City: San Diego, CA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (619) 226-3901, (800) 257-4268

Description: Although some folks find the sight of marine mammals leaping and cavorting on command distasteful, SeaWorld does play a part in marine conservation, and when possible rehabilitates injured or sick whales or other fauna and returns them to the wild. However, their main business is entertainment, and there are lots of impressive attractions and exhibits to thrill both children and adults in the 190-acre park.At the Wild Arctic attraction you can journey to the frozen North on a simulated 400-mph jet helicopter expedition. When you land you’ll find yourself eye-to-eye with polar bears, beluga whales, walruses, and harbor seals. Or visit the Manatee Rescue attraction, Forbidden Reef (featuring bat rays and moray eels), or the shark and penguin encounters. How about a trip to Rocky Point Preserve, home to bottlenose dolphins and California sea otters? And don’t forget the favorite thrill of all: seeing Shamu, the killer whale, perform. The sea lion and bird shows are also impressive and a big hit with kids and adults.SeaWorld features a half-dozen excellent shows and more than 20 exhibits for the whole family. The most recently added attractions are Pets Rule, in which shelter-adopted animals perform zany antics; Fools With Tools, marine mammals with their own home-improvement show; and the 4-D movie R. L. Stein’s Haunted Lighthouse.Park hours vary; it opens at 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. and closes anywhere between 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. Call ahead for the current schedule. Admission, which includes almost all shows and attractions, is $53 for adults and $43 for children age 3 to 9. Children age 2 and younger are admitted free. Ticket packages and annual passes are also available. Parking is $7.00.