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.

Petco Park is known for being the home of the baseball team the San Diego Padres and this behind-the-scenes tour gives you access to areas of the park that you wouldn't be able to get if just visiting to watch a game. See exclusive areas such as the Press Box, the Private Luxury Suite, and the Major League Dugout, and learn about past players as your walk past the Hall of Fame areas.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 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.

Join us for a 2.5 hour guided electric bike tour around the stunning city of San Diego. Beginning from our store location, the first stop on this leisurely tour is the historic Gaslamp Quarter, established in the 1860s and redeveloped in the 1980s. From there, you’ll ride your pedal assist eBikes to the San Diego Bay, where you’ll learn the history of the USS Midway, Billionaire Row, and The Bob Hope Memorial. Our licensed tour guides will then lead you through Balboa Park, measuring just under five kilometers or 1,200 acres. In Balboa Park, you will ride past and learn about the San Diego Zoo, the Spanish Village Art Center, and the famous Casa de Balboa. This city is perfect for animal lovers, beach enthusiasts, and outdoorsy folks! Our guides are happy to take plenty of pictures for you so you can cherish the memories. The tour ends back at our store location on K Street. Please note: there will be a good deal of street riding on this tour.

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.

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.

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.

Launched in 1914 to her removal from regular service in 1996, the Pilot enjoyed an active career as San Diego’s chief pilot craft – assisting almost every one of the thousands of major commercial ships to enter or leave the bay during that time. Visitors will share this narrated historic bay tour aboard one of the few vessels in the country honored with the distinction of being on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

Explore some of the top highlights of San Diego with your or or two day trolley pass (depending on option selected) for the city’s Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour. Choose your own adventure as you get on and off the trolley at any of the 11 included stops, covering famous sights including the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway and the Cruise Ship Terminal, Little Italy, and many more. This San Diego trolley tour also features live commentary from the on-board guide during your ride.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Traveling by Segway is not only fun and different, but allows you to cover more ground in a short amount of time. On this guided, small-group Segway tour, explore downtown San Diego, and admire views of San Diego Bay from the Embarcadero. Then, take a ferry ride to Coronado Island to check out still more sights, including pretty Coronado Beach and the historic Hotel del Coronado.

Embark on an electrifying journey through the vibrant streets of San Diego with our San Diego Sizzle: Gaslamp Adventure tour! Get ready to immerse yourself in the infectious energy of the Gaslamp Quarter, where history and culture meet contemporary charm. Indulge in mouthwatering cuisine at trendy restaurants, sip on craft cocktails at rooftop bars boasting breathtaking skyline views, and dance the night away at the hottest clubs in town. With our expert guides leading the way, prepare to experience the city's hidden gems, thrilling entertainment, and unforgettable moments that will leave you craving more. Get ready to ignite your senses and let the San Diego Sizzle take hold of you! Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the app! With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.