Seaport Village is a waterfront shopping and dining complex on San Diego Bay, at the south end of the Embarcadero. Its low wooden buildings, paths and harbor views sit between the Manchester Grand Hyatt and the USS Midway, a short walk from the Convention Center and the Gaslamp Quarter.
Most visitors come for a stroll, a meal by the water and a ride on the old carousel. Entry is free, and the shops and restaurants open every day.
In this guide
- Seaport Village basics
- A short history
- What to do at Seaport Village
- Where to eat at Seaport Village
- Parking at Seaport Village
- Getting to Seaport Village
- Nearby attractions
- A half day at Seaport Village
- Seaport Village during the holidays
- What happens next for Seaport Village
- Where to stay nearby
- Frequently asked questions
For more downtown ideas, see our things to do in San Diego guide and the San Diego attractions list.
Seaport Village basics
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 849 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Hours | Daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (some businesses differ) |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | $8 an hour, less with a $10 purchase |
| Phone | 619-530-0704 |
| Nearest trolley | Seaport Village station, across the street |
Seaport Village covers 14 acres and opened in 1980. The Port of San Diego owns it, and Protea Property Management runs it under an agreement with the Port that goes through September 30, 2029. In August 2025, the Port reported 57 tenants and 97 percent occupancy, mostly local businesses.
Check the Seaport Village website for current events and tenants.
A short history
Seaport Village was built on fill along the old bayfront and opened in 1980. Its designers set out to recreate a harborside setting of about a century earlier, with clapboard shops, a lighthouse and about 4 miles of winding paths instead of streets.
The Port has invested nearly $11 million in tenant improvements and site upgrades since its management deal with Protea began in 2018. Recent work added new signs, murals and paint, more landscaping and an urban beach with Adirondack chairs facing the bay.
What to do at Seaport Village
Ride the historic carousel
The carousel is the best-known piece of Seaport Village. Charles I. D. Looff hand-carved it in 1895, and it came to Seaport Village in 2004 after stops in several other states. It has 54 animals and two chariots. Rides cost $5, and it runs daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Walk the waterfront
The bayfront path runs along the edge of Seaport Village and continues north along the Embarcadero to the USS Midway and Broadway Pier. Look across the bay for views of Coronado, the Coronado Bridge and Navy ships at North Island. Embarcadero Marina Park North, a grassy point on the water next to the shops, is a good spot for a picnic or a sunset.
Catch weekend music
Seaport Village hosts free live music every weekend from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the food court and in the Lighthouse District. Weather can cancel shows, so check the live music schedule.
Shop local
Most of the shops are small and locally owned, selling gifts, art, clothing, toys and San Diego souvenirs. Geppetto’s toy store, a local chain, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2026. Art Scene West runs painting parties, and the Seaport Village site lists a new retro roller rink called Ringer’s.
Take a SEAL tour
San Diego SEAL Tours uses amphibious vehicles that drive through the city and then splash into the bay. The narrated tour lasts 100 minutes and departs from Seaport Village or the Embarcadero.
Buy fish from the boats
The Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, next to Seaport Village on the north side, sells fresh seafood straight from local fishermen on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until sold out.
Where to eat at Seaport Village
Seaport Village has a mix of sit-down restaurants on the water and casual counters. The waterfront restaurants listed on its site are:
- Malibu Farm
- Shorebird, one of the newest openings
- Zytoun Gourmet Mediterranean
For something quicker, the casual list includes Prime Taco, San Diego Burger Co., Mr. Moto Pizza, Marion’s Fish Market, Margarita’s Kitchen and Cantina, Louisiana Charlie’s for Cajun food, and a Mike Hess Brewing and Quiero location. For coffee and snacks, try Spill the Beans or Wetzel’s Pretzels.
For more choices, see our best restaurants in San Diego guide, the best Mexican food in San Diego and our list of San Diego breweries.
Parking at Seaport Village
Seaport Village has two lots on Kettner Boulevard: a larger main lot on the west side and a smaller lot on the east side. Parking is cashless; the lots take Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
| Parking | Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard | $8 per hour or part of an hour, no maximum |
| Monday to Thursday, with $10 purchase | $5 for the first 3 hours, then $3 per 30 minutes |
| Friday to Sunday, with $10 purchase | $5 for the first 2 hours, then $3 per 30 minutes |
To get the discount, take your ticket with you and ask any Seaport Village business for validation when you spend at least $10. You can pay at the pay station near Hot Licks before you walk back to the car or at the exit kiosk. Rates are from the Seaport Village parking page.
