The Port of San Diego’s two cruise ship terminals are located on San Diego Bay’s Embarcadero: a two-mile stretch of downtown waterfront offering dining, shopping, lodging, museums, attractions and more, all with an amazing view!
The majority of cruise ships dock at the larger of our two piers, the B-Street Pier & Cruise Ship Terminal, located at 1140 North Harbor Drive. It is situated on the Big Bay® in downtown San Diego, within ten minutes of the San Diego International Airport and the train terminal, with easy access to an Amtrak station. Our second terminal, the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, is a venue for special events and public waterfront access, with a restaurant, a visitor center and a public plaza.
Traveling along the waterfront is simple and fun. Explore the Port using walkways, bike paths, carpools, ride-sharing, bus service or the Trolley, San Diego's light rail system. Launch your boat, kayak or paddleboard from one of the many boat launches or beaches and explore offshore!
Things to Do in San Diego
With your cruise departing from San Diego, you'll find a variety of packages that offer everything from pre- and post-cruise tours of the city to complimentary hotel shuttles and complimentary airport shuttles.
If you have time prior to your cruise, or after your cruise to tour San Diego, there are many major tourist attractions, such as:
- Sea World San Diego
- San Diego Zoo
- San Diego Wild Animal Park
- Legoland California
- There are more than 19 beaches in San Diego, including Mission Beach, San Onofre State Beach and Ocean Beach.
Travel Information
San Diego Taxis
– approximately $12-$15 from SAN airport to the cruise ship pier. Due its close proximity to the cruise port, taxis are a main source of transportation. The signs to the Transportation Plaza are clearly marked where taxis are readily available.
– San Diego Silver Cab – ask for a flat rate
San Diego Airport & Cruiseport Shuttles
At the airport, follow the signs for Ground Transportation.
– Super Shuttle
– Prime Time Shuttle
– Advanced Shuttle
If you’d rather ride in luxury, consider a private transfer to take you from the airport to your hotel.
Plan for traffic delays along North Harbor Drive. Before you leave for the terminal, check the port's website. The site features travel advisory details, including details on where your particular ship will be berthed. SANDAG and the San Diego Transportation Partners provide real-time traffic information with driving times and incident reports, transit routes, fares, carpool and vanpool information from this website: http://www.511sd.com.
Additionally, the San Diego International Airport (SAN), at http://www.san.org, offers real-time flight information, as well as additional parking and transportation options. SAN is less than 10 minutes’ drive from our cruise ship terminals, approximately two miles north.
Downtown San Diego’s train station, the Santa Fe Depot, is only two blocks east of the terminals and is a beautiful, historical landmark in addition to providing convenient access to rail transportation.
Port Amenities
Once you reach the Port of San Diego, you will enjoy the use of wheelchair accessible elevators and a passenger gangway, along with a variety of other helpful amenities. The terminal employs a number of customer service representatives. If you need any type of assistance, head for the service desk. The Port of San Diego offers a 30,000-square-foot main cruise ship terminal building. You'll find two additional structures for passenger reception and baggage handling, totaling an additional 15,000 square feet. There are also two warehouse areas at the port.
Security & Check-In Tips
You are required to arrive an hour or more before departure.
You may drive onto the pier, but be prepared to present a photo ID and a ship ticket for your date of arrival.
Make sure all luggage (even your carry-on) is labeled with your name, your home address , and your ship stateroom number.
The porters at the pier will take your luggage and it will be delivered to your room. Be sure to tip the porters at least $2 per bag.
The cruise ship terminal operates in compliance with current U.S. Coast Guard Security Standards. Please be prepared for the following security measures:
- If arriving by car, you may be driven onto the B-Street pier for drop-off.
- You will be required to show government issued passport and a ship ticket for that date in order to access the pier and enter the cruise ship terminal.
- IMPORTANT: Passports are required for Mexico cruises
- Once you pass security, you will need to check-in at your cruise ship counter.
- Your passport and ship ticket must be shown for check-in and at the gangway in order to board the ship.
