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San Diego Balboa Park Highlights Small Group Tour with Coffee

San Diego Balboa Park Highlights Small Group Tour with Coffee

Overview

There is so much more to beautiful Balboa Park than meets the eye, and you'll find all the secret spots on this small group walking tour of San Diego's cultural crown jewel. You'll see gardens of different types, inspiring architecture, learn about the park's history and the cultural organizations that populate it now. And top it all off with a beverage at a popular coffee cart.

- 2 hour walking tour of Balboa Park

- Learn how two expositions shaped the park and changed San Diego

- Discover the Naval connection to the park

- Be sure to bring a camera as this is the prettiest tour in town!

- Enjoy a beverage at a park coffee cart

City: San Diego

Sun 23 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

Sun 23 Feb

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

One beverage at a local coffee cart

Professional and Fun Tour Guide

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Let us know in advance if you would like an audio system.
Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.
Face masks provided for travellers
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

What To Expect

Balboa Park

Balboa Park is the cultural jewel of San Diego with architecture, gardens and cultural organizations a-plenty. Keep a camera handy as there are Instagramable spots around every corner.

Sefton Plaza

Sefton Plaza, located near the Park's west entrance, is where we begin our tour. We'll meet at the three large bronze statues of the founder's of the park, and learn how they shaped the city as well.

Cabrillo Bridge

We'll pause on our walk across the bridge to admire the views of downtown, the San Diego Zoo and the historic highway below.

California Tower

The California Tower is a landmark not only for the park but for San Diego as well. The nearly 200 foot tall tower was built for the 1915 Panama California Exposition, and the story of San Diego’s founding in it’s ornate facade. We’ll get three great views of the tower, each one prettier than the next.

Old Globe Theatre

The three theaters in this complex have wowed audiences since the original construction for the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935. Your guide will give you the scoop on getting tickets when shows are in production.

Spanish Village Art Center

This colorful collection of cottages, built for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition, house 37 studios and many more artists. You'll have a chance to explore this unique village, and grab a beverage too!

Botanical Building and Lily Pond

This building was the largest of its kind when built for the 1915 Exposition, and one of four buildings constructed to last past the festivities. In front of it is a historic pond where we will spot koi and other wildlife.

Show 4 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (51)

Valerie_S

Dec 2022

Jennifer has such an in depth knowledge of Balboa park and brought a lot of meaning , history and appreciation to this magnificent park! The time flew by! The smoothie was delicious too. Highly recommended

Y9142JTsueg

Dec 2022

My friend and I were the only ones on our Balboa Park Highlights tour so Jennifer became our private guide. Her walking pace was perfect. Her knowledge of Balboa Park was superb! Also her words were easy to understand. She was willing to answer questions. She allowed time for the taking of photos and even offered to take photos of us. I appreciated the suggestions she gave for things to do in Balboa Park after the conclusion of the morning tour, including places to go for lunch. Of course, we were delighted to find out that street parking near the starting point of the tour was free!

Response from Host

Dec 2022

It was a very nice morning and I so appreciate you joining me on tour and for taking the time to leave such nice and thorough feedback here. Both are greatly appreciated, and I'm glad that the suggestions for what to do after the tour (and the all important lunch!) worked out. Hope to see you the next time you're in town!

Sue_G

Dec 2022

Our tour guide Jennifer was very friendly and knowledgeable. She walked at a pace that was appropriate for us. She also suggested that the following day we visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park in the morning and the San Diego Zoo in the afternoon rather than the other way around. We followed her advice and found it to work well. Also she was right on time and respected our time. Her restaurant suggestions were very helpful, too.

Response from Host

Dec 2022

This is such lovely feedback and I'm delighted that you both enjoyed the tour and that my post-tour suggestions worked out so well. It was a very nice morning and I'm glad you enjoyed it too. Thanks so much for both joining me and for the kind words here!