The Private San Diego Highlights Tour
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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
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Private San Diego Highlights Tour worth booking?
The Private San Diego Highlights Tour is a 5-hour experience in San Diego, United States, from $349 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $349 per person
The Private San Diego Highlights Tour introduces our guests to a private VIP guided experience that is unparalleled in its detail and scope. No other tour can include so much fun sightseeing and at so leisurely a pace. I
What you get
About this experience
The Private San Diego Highlights Tour introduces our guests to a private VIP guided experience that is unparalleled in its detail and scope. No other tour can include so much fun sightseeing and at so leisurely a pace. In five hours, you will see the best of America’s Finest City! Our tour begins daily at your desired pick-up location and from there we transport you throughout the loveliest and most renowned parts of our city.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Round Trip Pick-up and Drop-off
- Narration by a professional guide
- Transport by Mercedes Tour Van
- Bottled Water and Small Snack
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Coronado Bridge
The San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge is a symbol of the San Diego area-just as the Golden Gate or San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridges.
Pass by without stopping
Coronado
Experience breathtaking ocean views, sparkling sandy beaches, elegant gardens, old-world mansions, quaint shops, and the famous architectural masterpiece Hotel Del Coronado.
30 minutes here
The Coronado Ferry Landing
The main port from the island to San Diego Downtown offers an unparalleled view of the city. Iconic shops and restaurants line the shoreline as soon as you step off of the dock.
10 minutes here
The Hotel Del Coronado is a historic building with classic bright red Victorian architecture that's overlooked the waters of Coronado Beach for 130 years. Known for hosting many celebrities and US presidents, the Del was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
5 minutes here
Gaslamp Quarter
During the tour we stop at the Gaslamp Quarter for a 1 hour lunch-break. The Gaslamp Quarter, known as the Historic Heart of San Diego, is a 16 block downtown neighborhood full of nightlife and world-renowned restaurants. Full of Victorian architecture and small museums, as well as Horton Plaza Park and Petco Park, it's a must-see.
60 minutes here
Little Italy
Little Italy is a chic, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, packed with trendy cocktail bars, brewpubs and restaurants with bustling patios. Upscale clothing boutiques, indie music venues and quaint piazzas dot the area, while the weekly Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market draws crowds to its mix of produce, gourmet food and craft stalls. The green lawns of Waterfront Park have fountains, and offer views of the bay.
Pass by without stopping
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre historic urban cultural park in San Diego, California, United States. In addition to open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths, it contains museums, several theaters, and the San Diego Zoo.
45 minutes here
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Crowned with a white cross, the Mt. Soledad memorial honors living and dead soldiers from the Revolutionary War all the way to the modern War on Terror. It features black granite slabs honoring everyone from Presidents, to the common every-day solider
15 minutes here
La Jolla Cove
A picturesque beach surrounded by water-carved cliffs and full of tidepools and favorite seal spotting areas. The shoreline is protected as part of a marine reserve and full of barely-touched natural beauty.
30 minutes here
La Jolla
Visit Mt. Soledad to look over the entire city from the highest coastal mountain top. Taking in dramatic ocean views from the coastline to the mountains, experience a natural cove, mysterious caves, rugged cliffs, abundant marine life, and even some lively seals.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Diego
Our office door is located inside of this large courtyard next to the parking garage. If you see two huge grey concrete pillars then you are at the right place. Walk into the courtyard and a little more than half-way down into the courtyard, on your right hand side is our office door.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Our office door is located inside of this large courtyard next to the parking garage. If you see two huge grey concrete pillars then you are at the right place. Walk into the courtyard and a little more than half-way down into the courtyard, on your right hand side is our office door.
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
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please provide hotel/port pickup address
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for The Private San Diego Highlights Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day in San Diego area
Our guide, Julia, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Knew just where to go and park for the highlights.
