San Diego Excursions

San Diego is a great place to get out and explore. The cruise lines making port in San Diego have put together about 20 tours and excursions for your consideration.

Your ship docks at the San Diego Avenue B Cruise Terminal, which is a short one block walk to Broadway, one of Downtown San Diego's major thoroughfares. All of the tours and excursions offered by the cruise lines begin at the dock. Note that some of the tours are not available for passengers disembarking in San Diego.

If you have taken any of the tours listed below, we'd like your feedback on your experience. Please click on the link of the tour you took, and then click the "Write a review of this tour" button and tell us what your experience was all about.

Last Updated: January 19, 2012

Biking

Cycling the Waterfront
3½ hours

This 12 mile downtown bike tour is a fun, active way to tour the city. You'll travel along the San Diego Bay to Seaport Village, enjoying great views of Coronado Island and the Naval Station, then pass through the Gaslamp District.

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City Tours

Old Town Trolley Tour of San Diego/ San Diego By Trolley
2 hours

Join a narrated journey through San Diego; you'll see Coronado Island and the Hotel del Coronado, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park and the Zoo, as well as Old Town State Historic Park.

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San Diego & La Jolla Highlights/ City Drive & La Jolla Highlights/ San Diego Highlights
3½ to 4½ hours

Explore the attractions of San Diego and Coronado Island, then go up the coast to the Village of La Jolla, and enjoy shopping or a quick bite at a local cafe. Then return to the city via Mt. Soledad for a spectacular view, and through Balboa Park to the Old Town.

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San Diego & La Jolla Highlights, with Airport Dropoff/ San Diego Highlights & Airport Transfer
3½ to 4½ hours

Explore the attractions of San Diego and Coronado Island, then go up the coast to the Village of La Jolla, and enjoy shopping or a quick bite at a local cafe. Then return to the city via Mt. Soledad for a spectacular view, and through Balboa Park to the Airport.

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Cultural

Maritime Museum of San Diego
Varies

If you're into ships--whether it's schooners, steam ferry boats, pilot boats or Soviet submarines--the Maritime Museum of San Diego is what you've been wanting to see.

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Eco Tours

San Diego Wild Animal Park Safari/ San Diego Zoo Safari Park
6 to 7 hours

Take a trip to Africa while you're on your cruise! The Wild Animal Park is a 1,800 acre zoo, where the 2,200 animals roam freely in their natural habitats.

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San Diego Zoo/ World Famous San Diego Zoo
6 to 7 hours

Visit a world-class zoo set in a beautiful park setting. Hosting animals from around the world, the San Diego Zoo specializes in rare and exotic animal species, including four Giant Pandas on view.

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Sea World Adventure Park/ Sea World
7 to 7½ hours

Come to the West Coast's largest marine animal park, home of Shamu, the killer whale. There are rides, shows and exhibits that will thrill your kids!

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Wine & Drinks

Countryside, Vineyards & Wine Tasting
5 hours

Take a trip to the wine making center of San Diego County for a visit to two of the area's best wineries. Not only will you sample several wines, you'll also enjoy talking with the vitners as you munch on home made gourmet pizza at the Cordiano Winery.

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Scenic Tours

San Diego Harbor Cruise
2 hours

Enjoy a fully-narrated tour of San Diego Bay. You'll travel 25 miles, viewing Coronado, the Navy submarine base, aircraft carriers, the oldest merchant craft afloat and the magnificent San Diego skyline.

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San Diego Harbor Tour & USS Midway
4½ hours

This excursion combines a tour of San Diego Harbor with a hands-on visit aboard the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that saw service for over 47 years.

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Balboa Park Discovery
6 hours

Museum-rich Balboa Park beckons you to discover the art and culture of San Diego. You have entree to your choice of 13 museums featuring everything from art to automobiles to natural history.

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San Diego SEAL/ San Diego By Land and Sea
1½ hours

Explore San Diego by both land and sea! Hop in an amphibious Hydra Terra vehicle that takes you down San Diego Bay as you've never seen it before.

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Important Information

Notes on the above cruise excursions:

• The information on the cruise excursions listed above was developed from publicly available sources.
• The cruise lines may elect to add to, change, delete or otherwise alter the itineraries of the excursions above;
• The cruise lines may restrict the number of passengers allowed to go on any particular excursion.
• The cruise lines may impose other restrictions on any particular excursion, including height, weight, minimum age, etc.; make sure to check with them to determine if there are such restrictions.
• There may be seasonal limitations on certain excursions or tours, such as whale watching. Be sure to check with your cruise line to determine if the tour in which you're interested is available when you're on your cruise.

Why buy a tour through the cruise lines?

• They have selected tour operator partners who are safe, reliable, licensed and insured.
• They offer a wide selection of tours, purchasing convenience and can provide expert advice on the most appropriate tour for you.
• They offer a one price, no surprises policy, with no hidden fees.
• They will be happy to credit your onboard account if you've already booked an excursion and there is a change in itinerary of the ship.
• They will wait for you if your tour is late.

Footnotes