San Diego Cruise Port Embarkation:
A Complete Guide
If San Diego is your start and ending cruise port, then you are lucky! It is the perfect starting point for your next adventure! Located right in the heart of downtown, it’s just steps from great restaurants, shopping, and attractions like the USS Midway Museum and Seaport Village. With beautiful waterfront views and a laid-back, sunny vibe, it’s a stress-free and exciting place to begin your journey. Plus, it’s super convenient—just a short drive from the airport, so you can start your vacation the moment you arrive!
We have details to make your journey easier. How to get there, what to expect, and what’s within 10 minutes walking distance. Here’s the Lowdown.
Updates:
SAN (San Diego Airport) is currently going through construction, scheduled to finish by Summer 2025.
Cruise Ship Terminal
The San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal is located at 1140 N Harbor Drive, right next to downtown. Situated along the Embarcadero, the main boardwalk, the area is packed with restaurants and attractions.
Cruise Docks
There are two main docks at the port:
B Street Pier: This is the city’s largest cruise terminal, handling most of the cruise ships. It can accommodate two ships at once, so you're most likely to use this one.
Broadway Pier: Located directly south of B Street Pier, this newer and smaller terminal handles overflow cruises.
Getting There
Whether you're flying, driving, or taking the train, getting to the port is easy. Here’s how:
Flying
San Diego International Airport is just 2.8 miles from the port, making air travel a breeze. From Terminal 1, head straight out and cross the street. You’ll pass the taxi stand first, followed by the rideshare pick-up area, clearly marked for Uber and Lyft.
For Terminal 2, you'll need to cross the bridges or the street to reach the parking structure, where both taxis and rideshare pick-ups are clearly labeled.
For a more budget-friendly option, take the local bus (Route 992) from the airport to the port. It costs $2.50, and you’ll need exact change or a Pronto card, which you can purchase from the kiosk or download the app for a $3 minimum fare.
If you’re traveling light, taking an Uber is a great option for convenience. Otherwise, the bus is a viable choice, though it might not be practical for large groups or lots of luggage. Either way, you’ll be looking at a 10-minute drive to the port, traffic permitting.
Driving
San Diego is 122 miles south of Los Angeles and about 18 miles north of the Mexico border. The I-5 Freeway is the main route through the city, with the I-163 coming south through Balboa Park and the I-94 from the east. These all feed into downtown, and from there, it’s just a few minutes to the port along North Harbor Drive.
When we arrived, we missed the entrance to the port parking lot because there isn’t a huge sign. Look for a small sign marking the entrance, then follow the road straight. There are guides directing cars where to go for drop-off, and porters will be waiting to take your luggage. Tip them if you can!
For parking, the port's parking lot is for day use only. You’ll need long-term parking, which is available at nearby hotels and airport garages. You can reserve a spot at Wyndham San Diego Bayside, a hotel located near the port that offers long-term parking for cruisers without needing to book a room.
Parking
For parking, you CANNOT use the port’s own parking lot, which is strictly for day use. There are plenty of long term parking options, such as the airport garages and some of the surrounding hotels. For example, you can arrange long term parking at the Wyndham San Diego Hotel. They offer long term cruise parking as separate from the hotel - you don’t have to stay there to use it. You do need to book months in advance; needless to say, when the hotel is this close to the port, those spots are prime.
The other two hotels fronting the port use an outside contractor for their parking lot, so you could arrange this separately. But the hotels won't make those arrangements for you. Also, there are no “bargain” packages of room and parking rates if you stay there. The parking rate is the parking rate. The other options, which we used, is the airport long term parking lots, like Wally’s or Aladdin. Ours was covered and convenient, with amenities like EV charging, vending machines, and even an ATM. They prefer if you drop off your bags beforehand and keep to two passengers per group to minimize crowding on the shuttle. So we dropped off our luggage and passengers then shuttled back.
Train
If you're traveling by train, the Santa Fe Train Depot is a 10-minute walk from the port. You can catch the Amtrak Surfliner, Coaster commuter train, or the local trolley. Just walk across Pacific Highway to North Harbor Drive, then turn right.
For more information on the train, visit Pacific Surfliner.
At the Terminal
When you arrive at the terminal, you'll need to drop off your checked luggage past the security gate. A porter will collect your bags, and you’ll be directed to a designated waiting area based on your boarding time. Don’t arrive too early—check-in starts around 11:00 AM, and the port authority is strict about boarding times.
Once inside the terminal building, the process is fairly smooth, though there will be lines for immigration, check-in, and ticketing. It’s a bit like an airport TSA line, but with bathrooms and seating along the way. Expect to spend around an hour here. You might want to pack some snacks and water to keep you comfortable during the wait.
Tips:
The area where you wait for boarding has no shade and totally open to the elements.
We highly recommend bringing some shade, all year round. While it might be colder in winter, the intensity of the sun could still give you sun burn/heat stroke before you begin your vacation.
Port Surrounding
So - what about the surrounding area? The sidewalk is reasonable enough quality for wheelchairs and strollers, but rough in spots. There’s a public bathroom about 50 yards south.
If you arrive early or want to grab a bite to eat, there are plenty of options nearby:
Carnita’s Snack Shack (a short walk south)
Portside Pier (10 minutes north, a shopping and restaurant complex)
Beach Hut Deli, Starbucks, Gelato and Friends, and Hazelwood’s Deli & Café (all nearby)
Harbor Market for sundries and liquor (10-minute walk)
For markets and pharmacies, there’s Harbor Market nearby, and Little Italy (15-minute walk) offers additional options like The Market by Buon Appetito and Little Italy Market and Spirits.
Final Thoughts
San Diego’s cruise terminal is compact, efficient, and well-located for easy access. Whether you’re flying in, driving, or taking the train, this guide should help make your journey smooth and stress-free. Bon voyage! 🚢🌊