SAN DIEGO
San Diego’s best days out.
The 15 most popular things to do in San Diego, from harbor cruises and whale boats to the zoo, the La Jolla sea caves and a day across the border. All in one place.
San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass with mobile entry and unlimited Skyfari Tram plus bus tour. Easy planning, big animals, botanical beauty.
Most Popular“this zoo is amazing--and the ticket covers some nice extras like the sky bucket and tram ride. The zoo and plantings are amazing--no wonder it is the #1 zoo!”
Cruise San Diego Harbor for $37, with 1- or 2-hour options, narrated Navy views, Coronado Bridge, and marine life—plus deck seating.
“That a two hour excursion is really one hour first on one side of bay then do not get off. Stay on for other hour for the other side of the bay .”
Hop on and off a vintage trolley at 11 San Diego stops with live commentary, ideal for a car-free city overview over 1 or 2 days.
“Jack was our driver!! And I hope you know that you have a gem in him!! He made our experience FUN and full of laughs!! Really enjoyed our experience!!”
Sail the historic America schooner from San Diego for gray whale and dolphin sightings, with onboard snacks, plus guarantees and rebook options.
“Check-in was seamless, boarding was organized. We took the 11:00 tour which was apparently a good choice because we saw a total of seven whales. The entire crew was professional and friendly and made sure everyone had a great view. Our crew leader was exceptional and gave informative narration with interesting facts about whales and…”
Prebook USS Midway Museum admission in San Diego for an easy self-guided visit, with an audio tour and access to decks and restored aircraft.
“Amazing experience and so much to see + photo opportunities! You’d need at least 2 hours in here to take it all in.”
LEGOLAND California ticket for $64 with 60+ attractions plus optional Sea Life and Water Park add-ons, including a second day free upgrade.
“Check the rides map of Lego land before you go! Probably better to bring your lunch then you can spend more time for the attractions”
2–3 hours from Mission Bay to the open Pacific for whales and dolphins, guided by naturalists, with onboard restrooms and paid snacks.
“I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed iy”
See San Diego’s harbor from a modern yacht with 360-degree views, narrated history, and the Coronado Bridge plus military ships in 1–2 hours.
“I enjoyed the detailed history of the Naval fleet that was in port. My sister was career Navy and it really meant a lot.”
San Diego Zoo ticket that skips the admission line. One day of Galápagos tortoises, Polar Bear Plunge, Skyfari tram. $78.
“It was incredible! One of the best zoos I’ve ever been to. It was educational and fun. I’d recommend starting with the tour bus, then the Skyfari, that’s a great way to see 75% of it if you’re on a time crunch.”
Hop-on hop-off trolley in San Diego and Coronado with live narrated stops, Old Town history, Gaslamp streets, and Hotel del Coronado views.
“The two guides we had were excellent, Deb and Jack, especially Jack he was very entertaining with lots of fun facts, would definitely recommend the tour, to see San Diego, lots of places to get off and explore.”
San Diego Harbor dinner cruise on the Spirit of San Diego: 2.5-hour gourmet dinner, sparkling wine, bay views, and optional unlimited open bar.
“The food was terrible. Paid $20 extra to have surf and turf which was 3 pieces of shrimp and overcooked small steak. Probable 3 ounces of potatoes and 2 tiny carrot shavings. Dessert was one choice and was not edible.”
Amphibious land-and-water tour from Seaport Village to San Diego Bay, past SeaWorld and USS Midway, with narration and sea lion sightings.
“This was a great tour. Really enjoyed it and the tour guides were really professionals - they knew what they are doing. I highly recommend it”
Tandem kayak tour from La Jolla Shores to sea caves and kelp beds. Spot sea lions, birds, dolphins, and enjoy a surf ride.
“Kids loved the leopard sharks! The water was clear and beautiful. We could see so much sea life. Cassidy was fun and friendly.”
Skip the ticket line, ride the Skyfari tram, and hit top exhibits like Galápagos tortoises, Polar Bear Plunge, and Elephant Odyssey in one full day.
“The San Diego zoo was awesome. So many fascinating species from huge birds to exotic big cats. My favorite were the koalas and the gorillas. We took the sky tram which has a wonderful view of the zoo and area. I highly recommend spending the full day there and wearing comfortable shoes.”
A 2-hour luxury catamaran whale watch from Oceanside with live narration. Expect dolphins and sea lions, plus seasonal whale chances.
“It was a great day to be out on the ocean. Bring a coat as it can get chilly if you're standing on the front of the boat. The crew was great. We didn't see any whales on this trip however we did see a bunch of porpoise pods and some seals. Since we did…”
Every neighborhood, every stretch of coast, and every way to get out on the water.
