Category Tour Reviews

San Diego · TOUR REVIEWS

The 15 Best Tours in San Diego

493 tours

From the kelp beds off La Jolla to the tasting rooms an hour inland, this is everything San Diego sells a ticket for, in one place. The 15 at the top are the ones that consistently beat the rest: what each costs, how long it takes, and who it suits, with the full catalogue underneath if none of them fits your week.

San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket

San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket - Mobile ticket and entry flow: how to avoid the first-day headaches

1.San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,248 reviews · 1 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $78Our pick

San Diego Zoo any-day mobile ticket with unlimited Skyfari tram and bus tour, plus giant panda strategy for a smoother visit.

“Suggest going early. Lines are shorter to get in and more parking is available. And it is cooler and lines for everything are shorter. The trolley rides are free and drivers are very informative- highly recommend! Also start you day by reserving a time to see the pandas. Failure to do so incurs long lines of waiting to get in on standby basis.”

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San Diego Harbor Cruise

San Diego: Harbor Cruise - The luxury yacht setup: indoor comfort, outdoor views, 360 degrees

3.San Diego Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,980 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $37Best value

San Diego Harbor cruise for $37: pick 1 or 2 hours, enjoy narrated Navy fleet views, Coronado Bridge sights, and sea lions.

“The travels I was with did a poor job at planning a birthday trip. The boat was big and empty and the tour guide was mediocre”

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San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

San Diego: Whale Watching Cruise - The real star: marine biologist narration that makes sightings click

5.San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,317 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85Top rated

Sail on the America schooner replica for a 4.5-hour San Diego whale watch, with snacks, commentary, and a whale sighting guarantee.

“I took my daughter and three of her friends for her 16th birthday the 2nd of January. We had an amazing whale watching experience! The crew was fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. The boat was very nice and comfortable, and it never felt overly crowded, which made the experience even better. We were lucky enough to see two gray whales—a mom and her baby—migrating together, which was absolutely incredible. The crew shared so much informative and interesting information about the whales and other marine life throughout the trip. The complimentary snacks and sodas were a really nice bonus, and when one of the kids started feeling…”

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USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date

USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date - Using the included audio tour without getting lost

6.USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,165 reviews · 2 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $41

USS Midway Museum admission in San Diego with skip-the-line entry and an included audio tour. Explore decks, aircraft, and views.

“Give yourself plenty of time. The dozens were very helpful and informative. I learned things about navigation that I have been curious about for a long time.”

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LEGOLAND® California Theme Park Admission Tickets

LEGOLAND® California Theme Park Admission Tickets - What your mobile admission ticket really means on arrival

San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise - Mission Beach and Ocean Beach views before you even start scanning

8.San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,588 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $71

San Diego whale and dolphin cruise from Mission Bay. Spot gray whales and dolphins in open ocean, with onboard naturalists, snacks, and great views.

“Experience was amazing even with the rainfall we had that day. Staff was great and communicative. Wish their mic didn't have so many interruptions, but was still great! No complaints really, got to see some great stuff and wasn't expensive!”

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San Diego: Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour

San Diego: Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour - Boarding at Old Town, then choosing your pace

11.Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour

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

Ride an authentic narrated trolley through Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Coronado, then hop off for beach, parks, and city neighborhoods.

“I had very little time to see the city. This was a great way to get around. I managed to see as much as I could and complete sit within a day. I stopped at the Embarcadero, Coronado and then at Gaslamp Quarter. Easy to catch the trolley and they are generally on time. Not all the drivers were entertaining, I think Bini was great.”

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San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise - Inside the Spirit of San Diego: Indoor Comfort and Deck Time

12.San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,234 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

San Diego Harbor dinner cruise with gourmet dinner, skyline views, live entertainment, and optional unlimited open bar. About 3 hours.

“Easy to make reservations and changes. Good service, friendly staff, food was nicely presented and tasty.”

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San Diego Seal Tour

San Diego Seal Tour - The amphibious ride: what the 90 minutes feel like

13.San Diego Seal Tour

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

Cruise San Diego Bay in an amphibious vehicle, enjoy land-and-water sights, and learn maritime history with lively narration.

“This is mostly a tour in the boat mode of the vehicle. It was fun, informative and we really enjoyed it. The driver and tour guide were fabulous.”

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

La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour For Two (Tandem Kayak) - Meet at Avenida De La Playa, Then Be Early for Gear Time

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,205 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Kayak La Jolla Sea Caves in tandem with a naturalist guide. Expect wildlife, kelp forests, and possible cave time, weather permitting.

“Great kayak tour. Seeing all the wildlife and paddling through the waves was amazing. Our guide, Luka, was very friendly and helpful. I fully recommend the experience!”

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San Diego Zoo: 1-Day Admission Ticket

San Diego Zoo: 1-Day Admission Ticket - The 100-acre One-Day Game Plan that keeps you from missing the best parts