Top San Diego Sightseeing Tours

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Experience the thrill of driving a speedboat—and enjoy a new way to sightsee—on this two-in-one San Diego Harbor tour. Learn the basics of boating from your guide before following their boat around the harbor, cruising past highlights such as the USS Midway, Coronado Bridge, the San Diego Maritime Museum, and more. Discover the stories behind the landmarks via the on-board, two-way communication system, and stop for photo ops.

You will check-in 30 minutes before the time of departure. 15 minutes before departure we will escort you down to the boat. We will cruise for 2.5-3 hours looking for whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other life. If the weather doesn't permit leaving the bay, then we will spend most of our time cruising around Mission Bay enjoying being on the water.

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.

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.

A boat ride in San Diego Bay offers the perfect vantage point from which to view the city’s Skyline. This luxury sailing adventure on a 40-foot yacht lets visitors take in the sights in comfort and privacy, the perfect activity for those seeking an extra special addition to their San Diego trip.

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.

We’re excited to introduce our 60-minute Glow Boat Experience on Electric Boats — a romantic night date in San Diego Bay. The boats glow beautifully after dark and come equipped with a stereo system so you can enjoy music while cruising. Each boat fits up to 4 adults and 1 small child (4–5 years old), with a maximum total weight of 650 lbs. **Note: If your group of 4 is under 650 lbs and you’d like to stay on one boat, purchase 2 tickets. Our crew provides full instructions and guides all boats on the water, with safety crew present. You’ll stay dry and comfortable the entire ride.

Discover the history and charm of Coronado Island on this self-guided audio walking tour. As you explore at your own pace, you’ll learn about the island’s origins, visit iconic landmarks, and hear stories about the people who helped shape this coastal gem. Featuring a blend of local insights, hidden details, and historical storytelling, we think you'll learning something new whether you're a visitor or a local San Diegan.

The Gondola Company is your Passport to Italy. Indulge in all the magic and tradition of Venice right here in San Diego as you gently cruise in a private gondola through the enchanting canals of the Coronado Cays. Whether it’s a relaxing journey or a romantic adventure, each cruise is A Truly Memorable Experience.

On this experience, relax in style aboard a luxury dinner cruise. Enjoy panoramic views from the boat's deck and take your time over a gourmet, 3-course meal, as you cruise past twinkling city lights that ring San Diego Bay. Listen to an entertaining DJ play music and enjoy an unforgettable evening, or celebrate a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion.