The San Diego Natural History Museum is a flagship institution in Balboa Park, showcasing the regional natural history and unique biodiversity of Southern California and Baja California. The museum has four floors of exhibitions, a 3D theater, and San Diego’s only Foucault pendulum. Through its permanent collection, special exhibitions, numerous educational programs, and the opportunity to see scientists at work, the Museum fosters a lifelong love of learning about nature and the environment for visitors of all ages. Current exhibits include: Art of Science (running until Jan 15, 2023) Data is beautiful and science has style - see the beauty that can emerge from scientific research. In collaboration with the UC San Diego library, see the winners of the Art of Science competition, showcasing the work of UC San Diego students and researchers. Expedition Baja The Baja California Peninsula: our neighbor in nature. Explore towing mountains, desert flats, and isolated islands, and follow along with researchers working to conserve the peninsula's wild beauty. Living Lab Meet more than 20 of your not-so-cuddly neighbors, from stinging scorpions to elusive nocturnal lizards. Caught on Camera (coming Nov 18, 2022) Wildlife is all around, even when we don't see it. So, what exactly are animals up to when we're not looking? Find out in this new photography exhibition featuring animal candids taken with the help of camera trap technology. Hidden Gems Get to know The Nat's sparkly side with more than 100 of the best, brightest, and most spectacular selections from our gems and mineral collection. These hidden gems will be on every floor of the Museum. The Backyard Learn and explore the natural world through play. This new space invites our youngest visitors (ages 0-5) to play under a shade tree, search for hidden secrets along a wooden fence, or read their favorite book in a cozy potting shed. Unshelved: Cool Stuff from Storage This new exhibition gives visitors a rare "backstage" glimpse of the museum's storage areas. Specimens arranged on shelves and in cases offer the opportunity to revel in the natural world in all its beauty and peculiarity. Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science This new, permanent exhibition explores the past, present and future of citizen science through rare books, art, photographs, and historical documents. Coast to Cactus in Southern California This innovative, permanent exhibition tells the story of this amazing place called home. Take an immersive walk through the major regions of southern California's coast, inland valleys, mountains, and deserts and celebrate the abundant variety of life found here. Fossil Mysteries From dinosaurs to mastodons, travel through 75 million years and dig into the rich fossil history of southern California and Baja California. Allosaurus Meet Al, a member of our skeleton crew. Allosaurus fragilis, a genus of large theropod dinosaur that lived in North America during the late Jurassic Period, is a relative of T. rex, which lived later. Al's bones are casts made from original fossil bones collected in Utah. Megalodon This replica of an extinct megalodon shark was modeled from and inspired by teeth collected from Miocene sandstones in Oceanside, California and near Ensenada, Baja California by Museum paleontology staff. It hangs in the Atrium as part of Fossil Mysteries and is one of the best selfie spots in the museum. SkullsTake a look at 200 of the weirdest, wildest, and most fascinating animal skulls from our research collection. Demonstration Lab See scientists at work and learn some of the ways they prepare, preserve, and study specimens. Science Spotlight: Baleen Whale Evolution Baleen whales are the largest living animals on the planet, and their ability to filter feed on small organisms in the ocean is an astounding adaptation. Scientists have new evidence for how and when the evolution from teeth to baleen occurred in the ancestors of today's filter-feeding whales. Giant-Screen Theater The Subaru Giant Screen Experience is one-of-a-kind. Settle into the 300-seat, stadium-style theater and enjoy films on the massive screen.

While San Diego is known worldwide for its beautiful beaches, mild climate, and abundance of points of interest, not many people know about the city's darker side. Discover San Diego's long history of unnerving deaths, mysterious occurrences, and ominous sides on a fun and informative guided tour. Travel back in time and hear about the spirits of the notorious characters who lived and died in San Diego. First, venture into the sleepy streets of the Mission Hills neighborhood, where Pioneer Park is transformed at night. Continue to Old Town, walking through El Campo Santo Cemetery and learning about the notorious past of this city full of gunslingers, gamblers, ladies of the night, and many more unsavory characters. Finally, the tour includes a tour of the grounds and exterior of the Whaley House, where many reported paranormal occurrences have taken place.

