15 Private Tours in San Diego to Build a Day Around

1.Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 171 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $269Our pick

Travel from San Diego into Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe with a private guide such as Mario or Rene handling the driving, border crossings, winery visits, and timing. The day includes three tastings, a winery production visit, a five-course BajaMed lunch at Finca Altozano, and hotel pickup in eligible areas.

“Mario was awesome. He picked us up right on time and was so helpful. He pointed out spots along the way and knew a lot of history! This was the best tour I have ever been on. Great wineries, and the food was amazing. He sat with us at lunch, helped order and helped us with any and all questions. He was so intelligent, welcoming, friendly and kind. Crossing back from Mexico was super easy! I felt entirely safe and taken care of. I would recommend this tour and plan to do it again myself. So fun and so worth it! Don’t miss out!”

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2.2-Hour Private Sailing Experience in San Diego Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Captain Liz aboard the clean, spacious Mojave for a private two-hour sail from Harbor Island. Your group of up to six can shape the route around the USS Midway, sea lions, Coronado, the skyline, sunset views, or a relaxed cruise with snacks, drinks, and champagne.

“My sisters and I took my mom for Mothers Day for a cruise on Harbor island Bay. Liz was sweet and patient! We all had such a great time!”

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3.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.”

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4.Private Family Whale & Dolphin Adventure in San Diego

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 98 reviews · from $179

Set out from Mission Bay with Captain Rich on a private three-hour boat trip for up to six people. Search for dolphins, gray, humpback, fin, and blue whales, plus sea lions and other marine life. The boat has an enclosed cabin, observation tower, restroom, bottled water, and safety gear.

“Incredible! The dolphins and the whales were breathtaking! Captain was so knowledgeable and gave us every opportunity to enjoy the marine life around us.”

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5.2.5 Hour Private Sunset Sailing Tour in San Diego up to 12 guests

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $260

Sail from Harbor Island on a private 2.5-hour sunset cruise for up to 12 people. Captain Gus guides your group past the USS Midway, Seaport Village, The Rady Shell, and beneath the Coronado Bridge. Blankets, drinks, and snacks are included, with parking and gratuity extra.

“Great experience to see the harbor and the San Diego Skyline! Beautiful views and lots of fun! We had a group of 13 girls on the sail for a bachelorette party and we were well taken care of!”

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6.Private Day Sailing Experience in San Diego up to 12 guests

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $235

Set sail from Harbor Island with your private group of up to 12, choosing Point Loma sea lions or downtown San Diego. Your captain handles the boat while you enjoy harbor views, USS Midway, Seaport Village, Coronado Bridge, snacks, drinks, and warm blankets.

“It was one of the if not the most memorable experience the group had on a long weekend spent in San Diego! Captain Gus was full of energy and fun facts. Loved the attention to detail and the atmosphere he had that was welcoming and professional. Thank you for an amazing experience!!! Be ready for some waves and a great time!”

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7.Private Arrival Transfer from San Diego Airport SAN

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 21 reviews · 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Book a private one-way ride from San Diego International Airport to your San Diego hotel or residence. Drivers such as Mustafa, Robert, and Andressa have provided timely curbside pickups, with flight tracking, text updates, and sedan or SUV options. The fare covers up to three people in a sedan.

“Driver was great. I just wish he could have met me in baggage claim to assist with luggage. But impossible at this airport”

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8.Private Half-Day San Diego Fishing Trip for up to 6 People

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Spend about six hours on a private San Diego fishing boat with your own group, using provided rods, tackle, and instruction. Captain Shaun may take you near kelp forests and coastal structures for yellowtail, rockfish, bass, halibut, lingcod, sheephead, and bonito. Fish cleaning and bottled water are included.

“Captain Bobby was awesome. EXTREMELY helpful and knowledgeable. This was definitely worth it. It was a private trip— so it felt less like a tour and more like just being out on a friend’s boat. I would certainly recommend Pelican Sportfishing to anyone.”

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9.4 Hour Private Sail for up to 6 people

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Sail San Diego Bay and possibly the Pacific aboard a restored yacht with a private captain for up to six people. Expect wildlife, harbor views, snacks, and a flexible route shaped by wind and weather. Captains have included Terry, Kyle, Kirk, Curt, Alan, and Eric.

“We had originally booked a Pacific sailing tour, which was canceled by the operator, San Diego sailing tours. We contacted them directly and they booked us on another sailing trip. Apparently, they did not communicate with the operator, and the sailing tour turned into a motoring tour of the naval shipyard. We had been on a tour of that area of the day before the sailor was nice enough, but his Mainsail wouldn’t open. He did fly the job for a portion. I contacted San Diego sailing tours immediately after the trip and they chose not to respond to me.”

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10.Private San Diego Beer Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $59Best value

Let Fredy or another local guide take you from your San Diego pickup point to two to four breweries in an air-conditioned vehicle. Choose your own stops or follow recommendations matched to your tastes, then buy flights, pours, and food as you go.

“Freddy was simple and great knowledge of beer. He does not force anything but cares for what his customers want. He is patient and very accommodating.”

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11.Private Departure Transfer to San Diego Airport SAN

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Carmel Car & Limousine Service takes you privately from a San Diego or nearby pickup point to SAN. The ride lasts about 30 to 90 minutes, costs $48 per group of up to three in a sedan, and includes taxes and fuel charges.

“I canceled because you didn't show up on prior reservations , leaving me stranded with 2 children at the airport”

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12.Private Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours

Meet your English-speaking Wavehuggers instructor at a San Diego beach for a private two-hour surf lesson. You’ll learn wetsuit use, beach footwork, paddling, ocean conditions, etiquette, and wave technique with a board and wetsuit supplied. Choose from beaches in San Diego, La Jolla, Cardiff, Encinitas, Carlsbad, or Oceanside.

“Cady was a great teacher we all had Lots of fun”

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13.Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in San Diego

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Book a private one-hour San Diego photo session with a Flytographer photographer such as Mo or Darian. Choose Balboa Park, Coronado, Oceanside Pier, La Jolla, Scripps Pier, or a custom route. You receive a digital gallery of edited, high-resolution vacation photos within five days.

“Darian was great! Very helpful and found a gorgeous location. Turnaround time for photos was also super quick!”

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14.2 Hour Private Group Surf Lesson in La Jolla

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet your CPR-certified Wavehuggers instructor at Tourmaline Surf Park for two hours of private surf coaching. You’ll get a wetsuit, board, bottled water, beach footwork practice, and one-on-one help catching waves. Instructors such as Cady and Jake tailor the lesson to your comfort and ability.

“We had such a fun time learning to surf! Our instructor Cady was so great. Both my fiancé and I have never surfed before and Cady got us both up in the water during our lesson! We will definitely book again next time we’re in the area!”

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15.All-Inclusive Private Wine Tour in Baja

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $689

Join Remy Sternbach for a private, all-inclusive wine day from San Diego to Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe. You’ll stop at La Fonda for coastal brunch, visit two hand-picked vineyards, and enjoy dinner in the valley when traveling with three or more people.

“Everything was perfect! The scenery was magnificent, and the sunset was breathtaking! Remy was awesome!”

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