DK Travel : San Diego : SeaWorld

SeaWorld

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SeaWorld’s great black-and-white whale superstar Shamu is an identifiable San Diego icon, with 12,000 marine and aquatic animals serving as his extras. Opened in 1964, SeaWorld has grown into an internationally acclaimed attraction welcoming four million visitors a year. It also operates a center for oceanography and marine mammal research, and rehabilitates stranded and injured animals. Tropically landscaped grounds and educational exhibits provide respite from the constant action.
Wear a hat and use sunblock; the sun can be intense if you’re sitting on the bleachers watching a show. You might want to carry an extra shirt in case you get wet from the rides and shows.

Top 10 Attractions

1. Shamu Adventure Show

Shamu and two grand-babies perform to choreographed perfection in a seven-million-gallon tank. You’ll be in awe of these magnificent animals, right from the show’s start to finish.
2. Dolphin Discovery Show

Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and a 3,000-lb (1,361-kg) pilot whale leap, cavort, and dive to music. Enthusiastic trainers dance and dive with them in this lively and entertaining show.
3. Penguin Encounter

Penguins here live in an environment that re-creates conditions in Antarctica. Twice a day, feeders come out to discuss penguin habits and answer your questions.
4. Fools With Tools

Clyde and Seamore are two sea lions that upstage the show’s human hosts in a hilarious take-off of a home improvement TV show.
5. Shamu’s Happy Harbor

Airbags, nets, and run-through tubes are ideal for active children. Most popular is Pete’s Water-worm, where kids can crawl through watery tubes.
6. Manatee Rescue

SeaWorld has rehabilitated several manatees and put them on display until they are ready to be returned to the wild. You can view them in a 215,000-gallon river that re-creates their natural environment.
7. Wild Arctic

Pretend you’re on an expedition to the Arctic on a ride that simulates a jet copter landing. Walk past an above- and below-water tank to view white beluga whales and walruses, and don’t miss the Arctic fox and polar bear.
8. Shipwreck Rapids

If you aren’t already wet enough, try a ride on Shipwreck Rapids, a 9-person raft-like inner tube that plunges down rapids and passes under bridges where, for a small fee, others can squirt water at you.
9. Shark Encounter

Learn to differentiate between a male and female shark as you step on a walkway with an underwater view of several shark species.
10. Journey to Atlantis

An 8-passenger Greek fishing boat twists and drops unpredictably through mist and special effects while teaching you about the lost city of Atlantis.

Practical Information

The Shipwreck Reef Café offers the widest food selection. Park animals may stop by to watch you eat salads, sandwiches, and, yes, seafood. When you enter, check the show times behind the park map and plan your day accordingly. Some presentations and shows occur only a few times a day. Blue plastic ponchos are for sale throughout the park for $6. 500 SeaWorld Dr, Mission Bay (619) 226-3901 www.seaworld.com Open 10am–5pm daily; on some weekends and in summer, opens at 9am and occasionally closes at 10pm Adm: adult/child $49.75/$39.75 Guided tours $10–25 Several admission tickets to SeaWorld and other Southern California theme parks available