San Diego · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in San Diego

139 tours  ·  from $9

Everything with a guide, a boat or a minibus attached, in one list. The 15 below are the ones worth a whole day, priced and timed, with the rest of the catalogue underneath.

San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour - Old Town gives you the best starting point
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San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

1.San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,523 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55Our pick

Ride San Diego’s open-air trolley with a one or two-day pass and live commentary. Stop at Old Town, the USS Midway, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, Balboa Park, Little Italy, and more. Guides such as Jack, Scotty, Kevin, and Tommie bring different styles, humor, and local facts to the route.

“Very informative, good value. Guide "Jack" was a jerk - too loud, borderline disrespectful. Got off at the next stop to change guides. "Scotty" was perfect - set the right tone, answered questions, very friendly. Get on Scotty's bus!”

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San Diego: Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour - Old Town gives the ride its roots
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San Diego: Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour

2.Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,323 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $57

Ride an authentic trolley through San Diego and Coronado with live English narration from guides such as Frank, Jack, Bini, and Kaye. Use a one or two-day pass to visit Old Town, the Embarcadero, Balboa Park, Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Hotel del Coronado at your own pace.

“Great. Able to see the city and hop off where we wanted to. Day not long enough”

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San Diego Seal Tour - From Seaport Village to the splash point
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San Diego Seal Tour

3.San Diego Seal Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,226 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $53

You will spend about 30 minutes on San Diego streets and roughly an hour on the bay in a Hydra Terra amphibious vehicle. Guides such as Kim, Amy, Jim, and Brett mix local history, jokes, and wildlife facts, with possible sea lion sightings near the bait barges.

“Really good tour in the seal today,from taking us round the town,to gout in the sea on a boat trip,the 2 guys gave us all good information ,we took lots of photos,it was a great day.thankyou xx”

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La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour For Two (Tandem Kayak) - Learning to paddle before the waves
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La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour For Two (Tandem Kayak)

4.La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour For Two (Tandem Kayak)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,205 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Paddle a tandem kayak from La Jolla Shores toward the sea caves with guides such as Alex, Hannah, Ike, or Cassidy. Learn basic technique, watch for sea lions, leopard sharks, dolphins, birds, and kelp, then ride the waves back to shore. Cave entry depends on conditions and group ability.

“Kids loved the leopard sharks! The water was clear and beautiful. We could see so much sea life. Cassidy was fun and friendly.”

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Original La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour for Two - Launching through La Jolla’s surf
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Original La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour for Two

5.Original La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour for Two

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 871 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Paddle a two-person kayak through La Jolla Ecological Reserve with an English-speaking guide. You may see sea lions, seals, leopard sharks, birds, and fish while approaching the Seven Sea Caves and Emerald Cave. Guides such as Sawyer, Hannah, Lydia, and Reed lead the way. Expect to get wet.

“Hannah and Lydia were the best guides! Skillfully navigated all of us in the group to the caves and along the way shared little nuggets of information about the area and the ecological reserve and fun facts! We saw leopard sharks and sea lions and they made sure our cave experience was top notch. Highly recommend this tour and these expert guides!”

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Gaslamp Quarter Food and Drink Tour: Brothels, Bites & Booze - The first tastings: food, drinks, and a sense of place
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Gaslamp Quarter Food and Drink Tour: Brothels, Bites & Booze

6.Gaslamp Quarter Food and Drink Tour: Brothels, Bites & Booze

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 786 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $94

Walk 16 blocks of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter with guides such as Blerta, Magda, Benedict, or Ben. Taste food, sample cocktails or mocktails, hear stories of brothels and Prohibition, and finish with dessert in a group of up to 15.

“Knowledgeable guide with fun stops for drinks and snacks. A good look at the history of San Diego. Mediocre vegetarian options.”

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San Diego: SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus - The city portion: landmarks with a local guide
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San Diego: SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus

7.SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus

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

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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Intro to Mexico Walking Tour: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego - Avenida Revolución and the center of Tijuana
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Intro to Mexico Walking Tour: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego

8.Intro to Mexico Walking Tour: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 616 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $73

Cross from San Ysidro into Mexico with help from a local coordinator, then walk central Tijuana with guides such as Tadeo, Tabitha, Humberto, or Carlos. Expect Avenida Revolución, markets, food tastings, quesadillas, tequila, shopping, and a local lunch in a group of up to 12.

“Great tour guides and great stops. Definitely worth the amount. Great experience would recommend and would do it again.”

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Small-Group San Diego Sunset Sailing Excursion - Setting sail from Shelter Island
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, San Diego Sailing Trips, San Diego Sunset Cruises, San Diego Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Small-Group San Diego Sunset Sailing Excursion

9.Small-Group San Diego Sunset Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 592 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $127Top rated

Join Sail San Diego for a three-hour sunset sail from Shelter Island, limited to six passengers. Look for Point Loma Lighthouse, USS Midway, Coronado Island, the bridge, sea lions, and dolphins while enjoying beer, hard seltzers, soft drinks, snacks, blankets, and your own music.

“I was solo and am grateful that Captain Chris has a great personality and is willing to converse. It was my first time on a sail boat and I loved every second. Everything was smooth sailing!”

