Top San Diego Sightseeing Tours

Swap city sightseeing for some time on the water with this exciting whale-watching cruise. Avoid the guesswork when trying to figure out where to spot whales, and let the experienced crew take you directly to places known for sightings. As well as whales, you may spot sea lions, sea birds, and sometimes dolphins—with commentary from the naturalist guides who can share plenty of facts about marine life.

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.

Explore San Diego’s Downtown and Old Town sights in a fun and fast-paced way—on a self-drive GoCar tour. This sightseeing adventure takes the stress out of reading a map, as the car talks and shows you the way with its built-in GPS. Enjoy hearing stories as you explore the city’s most popular areas, including Old Town, Little Italy, Balboa Park, Downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter.

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.

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.

See San Diego from a marine vantage point on this 90min harbor cruise, including a look at the marina, seabirds and potential sea lion sightings. Listen to live narration from your captain and enjoy for-purchase snacks from the onboard snack bar.

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.

Take in the best that San Diego has to offer on this guided tour of downtown San Diego and Balboa Park on a GPS-enabled scooter. The ease and size of the scooter allows you to intimately experience the gems of Balboa Park, including the fragrant flower garden, outdoor organ pavilion, and one of a dozen museums. Next, hit up Hillcrest to see its lively shops and restaurants before you head to the Maritime Museum and historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Explore San Diego at your own pace with a full-day ticket to ride a hop-on, hop-off trolley through the city. Simply board the trolley at your cruise ship’s port of call and visit historic landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods at eleven centrally-located stops. Get a glimpse of California’s past in Old Town, grab a spot on a beach to watch surfers catch breaking waves, and more.

Enjoy a San Diego sunset cruise from Mission Bay as the sun sets behind the Pacific Ocean’s horizon, painting the coastal waters in golden hues. Catch views of SeaWorld and incredible view of the Ocean Beach Pier. Unwind with a drink, snap some memorable photos with loved ones on the deck, and soak up the relaxing vibe with soft music in the background. It’s the perfect way to wind down and savor California’s laid-back charm.

Hop on an electric scooter with your guide and explore the heart of San Diego's beauty, Balboa Park, during this 1.5-hour tour. First up, snap some pics at the stunning botanical building and lily pond. Then, cruise by the San Diego Zoo and make a pit stop at the Spanish Village Arts Center. Your journey won't be complete without getting a glimpse of the iconic Morton Bay Fig Tree and a ride down the El Prado.

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.

Go whale watching from San Diego aboard a replica of a historic sailing schooner that won the world’s first America’s Cup sailing competition in 1851. Throughout your cruise, your expert guide shares informative commentary about gray whales, dolphins, and other marine animals, along with details about the US Navy sites you pass as you head out on the Pacific Ocean.

While San Diego may be best known for beaches and sunshine, the city does have a darker side. Delve into San Diego's haunted history tour through Old Town. Hear tales of gamblers, gunslingers, and other shady characters whose spirits are said to live beyond the grave, and be on the lookout for paranormal activity as you visit graveyards, historic buildings, the Campo Santo Cemetery, and the grounds of the Whaley House—considered one of the most haunted homes in America.

Set sail at one of the best times of day—sunset—during this San Diego Bay cruise. Board a comfortable sailing yacht and cruise along San Diego's coastline, taking in views of the scenic waterfront, military vessels, and historical landmarks. Catch sight of marine life and enjoy spectacular photo ops. Gorgeous sunset views and comfortable bean bag seating makes this tour a great choice for travelers celebrating a special occasion.

A rare sunset sailing adventure aboard our 35-foot sailboat, Luna: small group, local captain sharing hidden stories, hands-on sailing, wildlife encounters, and unforgettable vistas of San Diego Bay. Participate or sit back and enjoy breathtaking sunset views of the city's skyline and waterfront attractions as we sail among tall ships, mega-yachts, and military vessels. Watch for playful sea lions, dolphins, pelicans, and maybe even a whale. Look to the skies for pelicans, ospreys, and other marine birds. We invite you to celebrate a special occasion with your partner, family or group and capture the moments in breathtaking photos. No sailing experience is needed for this family-friendly outing, but participation is welcome. We love sharing our knowledge and experience. Choose a public or private tour option when you book. Feel free to bring easy to handle snacks and drinks. Food and drink are not included. Free cancellation, 100% refund up to 24 hours before your reservation.

With this San Diego harbor cruise, you can check off views of a selection of San Diego’s most important monuments, without encountering crowds or traffic. Simply enjoy a stress-free sail through the water in a large catamaran, and benefit from a full bar on board, so you can purchase drinks along the way.

Experience the beauty of the San Diego coastline on a peaceful sunset sailing tour, avoiding the crowds at popular viewing spots. Relax aboard your vessel as you take in stunning sunset views, along with possible sightings of dolphins, vibrant seabirds, and sea lions. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of the Coronado Bridge, Point Loma, and San Diego Bay.

Private brewery tour for 2-4 people. Safe & Convenient: We’re your designated driver. For this private tour you can pick the start time and pickup location. This very small group tour is perfect for tourists, beer lovers, locals, or anyone looking for a fun and unique way to explore San Diego’s craft beer culture. We can choose the breweries according to your preferred beer styles, or you can let us know your 'must visit' breweries, and we will include them in the tour. We will visit 3-5 breweries and the tour will last about 4 hours.

Drive San Diego’s coastline on a self-guided scenic tour from Torrey Pines to Cabrillo National Monument, passing iconic beaches, coastal cliffs, and oceanfront neighborhoods along the way. This GPS-triggered audio tour guides you stop-by-stop, with commentary that plays automatically as you reach key viewpoints and landmarks. Start at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and follow the coast through La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Ocean Beach, with highlights including the Torrey Pines Gliderport, La Jolla Cove, Mount Soledad, and Sunset Cliffs. Along the way, you’ll get sweeping ocean views, local insights, and recommendations for places worth pulling over to explore. 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.

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.

This intimate, small-group tour in San Diego lets you get up close and personal to whales and dolphins. You’re not on a huge tour boat. Rather there is a maximum of six guests, where you have plenty of space for viewing marine life. Your captain takes you to the best spots while you relax aboard your boat.

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.