Experience San Diego’s scenic highlights and historic landmarks on a full-day tour of the 'America's finest city'. Listen to the legends behind San Diego's most important sites as you skirt the bay to Coronado Island, explore the Embarcadero then follow lush roads into Balboa Park’s elegant gardens and museums. Pause to find lunch in a Gaslamp Quarter restaurant, take in La Jolla’s world-class shopping district and sweeping coastline and finish your day in the heart of downtown San Diego.
7-hour sightseeing tour of San Diego
Drive to Coronado Island, the Embarcadero and Balboa Park
Take a break to explore the Gaslamp Quarter on foot
See La Jolla Cove, and enjoy sweeping views from Mt Soledad
Relax with convenient minivan transport from downtown
What To Expect
Another Side Of San Diego Tours
After meeting your insightful guide downtown, take a seat inside the comfortable minivan to start your full-day exploration of San Diego, one of Southern California’s most scenic cities. Throughout this driving tour, you’ll stop at a number of prime spots where you can hop out of the van for photo ops and to enjoy bottled water and provided snacks.
• Admission Ticket Included
Coronado Bridge
The San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge is a symbol of the San Diego area-just as the Golden Gate or San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridges.
• Admission Ticket Included
Coronado Island
“The Crowned One” in Spanish, Coronado island is a jewel of the coast. Surrounded by silvery mica-laced beaches, and full of art galleries, small shops, and renowned restaurants, it is a beach paradise. The island has been attracting visitors since before the 1880s and is a must-see for any vacationer looking for that SoCal beach experience.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
The Coronado Ferry Landing
The main port from the island to San Diego Downtown offers an unparalleled view of the city. Iconic shops and restaurants line the shoreline as soon as you step off of the dock.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Coronado Beach
The Coronado Beach is popular with surfers and sunbathers alike. The sands are silvery and smooth, complete with a backdrop of historic homes and a dog run at the end.
• Admission Ticket Free
Hotel del Coronado
The Hotel Del Coronado is a historic building with classic bright red Victorian architecture that’s overlooked the waters of Coronado Beach for 130 years. Known for hosting many celebrities and US presidents, the Del was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
• Admission Ticket Free
Embarcadero
The Embarcadero lays along the eastern side of San Diego Bay, Embarcadero meaning “landing place”. The Embarcadero is home to the USS Midway museum, Seaport Village, many popular modern restaurants, and the famous Unconditional Surrender ‘victory kiss’ statue.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Gaslamp Quarter
During the tour we stop at the Gaslamp Quarter for a 1 hour lunch-break.
The Gaslamp Quarter, known as the Historic Heart of San Diego, is a 16 block downtown neighborhood full of nightlife and world-renowned restaurants. Full of Victorian architecture and small museums, as well as Horton Plaza Park and Petco Park, it’s a must-see.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a 1,200 acre park full of museums, the beautiful Spanish Art Village, restaurants and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. It was placed in reserve in 1835 and remains one of Americas oldest public parks, right in the heart of downtown San Diego.
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden
The Rose Garden of Balboa Park features a stunning 1,600 roses of 130 species with new species and verities of roses added every year. The garden is in bloom throughout March to December and is a three-acre walk of color and beauty.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Spanish Village Art Center
The Spanish Art village was originally constructed in 1935 for the California Pacific International Exposition, it designed as a colorful vibrant small courtyard meant to invoke the feeling of being transported to a country village in Spain. Today it is a thriving community of artisans, everything from blacksmiths to glass-blowers to basket weavers.
• Admission Ticket Free
Botanical Building and Lily Pond
The Botanical Building houses over some 2,100 tropical plants, ferns and palms, and full of seasonal flowers all reflected beautifully in the long glimmering lily pond. Built for the1915 to 1916 California Pacific International Exposition, it is a unique and well loved portion of the park.
• Admission Ticket Free
La Jolla Cove
A picturesque beach surrounded by water-carved cliffs and full of tidepools and favorite seal spotting areas. The shoreline is protected as part of a marine reserve and full of barely-touched natural beauty.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
El Prado
The El Prado in Balboa Park is a historic district and part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The complex contains the Cabrillo Bridge, the Museum of Man, Alcazar Garden, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the San Diego Museum of Art and much more.
• Admission Ticket Free
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Crowned with a white cross, the Mt. Soledad memorial honors living and dead soldiers from the Revolutionary War all the way to the modern War on Terror. It features black granite slabs honoring everyone from Presidents, to the common every-day solider protecting American freedoms.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Highlight
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
Please arrive at 8:45am to check-in, this is a semi-private tour so there will be other guests! If you are late the tour may depart without you. Please be courteous to other guests by arriving early and on time for the tour.
Lyft & Uber: We are listed on the ride share apps as ‘Another Side Of San Diego Tours’. Ride-shares are the preferred and best way for our guests to come to us.
Parking Option 1: The LAZ Parking lot is located at 8th Ave. and G Street. The address is: 665 8th Ave San Diego, CA 92101
Parking Option 2: The Park-It-On-Market lot is located at 7th Ave. and Market Street. The address is: 614 Market St. San Diego, CA 92101
Parking Option 3: The next closest all day lot is at the corner of 2nd Ave. and Island. The lot is directly across from 100 Harbor Club Dr. San Diego, CA 92101 **Not available from 7/1 thru 7/31 due to Comic Con***
A minimum of 4 people are required for this tour to go. Solo travelers welcome.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 999 travelers
Include
Narration by a professional guide
Transport by Mercedes Tour Van
Bottled Water and Small Snacks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclude
Lunch
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities