Tour John Steinbeck's Western Flyer March 26
Floating Classroom tour included with admission
John Steinbeck’s Boat Western Flyer Now Transformed Into a Floating Classroom Open to General Admission Visitors for Docent-Led Tours at the Maritime Museum of San Diego Wednesday, March 26, 2025 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The restored Western Flyer is the same fishing vessel Steinbeck used for his 1940 Sea of Cortez expedition. Step aboard the 77-foot sardine seiner boat as part of the Museum’s general admission experience, exploring its rich history and enduring legacy. This 2025 voyage marks the 85th anniversary of Steinbeck and Ricketts’ groundbreaking journey, which shaped modern ecological thinking and conservation efforts. Published in 1941, Sea of Cortez: A Leisurely Journal of Travel and Research chronicled the historic voyage, leaving a profound impact on both the scientific and literary worlds.
Published in 1941, Sea of Cortez: A Leisurely Journal of Travel and Research chronicled the historic voyage, leaving a profound impact on both the scientific and literary worlds. The book was among the first public calls for conservation in the region and played a key role in raising awareness about the ecological significance of the Gulf of California. Over the decades, it has inspired countless students to pursue careers in marine and field biology. While the book endured, the boat itself disappeared into obscurity for decades. She reappeared 20 years ago, but then sank twice, and was given up for dead, destined to be chain sawed into a tourist attraction in Salinas, CA. However, thanks to the efforts of the Western Flyer Foundation, the boat has undergone a meticulous restoration.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Date & Time
Mar 26, 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Included with general admission ticket purchase 10am to 4pm.
Price
Adults $24, Sr. Mil, 13-17 $18, 3-12 $12
