Top San Diego Cultural Tours

Petco Park is known for being the home of the baseball team the San Diego Padres and this behind-the-scenes tour gives you access to areas of the park that you wouldn't be able to get if just visiting to watch a game. See exclusive areas such as the Press Box, the Private Luxury Suite, and the Major League Dugout, and learn about past players as your walk past the Hall of Fame areas.

See for yourself why La Jolla has earned a reputation as one of San Diego's most gorgeous and high-profile locales on an afternoon sightseeing tour. Travel from downtown San Diego to the upscale coastal enclave known for its stellar seaside views and rowdy sea lion community, plus extravagant Spanish-style mansions and famous residents. Browse the luxury boutiques of La Jolla Village, explore the marine life of a legendary cove, and take in views of the coast from a mountaintop lookout.

Are you looking to experience and learn more about San Diego and Balboa Park at your own pace? Unlimited Biking's tour app is the best way to see this iconic city on a bike ride or stroll. This map is color coded, so you can choose your own adventure! The route includes the primary tour route where each stop is a notable location in San Diego, focusing on Balboa Park with a brief history (written and audio) and fun facts! Additionally, we have pointed out locations from television and movies where iconic scenes with some of the biggest stars were filmed. The app is rounded out with photo stop suggestions, food recommendations, and public restroom locations. The app is available for Android and iPhone users. Downloading the app is free and by purchasing through Viator, you will receive a code to waive the in-app tour purchase. If you have more than one explorer with you, purchase for ONE customer and all will be able to use that code.

Tijuana, Mexico is a short trip across the border from San Diego. The Mexican border town had at one point achieved notoriety as a town of ill-repute, but this reputation is only a small part of the history of this colorful, interesting city. Dip your toe into the fun and hospitality of this town with locals who are eager to share the true story of Tijuana with you.

Explore some of the best eats in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego—and learn insider facts and stories about its sordid past—on this two-in-one, small-group walking tour. Join an expert guide who has the inside scoop on the district's hopping restaurant and bar scene. Sample delicious dishes at several eateries, sip drinks, and learn about the neighborhood's past as a notorious red-light district.

Spend a few hours relaxing and sightseeing in the waters just off San Diego during this 1- or 2-hour San Diego Harbor cruise. Sit back and relax as you take in a fully narrated tour, offering top-notch sight lines of the San Diego skyline, a cruise under Coronado Bridge, a look at the bustling US Naval fleet, and a chance to spot some of the harbor’s resident sea lions.

Step into the heart of Balboa Park and discover El Prado like never before. This self-guided walking tour invites you to look beyond the beauty and explore the stories, styles, and surprises behind San Diego’s most beloved promenade. You’ll uncover how architecture, ambition, and artistry transformed a temporary exposition into a timeless cultural icon at every stop. As you stroll past ornate facades, hidden courtyards, and dramatic colonnades, you’ll learn how theatrical design and clever engineering helped shape not just the park and San Diego’s identity. GPS-triggered audio brings each structure to life with rich history and unexpected insights along the way. This tour offers a thoughtful, immersive experience at your own pace, whether you're a first-time visitor or a local seeing the park with fresh eyes. Come for the beauty—stay for the stories hidden in the walls.

Discover Coronado Island's best-kept secrets and local lore on a walking tour around this upscale coastal enclave just across the bay from San Diego. Many tourists just head straight for the beach, but there's so much more to explore, from historic mansions and charming downtown shops to Victorian architecture and captivating legends of Coronado's early residents. Plus, stop for an included treat at a sweet shop loved by locals.

Launched in 1914 to her removal from regular service in 1996, the Pilot enjoyed an active career as San Diego’s chief pilot craft – assisting almost every one of the thousands of major commercial ships to enter or leave the bay during that time. Visitors will share this narrated historic bay tour aboard one of the few vessels in the country honored with the distinction of being on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

Explore Tijuana, Mexico, without getting lost on this day trip from San Diego, a great choice for first-time visitors. Visit cultural attractions, sample authentic Mexican street food at a sidewalk taco stand, and do some shopping and sightseeing. Opt to walk or take public transportation and experience the city like a local. Your guide can suggest stops and adapt the itinerary to fit the needs of the group.

Welcome to the San Diego Gaslamp Historical Walking Tour! Our exclusive tour offers a unique look into San Diego's downtown development from the 1850s to 1915. Discover a city of old Wild West saloons, gambling halls, opium dens and brothels, and gain an unforgettable insight into a bygone era We are your small local tour company and we bring you the truth about San Diego's history in the Gaslamp. Don't be fooled by our out of town national big budget competitors! We have caught them making up stories many times. If you want authentic go with us. If you want a tour company that cares about you and not profit. Us. Our host are costumed passionate people that love this city and love making you happy. Our stories are true based on our reasearch and presented in a theatrical way. So bring a sense of humor and wonder! We have been on all our competitors tours and I can honestly say we are the best. Support local, get the real history and feel great. Join us!

