Top San Diego Half-day Tours

Tijuana, Mexico is a short trip across the border from San Diego. The Mexican border town had at one point achieved notoriety as a town of ill-repute, but this reputation is only a small part of the history of this colorful, interesting city. Dip your toe into the fun and hospitality of this town with locals who are eager to share the true story of Tijuana with you.

With an abundance of restaurants in San Diego’s Little Italy, it can sometimes be hard to differentiate between the tourist traps and the authentic local gems. Avoid the guesswork and get great local advice with this guided food tour. As well as having delicious tastings along the way—the tour is also a great way to learn about the architecture and history of the local area.

Venture south of the border from San Diego to explore the Mexican border city of Tijuana in a safe and engaging way. Tijuana can be somewhat daunting for tourists, but a local guide shows you around, from historic landmarks like the Tijuana Arch and Avenida Revolucion to shopping hotspots like the El Popo market, where you can pick up handmade Mexican souvenirs.

Sail into the setting sun aboard a Catalina style sailboat during this intimate cruise with a small group. Feel like you have the ship all to yourself on this trip that’s limited to just 6 total guests, watching as the last rays of the sun drop into the glistening waves. Enjoy the included beer, soft drinks and snacks during the ride, as well as jackets and wind gear in case you get cold. You can even plug in your own music to add to the fun. Departure times vary throughout the year. Guest must contact Sail San Diego after purchase for the exact departure time.

Explore some of the top highlights of San Diego with your or or two day trolley pass (depending on option selected) for the city’s Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour. Choose your own adventure as you get on and off the trolley at any of the 11 included stops, covering famous sights including the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway and the Cruise Ship Terminal, Little Italy, and many more. This San Diego trolley tour also features live commentary from the on-board guide during your ride.

Spend a few hours relaxing, sunbathing and sightseeing in the placid waters just off San Diego during this 1 or 2 hour San Diego Harbor cruise. Sit back and relax as you take in a fully-narrated tour, offering top-notch sight lines of the San Diego skyline, a cruise under Coronado Bridge, a look at the bustling US Naval fleet and a chance to spot some of the harbor’s resident sea lions. Choose between 1 and 2 hour cruise options, offering you two trips to fit your schedule and interests.

On this experience, relax in style aboard a luxury dinner cruise. Enjoy panoramic views from the boat's deck and take your time over a gourmet, 3-course meal, as you cruise past twinkling city lights that ring San Diego Bay. Listen to an entertaining DJ play music and enjoy an unforgettable evening, or celebrate a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion.

Spend happy hour on the water during this San Diego sunset cruise. Enjoy views of the water and city skyline as you glide through San Diego Bay.

Explore San Diego’s Downtown and Old Town sights in a fun and fast-paced way—on a GoCar tour. This sightseeing adventure takes the stress out of reading a map, as the car talks and shows you the way with its in-built GPS. Enjoy hearing stories as you explore the city’s most popular areas, including Little Italy, Mission Hills, Presidio Park, and the Gaslamp Quarter.

San Diego provides the perfect launching point for a whale-watching tour in California. Cruise on the Pacific Ocean in a sturdy boat with a professional crew, looking for gray whales as they migrate along the coast of North America. Dolphins, seals and seabirds are often spotted during this whale-watching tour and the crew provides informative commentary about the marine animals and environment. Bonus: if the crew does not find any whales during your cruise, you receive a complimentary ticket for another trip.

Explore downtown San Diego and Balboa Park on a 2.5-hour Segway tour. Follow your guide to historic sites like the Hall of Justice and Pantoja Park, then make your way through Little Italy and the expansive grounds of Balboa Park. In the park you glide past destinations including Founder’s Plaza, the San Diego Museum of Natural History, and the Inez Parker Memorial Rose Garden. Your guide provides commentary on San Diego's history and landmarks throughout the tour. Includes guide, use of equipment, and Segway orientation—no prior experience necessary.

