Top San Diego Nature and Wildlife Tours

The renowned San Diego Zoo Safari Park presents more than 3,500 animals roaming in large enclosures that replicate their natural habitat. Go on a safari adventure unlike any other outside of Africa itself, with exhibits inspired by the African Serengeti and the Asian Savanna. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the Safari Park. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit.

Meet some of the world's most exotic animals with your admission ticket to the renowned San Diego Zoo, one of California's top family-friendly attractions. More than 4,000 animals representing 800 species live in this state-of-the-art zoo, including some that are rarely seen at other zoos. Admire the animals and go in-depth during daily keeper talks and guided bus tours. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit.

View more than 4,000 animals roaming in large enclosures on a 2-day visit to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This admission ticket allows you to spend two days at the Zoo, or split your time between the Zoo and the Safari Park. At the zoo, see the diverse collection of animals, many of which are not present at other zoos in the United States. The Safari Park is inspired by the Serengeti Plains in Africa and the Asian plains and is home to lions, tigers, zebras, which you can see from the a 32-acre (13-hectare) safari trail. Access to all shows and exhibits, as well as use of all the in-park transportation, are included. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Take a trip through American naval history with admission to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. This enormous ship, known as the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now offers a range of interactive exhibits, a self-guided audio tour and numerous restored aircraft across its 4-acre (1.6-hectare) flight deck and sections below. It’s an essential piece of San Diego’s, and America’s, military history.

Take a tour of San Diego's most-popular park during this Segway exploration of Balboa Park. Follow your friendly local guide to all of the hot spots and learn why locals love the laid back vibe of this coastal destination.

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.

Get the best chance of seeing whales and dolphins on a private boat tour. Your party will have the run of the boat, including an enclosed cabin, an observation tower, and a restroom. Your experienced USCG-certified captain knows the best places to spot wildlife and will provide engaging commentary on the local marine ecosystem.

Save money by booking a San Diego Explorer Pass, which grants you access to your choice of two to seven local attractions and activities at discounted rates. The pass is valid for 60 days after first use, making it great for visitors and San Diego residents alike. Available attractions include the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego natural History Museum as well as speedboat tours and bike rentals.

A Must See In San Diego! The Balboa Park Hidden Gems Tour takes you on a 1.5 hour guided walking tour highlighting some of the most iconic locations in San Diego. We'll talk about the history of the area and I'll show you where several important events have taken place over the past 100+ years. Why Take A Tour of Balboa Park? A walking tour is a great to get the most out of your day in Balboa Park. 1.5 hours is just enough time to see all of the highlights, and hear some interesting stories about the park's history along the way. What To Expect The tour begins at the Plaza de Panama in the center of Balboa Park. We will discuss the history of California and San Diego. Then we begin a one 1 mile walk on mostly flat pavement. I will explain the history of Balboa Park's amazing architecture and beautiful gardens as we make our way through one of San Diego's most iconic locations.

Explore San Diego's Old Town in a new and engaging way with a self-guided scavenger hunt. Download the game directly to your smartphone, and then follow clues and solve riddles that take you around historic locations like an artisan market, a historic cemetery, the haunted Whaley House, and more. Start and stop the game on your own schedule for a fun and flexible adventure.

Take a private boat trip out into the sunset with this private, romantic cruise. Your skipper will take you out into Mission Bay in a private boat, complete with its own observation tower for 360-degree views of your surroundings. Cheese and crackers will be provided and you are welcome to bring a bottle of wine on board.

Live the California Dream and experience San Diego’s outstanding coastal scenery during your private tour, led personally by Julie Kremen, an award winning professional and certified tour guide. Read the reviews and see why she is top-rated on TripAdvisor. Besides seeing magnificent sites, you will learn what makes the area’s 70 miles of coastline so special — including learning about the culture, the history, and the lifestyles of the locals. Breezy palm trees, captivating coastal vistas, postcard perfect cliffs, colorful beach umbrellas, hidden sea caves, picturesque ocean coves, crashing waves… Need we say more? This is the quintessential Southern California beach and seascape tour you’ve always wanted to do. Live the California Dream! Note: This 4 hour private tour is fully customizable; contact Julie to book as described above or discuss how to change to suit your needs.

San Diego County is the most bio-diverse county in the United States. After you do our magnificent walks, you will understand and appreciate so much about our variety of nature here, in the southwest-most corner of the United States. Enjoy San Diego’s nature without a big crowd of people on a private excursion of mini hikes led by award-winning tour guide Julie Kremen. You will be walking for a total of approximately 2 hours, but each walk will be in a very different setting, so you will experience a lot of natural variety. The type of scenery and landscapes you will experience is what makes San Diego unique from other places. You will enjoy three very different mini nature hikes (from 15-40 minutes) in outstanding natural settings. Each one is in a hidden, off-the-beaten path place right in the middle of our urban city! Note: This 3 hour private tour is fully customizable; contact Julie to book as described above or to discuss how to change to suit your needs.

Feel the good vibes of the California coast as you stroll the sands of San Diego’s best beaches on this 4-hour tour. Sip a refreshing iced tea at the historic Hotel Del Coronado before checking out iconic strips of sand including Ocean Beach, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, where you’ll stop for lunch. Finish your day amidst the postcard-perfect views of La Jolla Cove, admiring the resident sea lions, seals and pelicans that call the area home. All beach entrance fees, plus lunch, bottled water and a driver-guide, are included.

The Famous San Diego Tour is a private 2-hour sightseeing tour of San Diego. This tour begins when we come and pick you up and whisk you away on a fantastic sightseeing experience. On this tour we drive you through the most gorgeous landscape of coastline, trees, and real estate in San Diego. See the famous Gaslamp Quarter, like a portal through time, and the rest of our pristine downtown center. We also visit the opulent and crystalline Coronado Island; and see the historic Balboa Park where the roots of our fine city were largely laid. Although leisurely, you will be amazed at how much substantive and thorough knowledge we will share with you on this private driving tour. Take this tour and experience one of our most popular private tours. You will be glad you did. Complimentary snacks and beverages, along with a professional tour guide will entertain you throughout.