Overview
Journey with award winning tour guide Julie Kremen around San Diego’s cultural and historic sites—on a private tour of fun and informative must-see sightseeing hotspots.
On this private tour, you will experience and thoroughly understand how San Diego came to be the world-class modern city that it is. We’ll travel through the rich history of San Diego from its discovery by Spanish conquistadores, to the lively and festive Mexican period, to the days when it was the Wild Wild West’s new American frontier.
And, of course, you’ll learn about its present-day standing as the 8th largest city in the US and what makes it the epitome of Southern California lifestyle. Discover why we are “America’s Finest City” and watch out… many who come to visit end up moving here!
Note: This 4 hour private tour is fully customizable; contact Julie to book as described above or to discuss how to change to suit your needs.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Private transportation
Bottled water
In-vehicle air conditioning
Your expert guide Julie will take as many photos of you as you want
Gratuities
Child car seat not provided
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
Meet by the backside of the big fountain facing Columbia Street by the Little Italy Food Hall in the Piazza della Famiglia. Please call, text or What'sapp Julie if you are going to be late or cannot find it.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Good to know
To comply with California law, if you have a child in your party under 8 years old, you must bring your own child car seat or booster seat, depending on their age. It is NOT okay for the child to sit on your lap. Please contact San Diego Private Tours - Journeys with Julie if you need additional details.
You will be shuttled in a midsize car that will fit a maximum of 4 passengers. If there are 4 adults in your party this might be uncomfortable since 3 sit in the back.
What to expect
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Balboa Park
1 hour 30 min
BALBOA PARK is the cultural heartbeat of our city; you will fall in love with the country’s largest urban cultural park and be dazzled discovering its origins as you take in its incredible vegetation, gorgeous flowers and ornate architecture.
TOUR TIDBITS: One of San Diego's biggest tourist destinations contains a tranquil garden purposely landscaped to attract countless beautiful butterflies. But this garden was not always so tranquil! Over the years it has served as a dance hall, a mining camp, and stagecoach station. And, at one point, it was surrounded by a big redwood fence with a few strategically placed holes that visitors could peek through to spy on… a nudist colony! -
Gaslamp Quarter
15 min
TOUR TIDBITS: In the 1980s, when the city of San Diego was reinventing its downtown area—now known as "The Gaslamp Quarter"—they made plans and even produced signs with the original name for this soon-to-be resurrected historic district. (The original name was actually not "The Gaslamp Quarter.”) The original name caused a huge public outcry, and the city ended up renaming it "The Gaslamp Quarter." On the tour, you'll find out what the original name was, why they changed it, and you'll see the beautifully renovated architectural details from the Victorian era when gas lamps lit this historic district.
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San Diego
45 min
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO: Explore these San Diego Downtown essentials: scenic San Diego Bay’s Embarcadero waterfront, the famous and vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, hip and historic Little Italy, and Petco Park.
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Old Town San Diego
45 min
OLD TOWN: Take a trip into the past and learn about our rich Spanish and Mexican heritage and why we are the “Birthplace of California.” Experience our original city—colorful and festive now, but find out why it wasn’t always that way.
TOUR TIDBITS: For entertainment, early settlers in San Diego would tie the leg of a bull to the leg of a grizzly bear (which they would hunt down in our local mountains) and then let them fight. Find out where these brawls took place, and see the beautiful buildings surrounding this historic landmark. And if we’re lucky, you’ll feel like you were there in the early days if we happen to catch some artisans in period dress, folkloric dancers or Mariachis!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Times are local to the experience (America/Los Angeles).
Additional Information
- On this tour we do mini walking tours around Balboa Park and Old Town which total approx. 1-2 miles. We can limit the walking if you have any mobility issues - just let us know and we will adjust the itinerary.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 4 travelers per booking
FAQs about Private Customizable Iconic City Highlights Tour - Cultural, Historic, Shuttled
Can I cancel Private Customizable Iconic City Highlights Tour - Cultural, Historic, Shuttled for free?
Yes. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
How long does it take?
It takes about 4 hours.
Where does it start?
Meet by the backside of the big fountain facing Columbia Street by the Little Italy Food Hall in the Piazza della Famiglia.
What's included?
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Your expert guide Julie will take as many photos of you as you want
What's not included?
- Gratuities
- Child car seat not provided
Which places does it visit?
It visits Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town San Diego.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Operated by San Diego Private Tours - Journeys with Julie
