The Private Balboa Park Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 24 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Private Balboa Park Tour worth booking?
The Private Balboa Park Tour is a 2-hour experience in San Diego, United States, from $199 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 24 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (24)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $199 per person
Explore San Diego's Balboa Park with a private guide, and hear informative narration about this 1,200-acre (485-hectare) cultural icon, declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1977. See areas like the Botanical
What you get
About this experience
Explore San Diego's Balboa Park with a private guide, and hear informative narration about this 1,200-acre (485-hectare) cultural icon, declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1977. See areas like the Botanical Building or Rose Garden, and pass by a plethora of museums as you learn about the park’s history and architecture. Travel from your hotel to Balboa Park by luxury vehicle, and enjoy provided bottled water and snacks during this 2-hour tour.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Round Trip Pick-up and Drop-off
- Narration by professional guide
- Bottled Water and Small Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Transportation by Mercedes Sprinter
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Entrance fees to attractions, unless specified
What you'll see and do
Balboa Park
Where culture, science, and nature collide, Balboa Park is home to more than 16 museums, multiple performing arts venues, lovely gardens, trails, and many other creative and recreational attractions. A variety of cultural institutions among its 1,200 beautiful and lushly planted acres, there is something for everyone. Home of the San Diego Zoo. (Something to see another time).
Pass by without stopping
Village Art Center
San Diego’s coveted secret for art lovers at Spanish Village Art Center. Located between the Zoo and theNAT these quaint buildings and colorful courtyard were originally built in 1935. They depicted a charming old village in Spain for the second California Pacific International Exposition.
Pass by without stopping
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum
The Japanese Friendship Garden ("JFG") is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama.
Pass by without stopping
Museum of Us
Specializing in cultural anthropology, the Museum of Us explores the human experience from multicultural perspectives to spark dialogue, self-reflection, and human connections. During your visit, you’ll explore a variety of unique, interactive exhibits that cover a vast range of human history and culture.
Pass by without stopping
Botanical Building and Lily Pond
The Botanical Building with the Lily Pond and Lagoon in the foreground is one of the most photographed scenes in Balboa Park. The Lily Pond, built as a reflecting pool for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition features annual plantings of water lilies and lotus. The plantings inside of the Botanical Building include orchid displays, cycads and palms, a scratch-and-sniff garden, and seasonal displays.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
San Diego Natural History Museum
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat). From rattlesnakes and flesh-eating beetles, to dinosaurs and fossils, to historic archives and art, there’s something for every type of nature nerd here at the home of one the oldest biological research centers in the region. Visitors will be impressed by the unique, interactive exhibitions that span across five floors. The museum features a giant-screen theater with daily showings, as well as rotating exhibitions that bring nature to life.
Pass by without stopping
Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden
The Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden contains more than 1,600 roses including Hybrid Teas, Florabundas, Grandifloras, Miniature Shrubs, and Old Roses.
Pass by without stopping
Comic-con Museum
The Comic-Con Museum will encourage an appreciation of comics and related popular arts through exhibits, programs and events drawn from across the Comic-Con universe. Considered the cultural heart of San Diego, Balboa Park is already home to numerous museums, galleries and theaters along with the famous San Diego Zoo. Now, with the help of the City of San Diego, CCI is in the process of converting the 1935 Federal Building into what is planned to be a world-class museum by day, and a very unique fan community venue by night.
Pass by without stopping
California Tower
The California Tower, the soaring, intricately detailed, portion of the California Building, is an icon of San Diego, and can be seen from miles around. The building houses the San Diego Museum of Us. The nearly 200-foot-tall Tower and Dome of the California Building are covered with intricate carvings, colorful tile, and glass beads.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
This unique organ contains more than 5,000 pipes ranging in length from the size of a pencil to 32 feet and is the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world. The Spreckels Organ is housed in an ornate vaulted structure with highly embellished gables.
Pass by without stopping
The Old Globe
Modeled after Shakespeare’s Old Globe in London, the Old Globe. Theatre was built in 1935 for the presentation of abridged versions of Shakespeare’s plays as part of the California Pacific International Exposition.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Diego
Our office is inside the brick-lined courtyard next to the Horton Plaza parking garage, look for the Another Side Tours sign and the blue door. Please see 'Additional Information' for information on where to park or call us at 1-619-239-2111
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Our office is inside the brick-lined courtyard next to the Horton Plaza parking garage, look for the Another Side Tours sign and the blue door. Please see 'Additional Information' for information on where to park or call us at 1-619-239-2111
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Another Side Of San Diego Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children 5 and under are free
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- This is mostly a walking tour of the park, but you will also travel by private vehicle to sites that are too far to reach on foot
- Lyft & Uber: We are listed on the ride share apps as 'Another Side Of San Diego Tours'. Ride-shares are the preferred and best way for our guests to come to us.
- Parking Option 1: The LAZ Parking lot is located at 8th Ave. and G Street. The address is: 665 8th Ave San Diego, CA 92101
- Parking Option 2: The Park-It-On-Market lot is located at 7th Ave. and Market Street. The address is: 614 Market St. San Diego, CA 92101
- Parking Option 3: The next closest all day lot is at the corner of 2nd Ave. and Island. The lot is directly across from 100 Harbor Club Dr. San Diego, CA 92101 **Not available from 7/1 thru 7/31 due to Comic Con***
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 24 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
24 verified traveler reviews for The Private Balboa Park Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent walking tour. ...
