History of SeaWorld San Diego in Timeline

SeaWorld San Diego is a marine theme park located in Mission Bay Park, San Diego, California. It functions as a marine mammal park, oceanarium, public aquarium, and a rehabilitation center for marine animals. The park is owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts, focusing on marine animal exhibitions, shows, and conservation efforts.

March 21, 1964: SeaWorld San Diego Opening

On March 21, 1964, SeaWorld San Diego opened its doors to the public. The park, founded by Milton Shedd, Ken Norris, David Demott, and George Millay, featured a few dolphins, sea lions, and six attractions across 22 acres. It proved successful, attracting over 400,000 visitors in its first year.

1965: First Orca Shamu Arrives

In 1965, the first orca named Shamu was brought to SeaWorld San Diego. The name Shamu is now used for the costume character at the park entrance.

1967: Filming of The Big Mouth

In 1967, SeaWorld San Diego served as a filming location for the movie "The Big Mouth".

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1967: Bayside Skyride Opens

In 1967, the Bayside Skyride, a gondola ride that travels over Mission Bay, first opened to the public.

1968: SeaWorld Goes Public

In 1968, SeaWorld transitioned from being privately held to a publicly traded company.

1968: Skytower Construction

In 1968, the Skytower, a 320-foot gyro tower, was built by Sansei Yusoki at SeaWorld San Diego, offering a six-minute view of the park and San Diego.

1970: SeaWorld Ohio Opens

In 1970, SeaWorld opened its second location, SeaWorld Ohio.

1973: SeaWorld Orlando Opens

In 1973, SeaWorld Orlando opened, marking the third park in the SeaWorld chain.

1976: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Ownership

In 1976, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich acquired ownership of the SeaWorld parks.

1988: SeaWorld San Antonio Opens

In 1988, SeaWorld San Antonio opened, expanding the SeaWorld brand to a fourth location.

1989: Anheuser-Busch Acquisition

In 1989, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. purchased the SeaWorld parks from Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

January 2001: Sale of SeaWorld Ohio to Six Flags

In January 2001, the partnership sold SeaWorld Ohio to Six Flags.

2004: Journey to Atlantis Built

In 2004, Journey to Atlantis, a Mack Rides water coaster, was built at SeaWorld San Diego. The ride reaches a height of 95 feet and a max speed of 42 miles per hour.

2008: Sesame Street's Bay of Play Opening

In 2008, Sesame Street's Bay of Play, an interactive children's play area, originally opened at SeaWorld San Diego.

December 2009: Blackstone Group Acquires SeaWorld

In December 2009, after InBev acquired Anheuser-Busch, SeaWorld San Diego and the rest of the company's theme parks were sold to the Blackstone Group.

May 26, 2012: Manta Opens

On May 26, 2012, SeaWorld San Diego opened Manta, a Mack launched roller coaster with two launches, a bat ray aquarium, and a touch pool for bat rays, white sturgeons, and shovelnose guitarfish.

2012: Purchase of Knott's Soak City

In late 2012, SeaWorld Entertainment purchased one of the Cedar Fair-owned "Knott's Soak City" water parks.

2013: Filming of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

In 2013, SeaWorld San Diego was a filming location for the film "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues".

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2013: Aquatica San Diego Opens

In 2013, the water park purchased by SeaWorld was opened as Aquatica San Diego, located in Chula Vista, California. The park features 26 slides.

March 21, 2014: Explorer's Reef Opens

On March 21, 2014, SeaWorld San Diego opened Explorer's Reef, an attraction featuring animal encounters and touch pools. Guests can interact with a variety of fishes, including bamboo sharks, cleaner fishes, and horseshoe crabs.

January 2017: End of Theatrical Orca Shows

In January 2017, SeaWorld San Diego ended their theatrical orca shows. San Diego was the first of the three SeaWorld parks to premiere Orca Encounter, an educational presentation about orcas.

May 27, 2017: Ocean Explorer Opens

On May 27, 2017, SeaWorld San Diego launched Ocean Explorer, an area designed for children. It includes three attractions: Octarock, Sea Dragon Drop, and Tentacle Twirl.

May 31, 2017: Tentacle Twirl Opens

On May 31, 2017, Tentacle Twirl, a Wave Swinger built by Zierer, opened at SeaWorld San Diego.

May 10, 2018: Electric Eel Opens

On May 10, 2018, Electric Eel, a Sky Rocket II model by Premier Rides, opened at SeaWorld San Diego. It stands at 150 feet tall and reaches speeds of up to 62 miles per hour.

May 2019: Submarine Quest Closure

By May 2019, references to Submarine Quest had been removed from SeaWorld's maps and website, indicating its closure due to negative reviews.

May 24, 2019: Tidal Twister Opens

On May 24, 2019, Tidal Twister, a Skywarp Horizon model by Skyline Attractions, opened at SeaWorld San Diego. The ride reached a top speed of 30 miles per hour.

October 21, 2019: Sesame Place Announced

On October 21, 2019, SeaWorld Entertainment announced that Aquatica San Diego would be converted into Sesame Place San Diego, the first Sesame Place theme park on the West Coast.

January 11, 2020: Wild Arctic Closure

On January 11, 2020, the Wild Arctic simulator ride closed at SeaWorld San Diego.

April 13, 2021: Demolition of Submarine Quest Begins

On April 13, 2021, when the park re-opened, demolition of the ride track and show buildings for Submarine Quest began, though the animal enclosures were left intact.

September 2021: Aquatica San Diego Closes

Aquatica San Diego closed its final season in September 2021, prior to being re-themed.

March 12, 2022: Emperor Opens

On March 12, 2022, Emperor, a Dive Coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, opened at SeaWorld San Diego. It is the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in California.

March 26, 2022: Sesame Place San Diego Opens

On March 26, 2022, Sesame Place San Diego opened, replacing Aquatica San Diego. The new park retained the water park attractions from Aquatica San Diego.

April 2023: Closure of Sesame Street's Bay of Play

In April 2023, Sesame Street's Bay of Play was closed at SeaWorld San Diego. It was later re-themed as Rescue Jr.

June 2, 2023: Arctic Rescue Opens

On June 2, 2023, Arctic Rescue, an Intamin launched coaster opened at SeaWorld San Diego, replacing the Wild Arctic simulator ride. It features arctic theming and straddle seating to simulate riding a snowmobile.