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The Private San Diego Tour: The Full Experience from Encinitas
This private tour includes tiered pricing for up to 14 guests—the more in your group, the lower the per-person rate. Ideal for families, friends, or team outings.
Begin with sweeping coastal views from Mount Soledad, then visit La Jolla Cove to see sea lions and tide pools. Continue to Old Town San Diego to explore adobe buildings and California’s early history, followed by a lunch break (meals not included) at Seaport Village on the bay.
Next, enjoy a narrated drive through the Gaslamp Quarter, filled with tales of Wyatt Earp and the city’s Wild West roots. Cross the Coronado Bridge for incredible views and stop at the iconic Hotel del Coronado. Cruise down Orange Avenue before returning via Balboa Park and Little Italy, with its cafés and historic charm.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Encinitas Pickup – Hotels & Short-Term Rentals If you're staying at a hotel or vacation rental in Encinitas, we offer convenient door-to-door pickup. Just enter your address at checkout—we’ll confirm if it’s within our normal pickup zone. On the morning of your tour, you’ll receive a text with your exact pickup time, and your guide will arrive in a clearly marked tour vehicle. If your location falls outside our range, we’ll direct you to the nearest meeting point at Encinitas Station.
Meeting Point: Encinitas Station – 25 E D St, Encinitas, CA 92024. Public transit station not affiliated with our company. Parking may be limited or regulated. For the smoothest start, use a rideshare or request hotel/short-term rental pickup if you're nearby.
Itinerary
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1Mount Soledad Memorial Park
Take in the Views from Mount Soledad Kick off your San Diego adventure with a stop at Mount Soledad—home to sweeping coastal views and one of the city’s most meaningful landmarks. Soak in panoramic sights stretching from La Jolla to Mexico, and take a moment at the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial, a peaceful tribute to American service members. It’s a stunning and reflective start to your day.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Lifeguard La Jolla Cove
Stroll the Shores of La Jolla Cove Get up close to San Diego’s wild side at La Jolla Cove, where dramatic cliffs meet crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life. Watch sea lions lounge on the rocks, wander through tide pools, or relax in the grassy expanse of Ellen Browning Scripps Park. With its postcard-perfect views and lively coastal charm, this stop is a favorite for nature lovers and photographers alike.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Old Town San Diego
Step Back in Time in Old Town San Diego Known as the birthplace of California, Old Town brings the past to life with adobe buildings, colorful shops, and lively plazas. Stroll through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, explore the Whaley House Museum, or relax in the gardens of Heritage and Presidio Parks. It’s a charming blend of history, culture, and fun—perfect for soaking up San Diego’s roots.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Seaport Village
Lunch Stop (meals not included): Dine and Unwind at the Embarcadero Take a midday break along San Diego’s picturesque Embarcadero waterfront. With plenty of casual and sit-down dining options at Seaport Village—ranging from seafood spots to taco stands and cafes—it’s the perfect place to grab lunch with a view. Soak in harbor breezes, explore boutique shops, or relax by the bay before continuing your San Diego adventure.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
5Gaslamp Quarter
Drive-Through: Gaslamp Quarter – San Diego’s Wild West Past As we pass through the Gaslamp Quarter, your guide will dive into its gritty Wild West history—once a haven for saloons, brothels, and shootouts. Legendary lawmen like Wyatt Earp even ran gambling halls here in the late 1800s. Today, the area mixes historic charm with buzzing nightlife, Victorian architecture, and the iconic Gaslamp Archway—offering a vivid glimpse into San Diego’s colorful evolution.
Admission ticket free -
6Coronado Bridge
Scenic Drive: Coronado Bridge – A Sky-High View of San Diego As we cross the sweeping Coronado Bridge, enjoy panoramic views of the San Diego Bay, downtown skyline, and even Mexico on a clear day. Your guide will share stories about the bridge’s engineering marvel and its role in connecting the historic island community of Coronado to the mainland. Keep your camera ready—this is one of the most iconic drives in Southern California.
Admission ticket free -
7Coronado Island
Coronado Island: Naval History, Iconic Views, and a Stop at Hotel del Coronado As we cross onto Coronado Island, we’ll first pass by the historic North Island Naval Air Station—home to the U.S. Navy’s oldest airfield. Then, we’ll stop at the legendary Hotel del Coronado, a grand Victorian-era resort that has welcomed presidents, royalty, and movie stars since 1888. You'll have time to explore the grounds, stroll along the beach, or grab a coffee. Afterward, we’ll cruise down scenic Orange Avenue, lined with shops and charming neighborhoods, before making your way back over the Coronado Bridge with stunning views of the bay.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Balboa Park
Balboa Park: San Diego’s Cultural Heartbeat As we pass through Balboa Park, you’ll glimpse one of the largest urban parks in the country—home to over a dozen museums, lush gardens, and the famous San Diego Zoo. This 1,200-acre gem blends nature, architecture, and culture. Look out for the ornate Spanish Colonial Revival buildings lining El Prado, the domed Botanical Building, and outdoor venues like the Starlight Bowl and Old Globe Theatre. It’s the soul of San Diego’s art, history, and science—all in one beautifully walkable space.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9Little Italy
Explore Little Italy Drive through San Diego’s stylish Little Italy, a lively neighborhood known for its rich Italian heritage, trendy restaurants, and boutique shops. From the bustling Mercato farmers market to bay views at Waterfront Park and the charm of Piazza Basilone, this stop blends history, culture, and culinary flair into one unforgettable district.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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