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  • Private Sightseeing Tours
  • Private and Luxury
  • Historical Tours
  • Weather Dependent - Weather-Proof

The Private Balboa Park Tour

4.9(24 reviews)San Diego, USAOperated by Another Side Of San Diego Tours
  • Duration2 hours
  • GroupPrivate tour
  • TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
  • LanguagesEnglish, Spanish

About this activity

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 to expect

2 hours11 stopsPrivate tour

  1. Balboa Park

    1549 El Prado, San Diego, California, 92101-1660, United States

    Pass by

    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).

  2. Village Art Center

    1770 Village Pl, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, 92101, United States

    Pass by

    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.

  3. Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum

    2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, California, 92101, United States

    Pass by

    The Japanese Friendship Garden ("JFG") is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama.

  4. Museum of Us

    1350 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, 92101, United States

    Pass by

    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.

  5. Botanical Building and Lily Pond

    1550 El Prado, San Diego, California, 92101-1660, United States

    5 minutesAdmission not included

    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.

  6. San Diego Natural History Museum

    1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, 92101, United States

    Pass by

    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.

  7. Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

    2455 Park Boulevard, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, 92104, United States

    Pass by

    The Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden contains more than 1,600 roses including Hybrid Teas, Florabundas, Grandifloras, Miniature Shrubs, and Old Roses.

  8. Comic-con Museum

    2131 Pan American Plz, San Diego, California, 92101, United States

    Pass by

    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.

  9. California Tower

    1350 El Prado, At the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, California, 92101-1616, United States

    5 minutesAdmission not included

    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.

  10. Spreckels Organ Pavilion

    1549 El Prado, Suite 10, San Diego, California, 92101, United States

    Pass by

    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.

  11. The Old Globe

    1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, California, 92101, United States

    Pass by

    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.

Pickup & meeting point

You can choose either hotel/location pickup or to meet the guide at the start point.

Pickup starts about 5 minutes before the departure time.

You can request a pickup location of your own.

Start

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

End / drop-off

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

Pickup locations299

The operator lists 299 pickup points. 40 are shown here; choose yours from the full list when you book.

Hotels & residences40

  • San Diego Marriott Mission Valley8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego, California, 92108, United States
  • TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Diego Airport/Liberty Station2311 Lee Court, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Howard Johnson by Wyndham San Diego Sea World3330 Rosecrans St, San Diego, California, 92110, United States
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown601 Pacific Highway, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Heritage Inn San Diego3333 Channel Way, San Diego, California, 92110, United States
  • E-Z 8 Motel Old Town4747 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, California, 92110, United States
  • Best Western San Diego Pacific Beach/Mission Bay2575 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, California, 92117-6602, United States
  • Inn at the Park by WorldMark525 Spruce St, San Diego, California, 92103, United States
  • Kona Kai San Diego Resort1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, California, 92106, United States
  • Sea Breeze Motel4989 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, 92115-4639, United States
  • Quality Inn San Diego I-5 Naval Base3878 Dalbergia Ct, San Diego, California, 92113, United States
  • Homewood Suites By Hilton San Diego Downtown/Bayside2137 Pacific Highway, Suite B, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Porto Vista Hotel1835 Columbia St, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Navajo Lodge5721 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, 92115-3738, United States
  • Ocean Beach Hotel5080 Newport Ave, San Diego, California, 92107, United States
  • Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Mission Valley Stadium3805 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego, California, 92123, United States
  • Intercontinental San Diego By IHG901 Bayfront Court, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Best Western Plus Bayside Inn555 W Ash St, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Ramada Suites by Wyndham San Diego631 Camino Del Rio S., San Diego, California, 92108-3512, United States
  • Days Inn by Wyndham Mission Valley/SDSU5343 Adobe Falls Rd, San Diego, California, 92120, United States
  • Motel 6 San Diego, CA - Hotel Circle - Mission Valley2424 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, California, 92108, United States
  • Navy Gateway Inns & Suites, Naval Base San Diego2450 McHugh Street, Building 3362, San Diego, California, 92136-5395, United States
  • Motel 6 San Diego, CA - Downtown1546 2nd Ave, I-5/San Diego Freeway at 6th Avenue, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Holiday Inn Express San Diego-sea World Area By IHG3950 Jupiter St, (i-8 & Sports Arena Blvd), San Diego, California, 92110, United States
  • Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center1000 H Street, Chula Vista, California, 91910, United States
  • Best Western Yacht Harbor Hotel5005 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, California, 92106, United States
  • Wyndham San Diego Bayside1355 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Ramada by Wyndham San Diego Sea World Area3747 Midway Dr, San Diego, California, 92110-5204, United States
  • La Pensione Hotel606 W. Date St., San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites San Diego Old Town3900 Old Town Avenue, San Diego, California, 92110, United States
  • Hampton Inn San Diego-downtown1531 Pacific Highway, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • San Diego Mission Bay Resort1775 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, California, 92109, United States
  • Lodge at 32nd740 32nd St, San Diego, California, 92102-3304, United States
  • Hampton Inn San Diego-Kearny Mesa5434 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, California, 92111, United States
  • Navy Gateway Inns & Suites - Naval Amphibious Base - Coronado3628 Tulagi Rd, Building 504, San Diego, California, 92155, United States
  • Howard Johnson by Wyndham San Diego State University Area6440 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, 92115-2645, United States
  • Lamplighter Inn & Suites at SDSU6474 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, 92115-2645, United States
  • Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina2051 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, California, 92106, United States
  • Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton401 W Ash Street, San Diego, California, 92101, United States
  • Berkshire Motor Hotel2502 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, 92104, United States
  • You may choose to meet the guide at the departure point.
  • You can arrange your pickup point with the operator after booking.

