Things to do in San Diego
San Diego Whale Watching Tour6 optionsBalboa Park Tours21 optionsBoat Tour San Diego22 optionsGhost Tour San Diego8 optionsSan Diego Airport Shuttle7 optionsFood Tour San Diego23 optionsSan Diego Wine Tour6 optionsSan Diego Walking Tour30 optionsVespa Scooter Moped Tours7 optionsSailing Tour San Diego14 optionsBike Tour San Diego5 optionsSunset Cruises7 options
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Petco Park Behind-the-Scenes Tour: San Diego dugout, clubhouse, press boxA behind-the-scenes tour of Petco Park in downtown San Diego takes you through the major league dugout, visitors' clubhouse, press box and Padres Hall of Fame with a live English-speaking guide. The route covers roughly 80 minutes and includes access to areas closed to regular ticket holders, from the field warning track to the historic Western Metal Supply Co. Building.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and leads the whole route, so anyone comfortable following a live tour in English will follow the commentary without strain. The tour moves at a walking pace through accessible areas, and it suits all fitness levels.
San Diego Bay: Champagne Brunch Cruise with Buffet & ViewsYou’ll float past downtown San Diego and under Coronado Bridge while sipping bottomless mimosas on this two-hour brunch cruise. Enjoy live music, a full buffet (with vegetarian options), and relaxed indoor seating as friendly crew keep your glass filled. There’s something about seeing Cabrillo National Monument from the water that sticks with you long after you’re back on land.
San Diego: 3-Hour Whale Watch Cruise & Gray WhalesYou board at Mission Bay and cruise past San Diego's entire coastline—from Dog Beach to La Jolla to Sunset Cliffs—while a certified naturalist explains the gray whales, dolphins, and sea lions you're actually seeing. The 80-foot Legacy gets you to open water fast, and the three-hour window keeps the pace tight without feeling rushed. Parking is free, seating is flexible, and you leave with a real sense of what lives in these waters.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see whales without arranging your own boat or spending the day on the water—the three-hour window and certified naturalists mean you get real sightings and real explanations without the logistics.
San Diego Bay: Vintage Yacht Sail with Beer & WineYou’ll join Captain Phil aboard his vintage yacht for an easygoing sail across San Diego Bay, with craft beer or white wine in hand as city landmarks drift by. Expect stories about local history, small group laughs, and time to just breathe in the sea air—plus all drinks and snacks included.
San Diego Bay: Glow Pedal Boat Rental at NightYou arrive early, get fitted with a life jacket and shown how to operate the boat, then pedal out into America's Cup Harbor for 15 minutes. You spend 30 minutes drifting or exploring with the Downtown skyline in view, your own music playing through the Bluetooth speaker, and neon glow underneath the boat. The ride back takes another 15 minutes. Blankets are available, dogs are welcome, and the whole thing is private to your group.Is it for me?Book this if you want a private boat experience on San Diego Bay without a guide talking the whole time — you control the pace, the music, and how long you drift, which is what makes it work for couples looking for something low-key or families wanting to move at their own speed.
San Diego Catamaran Sail: 2.5-Hour Small-Group Harbor CruiseA 2.5-hour catamaran sail around San Diego Harbor on a modern, stable boat designed for comfort, with your choice of daytime or sunset departure. Small-group trips mean no crowded decks; the crew shuts off the engine to let you experience the sail itself, and marine life sightings—sea lions, seabirds, dolphins—are common. Beer, wine, soft drinks and water are included; you can bring your own food and beverages if you prefer.Is it for me?Book the daytime sail if you want to see the harbor in full light and spot marine life actively; choose the sunset sail if you'd rather watch the sky change color over the water while the city lights come on. Either way, small-group size and the crew's willingness to kill the engine mean you're sailing, not just riding.
San Diego Bay: Sunset & Day Sail Small Group TourYou’ll glide through San Diego Bay on a small-group sailboat at sunset, spotting dolphins and sea lions while sipping included drinks. See icons like Coronado Bridge and historic ships up close with your local guide pointing out hidden details. Feel both relaxed and quietly awed as city lights flicker on behind you—this is an evening you’ll want to linger in.
San Diego: Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise & Bay ViewsYou board 30 minutes early, settle into your assigned table, and spend two hours on San Diego Bay with unlimited champagne and mimosas. The boat passes the Coronado Bridge, USS Midway Museum, and Downtown San Diego while you eat from a seasonal brunch buffet. No driving, no parking, no deciding where to sit — just arrive on time and let the water do the moving.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see San Diego's bay and landmarks without arranging transport or deciding where to eat — the fixed departure time and assigned seating are what make a full brunch and sightseeing fit into one morning on the water.
San Diego Gaslamp: Food Tour with 6 California TastingsYou walk the Gaslamp Quarter with a local guide, stopping at six restaurants and food spots to sample a fish taco, California burger, avocado toast, specialty coffee, a California burrito, and the signature secret dish. The tour includes tastings at a historic Filipino restaurant and covers the neighborhood's architecture and food history. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste what San Diego actually eats without planning six separate restaurant visits — the guide handles the stops, the timing, and the stories that connect them.
