I live in San Diego, so when the Navy opened USS San Diego (specifically the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD-22)) for tours during Fleet Week, I went. I’ve toured the ship twice now. Once in hot sun. Once on a breezy, gray morning. Both times felt big and a little wild. Like stepping into a working city that floats. If you want yet another voice on what a day aboard feels like, this honest walk-through does a great job catching the vibe.
You know what? I still smell the ship in my head—diesel, salt, and hot metal. That rough, black deck grabbed my sneakers. Good thing too. I’m clumsy.
For a deeper dive into the ship’s specs, history, and upcoming public events, swing by the USS San Diego official site before you plan your visit.
Getting Onboard: Not Fancy, But It Works
We lined up along the Embarcadero with a mix of families, vets, and super excited kids. Security checked IDs for adults, looked in small bags, and waved a wand. No big backpacks. Closed-toe shoes only. The wait took about 40 minutes the first time, almost an hour the second. I chatted with a mom from Chula Vista about her brother who served on a destroyer and learned more in that line than I expected.
A Boatswain’s Mate (BM2 Garcia—yep, I caught the name tape) greeted us. He made a clean bowline in ten seconds flat and let my son try. The knot looked like spaghetti, but the sailor smiled and said, “Better than my first one.” Little stuff like that matters.
First Steps: Big Gray World
Inside felt like a maze, but the paths were marked with tape. We followed sailors in yellow vests. Crew was calm, patient, and funny. I heard “mind your head,” a lot. I hit my head once anyway and pretended I didn’t. Classic me.
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We stood in the well deck. It’s a giant garage near the water where landing craft come in. There was a landing craft parked, with a Humvee strapped down beside it. Chains rattled as a sailor checked tie-downs. The space echoed.
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We walked through berthing (the sleeping area). Triple bunks. Metal racks. Tight aisles. I sat on the bottom bunk for a second and thought, this is fine for a week, but months? That takes grit.
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On the mess decks, a Culinary Specialist showed us the serving line. Big steel pans. Everything spotless. He joked, “Coffee is our fuel,” and I believed it. That smell was strong.
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In medical, an HM1 pointed to the X-ray machine and a stack of supplies. “We can handle a lot here,” she said. The room felt small, but ready.
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We climbed steep ladders to the bridge. My legs burned a bit. On the bridge, I held a sound-powered phone and said, “Aye, aye,” for my kid. The lookouts had those giant “Big Eyes” binoculars on the bridge wing. A sailor let my daughter peek. She giggled, “I can see the Midway!”
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Up on the flight deck, we saw one helicopter parked on a sunny day and an empty deck on the cloudy day. Both times, the view of the bay was worth the climb. Wind in my face. Blue water. Seals popping up like little commas.
What I Loved (And Why It Stuck)
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Real work, up close. The well deck felt alive even when quiet. You can tell gear has a job and a place. Everything’s labeled. Everything earns its keep.
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The crew. They didn’t rush us. They answered weird questions. A dad asked how the anchors work. A sailor said, “Loudly,” then explained the windlass with a grin. Simple and true.
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The mix of pride and normal life. A young Marine on the troop bench told me he misses his dog on long trips. Then he showed my kid how to sit with a pack. Serious and sweet at the same time.
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City views from a working ship. It felt like San Diego—sun, water, Navy blues, and kids eating churros on the pier after.
What Bugged Me (Small Stuff, But Real)
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Lines and ladders. If you hate crowds or steep climbs, this part is tough. Strollers won’t work. My aunt with bad knees had to skip the bridge.
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Heat and noise. On the hot day, the metal got toasty. The engine spaces hum. Earplugs would’ve been nice near the flight deck when they did a short demo with gear moving.
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Short time in each space. It’s a live ship. You can’t wander off. I wanted another 10 minutes in the well deck, but the line must move.
A Little Side Path: The USS San Diego Memorial
After our tour, we walked a few minutes along the water to the memorial for the World War II cruiser, also named USS San Diego (CL-53). It’s a dark, polished monument with ship details and names. Quiet. Strong. I ran my fingers over the carved letters and thought about the long arc from that ship to this one. If you bring kids, keep it simple. We said, “Let’s stand still for a moment and say thank you.” It felt right. If you can’t make it in person, this peaceful write-up of a lone visit captures the mood perfectly. And for a haunting look at the original armored cruiser’s final resting place, read these cold-water stories from the wreck site. You can dive into even more details and see the memorial’s layout on the official memorial page.
How It Compares To The Midway
I’ve done the USS Midway Museum many times. The Midway has an audio tour, lots of planes, and more time to poke around. USS San Diego is different. It’s an active ship. You follow a set route. Fewer displays, more real life. Think “today’s Navy at work,” not “big museum day.” Both are great; they just scratch different itches.
Real Moments That Sold Me
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I watched a sailor chalk and chain the helicopter tire with fast, practiced moves. No drama. Just skill.
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A Marine lifted a kid’s backpack, laughed, and said, “You’re deployment ready, buddy.” The kid stood taller for the rest of the day.
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A sailor noticed my son tracing a damage control diagram. He pulled a small, laminated chart from his pocket and slipped it to him. “Keep learning,” he said. It now lives on our fridge.
Quick Tips So You Don’t Suffer
- Bring a government ID (adults).
- Wear real shoes with grip. No sandals.
- Small bag only; water bottle with a cap.
- Sunscreen, hat, and patience.
- Use the restroom before you board.
- If you get nervous on ladders, tell a crew member. They’ll help.
- Go early. The line grows fast.
One side note for the singles crowd: I met two people in line who were on a first date they’d arranged through an upscale dating site. If the idea of combining Fleet Week with a classy meet-up appeals to you, check out this in-depth Elite Meets Beauty review—it breaks down membership costs, verification steps, and conversation icebreakers so you can decide if the platform fits your style before you plan that next adventurous outing. If you’re leaning toward something more spontaneous—maybe you’re just in town for the day and want a zero-pressure drink after the tour—consider browsing Universal Hookups for a quick primer on the best location-based apps and safety pointers so you can line up an easy meet-up near the pier without wasting time.
Who Should Go
- Families with school-age kids who like hands-on stuff.
- History fans who want the “now,” not just the “then.”
- Locals who want a free, very San Diego day by the water.
Maybe skip it if you can’t handle stairs, get woozy in tight spaces, or need a slow, quiet tour.
My Verdict
I loved it. Not because it was fancy. Because it was honest. The ship is a tool built for hard jobs, and you can feel that under your feet. The crew was kind without being fake. I left proud, a little sunburned, and very thirsty.
Score: 4.5 out of 5. Lose half a point for the lines and heat, keep all the points for heart.
Would I go again? Yep. I already have. And I’ll bring cold water next time, because I’m finally learning.