San Diego: Downtown & Balboa Park GPS Scooter Tour

See San Diego's Main Sights in One Morning on a Scooter

You ride an electric scooter through Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, Old Town, and past the USS Midway and Maritime Museum on a GPS-guided route. The tour includes helmet, orientation, and the scooter itself. You set your own pace at stops and cover sights that would take hours on foot in a fraction of the time, with no navigation stress.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Downtown and Balboa Park

• Drive through Little Italy
• Drive through downtown San Diego
• Drive through Balboa Park
• Drive by San Diego Zoo
• Drive through Old Town San Diego
• Pass by USS Midway Museum
• Learn about Maritime Museum
• Take the Ferry
• See Unconditional Surrender Statue
• Drive by Convention Center
• Drive by Petco Park

The experience

Most people rent a car or walk for hours. You'll cover the same ground in half the time on an electric scooter, moving through Little Italy, downtown, and Balboa Park without the parking headache. The GPS guides you while you ride, so there's no stopping to check a map or wonder if you're heading the right way. You get a helmet, a quick orientation on how the scooter handles, and then you're off. The route takes you past the USS Midway Museum, the Maritime Museum, and through Old Town San Diego in a single loop.

Balboa Park is the centerpiece. You'll ride through it up close instead of seeing it from a car window, which means you can actually stop at the flower gardens or the outdoor organ pavilion if something catches your eye. The park has over a dozen museums scattered across it, and since you're on a scooter you can pause longer at whichever ones interest you. After that, the route swings through Hillcrest (the neighborhood known for its restaurants and shops), then down to the waterfront where you'll see the Unconditional Surrender statue and take the ferry across the bay before heading back.

The whole tour is private, so it's just your group riding together. You need to be at least 15 years old (under 18 requires an adult), weigh between 100 and 250 pounds, and have a credit card and photo ID for the liability waiver. There's a $150 authorization hold placed on your card as a deposit, though it won't actually charge unless there's damage. The scooter itself is electric, so you're not pedaling. You're standing and steering, which is easier than it sounds once you get the feel for it during the orientation.

What’s included

• Electric scooter rental.
• safety helmet.
• rider orientation.
• GPS-guided route covering Little Italy, Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, Old Town San Diego, USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum, Unconditional Surrender statue, and a ferry crossing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Under 15: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by GoCar Tours San Diego

Is this one for you?Best for travelers who want to cover San Diego's main sights in one morning without renting a car or walking for hours: the scooter and GPS route handle both the navigation and the distance.

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Top questions

What's included?

Electric scooter, helmet, rider orientation, and GPS guidance. Museum entry fees and ferry costs are not included.

Can I stop at museums?

Yes. You ride past the USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum, and through Balboa Park where a dozen museums are located. You can stop and enter any that interest you.

What's the weight and age requirement?

Riders must weigh between 100 and 250 pounds and be at least 15 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a deposit or extra charge?

A $150 authorization hold is placed on your credit card as an incidental deposit. It won't be charged unless there's damage to the scooter.

Do I need experience riding a scooter?

No. You receive a rider orientation before the tour starts, and the scooter is electric so you're not pedaling. Just standing and steering.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, it's suitable for all fitness levels. However, it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What do I need to bring?

A major credit card and photo ID for the liability waiver and deposit authorization.