Sea World San Diego

Sea World San Diego, located in Mission Bay, is one of California's top adventure parks.

During a recent visit, we stayed at Paradise Point, which is one of the most convenient Sea World San Diego hotels, located just a few blocks from the theme park. Another fun choice for a Sea World San Diego vacation is the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, where a water taxi will drop you off at the park, providing you have already purchased tickets ahead of time.

Start your day by reserving an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet alongside Shamu's tank and then catch the first showing of Believe, the most popular attraction at the park. During this spectacular show at Sea World in San Diego, you'll see Shamu slide onto the stage, jump through the air, and splash guests. You're almost guaranteed to get soaked in the first 15 rows. Bring a disposable waterproof camera if you want to get some great close-ups shots.

Next, grab about $20 from the ATM outside the Skytower and head over to Rocky Point Preserve, where you can lightly touch and feed the Sea World dolphins. It's one of the most memorable attractions at the park. Each tray of anchovies is $5 (cash only)

For more dolphin fun at Sea World San Diego California, don't miss the Dolphin Discovery Show where you'll see Dolly and her friends jump and fly through the air in an amazing acrobatic display. As with all stadium shows, arrive 15 minutes early to get front-row seats.

When you're ready to beat the heat, Sea World's two water rides are worth the wait. Drop down a 60-foot waterfall on Journey to Atlantis, or bounce down the river in a 9-person inner tube on Shipwreck Rapids. Minimum height is 42 inches.

In 2008, Sea World celebrated the 25th year of Penguin Encounter, where you can cool off on a moving walkway while enjoying a show of more than 350 arctic and antarctic birds jumping, swimming and playing in a snowy environment.

Another great draw is Shark Encounter, a dark maze of over-water and under-water viewing tanks filled with every type of shark imaginable. A tankful of vicious piranhas awaits you next door in the freshwater aquarium.

Kids will also enjoy the Clydesdale Hamlet, where you can explore the stables and meet the members of the Budweiser Team. Inside the Anheiseur Busch Hospitality Center, you can sample specialty beers at the tasting bar (ages 21 and up).

If you want to beat the crowds, be sure to visit between mid September and early March.

During the summer, Sea World San Diego camps are a hot ticket for children. Resident Camp sessions are open to 4th through 12th graders, who spend a full week at the adventure park preparing fish for animals, feeding dolphins, and kayaking Mission Bay.  The Day Camp week-long sessions are open preschoolers through 12th graders. Activities include meeting sea animals, snorkeling and hands-on learning activities.  To reserve a spot, call (800) 25-SHAMU or visit www.swbg-adventurecamps.com.

Sea World San Diego tickets are available online at SeaWorldSanDiego.com or directly at the theme park for $65 adults over 10 and $55 ages 3-9. If you book online, you can get a Sea World San Diego discount for two days at the theme park for the price of one.

Sea World San Diego packages are available for guests at Disneyland Resort through Southern California Gray Lines, and include round-trip transportation from Anaheim to San Diego.

Another Sea World San Diego package offered through Gray Lines is the "Dine With Shamu Tour Package," which includes transportation from Anaheim to SeaWorld San Diego, admission, and a buffet at the Shamu stadium.

More packages for Sea World San Diego hotels are available online at the Sea World Web site here.

The Sea World address is 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CA 92109; (619) 222-6363; SeaWorldSanDiego.com