Take a tour of San Diego's most-popular park during this Segway exploration of Balboa Park. Follow your friendly local guide to all of the hot spots and learn why locals love the laid back vibe of this coastal destination.

While San Diego may be famous for its sunshine, the city also has a dark side lurking beneath the surface. Uncover the hidden history of gangsters, gunslingers, ghosts, and ladies of the night on an entertaining walking tour through the city's historic Gaslamp Quarter. It's the only haunted history tour in San Diego that actually goes inside buildings for a closer look at what goes bump in the night (pending COVID restrictions).

Indulge in a captivating journey through the heart of Downtown San Diego, where history intertwines with delectable cuisine, and the undeniable allure of the famous Little Italy beckons. Prepare to embark on an extraordinary adventure, for our Little Italy tour promises to deliver an experience like no other. Unlike other towns that may have seen their own Little Italy neighborhoods fade away over time, our Little Italy thrives vibrantly, emerging as the most coveted area to reside in the entire city. Its remarkable transformation into a bustling urban hub owes its gratitude to the tenacity and hard work of Italian immigrants in the 1920s, a legacy proudly carried forward by their grandchildren to this day. As you explore this enchanting district, you'll witness a captivating model of urban life, where charming homes, boutique grocery stores, and iconic landmarks pay homage to the rich heritage that laid its foundations.

Explore some of San Diego's unique and off-the-beaten-path attractions while driving some of the best backroads in San Diego County. We'll make our way to the top of Palomar Mountain and visit the Palomar Observatory and Museum. We'll descend down to the desert town of Borrego Springs with its bighorn sheep and iconic metal sculptures dotting the landscape. Finally, we'll make our way back through the historic mountain town of Julian, known for its delicious apple pies. You'll want to allow a full day for this 152-mile drive. While the drive itself could technically be done in 4 hours, we'll be pointing out several points of interest and places to stop along the way. We'll also share some of the rich history of San Diego's past. Don't miss out on this unforgettable San Diego drive!

Don't miss this exciting foodie adventure with Wild Foodie Tours to learn about and enjoy Chinese food, history, and culture from a Chinese-American guide whose passion is food, culture, and adventure. Prepare to enter the Dragon's Gate to savor the culinary masterpiece once reserved for the Emperor of China.

Explore some of the top highlights of San Diego with your or or two day trolley pass (depending on option selected) for the city’s Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour. Choose your own adventure as you get on and off the trolley at any of the 11 included stops, covering famous sights including the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway and the Cruise Ship Terminal, Little Italy, and many more. This San Diego trolley tour also features live commentary from the on-board guide during your ride.

Traveling by Segway is not only fun and different, but allows you to cover more ground in a short amount of time. On this guided, small-group Segway tour, explore downtown San Diego, and admire views of San Diego Bay from the Embarcadero. Then, take a ferry ride to Coronado Island to check out still more sights, including pretty Coronado Beach and the historic Hotel del Coronado.

Explore the largest urban cultural park in the country on a fun and easy-to-use e-bike. As most San Diego locals know, Balboa Park is the city's best kept secret with hiking trails, desert gardens, amazing museums, and historic architecture. An e-bike will get you all around the park with little effort, and lots of fun. The tour is led by a guide who will pass on the history, stories, and happenings of Balboa Park.

The is a group walking tour to see the sights of downtown San Diego. The tour includes the full history of San Diego from its founding in 1542 to modern day industry. The tour includes information about the founders and visionaries of San Diego, Gaslamp District, Horton Park, Santa Fe Train Station, and the USS Midway.

Take a trip through American naval history when you go for a self-led tour of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, with the benefit of prebooked admission tickets. This enormous ship, the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now offers a range of interactive exhibits, an audio tour, and numerous restored aircraft across its 4 acres (1.6 hectares). It’s an essential piece of the country's military history.

Join us for a 2.5 hour guided electric bike tour around the stunning city of San Diego. Beginning from our store location, the first stop on this leisurely tour is the historic Gaslamp Quarter, established in the 1860s and redeveloped in the 1980s. From there, you’ll ride your pedal assist eBikes to the San Diego Bay, where you’ll learn the history of the USS Midway, Billionaire Row, and The Bob Hope Memorial. Our licensed tour guides will then lead you through Balboa Park, measuring just under five kilometers or 1,200 acres. In Balboa Park, you will ride past and learn about the San Diego Zoo, the Spanish Village Art Center, and the famous Casa de Balboa. This city is perfect for animal lovers, beach enthusiasts, and outdoorsy folks! Our guides are happy to take plenty of pictures for you so you can cherish the memories. The tour ends back at our store location on K Street. Please note: there will be a good deal of street riding on this tour.

Explore San Diego’s iconic parks, from Balboa to Petco, and go on to Hillcrest by GoCar, and get a discount of $50 if you bring the car back by noon. There are loads of places to see, including the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, and the Maritime Museum. You’ll be provided with maps and helmets, so you just need to hit the streets and enjoy.