Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Unconditional Surrender Statue - Embracing Peace

    4.5 (167 reviews)

    Unconditional Surrender Statue - Embracing Peace Photos

    More like Unconditional Surrender Statue - Embracing Peace

    Recommended Reviews - Unconditional Surrender Statue - Embracing Peace

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Adnan K.

    A 25-foot tall statue of the famous image of a sailor kissing a nurse from WWII. The statue is based on a famous photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt on August 14, 1945, the day Japan surrendered to the Allies. It is well done and beautiful with the sunset or the USS Midway in the background. We visited here during our recent trip to San Diego. It was just a short walk along the boardwalk west side of the USS Midway. A charming, well-maintained little park with beautiful views - and if you plan to visit Tuna Harbor Park, don't miss the Unconditional Surrender statue.

    Bay
    Nick S.

    Whether you live in San Diego or you're just visiting you should definitely visit the Unconditional Surrender Statue at least once Essentially, this is a park that overlooks the bay. There are benches, and it's a nice place to relax. The statue depicts a famous photo from the 40s. It is larger than life, and is a great place to snap a picture of your own. That being said. This is a popular attraction for tourists The USS Midway museum (aircraft carrier) is directly to the North of the statue, and Coronado Island is directly across from it. Sit on one of the many benches and watch the ships as they pass by or catch the sunset. There is also a Bob Hope memorial in walking distance Some tips: Try to recreate the famous kissing pose with your significant other. There will most likely be others in the area doing the same. Offer to take their picture, and they will most likely take yours for you as well. There is a walking/running trail nearby, there's parks, plenty of restaurants in walking distance, and there's a market or two in the area Cheers!!

    Phil A.

    The Unconditional Surrender Statue - Embracing Peace, is one of the best historical landmarks in San Diego!!! Located in Tuna Harbor Park along the Embarcadero, this famous statue is where all the tourists come to take photos, and some even reenact the famous pose!! The parking lot here was crazy crowded, fortunately we were staying nearby and just walked here. The Bob Hope Salute to the Military exhibit is literally right next to this statue, and with the USS Midway right across the water, you can best believe this place is usually pretty crowded!!

    Raj S.

    Unconditional Surrender in San Diego is a striking and memorable sculpture -- a beautiful art piece that really catches your eye, even while passing by on a bus. It's a popular photo spot with a lot of charm and historical significance. There is parking nearby, but it can get crowded, especially on weekends, so be prepared for a bit of a wait if you're driving. The area itself is scenic and well worth a quick stop or a leisurely stroll if you're exploring the waterfront. Overall, a great public art landmark and definitely worth checking out when in San Diego! It's a nice walk from hotels in downtown . Nice breeze and few restaurants around . 4 stars

    Willie L.

    An iconic park near USS Midway. We were staying nearby so we didn't have to try and find parking by the statue. The park is nice to visit while getting to see the battleship as a backdrop.

    Nancy L.

    Located right next to the USS Midway, this huge statue is very iconic. It was a perfect sunny day on the day I went and I loved all the great photos I got.

    Dan R.

    "Surrender Surrender But don't give yourself away" (Cheap Trick) Dedicated in 2013, Embracing Peace is a 25-foot-tall painted bronze sculpture depicting one of the most famous and iconic moments in the history of the United States. You've seen that iconic photo a zillion times - the kiss between a sailor and a nurse marking the surrender of Japan that ended World War Two. That famous photo conveyed the ensuing joy and spontaneous celebration in New York City's Times Square in August 1945. We saw this awesome statue in San Diego's Tuna Harbor Park on the waterfront in front of the USS Midway Museum. A steady parade of couples were waiting in a line to snap a selfie with the statue in the background. The statue was crafted by sculptor Seward Johnson and various replicas of the statue are scattered across the US. Some are in Styrofoam/plastic, some are in aluminum, and some are in bronze, like the one in San Diego. PRO TIP Seward Johnson (April 16, 1930 - March 10, 2020) was an American artist known for his life-like painted bronze statues. I recognized his name because I've written about his artwork twice before. Once in a traveling exhibit in Simsbury, CT and once about a statue in Edmonton, Alberta. Here are links to those two reviews. https://www.yelp.com/biz/simsbury-art-trail-simsbury https://www.yelp.com/biz/sir-winston-churchill-square-edmonton

    Terri R.

    After walking around Seaport Village , on our way on foot to dinner we found ourselves at this beautiful statue. We had seen it while driving a few days before so we were glad we got to see it up close. Dedicated in 2013, the statue celebrates Americans learning World War II has ended. It is located in Tuna Harbor Park. We visited at almost 6pm on a weekday and somewhat busy with other tourists like us. We did see a young woman surprised, being asked to prom. It was an upbeat vibe with a nice view, with the USS Midway behind it.

    Melissa A.

    I always love visiting here. This last time we happened to be in the area as fireworks were popping off for, I believe, The Midway. It was an epic moment and one you only see on TV. I saw many couples striking the famous pose and capturing the statue and fireworks behind them. Very cute moment! It was beautiful and one I'll never forget.

    Jessica T.

