410 Elm Street, San
Diego, California 92101
TOLL FREE: 1-800-205-9897, 619.232.1336,
Fax 619.232.1331
hoteloccidental@sbcglobal.net
SeaWorld was founded in 1964 by four graduates of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). They had originally considered the idea of building an underwater restaurant. Although this idea was not technically feasible, the concept grew into the idea of a marine zoological park on 22 acres along the shore of Mission Bay in San Diego. With an initial investment of $1.5 million, 45 employees, several dolphins, sea lions, and two seawater aquariums, SeaWorld drew more than 400,000 visitors its first year — a clear indication of the public’s curiosity and fascination for marine animals.
The park is now owned and operated by Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), one of the Anheuser-Busch Companies. BEC also owns and operates Adventure Island in Tampa, Florida; Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia; Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania; and the newest member of the BEC family — Discovery Cove in Orlando. In January 2001, BEC sold SeaWorld Cleveland to Six Flags. Over the years, SeaWorld has grown from a small collection of marine animals into one of the larg-est and most respected marine zoological collections in the world. Its three parks are accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) — a recognition that these facilities have achieved high levels of animal husbandry techniques; medical care; and management competence in their zoological exhibition, collections, public education, and park operations.
Throughout SeaWorld’s history, the parks
have re-mained committed to SeaWorld’s founding principles of
quality in the areas of education, entertainment, research, and conservation.
SeaWorld
San Diego
The Hotel Occidental is also available to accommodate sports teams, special events and small tour groups.
