Top San Diego Culture - page 3

Get ready to explore San Diego's spooky side on this thrilling 1-hour Heritage Park and Old Town walking ghost tour. Be prepared for a journey through the darkest events of California's past, including tales of crime and revolution that created our state. You'll also be taken to some rarely visited haunted places in Old Town, so don't forget your camera and courage. As an added bonus you will gain insight into why many people view it as one of America's most mysterious cities.

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.

View over 4,000 animals roaming in large enclosures on a 2-day visit to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This admission ticket allows you to spend two days at the Zoo or Safari Park or split your time between the two. Access to all shows and exhibits and all in-park transportation are included. With mobile tickets, scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

If you enjoy a good fright you'll love this spooky supernatural tour of San Diego's Gaslamp District. Listen to ghost stories and true tales of creepy events at numerous places throughout this atmospheric district. Whether you're a first-time visitor to San Diego or a resident looking for a fun way to pass the time, this tour will let you see a different side of the Californian city.

There's more to Old Town San Diego than meets the eye, so see the best of this often-overlooked area on a walking tour that combines some of San Diego's oldest history with delicious authentic tacos. Pass historic churches, a haunted homestead, Victorian architecture, and a landmark cemetery as you learn about three centuries of California history. The final stop is a local tequileria where you'll be treated to tequila and tacos.

Boost your ride with a pedal assist electric bike! Bike through the historic Gaslamp Quarter and ride towards the Embarcadero, which has the best views of San Diego See all the downtown gems including the USS Midway, Embarcadero Marina Park, Billionaire Row, Maritime Museum, Bob Hope Memorial, Tuna Pier and Seaport Village!

The renowned San Diego Zoo Safari Park presents more than 3,500 animals roaming in large enclosures that replicate their natural habitat. Go on a safari adventure unlike any other outside of Africa itself, with exhibits inspired by the African Serengeti and the Asian Savanna. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the Safari Park. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit. After 3+ years of construction, Elephant Valley is now officially open! Come immerse yourself in this incredible conservation habitat and meet a multi-generational herd of eight African savanna elephants.

Explore San Diego’s mountains, desert, and backcountry on a self-guided scenic driving tour from Escondido to Julian via Palomar Mountain and Borrego Springs. This 152-mile route takes you along some of the best backroads in Southern California, with GPS-triggered audio guiding you to overlooks, historic sites, and hidden stops along the way. Climb to the summit of Palomar Mountain to visit the famous Palomar Observatory, then descend into the desert landscapes of Anza-Borrego. Along the way, you’ll spot Borrego Springs’ iconic metal sculptures, sweeping valley views, and roadside viewpoints worth stopping for. The route finishes in the historic town of Julian—perfect for a slice of its famous apple pie. This flexible, self-paced tour lets you explore on your own schedule. Allow a full day to take in viewpoints, small towns, and optional short hikes like Borrego Palm Canyon. Bring water, snacks, and sun protection if you plan to stop and explore.

One of the best ways to experience the history of Coronado is to go on a historic walking tour. This is the secret that Coronado locals know: it takes time to sense the past. When you slow down, you have a chance to see, hear, and remember this place that Hollywood stars, princes, and presidents have enjoyed. Everywhere you look in this charming beach town, you find history. And, that history is easiest to see on foot–when you have a chance to linger in front of a tiny, shingled house, perhaps, and meet the resident as he comes out into the yard to water his roses and tells you about the multiple generations who have lived in the home. Or, when you seemingly stumble upon the magical Wizard of Oz house.

Explore Coronado Island by bicycle with this small-group bike tour. Your professional guide will take you and your fellow cyclists out along bike paths, showing you scenic beaches and elegant Victorian architecture. You'll even get the chance to see the inspiration for the Wizard of Oz's Yellow Brick Road as you travel along this nearly car-free island.

Are you a foodie? Have you tried traditional Cantonese dim sum--the small plate experience, the chopsticks, the steam-heated carts, the stacked steamer baskets, the lively conversations? The Tea! Perhaps you've never had the opportunity to learn the immense history involved with dim sum from a Cantonese-American guide (dim sum = "to touch the heart!"). This is your chance to join Wild Foodie Tours to enjoy a truly unique dining experience. We'll brunch on Cantonese-style dim sum, served fresh from traditional push-carts & steamer baskets. You'll learn about dim sum's Silk Road roots, flavorful teas, and traditional Southern Chinese etiquette. You'll pick and choose a variety of classic dim sum specialties like barbecue pork buns, rice crepes, and egg tarts--and become touched by the heart! After the meal, enjoy a walking tour through the Asian Cultural District of San Diego and end at a popular Asian supermarket for some quick shopping. Are you ready for the Wild East of dim sum?