    Such a cool spot. Lot of tourists, but definitely a great view and a very inspired statue. Bet it has a great sunrise/sunset view as well!

    Vuoch L.

    https://www.portofsandiego.org/experiences/where-go/embarcadero/tuna-harbor-park With in the Tuna Harbor Park. Public parking lot available , streets and metered parking. Or park at the Seaport Village public parking lot and continue on foot on the pier to the monument . In the same vacinity as the USS Midway museum, A National Salute to Bob Hope & the Military sculptures . On weekends tend to get pretty crowded here. So for a better picture I recommend to come early in the morning right when the park opens . Either way to read about the history , really tugs at my heart . I am most grateful to all the men and women in service and who served. Thank you!!

    Anthony S.

    The Unconditional Surrender/ Embracing Peace or better known as the "kissing sailor statue" in San Diego depicts a famous photograph taken in NYC following the end of WWII. While the events that inspired the creation took place on the other side of the country many years ago, the monument has found a home nestled beside the USS Midway. The 25 foot statue is a nice stopping point for a short walk from the USS Midway Museum or the Seaport Village shopping center.

    Berta B.

    I have been to San Diego many times and had always wanted to visit this sculpture, but never had the time to go until my most recent trip there. It's truly beautiful and worth the visit at least once! I went during the week early in the day, so there wasn't a lot of people around. After taking a couple of pictures of the sculpture and just standing there taking it in we went for a walk around the area. This sculpture pays tribute to WWll veterans and there to a story behind it as well.

    See all

    27 days ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cari A.
    213
    1101
    4047

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 32
    Thanks 14
    Love this 32
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 4
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Raj S.
    532
    1662
    18610

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 7
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 1
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex D.
    268
    1694
    14747

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 4
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Avi M.
    737
    217
    1543

    4 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 4
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 0
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 47
    Thanks 0
    Love this 48
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joel C.
    486
    569
    5876

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 25
    Thanks 0
    Love this 26
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 23
    Thanks 0
    Love this 24
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Unconditional Surrender Statue - Embracing Peace Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Unconditional Surrender Statue - Embracing Peace

    Is there a parking?

    Yes there is a metered parking

    Is there a fee?

    No fee it's an Park and you will enjoy it

    Where is the best place to park to see the Unconditional Surrender Statue?

    It is located beside the USS Midway and The Best Fish Market Restaurant so, there is plenty of parking, but towards the late afternoon it gets pretty busy and it's hard to find a parking spot.I was driving in Circles for 10 minutes. I was there… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Unconditional Surrender Statue - Embracing Peace

    Stopped by the Unconditional Surrender Statue in San Diego which was located to the left of the USS Midway.

    Mentioned in 47 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Landmarks & Historical Buildings 2,223 times last month within 5 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Gaslamp Quarter Association - Young Blood. A unique speakeasy bar where cocktails are made to your flavor preferences. Easily, one of the best bars I've been to.

    Gaslamp Quarter Association

    4.1(236 reviews)
    0.9 miGaslamp

    We attended our FOURTH Taste of the Gaslamp, this is 2025!!! We have been coming since 2022!!!…read more It's a FUN San Diego Event. We started at Goodnight John Boy, which is a 1970's Nightclub!!! It was also STOP 1, serving PIZZA. We stopped at in on 16 RESTAURANTS!!! HERE IS HOW OUR DAY WENT: We proceeded over and up. We ate PIZZA again at PIZZA ON FIFTH. THEN, back down, BACK AND FORTH, and down some more. Back and Forth, AND UP!!! We had pizza and more pizza, a couple places had sliders. CHEESE BALLS at The Field!!! I ate both of our Cheese Balls, and they were large and filled with soft, creamy white cheese. When we walked into THE FIELD, the Staff approached us and took us to a table, the only empty table in the place!!! After that, they even exchanged the stool that was there with a backed chair. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! YUMMY, yummy Truffles at Sugarbear!!! We then ran into the MEXICAN REGION, with Rockin Baja and Hasta Manana, and Baja Rick's Cantina!!! We loved HASTA MANANA, in particular. It went all out MEXICAN FOOD, we had three different things to eat, including Chips and Guacamole, a Potato Taquito, and Arroz Con Leche. HASTA Manana was the HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY!!! At ROYAL India, we tried Chicken Marsala!!! We were thrilled to see CAFE SEVILLA again serving Paella!!! We were also thrilled to see SUGAR BEAR again serving DELICIOUS DESERTS!!! I have to say this about SUGARBEAR, we were greeted warmly by the owner, who was standing outside. It was JUST LIKE LAST YEAR. WHAT A DAY!!! I mean, this is a Classic San Diego LOCATION, location, location, the Gaslamp Quarter. Then, DID I MENTION, you get to taste the food at 16 Restaurants!!! TELL ME, what is better???

    Very charming neighborhood of downtown San Diego! I stayed at the Sofia Hotel so walking and…read moreexploring the area was convenient and so easy. I loved getting to pass by all the historic buildings, most were constructed in the Victorian era. Also lots of restaurants and shops along the way to Harbor Drive

    Photos
    Gaslamp Quarter Association
    Gaslamp Quarter Association - Chocolate Cremerie Desserts at Taste of the Gaslamp 2023.

