Day Trips from San Diego to La Jolla

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.

The Private San Diego Tour: The Full Experience from Pacific Beach This private tour includes tiered pricing for up to 14 guests—the more in your group, the lower the per-person rate. Ideal for families, friends, or team outings. Start your adventure with panoramic views from Mount Soledad, then explore sea cliffs and sea lions at La Jolla Cove. Step into California’s early days in Old Town San Diego, then enjoy lunch by the bay at Seaport Village (meals not included). Cruise through the Gaslamp Quarter as your guide shares tales of the Wild West, then cross the Coronado Bridge for iconic skyline views. Stop at the historic Hotel del Coronado, then return via scenic Orange Avenue. Pass through Balboa Park’s gardens and Spanish-style architecture, and wrap up with a drive through vibrant Little Italy. With hotel pickup, narration, and a curated mix of scenery, history, and culture, it’s the ultimate San Diego day trip from Pacific Beach.

The Private San Diego Tour: The Full Experience from Coronado Island Tiered pricing available for private groups — the more in your group, the lower the per-person cost. Start your day with sweeping views from Mount Soledad, then explore sea cliffs and sea lions at La Jolla Cove. Step back in time in Old Town San Diego, where adobe buildings and plazas bring California’s past to life. Stop for lunch at Seaport Village (meals not included), then cruise through the Gaslamp Quarter as your guide shares stories of its Wild West past. Cross the Coronado Bridge for sky-high views, stop at the historic Hotel del Coronado, and continue down scenic Orange Avenue. Pass through Balboa Park’s gardens and Spanish Revival buildings before a final drive through Little Italy—known for bayfront views and old-world charm. Includes hotel pickup, narration, and a full day of San Diego’s best sights and stories.

The Private San Diego Tour: The Full Experience from Downtown San Diego This private tour accommodates up to 14 guests and offers tiered pricing—the more guests, the lower the per-person cost. Perfect for families, friends, or team outings. Start your tour with sweeping coastal views from Mount Soledad, then visit La Jolla Cove to see sea lions, tide pools, and ocean cliffs. Step back in time in Old Town San Diego, then enjoy lunch and shopping at Seaport Village (meals not included). Cruise through the Gaslamp Quarter as your guide shares tales of Wyatt Earp and San Diego’s Wild West past. Cross the scenic Coronado Bridge for panoramic bay views, stopping at the historic Hotel del Coronado before driving down Orange Avenue. You’ll also pass through Balboa Park’s gardens and Spanish Revival architecture, and finish with a drive through vibrant Little Italy. With hotel pickup, narration, and curated highlights, it’s the ultimate San Diego day—starting right from downtown.

The Private San Diego Tour: The Full Experience from La Jolla This private tour offers tiered pricing for up to 14 guests—the more in your group, the lower the per-person rate. Ideal for families, friends, or corporate outings. Start w/ panoramic coastal views from Mount Soledad, then head to La Jolla Cove to see sea lions lounging on the rocks and waves crashing below the cliffs. In Old Town San Diego, explore adobe buildings, historic plazas, and vibrant shops that bring California’s past to life. Break for lunch at Seaport Village along the Embarcadero (meals not included), where harbor breezes and waterfront dining set the tone. Drive through the Gaslamp Quarter as your guide shares tales of its Wild West past—think Wyatt Earp and saloons. Cross the Coronado Bridge for sweeping bay views, stop at the legendary Hotel del Coronado, then cruise down Orange Avenue. Wrap up with scenic drives through Balboa Park and Little Italy for a perfect blend of history, beauty, and SoCal charm.

