Port of San Diego Advances Proposed Navy SEAL Museum to Environmental Review

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has directed staff to begin environmental review on a Navy SEAL Museum proposed for 1220 Pacific Highway along San Diego’s North Embarcadero on a former Navy leasehold acquired by the Port in 2023. The project calls for a four-level, 85,000-square-foot museum with galleries, educational space, retail, event space, an exterior reflecting pool, and a new 150-foot public park that connects to Lane Field Park in front of the adjacent hotels.

“One of our priorities is to deliver more coastal access for locals and visitors. The Port doesn’t collect tax dollars, so we look to projects like this to provide more things to see, do and experience along our bayfront,” said Chair Ann Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “The Navy SEAL Museum proposal is an opportunity to honor and celebrate San Diego’s strong military connections and would serve as a fitting addition to nearby attractions like the USS Midway Museum, the future Freedom Park at Navy Burnham Pier, and the Maritime Museum.”

Cost and Funding 
The anticipated construction cost is $256 million, which includes site demolition, museum construction, exhibits, and the public park. The project, proposed by Navy SEAL Museum San Diego, LLC and Hensel Phelps, LLC, is not directly affiliated with the U.S. Navy. If ultimately approved, it would build from the success of the original Navy SEAL Museum that opened in Ft. Pierce, Florida in 1985 as well as the “showcase” location that opened on Kettner Street in San Diego in October of 2025. The museum team plans to launch a fundraising campaign to fund and support the project. Debt financing may also be required. The Navy SEAL Museum team estimates annual attendance will be between 850,000 to 1,040,000 in year three of operation, based on other similar attractions throughout the country.  

How does the public benefit? 
There are multiple public benefits associated with this proposed project, including:

• The development team will build a 150-foot park to extend and complete Lane Field Park along Harbor Drive, providing additional public access and amenities to an area that is currently used as a Navy parking lot.
• A robust public benefits program that would continue and expand the Navy SEAL Museum’s current ongoing community programs including youth mentoring programs with law enforcement and educational institutions, scholarship programs, K-9 companion placement programs for special operations veterans, and direct financial and equipment support to veterans and their families.
• Providing a boost for local tourism by adding another waterfront attraction that complements other nearby attractions like the USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum and increases visitors to nearby hotels and restaurants.  

Next Steps
Port staff will commence environmental review per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In parallel, staff will continue due diligence with the project team regarding project financials that will inform lease negotiations and a future draft lease agreement that will require Board approval. A Coastal Development Permit (CDP) will also be required for the project and will be subject to Board approval. A project timeline, including potential construction and completion dates, is to be determined and is dependent on completion of environmental review and lease and CDP negotiations.

Additional Project Information
The Navy SEAL Museum is working with renowned ZGF Architects, who recently completed the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Los Angeles. Per the proposal, the design for the project features a striking, angular architectural profile evoking a modern naval destroyer, with perforated metallic surfaces that filter natural light into the interior spaces. Inside, the museum plans to incorporate immersive, technology-forward exhibits that highlight not only the operational history of the Navy SEALs, but also the values of teamwork, honor, courage, and service. For exhibition design, the museum is working with Gallagher & Associates, who are responsible for immersive experiences at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National World War II Museum, and more. The visitor experience is designed to flow through the museum from the upper-level galleries down through the daylight-filled atrium through various exhibits and galleries back down to the first floor. The interior would include galleries, a 4th-floor outdoor terrace, atrium, event space, theater, retail, cafe, library/conference space, youth education space, pre-function and back of house space.  

North Embarcadero Visionary Plan (NEVP)
The North Embarcadero is San Diego’s front porch. Through the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan (NEVP), a partnership with the City of San Diego, the area has transformed over the years and is now very popular with its bayside promenade and parks, restaurants and attractions like Portside Pier, Carnitas Snack Shack, the USS Midway and Maritime Museums, bay cruises, hotels, and more. The project builds on these improvements and delivers more public access and recreation.