Go whale watching from San Diego aboard a replica of a historic sailing schooner that won the world’s first America’s Cup sailing competition in 1851. Throughout your cruise, your expert guide shares informative commentary about gray whales, dolphins, and other marine animals, along with details about the US Navy sites you pass as you head out on the Pacific Ocean.

Encounter some of Earth's most magnificent creatures on a 3-hour whale-watching cruise in San Diego. The voyage departs right from Mission Bay, so you’ll be out into the open ocean and looking for animals in just 10 short minutes. Marine biologists onboard help you spot whales and dolphins and learn about their life in the deep blue sea.

Explore San Diego at night under the moonlight with this 1.5-hour city lights tour. Travel from the city’s Gaslamp Quarter to Balboa Park and the Embarcadero. Catch sights of the historic San Diego County Administration Center, the USS Midway Museum, and the Star of India. Plus ride to the top of the Coronado Bridge and see sights lit up all over the city, as well as some from Tijuana.

Watch the sun set over San Diego during an all-inclusive small-group cruise aboard a classic sailboat. Pass landmarks such as the Maritime Museum, Coronado Bridge, and USS Midway, and look for sea lions, dolphins, and other wildlife around San Diego Harbor on the 2.5-hour cruise.

Experience the thrill of driving your own speed boat during this tour of San Diego Harbor. Learn the basics of boating from your expert guide before following your guide's boat around the harbor, cruising past highlights such as the USS Midway, a US Navy submarine, Coronado Bridge, Seaport Village, the cruise ship terminal, the historic ship Star of India and San Diego Maritime Museum. Learn from your guide about these landmarks via the onboard two-way communications system and stop for photo ops on this exciting tour.

Zoom around the waters of San Diego Bay on a jet boat ride that provides speed, splashes, and spins. As you race through the scenic waterway, your captain points out landmarks including the USS Midway, Coronado Island, Seaport Village, the Embarcadero, and the city skyline. Hang on as your captain takes your boat into power slides, 360-degree spins and other thrilling maneuvers—a high-octane twist on sightseeing in San Diego.

Enjoy a sailing adventure on a Catalina-style sailboat with just six people for a comfortable, semi-private experience (or, find five friends and fill up the whole boat). Sail in San Diego Harbor during the day. Sit back and relax to enjoy the water views while enjoying complimentary beer, soft drinks and snacks.

Experience the best of San Diego's coastline with our narrated driving tour of the most iconic beach communities and coastal attractions. Stop and hike at the stunning Torrey Pines State Reserve, walk the streets of La Jolla’s village, and enjoy the best views of San Diego from Cabrillo National Monument. With local tips and commentary along the way, this driving tour is the perfect way to sample the best of San Diego's coastal hot spots.

Explore Tijuana, Mexico, without getting lost on this day trip from San Diego, a great choice for first-time visitors. Visit cultural attractions, sample authentic Mexican street food at a sidewalk taco stand, and do some shopping and sightseeing. Opt to walk or take public transportation and experience the city like a local. Your guide can suggest stops and adapt the itinerary to fit the needs of the group.

Learn all about San Diego’s food scene in the Gaslamp District in the downtown area of the city. Your guide will take you to five different places to try five different large-size portions of local foods. You’ll learn about the history and culture of the area, too, and how that relates to food. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be walking for around three hours.

On our Secret Food Tours: San Diego, you'll see the downtown area and walk right into Gaslamp while enjoying dishes with influences from Mexico to the Far East. Your guide will take you on a mouth-watering food journey exploring diverse cuisine that has evolved over generations. Feast on the freshest fish Taco, the Melt Burger, sweets and of course our delicious Secret Dish! At the end of your tour, you'll have sampled some of San Diego's most delicious dishes and gained a better understanding of our culture and history.

Spend the day exploring Tijuana’s culture and history on this guided tour from San Diego. You’ll make the most of your visit to this border town by traveling with a guide, who provides navigation and in-depth commentary. Highlights include the Plaza Santa Cecilia, the Tijuana Arch, the History Museum, the city market, Pasaje Rodriguez, and others.