Top San Diego Day Trips

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.

Come & spend the day with us in Julian, a delightful blend of history, natural beauty and small town charm. Amazing journey through the beautiful landscapes of SoCal The tour will depart from San Diego, the first stop is at the Eagle Mine, with a guided tour of the underground tunnels & learn about the challenges faced by the early miners during the California Gold Rush. Gain a deeper understanding of Julian's mining heritage. After the guided tour, take a stroll on Main Street, exploring the charming shops and boutiques that line the historic downtown area. Browse through antique stores, art galleries and speciality shops that offer unique gifts, locally made crafts. You will also have time for a delightful lunch at one of the Julian's charming eateries. Variety of options, ranging from homemade sandwich to soups, to savoury burgers... One the way back to San Diego, we will make one quick stop, to offer a complementary slice of the famous Julian Apple Pie to everyone!

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.

Make the most of your limited time in San Diego on a 7-hour small group tour.  Provided transportation takes you to each location, which spares you the stress of navigating the city’s traffic on your own.  Stop to explore La Jolla, Balboa Park, Old Town, and much more. The tour also includes a free trip to Las Americas Outlet, where you enjoy unbeatable deals at 125 stores.

Celebrate Taco Tuesday authentically, any day of the week, in Tijauna, with this small-group tour from San Diego. You'll head south of the border, where your guide will show you around town and take you to try birria, carne asada, adobada, and seafood tacos with. You’ll also make stops for craft beer along the way.

Spend an evening gourmet wining and dining aboard the ‘Spirit of San Diego,’ enjoying top-notch food and drink while you soak up skyline views. During this San Diego dinner cruise, you sip a complimentary cocktail and enjoy live on-board entertainment as you cruise 25 miles of California’s coastline and gaze at the stars above.

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.

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway between Los Angeles and San Diego in either direction on a self-guided smartphone audio drive. Hear 40+ GPS-triggered stories about beaches, surf towns, wildlife and coastal history, from Manhattan Beach and the Queen Mary to Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Oceanside and Torrey Pines. A live GPS map shows the route while audio plays through your phone or connected car speakers. Download before departure for offline use, then start anywhere, pause for viewpoints and travel at your own pace. Allow about 4–5 hours plus optional stops and traffic. Bring your own vehicle and smartphone; there is no in-person guide. This is a one-way drive between LA and San Diego, not a return to your starting point. Attractions and interior visits are optional and admission is separate. Seal Beach refuge has restricted entry, and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is currently closed to visitors; the audio route can be completed without entering either site.

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.

If you’re looking for a personalized way to discover San Diego’s best bits, then this is it. Set off with a private guide on an adventure around the city—with private transportation included to speed up your adventures and cover more landmarks. Along the way, visit interesting locations—such as the Hotel Del Coronado, Balboa Park, and Cabrillo National Monument—with insights from your guide throughout.

Fantastic Private 10 hour tour from San Diego to stunning Joshua Tree National Park First stop will be at the Joshua Tree National Park visitor center and after that we will drive into the park to Skull rock, we will see Jumbo Rocks, stunning views from Keys View and time for a short hike if you would like at Hidden Valley Trail. The rock formations at Joshua Tree are incredible and you will see thousands of Joshua Trees. On the way back we will have time to stop at the visitor center again and you can pick up something to eat for the drive back to San Diego.

Venture south of the border from San Diego to explore the Mexican border city of Tijuana in a safe and engaging way. Tijuana can be somewhat daunting for tourists, but a local guide shows you around, from historic landmarks like the Tijuana Arch and Avenida Revolucion to shopping hotspots like the El Popo market, where you can pick up handmade Mexican souvenirs.

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.

Encounter some of Earth's most magnificent creatures on a 2–3-hour whale-watching cruise in San Diego. The voyage departs right from Mission Bay, so you’ll be out into the open Pacific Ocean and looking for animals in just 10 minutes. Expert Guides and Naturalists on board help you spot whales and dolphins and learn about their lives in the deep blue sea.

