There are so many things to see and do along San Diego Water Front/Embarcadero. The best part if you are on a cruise ship you dock in the middle of it and you do not need to take an excursion to see them.

Your ship will most likely be in port 8 to 12 hours with most arriving 8am and departing between 5pm and 10pm.  You have time to eat breakfast onboard and you are paying for dinner so you will typically want to be back by then.

Most San Diego attractions including the Zoo, Balboa Park and Sea World open around 10am.  But I recommend an alternative to you.  Stay on the San Diego water front. You can easily spend 6 to 10 hours along the water front and be within a mile of where cruise ships is docked. 

If you are a resident or a visitor the Embarcadero is a great place to spend some time.

On the north side of the cruise ships is the Maritime Museum Tickets (10:00am to 5:00pm)($20 or less admission and 3 to 5hours required to visit).  

On the southside is the USS Midway Museum Tickets(10:00am to 5:00pm) ($26 or less and 4 to 6 hours required to visit).

Besides these two museums a little further to the south is Bob Hope Park (open 24hrs) and just a little further is Seaport Village.  Seaport village is a 14 acre waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment complex recreating a harbor side setting of a century ago. Seaport Village includes 54 one of a kind shops, 13 casual dining eateries, 4 fine dining waterfront restaurants.  It is open 11am to 7pm.

All of these are within easy walking distance.  Often there is street entertainment along the embarcadero or special summertime events.

Staying close assured that you can get back aboard in time. You can even come back for lunch onboard and then leave again if you wish. 

Water Front /Embarcadero' Attractions