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La Jolla: 2-Hour Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves - The short lesson before launch
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La Jolla: 2-Hour Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves

10.2-Hour Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 586 reviews · 2 hours

Launch from Bike and Kayak Tours at 2158 Avenida De La Playa for a guided paddle through La Jolla’s Ecological Reserve. You’ll receive instruction and equipment, then look for sea lions, leopard sharks, garibaldi, and dolphins. Calm seas may allow entry into Clam’s Cave, but surf and tides can change the route.

“In this kayak tour, we had the chance to paddle along the beautiful coastline and even explore a cave up close. The experience of going through the cave was exciting, and our guides made sure we felt safe the entire time. They explained how to maneuver our kayaks properly so we could enjoy the cave without worry and they guided us through it the entire time. Beyond the cave, the guides were very informative about the history and significance of different landmarks along the shore. We learned interesting facts about the cliffs, the wildlife, and the unique features of the area. Their knowledge added so much more meaning to the…”

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Haunted San Diego: The Only Ghost Tour with Exclusive Entry - Stop two: the Horton Grand Hotel
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Haunted San Diego: The Only Ghost Tour with Exclusive Entry

11.Haunted San Diego: The Only Ghost Tour with Exclusive Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 584 reviews · 1 hour 55 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Ride the Ghost Coach through Old Town and downtown San Diego, then walk into historic sites including the Davis-Horton House and Horton Grand Hotel. Guides such as Cowboy Pete, Archie, Josephine, Dante, and Rosalinda mix documented history, ghost stories, and humor. Villa Montezuma access can vary.

“It started badly - being given an address that did not exist! But an excellent guide (complete with Indiana Jones style hat!) made up for it with is stories and humorous quips!”

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San Diego Scenic Tour - Mt. Soledad for the Wide View
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San Diego Scenic Tour

12.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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Small-Group San Diego Afternoon Sailing Excursion - Setting out from Shelter Island and Point Loma
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Small-Group San Diego Afternoon Sailing Excursion

13.Small-Group San Diego Afternoon Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $116

Spend three hours aboard a 40-foot Catalina-style sailboat with up to six passengers. Captain Dave, Greg, Breezy, Chris, Frank, or another crew member may guide your route past Point Loma, Coronado, naval vessels, and the USS Midway. Beer, seltzers, soft drinks, snacks, blankets, and Bluetooth music are included.

“Just an absolute great time sailing for the first time . Planning my next sail. Captain Chris was wonderful!!”

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City Cruises San Diego: Scenic 90-Minute Narrated Harbor Tour - Boarding at Pier 2 on North Harbor Drive
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City Cruises San Diego: Scenic 90-Minute Narrated Harbor Tour

14.City Cruises San Diego: Scenic 90-Minute Narrated Harbor Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 507 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $37Best value

Cruise San Diego Bay for 90 minutes on a Coast Guard certified yacht, with narration about Point Loma, Navy ships, Shelter Island, Coronado Bridge, the Midway, and more. You can buy snacks, beer, and cocktails onboard. Arrive 30 minutes early at Pier 2.

“Best of Bay cruise is really great. The ship is very modern and comfortable. The narration is very knowledgeable and helpful. Saw the best sites in San Diego.”

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SoCal Riviera Electric Bike Tour of La Jolla and Mount Soledad - Starting at Herschel Avenue
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SoCal Riviera Electric Bike Tour of La Jolla and Mount Soledad

15.SoCal Riviera Electric Bike Tour of La Jolla and Mount Soledad

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend 2.5 hours riding a powerful electric bike through La Jolla with guides such as Justin, Tyler, Nicole, or Peter. Stop for sea lions, seals, surf, tide pools, neighborhoods, and the Mount Soledad memorial. The pace is relaxed, but you must be comfortable riding in traffic and on hills.

“Fun and informative tour that was pretty relaxed and a lot of fun. Brian was a great guide and told us a lot about what we were seeing.”

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New in Tours

★ 3.0All Day San Diego Scenic TourFrom $1255 reviews
★ 5.0All-Inclusive Private Wine Tour in BajaFrom $6893 reviews
★ 4.02Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Downtown & Balboa ParkFrom $816 reviews
★ 3.5Ultimate La Jolla Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle9 reviews
★ 4.5Two Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour for Two in La Jolla34 reviews
★ 5.0The Mount Soledad E-Bike TourFrom $1194 reviews
★ 5.0Sunset Electric Bike Tour of La Jolla10 reviews
★ 4.0San Diego Bay 1.5-Hour Guided Kayak Tour in Coronado7 reviews
★ 4.01.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego7 reviews
★ 4.5La Jolla Segway TourFrom $19916 reviews
★ 5.0Guided Historic La Jolla Village Walking TourFrom $599 reviews
★ 5.0La Jolla Electric Bike TourFrom $993 reviews
★ 5.0La Jolla E-Scooter Tour with Photos IncludedFrom $794 reviews
★ 4.0Coronado Bike TourFrom $595 reviews
★ 4.52 Hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour for Two9 reviews

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Cruises & Boat Tours63San Diego Whale Watching18San Diego Food Tours22La Jolla Tours47San Diego Zoo Tickets7San Diego Walking Tours27
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Pick a San Diego day

Water, streets, neighborhoods, or a run out of town.

On the water

Boat TripsWhale TripsSailingSea Cave KayaksSunset Cruises

On foot

Walking ToursFood ToursGhost WalksBar CrawlsBrewery Tours

Neighborhoods

La JollaGaslamp QuarterCoronadoBalboa ParkOld Town

Out of town

TijuanaWine CountryThe ZooCity SightseeingThe Coast