Maritime Museum of San Diego551

Get your sea legs ready - the Maritime Museum is not only about ships, it is housed within floating ships in the harbor. It has five historic vessels to explore, including the fully rigged Star of India, a Clipper ship built in 1863, the Berkeley, an old San Francisco-Oakland ferry built in 1898, and the Medea, a steam ship from Scotland built in 1904.

The Star of India gets the highest marks from kids, who imagine it is everything from a real pirate ship to what the Spaniards used to sail into San Diego, although it was in fact only used to haul iron in its day.

The museum also sponsors seafaring movies, lectures, sleepovers, and, at different points during the year, offers the chance to set sail on one of its ships. Full and half day adventure sails aboard Californian are offered on most weekends, and daily from May to July (best for ages seven and up).

In season, whale watching tours on the yacht, America, are offered practically every day. Check the website for a current schedule.

Sailing programs and classes are also available. Check the website for details.

Check out the Museum's nicely organized website to see the roster of current events.