Parking
The Embarcadero and nearby areas offer plenty of options for paid parking during your cruise. Please note that passengers may not park on the pier during their cruise.
Parking at the waterfront is easy and convenient. You’ll find options for short-term parking, long-term parking, covered parking, oversized vehicle parking and boat trailer parking. Overnight and cruise guest parking is available at designated, 24-hour lots in downtown San Diego. Covered parking is offered at Wyndham San Diego Bayside, located across the street from San Diego’s two cruise ship terminals.
Park N Fly (1.6 miles from Cruise Terminals)
Park 'N Fly's Lot 3
3125 Pacific Highway,
San Diego, CA, 92101
619.209.7755
Open 24/7 - The the ideal location for any destination out of the Port of San Diego. With convenient shuttle pickup to and from the cruise ports, you can rely on Park 'N Fly for all of your port parking needs.
Park ‘N Fly is proud to offer a 10% Military discount to Active and Retired Duty members. Discount can be applied upon exit at drive-up at all Park ‘N Fly locations.
A 10% discount can be applied online or upon exit at drive-up for current AAA members at all Park ‘N Fly locations.
ABM Parking Lot (2.5 miles from Cruise Terminals)
ABM Parking (Harbor Island Elbow Lot)
851 Harbor Island Drive,
San Diego, CA 92101
619.233.2000
Open: 24/7 – Long Term Parking and Cruise Parking available at this location. See posted rates. No shuttle - must use taxi or ride share to/from the cruise terminal.
Wyndham (Across the street from Cruise Terminals)
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
1355 N. Harbor Drive,
San Diego, CA. 92101
For more information visit the Wyndham San Diego Bayside website www.sandiegocruiseshipparking.com, or email: SanDiegoCruiseShipParking@aceparking.com
BRIC North Garage (Across the street from Cruise Terminals)
BRIC North Garage
900 Bayfront Court,
San Diego, CA 92101
619.831.0245
BRIC South Garage (Across the street from Cruise Terminals)
BRIC South
901 Bayfront Court,
San Diego, CA 92101
619.831.0245
(Parking Garage located directly under the InterContinental Hotel – across from the cruise terminals)
For any questions or concerns about parking at the cruise terminal, please contact the following:
- Email: Parking@portofsandiego.org
- Phone: 619.686.6464
- Harbor Police - Emergencies only: 619.686.6272
Disabled Person Parking
There are wheelchair accessible elevators and a passenger gangway. Customer service representatives are available to help if there are any special needs.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles: A disabled person (DP) or disabled veteran (DV) displaying special license plates or a distinguishing placard are allowed to park at any of the following zones:
- In parking spaces with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol).
- Next to a blue curb authorized for handicapped parking.
- Next to a green curb (green curb indicate limited time parking), no more than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours.
- At on-street metered parking space.
- In spaces marked with a crosshatched pattern next to a parking space with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol). These spaces are for wheelchair and wheelchair lift access.
No Parking
- Next to red curbs, which indicate no stopping, standing, or parking.
- Next to yellow curbs, which are for commercial vehicles to load and unload passengers or freight.
- Next to white curbs, which are for loading and unloading passengers or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox.
Garages & Surface Lots (Off-Street Parking)
Disabled parking spaces are available in all off-street parking lots and garages. However, patrons who choose to park in these facilities are obligated to pay any applicable parking rates. This applies to both private and public off-street parking garages and parking lots. California Vehicle Code privileges for free parking with a disabled placards and license plates only apply to on-street parking. For privately owned off-street garages and parking lots which do not charge fees, vehicles with disabled placards must abide by any posted ordinances or restrictions for those facilities.
72 Hour Parking Limit
Vehicles are not allowed to park for more than Seventy-Two (72) consecutive hours. This Seventy-Two (72) hour limitation applies to any street, parking lot or parking area within the San Diego Unified Port District's jurisdiction, regardless of any other posted parking designations and/or restrictions (San Diego Unified Port Code Section 8.16).
