San Diego · DINING EXPERIENCES
The good dining experiences fill up weeks out and the best go first. Below: the 10 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Cruise San Diego Bay aboard the Spirit of San Diego for about 2.5 to 3 hours. You’ll get a welcome sparkling wine, indoor dinner, live entertainment, and views of the USS Midway, Coronado Island, the bridge, and downtown. An unlimited bar upgrade costs $40.
“Everything was perfect!! Had a great time!! Dinner was sooo good!! Had chicken and steak and the DJ was amazing”
Board at San Diego’s Grape Street Pier for a plated three-course dinner, city views, and DJ entertainment on San Diego Bay. You’ll see the Coronado Bay Bridge, USS Midway, North Island Naval Station, and Maritime Museum. Upscale casual dress is required, and window seating is not guaranteed.
“Wonderful camaraderie with other guests. The service was great! And the food was decent. The ship was comfortable and we had a good time.. The bathrooms were exceptionally clean!”
Board at Grape Street Pier for a 2.5-hour dinner cruise on San Diego Bay. You’ll enjoy a plated seasonal meal, buy cocktails or wine at the bar, and hear a live DJ while passing the USS Midway, Coronado Bridge, Hotel del Coronado, and more than 50 landmarks.
“Thank you for that evening!!! Everything was great: beginning from the captain, ending with dinner and music!!! 10 of 10!!!”
Set sail from San Diego’s waterfront at 7:00 pm for a 2.5 to 3 hour buffet dinner cruise. You’ll see the downtown skyline, Coronado Bridge, and Rady Shell while enjoying music from a DJ. Arrive 30 minutes early for boarding.
“Exceeds all expectations, great food, very friendly staff, very nice decorated luxury boat and the environment was amazing.”
Spend about three hours on San Diego Bay with a 2.5-hour cruise, seasonal buffet dinner, DJ entertainment, skyline views, and unlimited coffee, tea, iced tea, and water. Extra drinks are available to buy. The boat is wheelchair accessible, though outer decks require stairs.
“The cruise was very wonderful. My family and I enjoyed the whole experience and there were only positive things to say. We really enjoyed the food, the atmosphere and the personnel were fabulous.”
Join City Cruises California at Pier 1 for a two-to-three-hour Christmas Day brunch or dinner cruise. You’ll enjoy a festive buffet, full bar service, bay views, music, holiday decorations, and a guaranteed table for your party, with brunch including unlimited mimosas.
“Loved: We had a great server. Disappoments: I was disappointed with the lack of music. It would had been nice to have holiday music playing I. The background. I was not pleased with the food selection. The menu shared on the website did not reflect what was served. LASTLY, we bought the cruise tickets based on the cruise ship pictured on the website, when I asked one of the workers about why we were not boarding the newer ship, she quickly responded by saying, “not today” 😳”
Spend 2.5 to 3 hours on San Diego Bay with a Thanksgiving brunch or dinner buffet, music, and views of the USS Midway, Star of India, Rady Shell, and Coronado Bay Bridge. Brunch includes unlimited mimosas, while dinner offers turkey, tri-tip, salmon, and holiday sides.
“Everything was fantastic. The multiple greetings and warm welcomes upon arrival, to the food and drinks, to the well wishes during departure were a good reason to try this Thanksgiving experience. Many thanks to the people who made this possible.”
Board at Pier 1 Hornblower Landing for a 2.5-hour New Year’s Eve yacht cruise with a holiday buffet, DJ, and San Diego Bay views. Captain Roy greets you aboard, while the crew serves soda, coffee, tea, and water. Beer, wine, and cocktails cost extra.
“Very nice. The food was good. Staff attentive. The boat needs some touching up.”
Start at Las Americas Premium Outlets at 2 pm and travel with an English-speaking guide in a group of up to 12. Visit Rosarito, Puerto Nuevo, Tijuana’s seawall, El Mirador, and four Ensenada vineyards before ending in Tijuana.
“Riding the horses on the beach was the best part for my family & I and enjoying the ocean view at the same time. The horse were healthy & beautiful as well.”
Choose a two-hour New Year's Eve cruise in San Diego with a plated four-course dinner or a generous buffet brunch. Expect waterfront views, live music, climate-controlled decks, and drinks ranging from a sparkling toast to an open bar, depending on your booking.
Water, streets, neighborhoods, or a run out of town.
