Top San Diego Private Sightseeing Tours

Drive a GoCar around San Diego's Point Loma area on this self-paced tour. No need for a tour bus or a taxi; you and your party aboard a touring car will follow a GPS route designed to show you the highlights. Depart Old Town and head for Liberty Station, the Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma ecological preserve, Sunset Cliffs, and the Ocean Beach neighborhood.

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.

Swap crowded ferries and sightseeing tours for a much more intimate alternative—a private boat trip exclusively for your personal group. Set off in the morning for a better chance of spotting wildlife, and benefit from having a captain to take care of the navigating and driving, so you can focus on the views.

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.

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.

Get off the beaten path and explore the San Diego-Tijuana border area in a way most travelers miss when you join a four-wheel-drive off-road tour. Experienced off-roaders will love the adventure and nervous travelers will feel reassured in the presence of expert guides. Trails range from easy to advanced and all offer amazing views, steep ascents and descents, and a lot of fun.

Explore San Diego’s coastline in your own car with GPS-triggered audio that plays automatically as you drive, combining directions with local stories, history, and recommendations. Start at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and follow the coast through La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Ocean Beach to Cabrillo National Monument. Stop whenever you like for beaches, photos, scenic viewpoints, food, or a break. Along the way, see highlights including the Torrey Pines Gliderport, La Jolla Cove, Mount Soledad, and Sunset Cliffs while hearing local stories, history, and recommendations. This flexible, self-paced tour lets you explore on your own schedule, whether you want to stop frequently or enjoy the drive straight through. For the best experience, plan to start earlier in the day to avoid heavier southbound traffic. And don’t forget, one purchase covers everyone in your vehicle.

Zip through downtown San Diego and Balboa Park in just two hours with the use of a GPS-enabled GoCar. You and your partner will get settled, strap on your helmets, and use the provided map and GPS to get exploring. You'll cover tons more ground than you would on foot and can use the navigating devices to make your own route.

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.

Experience San Diego at its most atmospheric and see a side tho the city that most travelers miss. This city lights tour takes you from the Gaslamp Quarter to Balboa Park and the Embarcadero; past the historic San Diego County Administration Center, the USS Midway Museum, and the Star of India. Plus ride to the top of the Coronado Bridge and see sights lit up all over the city, as well as some from Tijuana.

Explore San Diego the fun and flexible way in a GoCar guided by a talking GPS. The easy-to-drive car is yours for the entire day, so you can go at your own pace as you zip around to highlights like Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, the Maritime Museum, Old Town, and Ocean Beach. There's no need for guidebooks or maps, as a talking GPS leads the way so you can focus on the sights.

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.

San Diego is a big city and sightseeing while visiting can usually take a long time on foot and you could miss out on things if riding by vehicle. Instead, book this San Diego Harbor and Gaslamp Quarter Self-Guided Scooter Tour, and go through the city on a scooter. See the Seaport Village, Little Italy, the Maritime Museum, Horton Plaza, the Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park, and Bankers Hill.

San Diego has a great wine scene, and a fun way to explore it is to get there by riding in a motorcycle towncar. This is a private tour, great for family members, partners, and more. Wine tastings will be provided at each venue, and you can also choose to order food if you like (own expense). After this half day tour, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

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.

Explore San Diego on a private Segway tour, providing the ability to cover more ground than a walking tour but still enjoy the fresh Southern California air. With a knowledgeable guide, cruise along the San Diego Embarcadero, and see interesting sights along the waterfront. Check out areas like Little Italy and Balboa Park, and glide through the popular Gaslamp Quarter.

Discover San Diego independently by mini speedboat and mini car with 2- to 4-hour rental. Hit the town (and water) solo or with a friend. Whether you’re on land or in the water you have the freedom to explore at your leisure. Recorded commentary and GPS guidance inside the car enable you to explore the city stress-free. The sightseeing route takes you past Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Gaslamp Quarter, and more.

The Private San Diego Highlights Tour introduces our guests to a private VIP guided experience that is unparalleled in its detail and scope. No other tour can include so much fun sightseeing and at so leisurely a pace. In five hours, you will see the best of America’s Finest City! Our tour begins daily at your desired pick-up location and from there we transport you throughout the loveliest and most renowned parts of our city.

Get whisked away to Coronado Island for a personalized tour of the affluent beach resort. A private guide drives you across the San Diego–Coronado Bridge and accompanies you to the iconic Hotel del Coronado for an up-close look at this National Historic Landmark. Spend time at Coronado Beach and the Glorietta Bay Inn, and get plenty of photo ops of San Diego Bay and the city skyline. Bottled water, snacks and round-trip hotel transport by luxury vehicle are included.

If you want a unique way to tour San Diego and Point Loma, then book this tour for two where you drive in a Vanderhall luxury talking car. This fast beauty will take you from Old Town to Point Loma, and tell you all about Liberty Station and all of San Diego’s naval history. This is no ordinary tour; this is something you’ll remember forever.

Enjoy a sailing adventure on a Catalina-style sailboat with just six people aboard for a comfortable, small-group experience (or, find five friends and fill up the whole boat). Sail in San Diego Harbor, and look out for top city attractions, from Coronado to the USS Midway. Sit back and relax, and enjoy the views, all while enjoying complimentary beer, hard seltzer, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks.

For a fun twist on the typical San Diego tour, first-time visitors shouldn't miss this GPS guided scooter excursion, where you can visit the city's top attractions, all while soaking up the fantastic weather. Just hop on your scooter, start cruising through the city, and feel the wind in your hair as you pass top sights. Highlights include Balboa Park, the Maritime Museum, and even the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Explore San Diego at your own pace with this electric bike rental. You can forge your own way through the streets, or take one of the provided self-guided tours. It’s entirely up to you. You’ll have these bikes for half a day, so you can see as much of the city of San Diego as you like. You won’t get tired walking, because you’ve got your electric bike.

See highlights of San Diego in just a half day with a fun and flexible talking GoCar tour, the transportation craze that's sweeping the city. The mini car is easy to drive and park, with a talking GPS system that tells you where to go and what to look for along the way. Enjoy the open-air driving experience, and stop where you like to get out and explore Balboa Park, Horton Plaza Mall, Maritime Museum, the Gaslamp Quarter, and more.