Since the standard rate has no daily cap, a long day of sightseeing gets expensive. If you plan to visit the Midway and other spots along the bay, compare nearby garages or take the trolley.
Getting to Seaport Village
The Seaport Village trolley station is across the street. The Santa Fe Depot, which has Amtrak and Coaster trains, is a short walk north. From the Gaslamp Quarter, it is about a 10 to 15 minute walk west. Our getting around San Diego guide explains trolley fares and passes.
From the airport, it is a short drive or rideshare along Harbor Drive.
Nearby attractions
Seaport Village works well as part of a downtown waterfront day.
- The USS Midway Museum is a short walk north along the bay. Budget at least half a day.
- The Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park are a few blocks east.
- The Convention Center is right next door.
- Little Italy and the Maritime Museum of San Diego are about a 20 to 30 minute walk north along the Embarcadero.
Families can pair the carousel with the Midway or a harbor walk; see things to do in San Diego with kids and our free things to do in San Diego list for more.
A half day at Seaport Village
If you have a Saturday morning, start at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market when it opens at 8 a.m., before the best fish sells out. Walk south along the bay to Seaport Village as the shops open at 10 a.m., and ride the carousel before the lines build. Have lunch at one of the bayfront restaurants or pick up something casual and eat it on the grass at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
On weekends, the free music starts at 1 p.m., so you can stay for a set before heading north to the Midway. Park once in the Seaport Village lots, keep a receipt from a $10 purchase for the parking discount, and expect to pay more if you stay past the discounted hours.
On a weekday, the shops and paths are quieter, and the discounted parking covers three hours instead of two.
Seaport Village during the holidays
Seaport Village decorates for the holidays and usually hosts seasonal events such as visits from Santa. The 2026 schedule lists a Surfin’ Santa Band on November 28. The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights passes the bayfront here on December 13 and 20, 2026, starting from Shelter Island at 5:30 p.m. Our guides to Christmas lights in San Diego and San Diego weather in December can help you plan a winter visit, and our ice skating in San Diego guide covers the beachfront rink across the bay in Coronado.
What happens next for Seaport Village
The Port is working on a long-term redevelopment plan for the Central Embarcadero, which includes Seaport Village, Tuna Harbor and Embarcadero Marina Park North. A developer called 1HWY1 has proposed a project called Seaport San Diego covering about 102 acres of land and water.
That plan is still in environmental review. It would need Port approval of an environmental report and a master plan amendment, then California Coastal Commission certification, before any construction. The Port’s Central Embarcadero page has the latest. For now, Seaport Village is open as usual.
Where to stay nearby
The Manchester Grand Hyatt and the Marriott Marquis are next door, and many Gaslamp hotels are within a 15 minute walk. See our where to stay in San Diego guide, the best hotels in San Diego and cheap hotels in San Diego for options.
Frequently asked questions
What are Seaport Village’s hours?
Seaport Village is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Some restaurants and shops keep different hours.
Is Seaport Village free?
Yes. There is no admission fee. You pay only for food, shopping, parking and rides like the carousel.
How much is parking at Seaport Village?
The standard rate is $8 an hour with no maximum. With a $10 purchase and validation, the first 3 hours cost $5 Monday to Thursday, and the first 2 hours cost $5 Friday to Sunday.
Is Seaport Village closing?
Not as of late 2026. The Port’s redevelopment plan is still in environmental review, and the current management agreement runs through September 2029.
How old is the Seaport Village carousel?
It was hand-carved by Charles I. D. Looff in 1895 and has been at Seaport Village since 2004.
Is Seaport Village good for kids?
Yes. The 1895 carousel costs $5 a ride, the toy shops and open lawns keep younger kids busy, and the Midway is a short walk away.
Can you take the trolley to Seaport Village?
Yes. The Seaport Village trolley station is across the street.
Photo credits
Featured image: Jonathan Goetz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