Excellent walking tour. Guide was very knowledgable and friendly, and he came prepared with water and snacks! Thank you for a full education on Balboa Park!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much, Cynthia, for taking the time to share your experience with us. I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Private Balboa Park Walking Tour and that your guide made the experience both educational and welcoming. Our team takes great pride in being well prepared, from sharing in depth knowledge of the park to making sure guests are comfortable with water and snacks along the way. Balboa Park has such a rich history and so many fascinating stories, and I am glad you were able to experience it in a thoughtful and engaging way. Thank you again for choosing our small, family run company. We would love to welcome you back again in San Diego or on one of our experiences in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or Maui. All The Best, Kenneth
via Viator
Great Tour!!!
We had a wonderful tour with Judy. She was pleasant, knowledgeable and tailored our experience based on our likes. We were the only 2 on this tour. She had snacks, waters for us. She let us spend more time where we wanted and guided us through the important areas. We were in a van and stopped where we wanted. Excellent experience!
Response from the operator: Dear BatchFam, Thank you so much for this fantastic review of our Private Balboa Park Tour! I'm absolutely delighted to hear that Judy provided you with such a wonderful and personalized experience. Judy truly shines when it comes to tailoring tours to our guests' interests, and I'm so pleased she was able to customize your private experience perfectly. Her knowledge of Balboa Park's many treasures combined with that personal attention makes for an unbeatable combination! Having the comfort of our van and the freedom to stop wherever you wanted sounds like the perfect way to explore one of San Diego's crown jewels. We would absolutely love to welcome you back for another adventure! If you're ever interested in exploring more destinations, please know that we also have an office in Las Vegas, so we can help you discover even more amazing experiences beyond San Diego. Thank you again for choosing Another Side Tours and for sharing your excellent experience! Warm regards, Kenneth President & CEO Another Side Tours
via Tripadvisor
Enjoyed The Balboa Park Scavenger Hunt!!!
Thank you to the entire staff at Another Side of San Diego Tours. I am especially appreciative to Alana Verdugo, the Operations Manager, who reserved and customized our experience. The tour guides were phenomenal and knowledgeable about Balboa Park. Amy was the best Team 3 guide and won the challenge! Thank you for providing water and snacks for everyone. That really helped provide us with a bit of energy as we were running or speed walking trying to find answers to clues. Well worth the time, money, energy!!!!!
Response from the operator: Dear Glenda, Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with our Balboa Park Scavenger Hunt! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it worthwhile. We're especially pleased that you appreciated Alana's efforts in customizing your experience. It's great to know that our tour guides, particularly Amy, were knowledgeable and contributed to making your hunt both fun and informative. We're glad the provided refreshments helped keep your energy up during the challenge. It's feedback like yours that motivates us to continue providing exceptional experiences for our guests. Thank you again for choosing Another Side of San Diego Tours. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! Best regards, Kenneth
via Tripadvisor
Segway tour of Balboa Park
Took a segway tour around Balboa Park with my husband and teenage children. It was brilliant! Mari was a great guide, knowledgable and very friendly. She explained how to use the segways in an easy to understand manner and we had no problems at all. The park is stunning and the segways were a great way to see it, plus keeping the kids happy! Highly recommended.
Response from the operator: Dear U3438MIpaulf, Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience of our Private Balboa Park Segway Tour. As the CEO, I'm thrilled to hear that you and your family had such an enjoyable time exploring the park on our Segways. It's fantastic to know that Mari provided excellent guidance, both in terms of Segway operation and sharing her knowledge about Balboa Park. We take great pride in our guides' expertise and friendly demeanor, so it's rewarding to hear that Mari exemplified these qualities during your tour. I'm particularly pleased that the Segway tour was a hit with your teenage children. Our goal is to offer an engaging experience for all ages, and it's gratifying to hear that we succeeded in keeping everyone in your family happy and entertained. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your positive feedback. We hope to welcome you and your family back for another adventure in the future. Thank you again for choosing our Segway tour for your Balboa Park experience. Your satisfaction is what drives us to maintain and improve our service. Best regards, Kenneth, CEO of Another Side Tours, Inc.
via Tripadvisor
Balboa Park by Segways
We did the 2.5 hour Segway tour of Balboa Park. It was fantastic! Mari Ridenour was a great tour guide, fun, nice, and informative. Segways are a great way to see the huge and wonderful Balboa Park. On a Segway you can see so much of the park. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Dear 995jodis, Thank you for your wonderful review of our Private Balboa Park Segway Tour! We are delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic experience exploring the beauty and grandeur of Balboa Park with Mari as your guide. At Another Side Of San Diego Tours, we are passionate about offering unique and engaging ways to discover the highlights of our city. Our Segway tours are designed to provide a fun, efficient, and eco-friendly way to cover more ground and see the sights from a different perspective. It's great to know that you found the Segway to be the perfect mode of transportation for exploring the expansive and captivating Balboa Park. We are thrilled to hear that Mari was a great tour guide – fun, nice, and informative. Our guides are not only knowledgeable about the history and culture of San Diego but also skilled at creating a warm and enjoyable atmosphere for our guests. Mari is a valuable member of our team, and we are proud to know that she contributed to making your tour such a memorable experience. Your high recommendation means a great deal to us, and we are grateful for your support. We will be sure to pass along your compliments to Mari and the rest of our team, as feedback like yours motivates us to continue delivering exceptional experiences for every guest. Thank you again for choosing Another Side Of San Diego Tours and for taking the time to share your thoughts. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to San Diego and perhaps even guiding you through another one of our exciting tours in the future! Best regards, Kenneth CEO, Another Side Of San Diego Tours
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
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Private Balboa Park Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Diego.
How much does The Private Balboa Park Tour cost?
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Prices start at $199 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 The Private Balboa Park Tour 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 The Private Balboa Park Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 24 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 The Private Balboa Park Tour?
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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 The Private Balboa Park Tour 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 The Private Balboa Park Tour?
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Around 8 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 The Private Balboa Park Tour 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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