!
The ride is a full-sensory adventure into a mythical world that is brought to life in exciting new ways. Can you escape the Kraken? A daring crew of young scientists and explorers is ready to find out. The premise is that the S.E.A. Collective (stands for Science, Exploration and Adventure.) has arrived in San Diego’s Mission Bay to uncover the secrets of the long-lost city of Atlantis. But danger lurks beneath the waves. The mythical, ancient sea monster has awakened and is ready to strike.
Your journey has three thrilling phases:
Chapter 1: Discovery
Enter a transformed queue area filled with S.E.A. Collective research. It includes mysterious maps, bold theories and murals that cover the rise and fall of Atlantis. Learn about the city's builders — Mermaids and Atlanteans. They stand guard against ancient threats.
Chapter 2: Descent
Board your boat to explore the sunken city. But something stirs in the deep. The Kraken still haunts the city. It's been spotted, and it's heading your way. Prepare for a dramatic attack sequence that features projection effects, lighting and water elements.
Chapter 3: Escape
The only way out is up! As the Kraken closes in, brace yourself for a vertical elevator escape with immersive lightning and water effects. Will you make it out before the monster drags you beneath the surface?
Turtle Reef
Head below to watch the turtles swim above you while you stay dry. Come face to face with peaceful green sea turtles, loggerheads or hawksbill turtles (along with tropical fish). As you exit, you'll be in the perfect spot to hop in line to visit the sharks at Shark Encounter.
Shark Encounter (Recently Refurbished)
A new shark encounter reopened May 22, 2026. The expanded exhibit transforms into a dynamic underwater adventure that debunks all the old myths to teach visitors about over 400 species of sharks. The new Shark Encounter highlights shark diversity of various sizes, shapes and fascinating adaptations that contribute to healthy oceans. You'll encounter friendly beach- and surf-themed signs with fun shark facts.
Encounter new shark species alongside a vibrant collection of marine life — including additional sharks and colorful fish. Enter an enhanced and immersive space that celebrates the beauty and power of sharks.
The new entry hallway has an overhead video ceiling that features sharks swimming above, guiding you down toward the underwater tunnel. In the finale, multiple screens share rare live footage of shark diversity in an 8-minute presentation. A new VIP Shark Tour gives guests a new perspective from a brand-new walkway above the shark habitat.
Manta
Like Journey to Atlantis, Manta also shares its name with a coaster at SeaWorld Orlando. Again, the two are very different. SeaWorld Orlando's Manta is the smoothest coaster I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing, but its thrills scare off plenty of would-be riders.
The San Diego version is a fun family coaster (for those 48 inches and up) and a must-do, but it's nowhere near the scare level of its Orlando counterpart. It has a thrilling and surprising launch. Say "Cheese!" as you scream during takeoff because that moment will be captured by a camera. You do need to store loose items in a locker before riding.
Jellyfish — Jewels of the Sea
This brand-new, indoor exhibit is open as of March 15, 2025.
Walk through mesmerizing Jellyfish tanks and learn fun facts, such as which ones have the most painful sting. Find out the difference between comb jellies and true jellies. Watch all kinds of tiny and giant jellyfish peacefully float around.
Beluga Whales and Walruses
Explore a frozen exhibit where you can come face-to-face with walruses, beluga whales and harbor seals. Run your hands along a frozen ice wall and let the tadpoles crawl through a frozen den. We love to take our time in this exhibit and spend time looking at the animals.
While you are in the area, hop next door to visit nearly 400 penguins! SeaWorld San Diego is the only place in North America to see an Emperor Penguin. And soon you'll be able to dive like one, too, on the new Emperor dive coaster (opening March 12, 2022)! This looping coaster is California's first floorless dive coaster. With top speeds over 60 mph and a dive plunge over 150 feet (and over 90 degrees), this is the tallest and fastest dive coaster in California.
Dolphin Adventures
Watch bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales leap high out of the water and interact with their trainers. If you are a dolphin lover — and who doesn’t love dolphins? — then spend some time at Dolphin Point after the show. They like to watch you almost as much as you like watching them! The dolphins love to keep their audience guessing, so hop by for a second show if you have the time. You just might get to see some different tricks.
If you cannot get enough of dolphins, your family will flip for exclusive face-to-face Dolphin Encounter and Dolphin Interaction experiences. These interactions do cost extra, but the memories are priceless.
Orca Encounter
The majesty of the orcas and their amazing size and strength are the focal points of this show. Learn about how orcas hunt, communicate and play. You can witness their behaviors, learn about the role of family and find out what people can learn from these orcas to help whales survive in the wild.
Even if you do not catch a show, hop by to visit the beautiful orcas. There is an underwater viewing area to help you get a better look. If you bring props, such as a small ball or toy, you just might capture — and keep— their attention!
Explorer's Reef
As soon as you enter the park, you can immediately immerse your hands in the water and your mind in the world of various sea animals at Explorer’s Reef. While this experience isn't a show or a ride, it’s still exciting to start your visit by touching a reef shark and getting educated about the animals from the people who work with them. At Explorer's Reef, guests can go under the wave sculpture and get up close to a number of underwater sea creatures. If your little ones are anything like Tad and Lily, putting their hands in the water and touching the animals will be the highlight of their trip! It's also the way we can get them to leave, as it's right in front of the park exit. It's always the first and last thing they do.
Emperor
Heres one for you true thrill seekers out there. Emperor is a floorless dive coaster. In fact, it's the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster in all of California! The views of San Diego and Mission Bay from the top are breathtaking. Better catch your breath through before you plunge 90 degrees down 14 stories and soar up to 60 m.p.h, because you're going to need it to scream your way down.
For those taller (54 inches) family members who really crave thrills, also add Electric Eel to your must-ride list. Did we forget to mention the twists and rolls, and that you’ll be moving forward AND backward? It’s shocking! But ride it early in the day because the line can get long.
Arctic Rescue
This new family-friendly launch coaster is a fast, outdoor snowmobile-themed ride. As the fastest and longest straddle coaster on the West Coast, Arctic rescue has three launches and reaches speeds of up to 40 m.p.h. All this on 2,800 feet of track. Tad is a huge fan! It's a great coaster for people who do not like huge drops or loops.
We hope our look at our favorite SeaWorld San Diego shows and attractions has you ready for your visit! If you're looking for more help in planning your San Diego vacation, look no further than our San Diego Planning Guide. You can also save money with our discount SeaWorld San Diego tickets and passes.
Related: Guide to SeaWorld San Diego Height Requirements
Related: 15 Tips to Maximize Your Time at SeaWorld San Diego
Hoppy planning!