Learn about American history, especially early California history, while exploring the haunted house of Thomas Whaley. This self-guided tour transports you back to the 1800s and lasts around 30 minutes. Docents are available to answer questions. Don’t get too scared in America’s most haunted house. Entry is direct with this ticket, no exchange needed.

There's a darker side to San Diego beyond its sunny beaches, so take an otherworldly adventure on this ghost tour that illuminates sinister stories, ghastly deeds, and paranormal activity around the city's historic Old Town. Hear chilling tales of apparitions and unexplained noises right where they happened at San Diego's most haunted sites, including the Casa de Estudillo, Whaley House, and El Campo Santo Cemetery.

With year-round perfect weather, beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and top-notch cultural attractions, San Diego embodies the best of Southern California. Discover its many delights on a morning tour that takes you through this city's most charming areas, from the leafy promenades and fountains of Balboa Park to the legendary Hotel del Coronado and historic urban streets of the Gaslamp Quarter. Skip the stress of driving and let a local guide show you around town, making several stops to soak up the sunny ambiance and do some California dreamin’ of your own.

This comprehensive city tour is ideal for first-time visitors to San Diego who want to see and experience the highlights without the hassle of finding their own way around. With a small group you'll visit the white-sand beaches of La Jolla, the Spanish settlement of Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado Island, and more. Hotel pickup adds convenience to your day. Find your new favorite spots to visit independently later.

Admire views of San Diego that many other visitors miss—and help keep your sightseeing personal—on this small-group sailing excursion that's timed for sunset. Travel aboard a Catalina–style sailboat, and soak up the peaceful ambiance, plus a photo-worthy perspective on the city skyline, Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Coronado Island, and other highlights. Along the way, enjoy beer, soft drinks, and snacks, plus blankets in case you get cold.

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.

San Diego has a great tourist scene, and a fun way to explore it is by riding in a motorcycle sidecar. This is a private tour, great for family members, partners, and more. Helmets, goggles, blankets and safety gear will be provided, so know you’ll be in safe hands. After this tour, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

Sip on some of the best wines in the San Diego area—without worrying about a designated driver—during this journey through Temecula wine country. Taste the best vintages from three local wineries, learning about the area’s unique microclimates and how they contribute to the wines’ flavors and tasting notes. You’ll also get to go behind the scenes at one stop, deepening your winemaking and tasting experience.

Just over an hour from San Diego, Julian sits at an elevation of 4,226 feet and offers a charming mountain escape, with a rich gold rush history, delicious apple pies, and stunning scenery. Take a stroll down Julian's historic Main Street on this self-guided audio tour as the echoes of mining pioneers mingle with the sweet smell of apple pies. You'll get a bird's-eye view of town from atop the cemetery hill as you hear stories about the lives of some of Julian's early residents. You'll also discover how this once bustling mining town transitioned to the charming mountain escape that it is today.

Get a vivid understanding of what it was like to be a sailor aboard the PCF816, and to learn just how much the sailors sacrificed while they were on duty. This is a unique opportunity that can’t be replicated by just reading history books. You’ll cruise the bay too, going under the Coronado Bridge, and take a high speed run.

Learn about modern hotspots, centuries old history, and everything in between! You will leave this tour with a deep understanding of San Diego and a fantastic list of insider recommendations to enjoy. This tour begins by The Gaslamp Quarter, journeys through the Embarcadero and finishes in the foodie paradise of Little Italy (just in time for brunch!).

For a fun and styling way to see San Diego, book this GPS Guided Vanderhall GoCar that talks to you as you pass by the sights. You’ll have the whole day to explore the city at your own pace, stopping at the San Diego Zoo, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, or just drive along the coast. You can decide your itinerary since this is a private tour just for you.

Explore San Diego’s iconic parks, from Balboa to Petco, and go on to Hillcrest by GoCar. 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.