Star of India San Diego California: A First-Timer’s Guide to This Iconic Floating Museum

Ahoy, landlubbers and reluctant history buffs alike! We found your new favorite excuse to wear nautical stripes and pretend you know port from starboard.

Docked in San Diego Bay with the confidence of a ship that’s seen some things (because it has), the Star of India isn’t just another pretty schooner.

And if you’re wondering what is the Star of India, well, it’s the oldest active sailing ship in the world. Yep, this iron queen survived 19th-century trade routes, a few name changes, and more sea drama than a season of Below Deck.

Now she’s parked like it’s no big deal right outside the Maritime Museum, casually flexing her 150-plus years of ocean cred.

But let’s be clear, this isn’t your average museum pit stop. It’s an immersive, salty-aired, climb-aboard kind of vibe where you and your crew (tiny pirates included) can explore the decks, duck through creaky cabins, and play out your Titanic moment without the sinking part.

Bring sunscreen. Bring curiosity. And bring snacks, because ship exploring is hungry work.

But first…

Buy Your Maritime Museum of San Diego Tickets

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Every ticket includes access to the full fleet of historic ships, the iconic Star of India, and immersive exhibits that bring maritime history to life. It’s hands-on, camera-ready, and way cooler than your average museum day.

Skip the lines, save some cash, and step aboard something unforgettable!

150 Years of Adventure, Survival, and Saltwater Sass

The Star of India San Diego is the world s oldest active sailing ship and a floating time capsule of maritime history.

Built before the Civil War and still floating like a boss, this iron-hulled icon has survived mutinies, cyclones, and multiple identity crises.

Let’s just say if this ship could talk, it would have opinions.

Construction Born in 1863 With a Flair for Drama

When was the Star of India built?

The Star of India San Diego started life as Euterpe, a full-rigged iron sailing ship built on the Isle of Man in 1863. She was crafted during a time when most ships were still made of wood, making her an industrial-age trendsetter.

Basically, if ships had Instagram in the 1800s, she would’ve been the blueprint.

Early Years Were Full of Mutinies Cyclones and Chaos

Her early days were anything but smooth sailing. She began in the India trade, then pivoted to carrying immigrants to New Zealand, where things got real with mutiny, a collision, and a cyclone that almost ended her career before it began.

Imagine booking a one-way trip and ending up in the middle of a high-seas soap opera.

Later Years Turned Into the Salmon Hustle

In 1901, she was sold to the Alaska Packers’ Association and rebranded as the Star of India. She got a glow-up, switched to barque rigging, and spent the next two decades hauling salmon between Alaska and California. Less drama, more fish, though probably still a few seagull-related incidents.

Retirement Came With a Second Act in San Diego

After her final commercial voyage in 1923, she was lovingly retired instead of scrapped. San Diego swooped in to preserve her legacy, eventually restoring her to her former glory.

Today, she’s not just a relic floating in the harbor; she’s a floating icon with stories to tell and selfies to star in.

Still Floating, Still Iconic

The Star of India San Diego California is now a fully restored museum ship that’s still sailing and stealing the spotlight in San Diego Bay.

These days, she’s not hauling cargo or dodging cyclones. She’s busy living her best life as the grand dame of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, greeting visitors, showing off her weathered charm, and occasionally hitting the open water just to prove she still can.

Yes, she’s still seaworthy, and yes, that’s incredibly cool.

Location Is Right in the Heart of San Diego

The Star of India San Diego California is permanently docked at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, located at 1492 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.

She’s impossible to miss, perched proudly on the waterfront with rigging that begs for a photo op. Think of her as the museum’s crown jewel and San Diego’s most iconic floating neighbor.

Activities Include Sailing and Serious Sea Swagger

Yes, she still sails. The Star of India occasionally takes to the water during special events, crewed by a fully trained volunteer group that keeps tradition alive. It’s not every day you get to see a 160-year-old ship flex her sea legs like it’s no big deal.

Tours Let You Step Into the Past Without the Seasickness

Visitors can climb aboard and explore the ship from top deck to cramped cabins. The museum has done a stellar job recreating what life looked like for sailors and passengers in the 1800s.

Spoiler alert, it was less Pinterest-core and more hard tack and hammocks.

Status Is Legendary and Still Floating

She’s officially recognized as the oldest iron-hulled merchant ship still afloat anywhere in the world. That’s not just a fun fact, it’s a flex.

For a ship built before electricity was standard, she’s aging like the Meryl Streep of maritime history.

Opening Hours and Parking

Planning a visit to the Star of India and the Maritime Museum of San Diego? Here’s what you need to know so you don’t show up confused and parking-lot-frustrated.

The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the last admission at 4:00 p.m. If you’re a morning person (or traveling with tiny early risers), aim for earlier in the day when the decks are less crowded and the sea breeze is still crisp.

As for parking, here’s the scoop:

There’s no on-site parking, but several options nearby:

• Metered Port parking is directly in front of the museum. It’s enforced daily and has a 3-hour limit. Perfect for a quick visit, but not ideal if you’re planning to linger.
• Day lots are available within walking distance, including a county garage across the street and other pay-to-park lots in the area.
• Public transportation and rideshare are smart alternatives, especially on weekends or during special events when the waterfront gets extra busy.

Pro Tip: Bring some quarters or download a parking app ahead of time. It’s not glamorous, but it beats getting a ticket.

What’s New at the Star of India Ship in 2025?

If you’re wondering what’s new with the Star of India in 2025, here’s the scoop.

While there haven’t been any splashy new exhibits or major additions, the world’s oldest active sailing ship is still doing her thing as the crown jewel of the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

Docked along the scenic waterfront, she continues to wow visitors with her rich history as a former cargo ship, a passenger vessel for voyages to India, and a resilient workhorse for the Alaska Packers.

Built on the Isle of Man in 1863 and once part of the Savill Line of London, she’s not just any ship. She’s a floating timeline, having weathered the Depression and World War II, the evolution of the Shaw Savill Line, and more nautical glow-ups than we can count.

Operated by the Museum of San Diego and adored by locals and tourists alike, this ship still sails on rare occasions, including her November birthday celebration.

Visitors can walk the tween deck, explore the vessel’s ties to the Pacific Colonial Ship Company, and geek out over artifacts that connect her to San Francisco, the United States, and beyond.

While you won’t find brand-new exhibits in 2025, her current display is packed with fascinating tidbits.

You’ll learn how she got her original name from the Greek muse of music, how she helped shape maritime trade routes, and how organizations like the Society of San Diego and Zoological Society of San Diego help preserve this living piece of history.

In other words, she’s not new, but she is legendary.

Star of India San Diego CA Reviews

Star of India reviews highlight why this legendary ship at the Maritime Museum of San Diego continues to wow visitors year after year.

Guests love stepping aboard the world’s oldest active sailing ship and getting a taste of what life was like on the high seas.

From the detailed exhibits to the chance to wander the original tween deck, it’s an experience that feels anything but ordinary.

Many also mention the bonus of exploring other historic vessels at the museum, but it’s the Star of India that steals the show.

If you’re into salty air, ship lore, and a little time travel, this is your moment.

Drop Your Best Ship Tips Below

Have you climbed aboard the Star of India or found a hidden gem at the Maritime Museum of San Diego? Maybe you’ve got a parking hack or a favorite spot for that perfect harbor photo.

Share your salty wisdom in the comments because we’re always here for insider tips and seafaring stories!

Star of India San Diego FAQs