The Private San Diego Tour: The Full Experience from Del Mar This private tour features tiered pricing for up to 14 guests—the more in your group, the lower the per-person rate. Perfect for families, friends, or corporate outings. Begin your day atop Mount Soledad with sweeping coastal views, then explore La Jolla Cove’s sea cliffs, tide pools, and sunbathing sea lions. In Old Town San Diego, stroll through adobe buildings and historic plazas before stopping for lunch along the waterfront at Seaport Village (meals not included). Cruise through the Gaslamp Quarter as your guide shares stories of its Wild West roots. Cross the Coronado Bridge to the legendary Hotel del Coronado, then enjoy a scenic drive down Orange Avenue. Pass Balboa Park’s museums and gardens, and end with a cruise through Little Italy—a lively district filled with cafés, charm, and bay views. Pickup is available from Del Mar hotels or the Solana Beach Station.

The Private San Diego Tour: The Full Experience from Solana Beach This private tour includes tiered pricing for up to 14 guests—the larger your group, the lower the per-person rate. Ideal for families, friends, or corporate outings. Begin your day with panoramic views atop Mount Soledad, then head to La Jolla Cove to spot sea lions along the cliffs. Stroll the historic plazas of Old Town San Diego before enjoying lunch along the scenic Embarcadero at Seaport Village (meals not included). Cruise through the Gaslamp Quarter as your guide shares stories of its Wild West past, then cross the sweeping Coronado Bridge for unforgettable views of the bay. Stop at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, then drive scenic Orange Avenue. Pass through Balboa Park’s gardens and Spanish Revival architecture, and finish with a drive through Little Italy—known for its lively charm and bayfront atmosphere. A full day of SoCal’s best, with hotel pickup included.

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.

Discover the essence of San Diego through five self-guided walking tours, allowing you to explore at your own pace. Stroll through the historic streets of Old Town, immerse yourself in the cultural treasures of Balboa Park, delight in the vibrant atmosphere of the Gaslamp Quarter, enjoy stunning waterfront views along the Embarcadero, and take in the coastal beauty of La Jolla. Each tour features engaging storytelling paired with GPS-triggered audio, enhancing your experience as you walk. Perfect for first-timers or returning visitors, these tours are yours to keep, so you can enjoy them now or on your next trip. - Five self-guided walking tours covering iconic San Diego destinations - Blends storytelling with GPS-triggered audio for an immersive experience - Explore at your own pace, perfect for both first-time and returning visitors - Tours are yours to keep for future visits, allowing flexibility in your schedule

Get more out of limited time in San Diego by going on a tour that helps you check off multiple highlights, including city and beach locations. As you set off on a scenic drive, a guide helps you get the most out of your trip with live narration and video footage too. Stops along the way include the historic Hotel Del Coronado, the Coronado Bridge, and La Jolla Cove.

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.

Discover San Diego on a private, locally hosted experience designed to feel effortless and personalized. Travel comfortably between iconic highlights like La Jolla Cove, Coronado Island, and the city’s vibrant waterfront while your guide shares insider insights and adapts the pace to your group. With a thoughtful route and flexible timing, this tour offers a more relaxed and memorable way to experience San Diego. Ideal for couples, families, and small groups seeking a more personal experience.

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.

Experience San Diego’s scenic highlights and historic landmarks all in one day on this hassle-free, time-saving tour. Skirt the bay to Coronado Island, explore the Embarcadero, and then follow lush roads into Balboa Park’s elegant gardens and museums. Pause to find lunch in a Gaslamp Quarter restaurant, take in La Jolla’s world-class shopping district and sweeping coastline, and more, and while learning insider facts and stories along the way.

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.

DIscover ‘America’s Finest City’ Cozy beach towns, an origin story and incredible wildlife! San Diego offers miles of sandy shores lined with beach towns along the Pacific Ocean. Let us take you on a tour of the best this city has to offer: wildlife viewing in glamorous La Jolla, artsy vibes in Balboa Park and the birthplace of California in Old Town. Nature, culture, and history come together perfectly in this unforgettable tour.

Explore the wonderful coast outside of San Diego with a local expert and discover some the beautiful coast and its wonderful beaches. Your drive/guide will show you the most beautiful beaches and its villages. Learn the history of the area, see the beach lifestyle and marine life of San Diego.