San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise Marine WildlifeA 3.5-hour whale and dolphin watching cruise in San Diego Bay aboard the Peregrine, an 82-foot vessel with modern stabilizers and climate-controlled seating. Expert naturalists guide you through sightings of gray whales, blue whales, dolphins, sea lions and seabirds year-round. Air conditioning, restrooms, and landing fees are included.Is it for me?The 3.5-hour cruise is a full morning or afternoon without requiring an early start or strenuous hiking—you board, sit or stand on a stable deck, and let the guide bring the marine life and the story to you. Pick this if you want to see whales and dolphins without the planning, the driving to a remote trailhead, or the physical demand of land-based wildlife watching.
San Diego Sunset Cruise: SeaWorld & Ocean Beach PierA sunset cruise departing from Mission Bay in San Diego that runs 75 minutes and circles the bay's landmarks — SeaWorld's exterior, Vacation Isle Park and the jetties facing Ocean Beach Pier — aboard the Ohana with a live English-speaking guide. The boat includes a restroom, a fully stocked bar with cocktails and beer available for purchase, and free parking on Quivira Road. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure; children must be accompanied by an adult, and the dress code is smart casual.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to watch the sunset without deciding when to leave or planning your own route—you'll join other travelers on a 75-minute shared cruise with a set departure time.
Avenida Revolución Tours & Tickets San Diego Walking GuideYou walk Avenida Revolución and the Tijuana Arch with a local guide who stops for food, shopping, and drinks when the group wants them. The pace is set by the group, not a clock. You see the Mexican market and Art Alley where local artists work. Bring your passport and plan for a half-day commitment; the guide handles the route and the context.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in San Diego with a few hours free and a passport, who want to see Tijuana through a local's eyes instead of a tour bus window. The walking pace is flexible and stops for food and shopping are built in, which means you're not rushing—and you'll need your passport to cross the border.
Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: 5 tastings in 3 hoursYou taste five dishes across three hours in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, walking between spots with a guide who knows the owners and the neighborhood's food history. Lunch is included, and the portions are large enough that you're eating real meals, not samples. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and you're back downtown by early afternoon.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to eat your way through the Gaslamp Quarter without researching restaurants or negotiating portions yourself—the guide's relationships with the owners and the fixed three-hour pace are what make five real stops fit into one afternoon.
San Diego Gaslamp: True Crime Walking Tour & Haunted HotelYou’ll walk through San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter with a true crime expert, hear gritty stories from its Stingaree days, step inside a haunted hotel room, and learn about infamous murders that shaped downtown’s past. Expect laughter mixed with chills — and a side of local color you won’t get anywhere else.
Gondola Cruise Coronado Cays San Diego: Private Canal TourA private gondola cruise through San Diego's Coronado Cays lasts 50 minutes and holds up to six passengers. The boat departs south of Hotel del Coronado and may venture into open San Diego Bay for views of the Coronado Bridge and downtown, depending on wind and weather. Wines, non-alcoholic drinks and chocolates are available to purchase; you can bring your own beverage for a $10 corkage fee that covers ice, bucket and glassware.Is it for me?At 50 minutes, the cruise fits easily into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day—long enough to feel like a real escape into the canals, short enough to pair with other San Diego stops like Hotel del Coronado or a meal in the neighborhood.
San Diego Old Town: Tequila, Tacos & Tombstones Food WalkYou’ll sip tequila, taste fresh tacos, and wander Old Town San Diego with a guide who knows both legends and recipes. From Whaley House tales to tamarind candy at El Campo Santo Cemetery, every stop mixes flavor with history. You’ll laugh with locals and leave full—not just from food but from stories you might keep thinking about long after.
San Diego: City & Beach Tour with 5 Stops & Local GuideYou’ll ride from downtown San Diego out to Coronado’s beaches and La Jolla Cove with a local guide sharing stories along the way. Feel ocean air on your face, watch sea lions up close, wander Balboa Park’s gardens, and end among Old Town’s adobe buildings—all in one day.
San Diego Bay Sailing Tour: Catalina 34' Sailboat, Small GroupA small-group sailing tour of San Diego Bay and coastal waterways aboard a Catalina 34' sailboat with a live English-speaking guide. The boat holds up to six guests, making the experience personal rather than crowded. Bottled water and snacks are included; you can bring your own alcohol if you're over 21. The tour runs two hours and departs from a location with nearby public transportation access.Is it for me?Book this for a morning or afternoon when you want to see San Diego from the water without renting your own boat or joining a crowded tour—the small group and the working sailboat mean you're actually sailing, not just riding.
San Diego: Balboa Park Walking Tour & Coffee StopYou’ll walk under blooming jacarandas with a local guide, spot hidden details on century-old buildings, watch artists at work in Spanish Village Art Center, and unwind with coffee at a beloved park cart. Expect stories that bring Balboa Park’s history alive—and moments where San Diego feels both big and close-knit all at once.
San Diego: 2-Hour GoCar Self-Drive Tour Downtown & Old TownYou drive yourself through San Diego's main neighborhoods—Little Italy, Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town, and past the Zoo—following GPS turn-by-turn directions and tour commentary for two hours. The rental includes gas, helmet, and orientation; you just need a valid license and to be 21 or older. It's the fastest way to see the city's layout and history without being herded through it.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want to cover San Diego's main neighborhoods and landmarks in two hours without following a guide's schedule—you control the pace and stops, though you're still guided by GPS and commentary the whole way.
