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.

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.

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 silver, gold, or platinum day 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.

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 sightseeing on the waters of San Diego Bay during a 2-hour brunch cruise that provides a delicious seated brunch accompanied by complimentary champagne. After enjoying a lavish plated brunch dish, stay at your private table or head outside to the open air for sunshine and sightseeing.

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.

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.

Go on a whale-watching expedition in San Diego on this 3-hour cruise. Get the scoop from a guide who studies the migratory patterns of grey whales as you keep a lookout for whales in the water. Board a 2-story yacht that gives you 360-degree views of the ocean. Plus, you're guaranteed to see whales or you get to ride again for free.

Let your imagination run wild during a day of fun with tickets to LEGOLAND ®California Resort. Build, play and explore among the park’s range of over 60 rides, shows and attractions. Visit the all-new LEGO MOVIE WORLD with a host of new rides and attractions based on the hit movies.

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.

Discover San Diego with a multi-attraction city pass that gives you free admission to your choice of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 attractions and tours. The San Diego Explorer Pass by Go City saves you up to 60% compared to buying separate attraction tickets, and is valid for 60 days from your first attraction visit. Explore top attractions like the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Natural History Museum, USS Midway Museum, or enjoy popular activities like speedboat tours and full-day bike rentals at La Jolla or Coronado Beach. Your San Diego Explorer Pass is fully-digital so you'll be able to download it to your mobile device or print it at home, and enjoy contactless entry to your choice of attractions. Please note: You can now enjoy the extra flexibility in case your travel plans change. All passes are valid for 2 years from purchase and only become activated with your first visit. After activation your pass will be valid for 60 days and/or the remaining number of attraction choices purchased.

Explore the history and hot spots of your location by solving scavenger hunt and trivia style riddles on this engaging walking tour. Your team will earn points and be guided farther along the route with every riddle. Play from the convenience of your smartphone whenever you’re ready for an adventure!

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.

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.