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.

In just four hours, experience the scenic highlights of San Diego and its neighboring areas. Watch sea lions and pelicans on the beaches of La Jolla and capture fantastic views from the top of Mt Soledad. Soak up the Old World elegance of the mansions and Hotel Del on Coronado Island, and find peace in the urban oasis of Balboa Park. Wind through downtown and Old Town San Diego, learning about the city’s history along the way. Enjoy personalized attention on this small-group tour limited to just 14 people.

Take in the highlights of San Diego Bay during a sightseeing tour by amphibious vehicle. Travel on both land and water, starting on the streets of Seaport Village and rolling down Harbor Drive alongside San Diego Bay. Transition into the water after departing Seaport Village. Cruise past the SeaWorld and Vacation Isle, experiencing the best of maritime San Diego on this fun and informative tour.

California is where some of the US’s best wines are grown. Avoid the hassle of self-driving and set out on a guided tour to several San Diego vineyards that includes comfortable transportation by an expert driver. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of several establishments and sample some of the region’s most popular vintages before stopping for an included dinner at a local winery.

Private 10 hour tour from San Diego to see some great places in LA. First stop is the famous Griffith Observatory with fantastic views across LA. Next stop is to see the iconic Hollywood Sign then to see all the stars at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beautiful Beverley Hills and Venice Beach will top off a fabulous day out that you won’t forget.

Enjoy a day in wine country outside San Diego in Temecula. Your small group is chauffeured to Old Town from San Diego to start the day exploring the quaint town and its shops and galleries. From there, enjoy lunch and a tasting at a winery. After your picnic, tour more wineries, enjoying tastings, and learn about the wines as you go.

Travel like a local through Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's celebrated wine country. Start off with some tasty local tacos in Rosarito before we travel down the Baja coast in a private van with cold beers and water at the ready. Sample delicious reds, whites, and rosé wines at three renowned boutique vineyards, as well as farm-to-table dishes at a premier Valle restaurant. Note: At least eight passengers are needed to run the tour.

This relaxed tour offers an intimate alternative to Temecula tasting rooms and shuttle operators inundated by guests on Saturdays. Our informative guide engages with guests sharing nuances of Temecula’s culture of wine, microclimate, Pechanga Band of Indians intriguing lore, and the area’s historic significance in Southern California's development the past two centuries. Each winery promises a distinct style and fabulous view. Baily Family Winery sits high above Valle De Los Caballos. With sample in hand, a vineyard and production area walk, often conducted by owner Phil Baily, finishes with a seated tasting and charcuterie items. Frangipani Estate Winery guests enjoy table service, savoring wine and a delicious lunch while seated on the patio above a beautiful valley with Mount Palomar on the horizon. Bella Vista Winery, previously Cilurzo Winery founded by Vince and Audrey Cilurzo, boasts sweeping valley views and the original 5 acres of Petite Syrah grapes planted in 1968.

Discover San Diego with your self-guided audio tour, exploring America’s Finest City at your own pace. Begin in Balboa Park where Spanish Colonial architecture, 17 museums, and the famous San Diego Zoo fill 1,200 acres in the heart of the city. Wander the historic Gaslamp Quarter where Victorian buildings house restaurants and rooftop bars. Explore the USS Midway aircraft carrier and the Embarcadero waterfront celebrating San Diego’s naval heritage. Discover La Jolla’s sea cliffs and sea lions, Pacific Beach’s surf culture, and Coronado’s iconic Hotel del Coronado. Visit Old Town where adobe buildings preserve the Spanish and Mexican heritage of California’s birthplace. Marvel at the Cabrillo National Monument with views stretching to Mexico. Sample fish tacos at the source, craft beer from over 150 local breweries, and the Baja-influenced cuisine that defines this border city where beach culture, military pride, and Mexican flavors create America’s most livable city.