The San Diego Highlights Tour
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Mobile ticket
Highlights
Enjoy an overview of San Diego's top sights and the stunning northern coastline on a full-day tour by a luxury vehicle that includes Coronado, the Embarcadero and Balboa Park. Check out places of interest in the Gaslamp Quarter, where you’ll have free time to purchase lunch and explore at your leisure. Then spend the afternoon in the enclave of La Jolla — the ‘jewel of San Diego’ — where rugged shoreline cliffs charm all travelers, from both near and far. We do require a minimum of 4 people total (solo travelers are welcome to join) to have the tour go out, in the event of us not achieving 4 guests we'll send you out on our shorter version or supply you with another tour of equal value or issue a full refund! If the tour is booked with less than 4 total guests, then we do the 4 Hour version of the tour. This still hits all of the points of interest, although it eliminates the break that we would normally have for lunch. If we do book more than 4 guests the 7 hour tour will be given.
Inclusions
What's included
- Narration by a professional guide
- Transport by Mercedes Tour Van
- Bottled Water and Small Snacks
- Air-conditioned vehicle
What's not
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Itinerary
After meeting your insightful guide downtown, take a seat inside the comfortable minivan to start your full-day exploration of San Diego, one of Southern California’s most scenic cities. Throughout this driving tour, you'll stop at a number of prime spots where you can hop out of the van for photo ops and to enjoy bottled water and provided snacks.
The San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge is a symbol of the San Diego area-just as the Golden Gate or San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridges.
"The Crowned One" in Spanish, Coronado island is a jewel of the coast. Surrounded by silvery mica-laced beaches, and full of art galleries, small shops, and renowned restaurants, it is a beach paradise. The island has been attracting visitors since before the 1880s and is a must-see for any vacationer looking for that SoCal beach experience.
The main port from the island to San Diego Downtown offers an unparalleled view of the city. Iconic shops and restaurants line the shoreline as soon as you step off of the dock.
The Coronado Beach is popular with surfers and sunbathers alike. The sands are silvery and smooth, complete with a backdrop of historic homes and a dog run at the end.
The Hotel Del Coronado is a historic building with classic bright red Victorian architecture that's overlooked the waters of Coronado Beach for 130 years. Known for hosting many celebrities and US presidents, the Del was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
The Embarcadero lays along the eastern side of San Diego Bay, Embarcadero meaning "landing place". The Embarcadero is home to the USS Midway museum, Seaport Village, many popular modern restaurants, and the famous Unconditional Surrender 'victory kiss' statue.
During the tour we stop at the Gaslamp Quarter for a 1 hour lunch-break. The Gaslamp Quarter, known as the Historic Heart of San Diego, is a 16 block downtown neighborhood full of nightlife and world-renowned restaurants. Full of Victorian architecture and small museums, as well as Horton Plaza Park and Petco Park, it's a must-see.
Balboa Park is a 1,200 acre park full of museums, the beautiful Spanish Art Village, restaurants and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. It was placed in reserve in 1835 and remains one of Americas oldest public parks, right in the heart of downtown San Diego.
The Rose Garden of Balboa Park features a stunning 1,600 roses of 130 species with new species and verities of roses added every year. The garden is in bloom throughout March to December and is a three-acre walk of color and beauty.
The Spanish Art village was originally constructed in 1935 for the California Pacific International Exposition, it designed as a colorful vibrant small courtyard meant to invoke the feeling of being transported to a country village in Spain. Today it is a thriving community of artisans, everything from blacksmiths to glass-blowers to basket weavers.
The Botanical Building houses over some 2,100 tropical plants, ferns and palms, and full of seasonal flowers all reflected beautifully in the long glimmering lily pond. Built for the1915 to 1916 California Pacific International Exposition, it is a unique and well loved portion of the park.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 570
- 42
- 31
- 21
- 10
Ratings come from 74 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Our office is inside the brick-lined courtyard next to the Horton Plaza parking garage, look for the Another Side Tours sign and the blue door. Please see 'Additional Information' for information on where to park or call us at 1-619-239-2111
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 999 travellers
- Operated by
- Another Side Of San Diego Tours
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please arrive at 8:45am to check-in, this is a semi-private tour so there will be other guests! If you are late the tour may depart without you. Please be courteous to other guests by arriving early and on time for the tour.
- Lyft & Uber: We are listed on the ride share apps as 'Another Side Of San Diego Tours'. Ride-shares are the preferred and best way for our guests to come to us.
- Parking Option 1: The LAZ Parking lot is located at 8th Ave. and G Street. The address is: 665 8th Ave San Diego, CA 92101
How it compares in San Diego
- Its from-price is close to the median of the 56 day trips we list in San Diego.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 7 of 56.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About San Diego
San Diego is a sunny Pacific port city in southern California, with long beaches, a park of museums, a Victorian Gaslamp district and the border close by.
San Diego is where Spanish settlers founded California's first mission and presidio in 1769, remembered today in Old Town. Balboa Park holds museums, gardens and Spanish-style buildings from the 1915 exposition, with the zoo beside it. The Gaslamp Quarter's Victorian streets, a restored waterfront, Coronado's grand seaside hotel and a retired aircraft carrier turned museum are other landmarks.
Top-ranked sights in San Diego: Downtown San Diego, USS Midway Museum, Coronado.
Special offers in San Diego
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