Response from the operator: Dear Scott, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your kind review. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great day on your Private San Diego Highlights Tour and that you enjoyed exploring the beautiful San Diego area with us. We are especially happy to know that Julia was knowledgeable, accommodating, and knew exactly where to go and park for the highlights. That kind of local expertise and thoughtful service is exactly the experience we always hope to provide for our guests. Thank you again for choosing Another Side Tours. We truly appreciate your review and hope to welcome you back again soon in San Diego, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas. Warmly, Kenneth C. Lippman President & CEO Another Side Tours, Inc.
via Viator
San Diego Express Tour with Julia
We had a wonderfully informative and entertaining highlights tour of San Diego with our guide, Julia. She made the 4-hour trip a real insight into the city and its surrounding areas, sharing a rich knowledge of the history, culture, botany, and local life. We absolutely loved it and would highly recommend this tour — especially with Julia, whose insider’s perspective made the experience truly special!
Response from the operator: Hi Jonathan, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review. We are thrilled to hear that you had such an informative and entertaining San Diego Highlights Tour with Julia. She truly has a gift for bringing the city to life through its history, culture, botany, and local stories, and we are so happy her insider perspective made the experience special for you. We greatly appreciate your recommendation and are grateful you chose to explore San Diego with us. The next time your travels bring you to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Maui, or back to San Diego, we would be honored to host you again. All The Best, Kenneth
via Tripadvisor
Awesome tour
It was very good and worth it and our guide Julia was fantastic, she knew a lot and even recommended great places to eat, took us to see all the highlights in Balboa Park and gave us enough time in La Jolla to watch the sea lions and birds.
Response from the operator: Hi Keith, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. It truly means a lot to our entire team. I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the Private San Diego Highlights Tour and that Julia made such a great impression. She is incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely loves sharing the best of San Diego, from Balboa Park to La Jolla, and I will be sure to pass along your kind words to her. It sounds like you had a perfect day taking in the highlights and enjoying the local wildlife, which is exactly what we hope to create for our guests. Thank you again for choosing to tour with us. If your travels bring you back to San Diego, or to Maui, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas, we would love to host you again. All The Best, Kenneth
via Viator
A wonderful day with Julia
We had a wonderful day with Julia. She treated us wonderfully, individualized our tour, shared a wealth of information, and she made sure we got the photos for great memories. She loves her job and loves people. It shows.
Response from the operator: Dear 638kelleyd, On behalf of our entire team, thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. We are absolutely thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your Private San Diego Highlights Tour with Julia. She is one of our very best, and your kind words capture exactly what makes her so special — her love for sharing San Diego, her gift for making each tour unique, and her genuine care for every guest. It means the world to us to know that she created such meaningful memories for you, complete with great stories, personalized touches, and those all-important photos to look back on. Your feedback reminds us why we do what we do, and it is an honor to have been part of your day. We would love to welcome you again in the future, whether it be exploring even more of San Diego, experiencing the magic of Los Angeles, discovering the excitement of Las Vegas, or relaxing in Maui. All The Best, Kenneth
via Tripadvisor
A great start to a San Diego vacation
Learn about the city from someone who knows it best. Helped us lay out the things we want to do during our stay.
Response from the operator: Dear Deborah, Thank you so much for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed The Private San Diego Highlights Tour and that it helped you plan the rest of your stay. It is always our goal to provide not only a great experience but also helpful insights into the best of San Diego. If you ever find yourself visiting Las Vegas, Los Angeles, or Maui, please look us up. While we do not offer the exact same tours in every market, we have some incredible experiences we know you would enjoy. Thank you again for choosing us, and we hope to host you on another adventure in the future. All The Best, Kenneth
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 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
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Private San Diego Highlights Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Diego.
How much does The Private San Diego Highlights Tour cost?
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Prices start at $349 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 San Diego Highlights Tour take?
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Plan for about 5 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 San Diego Highlights Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 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 San Diego Highlights 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 San Diego Highlights Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Private San Diego Highlights Tour?
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Around 2 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Private San Diego Highlights 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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