The 9 Best Balboa Park Tours in San Diego

1.San Diego Balboa Park Highlights Small Group Tour with Coffee

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 173 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $60Our pick

Join San Diego Walks for a two-hour stroll through Balboa Park with guide Jennifer or another local guide. See Cabrillo Bridge, the California Tower, Alcazar Garden, Spanish Village, and more, then choose a drink at Daniel’s coffee cart. Groups are limited to 15 people.

“Wonderful introduction to Balboa park. We wouldn't have had the same appreciation for the experience otherwise”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Private Balboa Park Segway Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 153 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Explore Balboa Park by Segway with a private guide, riding through its museums, gardens, performance sites, and artist spaces. Bridgette is a frequently praised guide, though other guides may lead your tour. The two-hour outing is limited to your group, with instruction, helmets, and bottled water included.

“Bridgette was an excellent tour guide and Segway instructor. She also handled an unusual situation with great professionalism - after dismounting from the Segway and taking a break halfway through the tour, I accidentally tripped on a hole in a concrete curb. My elbow got a good scrape, and the shock caused me to feel faint for a couple minutes. Bridgette pulled out a first aid kit immediately, treating my injury and making very sure I was fully recovered before continuing the tour. You're in good hands with Bridgette.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Take a two-hour GPS-guided GoCar tour from Little Italy through the Maritime Museum, USS Midway, Seaport Village, Petco Park, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and the Gaslamp Quarter. You drive yourself after an orientation, with a helmet, map, fuel, and recorded commentary included.

“I enjoyed the customer service. The attendant was polite and help throughout the entire process before the ride. Good experience and will recommend this place for others to try the place out.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Balboa Park Electric Scooter Tour with Pictures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Jesse guides you through Balboa Park on an easy-to-learn electric scooter, covering gardens, museums, international cottages, and landmarks in 90 minutes. Helmets, safety instruction, and group photos are included. You will see the Japanese Friendship Garden from outside, not enter it.

“This was an awesome experience, Jesse was very knowledgeable. Loved the electric scooters and I'm pushing 50yrs old! Do yourself a favour and do this tour, scooters a must as Balboa Park is massive.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.San Diego Walking Tour: Balboa Park with a Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 50 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Walk Balboa Park for two hours with an English-speaking local guide, visiting the California Tower, Alcázar Garden, Old Globe, Zoro Garden, Spanish Village, Botanical Building, and Moreton Bay Fig Tree. Your ticket includes one coffee-cart drink and a practical park resource list.

“Jennifer made the very interesting and informative. I would go again if the opportunity came up.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.San Diego GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Downtown & Balboa Park Sights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $81

Ride a helmeted electric scooter through San Diego with GPS directions and spoken stories. In about two hours, you’ll pass Little Italy, Balboa Park, the Zoo, Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park, the USS Midway, and the waterfront. This is self-guided, not led by a live guide.

“Fabulous and fun way to tour downtown San Diego! Out tour manager was funny and informative! The gps guide was perfect-not obnoxious at all. Definitely recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.San Diego Guided E-Bike Tour – Balboa Park & Gaslamp Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 25 reviews · 2h 30m · from $80

Ride a pedal-assist e-bike from downtown San Diego through the Gaslamp Quarter, along the bay, and into Balboa Park. A licensed English or Spanish-speaking guide covers local history, USS Midway, Billionaire Row, the Japanese Friendship Garden, and more. Riders must be at least 13.

“Great tour to see downtown San Degio and Balbo Park. Would be perfect for 1st day in the city to find your way.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Downtown & Balboa Park GPS Talking Car Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $86

Drive a two-seat, GPS-guided GoCar through San Diego for two hours, following an English audio tour past Little Italy, the waterfront, Balboa Park, the zoo, Hillcrest, and downtown sights. You set the pace, but daylight, traffic, and short stop times matter.

“Great way to explore the city on your own. Friendly and informative staff. Would recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.2Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Downtown & Balboa Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $81

You’ll ride an electric scooter with a helmet, safety orientation, and GPS narration on a private two-hour route through Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, Old Town, and waterfront sights. The route includes city traffic, so confidence on two wheels matters.

“Great way to tour the city. We were in the two person electrical car and we could stop and go as we like. The narration was interesting and easy to understand. The only problem we had was that the GPS had to be reset by phone midway through the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review