The 10 Best San Diego Sightseeing Tours

1.SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 651 reviews · 1h 40m · from $55Our pick

Spend 100 minutes with a live English-speaking guide aboard an amphibious bus that rolls through San Diego before floating into the bay. See the USS Midway, Star of India, Navy vessels, Shelter Island, sea lions, and possibly dolphins or other wildlife.

“Our guide Dianna was very cheerful and informative and made a very good experience exceptional. Lots of wildlife and points of interest on the way. The transportation is surprisingly comfortable. Highly recommended”

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2.San Diego Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 564 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $79

This four-hour San Diego minibus tour links La Jolla Cove, Mt. Soledad, Old Town, Balboa Park, Coronado, and downtown. Guides such as Jim, Roxane, and Jay add local history, restaurant tips, and practical advice. Bottled water and snacks are included, with pickup and return at 500 W Broadway.

“Roxane contacted us as unforeseen circumstances on their behalf meant our tour couldn't happen. So why a 5 star review? I feel it's equally as important to grade someone's ability to communicate effectively and go the extra mile to try and accommodate when things don't go as planned. All too often this is overlooked and under-delivered. Roxane provided efficient and timely communication / explanations and made it very easy for me to recommend you all to go on one of her tours even though I wasn't able to. Thank you Roxane, catch you next time I'm in town!”

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3.The Most Extensive City & Beach Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 195 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

This small-group San Diego tour takes up to 14 people through the Gaslamp District, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla Cove, Balboa Park, and Old Town. Guide George is praised for lively local history, while planned stops give you time for photos, a short walk, lunch, and sea lions.

“Lots of good historical information from George and provided on a video screen. Great stops that seemed to highlight the San Diego area. The bus seemed a little patchwork inside, but rides well and we could see the sights easily. The times are the stops we're appropriate and gave us an idea for places we'd like to return for more time.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 173 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $60Top rated

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”

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5.San Diego Coronado History and Highlights Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $64

Walk Coronado with local guide Jennifer, or another San Diego Walks guide, as you connect island history with its shops, churches, parks, beach, and Hotel del Coronado. The small group visits a museum when open, pauses for a sweet snack, and covers about two miles on foot.

“Had a great time at Coronado Island. Tour guide was very informative and funny! Loved all the shopping and food places to eat. Definitely come back.”

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6.The San Diego Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $229

Spend about seven hours touring San Diego with a professional English-speaking guide. Ride in an air-conditioned Mercedes van, stop at Coronado, Balboa Park, La Jolla, and Mount Soledad, and get bottled water and snacks. Guides have included Julia, Adam, Jeff, Judy, and Chris.

“Great way to see an overview of San Diego in a day to get a good sense of the city or even to plan where you wanna go back and go into more detail exploring later on in your trip. She had lots of enthusiasm.”

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7.The San Diego Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $169

See San Diego’s main sights in a comfortable air-conditioned van, with time to walk through Balboa Park and El Prado. Your guide may be Judy, Amy, Kevin, Julia, Adam, or another member of the local team. Expect city history, Coronado views, waterfront stops, bottled water, and small snacks.

“My tour of San Diego was wonderful. It was the perfect way to learn about San Diego and it’s history in a few hours. Judy, my guide, was well versed in all things San Diego past and present, and tailored the tour to my requests. Judy was enthusiastic and fun to be with. I especially loved seeing and hearing about Coronado with the Hotel Del Coronado, magnificent homes and gorgeous view back over the city, and Balboa Park, amongst other sites. This is a tour that would work for one or several people and be time well spent.”

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8.City and Beaches Guided Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 55 reviews · 5h 30m · from $107

Ride with an English-speaking guide through San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla Cove, Balboa Park, and Old Town. You’ll get three substantial stops, live narration, music, video, bottled water, and a return to the cruise terminal by 3pm.

“Un’escursione molto interessante che consente di vedere le attrazioni principali di San Diego. Tempi corretti e molto opportune le fermate stabilite. Tutto molto interessante e ben gestito.”

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9.The San Diego Tour: 3 Hours of Sightseeing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 8 reviews · 3 hours · from $149

This three-hour bus tour gives you a quick first look at San Diego, with stops around the Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado Island, Hotel del Coronado, and Balboa Park. English-speaking guides such as Jeff and Vincent have led informative, relaxed outings. Expect a compact bus, short photo stops, and a central downtown meeting point.

“Jeff was fantastic, very informative. We were the only 2 people booked on our tour, so it ended up being a private tour making it a great experience”

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10.All Day San Diego Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 5 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $125

You’ll ride with a small group of up to 14 people through San Diego’s top districts and beaches, with stops at Balboa Park, Pacific Beach, Coronado Island, and Old Town. Roxane may lead the tour, which includes transportation, snacks, water, beach access, photos, and a free Las Americas Outlet shopping stop.

“Tour confirmed soon after booking and then cancelled last minute. Tried calling and emailing company immediately after booking and then later through Viator to reconfirm booking, but the people who work at this company were MIA.”

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