Top San Diego Cultural Tours

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.

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.

Join Wild Foodie Tours to eat at your way through Tijuana like a local on our walking street food tour designed for food lovers. You'll also visit Tijuana's largest open-air market, pass by the iconic arch of downtown Tijuana for a photo op, and cross the bustling Avenida Revolución, the heart of Tijuana. Experience all the unique fun, food, and adventure this sister city of San Diego has to offer.

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.

Welcome to the San Diego Gaslamp Historical Walking Tour! Our exclusive tour offers a unique look into San Diego's downtown development from the 1850s to 1915. Discover a city of old Wild West saloons, gambling halls, opium dens and brothels, and gain an unforgettable insight into a bygone era We are your small local tour company and we bring you the truth about San Diego's history in the Gaslamp. Don't be fooled by our out of town national big budget competitors! We have caught them making up stories many times. If you want authentic go with us. If you want a tour company that cares about you and not profit. Us. Our host are costumed passionate people that love this city and love making you happy. Our stories are true based on our reasearch and presented in a theatrical way. So bring a sense of humor and wonder! We have been on all our competitors tours and I can honestly say we are the best. Support local, get the real history and feel great. Join us!

San Diego is renowned for its tombstones and tacos, and this unique tour combines food and history for a well-rounded sightseeing experience. Get your fiesta started in San Diego on a food and walking tour through historic Old Town. Visit some of the district's finest Mexican restaurants to sample tasty dishes, tequila cocktails, and hear mariachi music. Get insider tips from your guide about authentic Mexican cuisine and other great places to visit on this fun tour.

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 for yourself why La Jolla has earned a reputation as one of San Diego's most gorgeous and high-profile locales on an afternoon sightseeing tour. Travel from downtown San Diego to the upscale coastal enclave known for its stellar seaside views and rowdy sea lion community, plus extravagant Spanish-style mansions and famous residents. Browse the luxury boutiques of La Jolla Village, explore the marine life of a legendary cove, and take in views of the coast from a mountaintop lookout.

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.

Ghosts & Goblets: A Haunted Bar Tour in San Diego Welcome to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, where both spectral and liquid spirits await! Ghosts & Goblets isn’t just a pub crawl—it’s a journey through the city’s most haunted bars, with spine-chilling tales and eerie drinks. You’ll enter 3 haunted locations and sip 3 mysterious concoctions like The Tanglefoot or The Werewolf. Which one will materialize? Only the spirits know! What makes Ghosts & Goblets special? Exclusive Route: No other tour takes you to these haunted bars. Mysterious Drinks: Admission includes 3 unique, themed drinks inspired by ghostly tales. Real Ghost Stories: True, spine-tingling stories delivered with a theatrical twist. Local Legends: The only locally-owned ghost tour in downtown San Diego. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable night of haunted tales and drinks—if you dare!

Your Old Town Walking Tour is very much like taking a step back into history. To see San Diego as it was during the very beginning of the city. From the first Mission of Father Junipero Serra, to the expedition of Gaspar de Portola, and the history of our entire city. The backstories along with the back drop of Old Town sparks the imaginations of the guests and literally takes you back in time. Known as the birthplace of San Diego and all of California, Old Town is a cultural hotspot. With stunning views of Mission Bay from the top of Presidio Park, to the smells of fresh-cooking Mexican cuisine and the beautiful Spanish architecture below, the Old Town Tour abounds with the vibe and flair for which Spanish and Mexican cultures are known.

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.

The is a group walking tour to see the sights of downtown San Diego. The tour includes the full history of San Diego from its founding in 1542 to modern day industry. The tour includes information about the founders and visionaries of San Diego, Gaslamp District, Horton Park, Santa Fe Train Station, and the USS Midway.

Fans of true crime won't want to miss this tour of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Your guide will take you through the area formerly known as Stingaree, telling you the back stories of some gruesome crimes that have taken place over the years, with a stop to visit a haunted hotel along the way.

Step into the heart of Balboa Park and discover El Prado like never before. This self-guided walking tour invites you to look beyond the beauty and explore the stories, styles, and surprises behind San Diego’s most beloved promenade. You’ll uncover how architecture, ambition, and artistry transformed a temporary exposition into a timeless cultural icon at every stop. As you stroll past ornate facades, hidden courtyards, and dramatic colonnades, you’ll learn how theatrical design and clever engineering helped shape not just the park and San Diego’s identity. GPS-triggered audio brings each structure to life with rich history and unexpected insights along the way. This tour offers a thoughtful, immersive experience at your own pace, whether you're a first-time visitor or a local seeing the park with fresh eyes. Come for the beauty—stay for the stories hidden in the walls.

Spend the day exploring Tijuana’s culture and history on this guided tour from San Diego. You’ll make the most of your visit to this border town by traveling with a guide, who provides navigation and in-depth commentary. Highlights include the Plaza Santa Cecilia, the Tijuana Arch, the History Museum, the city market, Pasaje Rodriguez, and others.

Are you looking to experience and learn more about San Diego and Balboa Park at your own pace? Unlimited Biking's tour app is the best way to see this iconic city on a bike ride or stroll. This map is color coded, so you can choose your own adventure! The route includes the primary tour route where each stop is a notable location in San Diego, focusing on Balboa Park with a brief history (written and audio) and fun facts! Additionally, we have pointed out locations from television and movies where iconic scenes with some of the biggest stars were filmed. The app is rounded out with photo stop suggestions, food recommendations, and public restroom locations. The app is available for Android and iPhone users. Downloading the app is free and by purchasing through Viator, you will receive a code to waive the in-app tour purchase. If you have more than one explorer with you, purchase for ONE customer and all will be able to use that code.

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.

Discover the historic Gaslamp Quarter, explore the cultural landmarks, and the stories of the people who shaped San Diego's history. Go at your own pace, anytime. The tour is location aware and plays as you walk. It's theatrically created to tell the story and bring the area to life. You’ll hear about Wyatt Earp’s, The Stingaree, the story of Bud and how this wild west town became the Birthplace of California.

In Baja we are known for our beautiful, one of a kind, virgin beaches and the most popular one you will find it in Rosarito territory. Becoming the tourism center of Baja California this a great destination you don’t want to miss, don’t worry if you are short of time or budget, this introduction experience it ideal for you

Enjoy a professionally escorted historical walking tour of Balboa Park in San Diego, California. Relax as your Tour Guide Extraordinaire from Another Side Tours makes sure you see all of the most interesting and historic spots without skipping a thing. We take our guests to Balboa Park daily and we are the experts on this crown jewel in the heart of San Diego. Balboa Park is America’s largest urban cultural park, but it is so much more than that! Balboa Park is a national treasure and it is just a fascinating place with a rich history and it is here waiting to be explored by YOU! Besides open areas and natural vegetation, the park contains a variety of cultural attractions including the Spanish Village Art Center, an assortment of museums, theaters, numerous beautiful gardens, shops and restaurants as well as being the home to The World Famous San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977 and we are sure that you will love it too.

Explore San Diego’s iconic parks, from Balboa to Petco, and go on to Hillcrest by GoCar, and get a discount of $50 if you bring the car back by noon. There are loads of places to see, including the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, and the Maritime Museum. You’ll be provided with maps and helmets, so you just need to hit the streets and enjoy.

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.