    Chocolate Cremerie Desserts at Taste of the Gaslamp 2023.

    Gaslamp Quarter Association

    See all

    The Homecoming Statue

    The Homecoming Statue

    4.4(11 reviews)
    0.1 miDowntown

    Pretty iconic statue along the boardwalk before you get to Seaport Village. There's not really a…read morequeue to take your picture in front of it, so hop in while you can. When I visited, there was yellow tape in front of the statue roping it off. Not clear on why.

    this statue seems to be mistaken for the Unconditional Surrender statue a lot by reviewers…read more Unconditional Surrender is tall and in color, while the Homecoming statue is life sized and bronze. They could not be more different. You will find this statue on a grass patch along the street. Parking here to get a closer look is relatively simple. There is a huge metered lot within a reasonable walking distance of this statue. It is a simple statue that depicts a sailor being embraced by a woman, that I assume to be his wife and a small child that I assume to be shared by his wife. The sculpture is the work of Stanley Bleifeld, whose intent was to express the joy of the reunion between a family when a sailor returns from a long deployment. The statue not only honors the service member, but the sacrifices made by families during challenging periods without their loved ones. The San Diego sculpture is a replica of the original one in the US Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. You will find other copies in Virginia and South Carolina. The statue is about 7 feet high and was dedicated in August 1998. It is showing its age a bit, but still looks pretty good. It is a powerful sculpture and you can really feel the reunion. Be sure to check out the expressions on the sculptures' faces, especially the kid's. Anyway, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. There are a ton of statues and memorials in that area including the USS San Diego Memorial, The Bob Hope Salute, The Aircraft Carrier Memorial and the Unconditional Surrender statue. I would also consider visiting the USS Midway Museum, as well.

    Photos
    The Homecoming Statue
    The Homecoming Statue - Love this

    Love this

    The Homecoming Statue - Iconic

    See all

    Iconic

    Horton Plaza Park - Outside

    Horton Plaza Park

    2.9(52 reviews)
    0.8 miGaslamp

    For the nany groups that gatgerwd at the park you would find the shore patrol that patroled the…read morestreets for the times were early with the servicemen that would have time in the city on shore leave. For the Horton Plaza pigeon park fid have its bad sidez wgen the mall storez started changing it caused the park to be cleaned up. The Pigeon Park gad a tunnel that ran under the park that connected to the old Grey Hound Station that is locat at 1st and Broadway. The Banking Building tgat is located at the front it was one of the many that handeled the many stores for the Wells Fargo handled the businesses of Horton Plaza as the shopping center was changing. When planet hollywood was at the mall the rsstaurant was the support for the ma with the vest food and surprising dishes. Horton Plaza Park was the front row seats to the many premeres of the msll the park was one you saw the many speakers the park was the center of the visitors and the news conferences that would be broadcasted from the park. The founder and the one that developed the many properties i the fathers of the Gaslamp anx the Spreckles theater Alonzo Horton the founder of the gaslamp and the many of thr New City the firzt bame for the city of San Diego. Horton Plaza Park the centwr of the historical landmarks for the Horton Pkaza Park was an empty field before the mall was built the Spreckles Theater one of the first musical and the first Black and White theater. With the US Grant Hotel tht oldest of San Diego it was the business hotel the hietorical loxation that oversaw the openinfband the dedication of the park. As a Yelp Elite Reviewer the historical locationd of the Broadway the main street that runs down the middle of the city. From the trip that I toom down to San Diego the park been changed with i dustrial blowers and generators for the theater was started but was never finished. The company that was doing the demo and the remodel the problem there is no money the demo and remodel had ruined the Historical Landnark seeing this the city has ruined the Histotical welcome to visitors.

    I work a block away from this parking lot and the late night parking attendant tonight was much…read moremore rude than usual. He told us to basically go to a different parking garage since they were experiencing issues tonight and only have one lane open versus 3 lanes. After I thanked him for dealing with everything he didn't say anything except "next time park it on market" it's always the guy with the hat late night that is so quiet and rude to all myself and all my coworkers. There has been one lovely late night lady and she's the best!!! 5 stars for her. Bring her around more often. Not this mean guy that hates literally everyone.

    Photos
    Horton Plaza Park - With the many parts of the Horton Plaza Park there is under construction of the outdoor theater and the Ampitheater.

    With the many parts of the Horton Plaza Park there is under construction of the outdoor theater and the Ampitheater.

    Horton Plaza Park - With the Horton Park the one hotel that has the ties to the park is the US Grant hotel which donated money to the building of the park.

    With the Horton Park the one hotel that has the ties to the park is the US Grant hotel which donated money to the building of the park.

    Horton Plaza Park - The many areas of the Horton Plaza Park and the site of the Horton House which you can see the site as the right.

    See all

    The many areas of the Horton Plaza Park and the site of the Horton House which you can see the site as the right.

    Unconditional Surrender Statue - Embracing Peace - landmarks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...