Pickup instructions

We provide pick-up and drop-off from any Downtown San Diego Hotel or Balboa Park Hotel.

Redemption

Street parking is free on Sunday's and major holidays. 1) At the Horzon Plaza Mall you can park in the flat lot located at 3rd and G Street next to the garage for $10 per day. This is a cash only lot and does not accept credit cards. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE ACTUAL HORTON PARKING GARAGE, as it is $2 every 15 minutes. 2) There are two all-day parking lots located at 8th ave. and g street (665 8th av. San Diego, CA 92101) as well as on 7th ave. and Market Street (614 Market St. San Diego, CA 92101) Parking in these lots ranges from $5-$10 a day (can be higher during San Diego Padres home games and special events) 3) The next closes all-day lot is at the corner of 2nd Ave. and Island. The lot is directly across the street from 100 Harbor Club Drive. The parking fee ranges from $8-$12 a day. There is also 9-hour all-day street spots located there too for $6.75 a day.

What's included

Included

  • Private transportation
  • Round Trip Pick-up and Drop-off
  • Narration by professional guide
  • Bottled Water and Small Snacks
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Transportation by Mercedes Sprinter

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Entrance fees to attractions, unless specified

Good to know

Accessibility & suitability

  • 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

Traveller requirements

  • Minimum 1 traveller per booking
  • Maximum 15 travellers per booking
  • At least one adult must be included in the booking
  • Age bands: Adult (0–99)

Additional information

  • 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***

Languages

Guide
English, Spanish

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 1+ days before100% refund
  • 0–1 days before0% refund

Important booking information

Booking cut-off
Bookings close 2 hours before the activity starts.
Confirmation
Manual
Tickets
One per booking
Local time zone
America/Los_Angeles
Product code
5044PRIVBAL

What you'll be asked when booking

  • Your preferred pickup point
  • Any special requirements

Traveller reviews

4.9/ 524 reviews
  • 522
  • 41
  • 31

Ratings aggregated from Viator (3) and Tripadvisor (21).

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From USD 199 per person · Free cancellation available

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Activity information provided by Viator, an authorized travel partner. Gateera does not operate this activity.

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