A trip to Coronado feels like you’re leaving behind the mainland for a dose of island living, but it’s not your typical beach town. Part resort, part Naval Base, part luxury homes for the rich, Coronado is many things to many people. Learn about the first military flying school located on the island, where sailors first learned to fly. Spy architectural gems, some of which employed the latest technology when built over a century ago. And you’ll hear what drew Charles Lindbergh, L. Frank Baum and Marilyn Monroe to this unique beach town. Pop into a local museum (subject to availability) to look at photos that bring these stories to life. Make a quick stop for a snack at a local eatery. It could be something sweet or something savory – depending on your mood – but whichever way you go, it will be locally made and delicious. Refreshed, take a stroll down to Star Park, where the “Wizard of Oz” house is located and then make your way to Coronado beach, one of the best in the country. On a clear day you can see all the way to Mexico! Stroll by multi-million dollar homes that line Ocean Blvd and you’ll hear about the people who once lived there, including the residents of the historic Spreckels Mansion. Your last stop will be at the world-famous, historic Hotel del Coronado. This icon is over 130 years old and is an American treasure, having hosted celebrities, dignitaries, and US presidents in its rooms. Take a tour around the grounds, finishing up just outside the spectacular Crown Room (home to a luxe Sunday brunch). From here, you’re free to explore on your own or stroll back down Orange Ave. to where the tour began. Your guide will make suggestions on what else to see and do, give you tips on where to eat and shop and let you know the times for the next shuttle or ferry.

Discover San Diego on a private guided electric bike tour from Solana Beach to Torrey Pines or up the North Coast. Enjoy scenic views of nature, and make stops at viewpoints and landmarks along the way. Start your tour at the activity base to meet your guide. Get comfortable on your high-powered e-bike featuring five levels of pedal assist. Choose between a tour of the North Coast or ride south to Torrey Pines. Ride to Torrey Pines You'll start the tour by heading past Del Mar Dog Beach, as you ride across the bridge over the Del Mar river mouth and lagoon. Take your first stop at Powerhouse Park and Beach. Spend some time enjoying the ocean air and beach scenery before heading into downtown Del Mar, including stopping by the main plaza. Next, ride to the famous Del Mar race track and learn about its history and usage from your guide. Continue to a scenic looking-point on 4th Street to admire the unbeatable views of the ocean. Finally, head to Torrey Pines State Beach and take a break to explore by foot and take in the picturesque beach vistas. From there you'll ride back to Solana Beach, with a final detour to see the Del Mar lagoon. North Coast Ride Take an oceanside route with stops to explore by foot, including the Harbaugh Seaside Trails, Cardiff, Swami's Beach, and downtown Encinitas. Begin by riding to Harbaugh Seaside Trails, where you'll stop for a quick hike to reach a viewing point overlooking the bluff of the Seaside Reef surf spot. Next, ride through the Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail before stopping in Cardiff-by-the-Sea to admire the town's beach views. Then, travel to Encinitas and stop at Swami's Beach to explore the area, including the famous palm tree alley. In Encinitas, you'll make stops at picturesque boat houses, take a route through the downtown area, and wander along Moonlight Beach. From there, ride back to Solana Beach while taking in the ocean views.

Balboa Park is home to gorgeous gardens, lovely walking paths, and plenty of cultural gems, from theaters to museums featuring the arts, the sciences, and more. You’ll get a full overview of the park and its rich history on this San Diego walking tour that explores how the park has become a symbol of the city. We’ll kick things off at the Founder’s Statue on the west side of the park. We think you’ll agree San Diegans were visionaries when they set aside 1400 acres of land for the park all the way back in 1868. Then we’ll stop at the California Tower, built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, has since become a city landmark. The face of the tower depicts the early history of the city. Next up, we’ll head to Alcazar Garden, which was inspired by the same-named gardens in Spain. Used for both the 1915 and 1935 expositions, the garden offered fair-goers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the exposition, and provides a picturesque foreground to photos of the California Tower. Snag the perfect Instagram shot while you’re here. Following after, we’ll head to the Old Globe Theater which is a Tony Award-winning, world-renowned professional theater group modeled after The Globe Theater London. From there, we’ll walk through the heart of the Prado, where you’ll get to spy unique building façades and roof supports that most visitors don’t notice. We’ll also check out Zoro Gardens, a sunken garden that was once a nudist colony (seriously) during the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. Today, it’s a butterfly garden that contains everything butterflies need for their full life cycle. We’ll then continue past the Bea Evenson fountain, the Natural History Museum and we’ll pop into the Spanish Village Art Center to observe artists at work in their studios. By now you will have worked up a thirst so we’ll grab a drink at a local coffee cart before continuing on past one of the largest Morton Bay fig trees in California and the San Diego Junior Theater. But we’re not done yet! We’ll then head to the Botanical Building and the adjacent lily pond full of koi makes more than just a pretty picture — you’ll learn how the pond was an important part of the war effort during WWI and how it helped injured sailors and soldiers during WWII. Our tour will end at the Plaza de Panama, but before we say goodbye, your guide will give you directions to the nearby Visitor Center (for snacks, maps, souvenirs, and museum passes), suggestions for places to eat, and tips on what else to see and do within the park.

