
2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 76 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park worth booking?
2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park is a 2-hour experience in San Diego, United States, from $90 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 76 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (76)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $90 per person
This is a must-do tour for the young and young at heart! Drive your GoCar to San Diego’s signature sights like Balboa Park, Downtown and the Embarcadero - San Diego's waterfront district. At Balboa Park, marvel at the Sp
What you get
About this experience
This is a must-do tour for the young and young at heart! Drive your GoCar to San Diego’s signature sights like Balboa Park, Downtown and the Embarcadero - San Diego's waterfront district. At Balboa Park, marvel at the Spanish Renaissance Architecture or visit one of the many museums. Continue to Downtown San Diego and see the historic Maritime Museum and USS Midway. A GoCar is the most fun way to explore these diverse areas, at your own pace with GPS directions and commentary to keep you entertained along the way!
What's included
Included
- Map
- Tank of gas
- Rental of GPS touring car
- Rider orientation
- 8.75% environmental fee for carbon offset, gasoline and tire recycling
- Helmets
Not included
- Gratuities (optional)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Little Italy
Start your tour in historic Little Italy, home to the Italian community and see how it has evolved into the modern business and artistic community it is today.
Pass by without stopping
Maritime Museum of San Diego
The Maritime Museum in San Diego is one of the world's top three maritime museums and for good reason! Visit the museum with its variety of exhibits and don't miss the Star of India, built in 1863 and still sailing today!
Pass by without stopping
USS Midway Museum
Drive by the USS Midway on your GoCar Tour. This once active aircraft carrier, now museum is home to over 60 exhibits including the flight deck, galley, engine room and more. The USS Midway was the longest serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century.
Pass by without stopping
Seaport Village
As you head towards the coast, you can't miss Seaport VIllage. This quaint area is home to a variety of shops, restaurants and experiences. Open daily from 10am-9pm (subject to change).
Pass by without stopping
Petco Park
The home of the San Diego Padres is Petco Park! This large sporting venue dominates the bayfront area. Behind-the-scenes tours are available to purchase.
Pass by without stopping
Balboa Park
Drive through Balboa Park, a stunning 1,200 acre park in the middle of San Diego. Featuring many attractions such as the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, the Air & Space Museum, The Museum of Art and more!
Pass by without stopping
San Diego Zoo
Drive by the San Diego Zoo, one of the most renowned zoos in the world and is home to over 12,000 rare and endangered animals.
Pass by without stopping
Gaslamp Quarter
Make your way into the Gaslamp Quarter which was once San Diego’s red-light district and see how it has been re-imagined into the social scene it is today
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Diego
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 2 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- GoCar Tours San Diego
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Driver's License Required and be 21+ to Drive
- Optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is available upon request at check-in and costs approximately $19
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 76 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
76 verified traveler reviews for 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Riding Tour but no Walking.
We could have used an anchor or hanger for a folded walker (tongue in cheek but would have been nice) First 5 minutes were terrifying having never driven a 3-wheel vehicle before but GPS was spot on and route felt safe at all times. Having left the walker behind we weren’t able to check out any of the walking options, but made notes and returned in our own vehicle later.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing time
Check was easy. Staff was really nice and personable. Car was easy to navigate and gps directions were concise. I would highly recommend anyone visiting San Diego to do this tour! 10/10
via Tripadvisor
Fun way to see the sites
We enjoyed the tour. The GPS directions were easy to follow and we had big smiles the whole time. Great way to get some local history, as well as the general lay out of San Diego. The go car was easy to drive and maneuver. The staff was also very informative. Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
You will love it!
SO MUCH FUN and a great way to see the city!!!
via Tripadvisor
Book the slingshot
We booked the slingshot and it was easy to drive and lots of power. The speaker guided us through and gave some great insight of the city and it was easy to follow the route. Great experience
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $90 to $179
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 27
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Diego.
How much does 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park cost?
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Prices start at $90 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Diego usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Diego is not rushed.
Is 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 76 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Diego, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park?
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Around 27 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Diego can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Diego and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Diego within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Diego?
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San Diego is an outdoor-first city: whale watching from December through April, La Jolla kayak and snorkel runs year round, harbour cruises and the USS Midway, plus Balboa Park museums when the marine layer sits low. We rank water operators on group ratios and gear quality, which is where the cheap La Jolla trips fall down. On Outty we rank every San Diego experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date, Taste of Little Italy in San Diego, San Diego Whale Watching Cruise. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
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March to May and September to November, either side of the June overcast. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Diego?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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