The Private Balboa Park Tour

4.9 (24 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

24 reviews

4.9

The Private Balboa Park Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

The Private Balboa Park Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Another Side Of San Diego Tours

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

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

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Food and drinks, unless specified
Not included: Entrance fees to attractions, unless specified

Itinerary

Balboa Park

Passing 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).
Village Art Center

Passing 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.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum

Passing by

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

Passing 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.
Botanical Building and Lily Pond

5 min Admission 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.
San Diego Natural History Museum

Passing 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.
Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

Passing by

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

Passing 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.
California Tower

5 min Admission 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.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion

Passing 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.
The Old Globe

Passing 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.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

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 point

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 points

San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Diego Airport/Liberty Station
Howard Johnson by Wyndham San Diego Sea World
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown
Heritage Inn San Diego
E-Z 8 Motel Old Town
Best Western San Diego Pacific Beach/Mission Bay
Inn at the Park by WorldMark
Kona Kai San Diego Resort
Sea Breeze Motel
Quality Inn San Diego I-5 Naval Base
Homewood Suites By Hilton San Diego Downtown/Bayside

and 287 more pickup points

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

Using your ticket

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.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

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
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***