Explore the charming La Jolla region of San Diego with a local guide and curated walking tour. Learn about the area's rich history dating back to the mid-1800s, visit Sunny Jim's Seaside Cave, and marvel at the extraordinary views of Scripps Ecological Reserve while hiking the Coast Walk Trail. Begin your tour with an overview of San Diego's history, including fascinating details about pioneers like William Heath Davis and Alonzo Horton. Understand how La Jolla became part of San Diego in 1850 and why it became a prime beach destination after area railroads were constructed in the 1890s.  Continue to Sunny Jim's Sea Cave, the original residence of Gustav Schultz who hired two Chinese laborers to dig a 144-stair tunnel from inside of his house to the cave below. Browse the gift shop and take photos with the group – or explore the tunnel on your own. Then it's time to walk along the rugged Coast Walk Trail, taking in the stunning panoramic views, including the Scripps Ecological Reserve. Further north, you'll spot University of California - San Diego and the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course.  Continue along the coast and pass through Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Listen closely as your guide details how Ellen's contributions left an everlasting impression on La Jolla. See La Jolla's amazing wildlife on full display including seals, sea lions, squirrels, pelicans, and cormorants. Embark on the next part of the tour to Children's Pool, a small beach partially protected by a seawall. This is a popular viewing area for harbor seals and a picturesque beach with a panoramic view. Conclude your tour with a stroll up Prospect Street in downtown La Jolla, passing several landmark buildings including the Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla Historical Society Wisteria Cottage Museum, Grande Colonial Hotel, and La Valencia Hotel.

Start your day of adventure at the scooter rental location where you will meet with your guide for your tour. After a friendly meet and greet and brief orientation session on proper use of the scooters, you will follow your GPS and set off on your multi-cultural journey through Downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp Loop. You will commence your tour in Little Italy, where you will learn about the rise and fall of San Diego’s Italian population. You will then continue on past the maritime history museum, the USS Midway, and into the beautiful Seaport Village. You will also get to travel past the Horton Plaza, which just begs to be visited again after the tour ends. Following the Horton Plaza, you will make your way into the heart of San Diego, with a quick loop around the home of San Diego Padres, and into the Historic Gaslamp Quarter. The Gaslamp Quarter, following its reinvention, is much more family friendly than it used to be. As you leave the Gaslamp Quarter, you will enter Banker’s Hill, complete with its unique shops which also border the always beautiful Balboa Park. You will then finish your tour of San Diego back at the rental location center, with a new found appreciation and knowledge of this exciting and wonderful city. 

This private tour from San Diego explores Puerto Nuevo, the lobster village of Baja California. Located only minutes from Rosarito Beach, the town claims to have some of the best lobster in the world. Find out while listening to live mariachi music and drinking margaritas. This tour also allows for plenty of free time for shopping and craft beer tastings at Rosarito Beach. At 9:30 AM aboard a luxury 6-14 passenger van with air conditioning and reclining seats. Relax with plenty of legroom and enjoy complimentary bottles of drinking water. At 10:00 AM arrive at the Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT) and the Botanical Garden. Afterward spending time there, at approximately 11:00 AM visit to the infamous border wall at the USA/Mexican border. Then at 11:30 AM spend time at Rosarito Beach to enjoy craft beer tastings. By 2:30 PM have a lobster lunch at Puerto Nuevo with tequila margaritas and live mariachi music included. For those unfamiliar with Baja lobster, it’s cooked with garlic butter and lime and served with beans and rice. Scoop up the lobster in warm handmade flour tortillas while savoring tequila margaritas. After lunch, have free time to shop at the traditional Mexican Curios Market. At 4:00 PM head back to San Diego with an approximately 5:30 PM arrival time.

From your meeting point in downtown San Diego location, you’ll be transported by bus through the most interesting parts of the city. You’ll see Coronado Island with its iconic Hotel del Coronado, the city’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, and resplendent Balboa Park. San Diego and the surrounding area are known for family friendly wholesomeness, gorgeous natural beauty, stunning architecture, and exciting nightlife as well. America’s Finest City beckons travelers from around the world to sink their toes into the sand and experience the attractions and culture of this vibrant place. Discover the city with the number 1-rated tour company in San Diego!

Start your tour with a trip through historic Little Italy. Once home to the city’s Italian community, the neighborhood has now become a modern business and arts district. Make your way to the bay and see ships that explored the new world, and patrolled the waters in time of war. Then cruise down the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter which was once San Diego’s red-light district, but is now the center of the city’s nightlife.  Leave modern San Diego and take a trip through the past as you check out the beautiful Mission Hills and the historic Fort Stockton. Visit Presidio Park where see the old Spanish mission used to stand. Ride through Old town San Diego and see how the city looked in the era of the old west when its Spanish and American residents were just laying the foundation for a thriving community.