Mission Bay, San Diego: Our most recommended tours and activities

La Jolla: 2.5-Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour

1. La Jolla: 2.5-Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour

Paddle to the sea caves of La Jolla and snorkel amidst the surrounding Ecological Reserve. Get up close and personal with the Garibaldi, Leopard sharks, rays, and other unique local creatures. Explore La Jolla's pristine underwater Ecological Reserve during the calm water months of summer. Snorkel in two unique habitats, the rocky reef between Goldfish Point and Emerald Cove, and the sandy flats outside of the Marine Room. Along the reef and caves, you'll likely see Garibaldi, sheepshead, blue moon, and other indigenous fish. Sea lions, Brandt's cormorants, and brown pelicans also frequent this habitat. Harmless leopard sharks, bat rays, and shovel-nosed guitar fish inhabit the sandy flats on the south end of La Jolla Shores. Snorkel in these shallow waters teeming with life throughout the warm water months. All snorkeling equipment and wetsuit (which can be kept for the remainder of the day after the tour) is included.

San Diego: Go City Explorer Pass - Choose 2-7 Attractions

2. San Diego: Go City Explorer Pass - Choose 2-7 Attractions

Experience San Diego's top attractions and tours and get up to 50%* off combined admission with Go City's Explorer Pass. Simply choose 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 top attractions from over 40 options and go at your own pace - you have 60 days to use your pass from first activation. Visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo or the USS Midway Museum. Explore more of the city with a hop-on hop-off trolley tour, or kayak and snorkel in beautiful La Jolla. The possibilities are endless. Your pass is fully digital and no physical card is required. Simply download your pass directly to your smartphone or print at home. Show your pass at each attraction for quick and easy entrance. Choose from the following things to do in San Diego with the San Diego Explorer Pass: Museums and Places of Interest • San Diego Zoo OR San Diego Zoo Safari Park (choose 1) • USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum • Belmont Park Ride and Play Pass • Maritime Museum of San Diego • Air and Space Museum • Birch Aquarium at Scripps • The Fleet Science Center with IMAX • San Diego Natural History Museum • Museum of Us • Living Coast Discovery Center • San Diego Museum of Art • San Diego Model Railroad Museum • Japanese Friendship Garden • PETCO Park Tour - Home of the San Diego Padres • San Diego Automotive Museum • Mingei International Museum • The Whaley House Museum Tours and Activities • 2-Day Hop-On Hop-off Old Town San Diego Trolley • Living Coast Discovery Center • 2-Hour Harbor and Sea Lion Cruise • San Diego Speed Boat Adventures • Jet Ski Rental San Diego Harbor • Whale Watching by Hornblower Cruises • Plunge San Diego • San Diego Fishing Tour • San Diego Hiking Tour • San Diego Harbor: Kayak Rental or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental • La Jolla: Kayak Rental, Snorkel Rental, Stand Up Paddle Board Rental, Surf Board Rental or Bike Rental • Coronado: Kayak Rental, Stand Up Paddle Board Rental, or Bike Rental • UTC Ice Sports Center • Speed Circuit: All Access • San Diego City Tour • GoCar San Diego Tours 1-Hour • Patriot Jet Boat • Best of San Diego eBike Tour • Gaslamp and Balboa Park Bike Rental with Unlimited Biking • Go Car 1-Hour Night Tour *Savings based on itineraries on Go City website.

San Diego: Private Sun Cruiser Duffy Boat Rental

3. San Diego: Private Sun Cruiser Duffy Boat Rental

Be the captain of your own private Duffy boat for the afternoon as you cruise along the smooth waters of San Diego's beautiful Mission Bay. Bring your family along for a spectacular day on the water. Enjoy your own music, food, and drinks to make your experience extra special. You may encounter some local wildlife, such as sea lions, migratory birds, and maybe even dolphins. At 21 feet with room for up to 10 guests, the Sun Cruisers are the best choice for your Mission Bay outing. Everyone can come along, with no boating license required to operate this eco-friendly water cruiser. Duffy Boats are as easy as driving a golf cart and go 5-6 mph. Glide through the calm waters of Mission Bay at your own pace. Each Sun Cruiser comes equipped with pillows, tables and a built-in ice cooler for any snacks or beverages you bring along. There are enclosures to protect in the case of unpredicted rain, and a sound system with Bluetooth that you can connect to your device.

San Diego: Private Snug Harbor Duffy Boat Rental

4. San Diego: Private Snug Harbor Duffy Boat Rental

Be your own captain and enjoy a private cruise around Mission Bay with your own electric Duffy Boat. Invite up to 10 passengers, bring your own drinks and music, and enjoy a self-guided tour on the water. Look out for sea lions, migratory birds, dolphins, and people using jet skis and water jet-packs as you boat around San Diego’s Mission Bay. Each Duffy Boat boasts a canopy top to ensure shade, full window enclosures, a built-in cooler for your snacks and drinks, a stereo with Bluetooth connectivity.  Choose between a 90-minute and 3-hour booking, and enjoy a sunset over the water with an early evening timeslot. You’ll be given a detailed map of Mission Bay, as well as instructions on how to drive it before you depart. Duffy Boats are as easy to drive as a golf cart and travel at approximately 5 or 6 mph.

The La Jolla Tour

5. The La Jolla Tour

La Jolla is arguably the finest part of this city, it is to San Diego what Beverly Hills is to Los Angeles. Many of San Diego’s wealthy and fabulous come here to live, and although that in and of itself would mean little, the reasons behind it are the foundation of why this area of the city would draw anyone in. La Jolla Cove, speaks of yesteryear with all of the little-known beaches . See its mysterious cave and secret tunnel entrance, its gentle but rugged cliffs and abundant marine life, its posh shopping and dining district, the stunningly quaint and sequestered shores nestled and hidden in the sylvan tumbles of verdant cliffs. This three hour, fully escorted, semi-private driving tour will introduce you to marvelous physical beauty, and a sense of soaring human presence with the most subtle human footprint. This three hour sightseeing tour is available daily at 1:00 PM.

California Self-driving Audio Guide in German Language

6. California Self-driving Audio Guide in German Language

Complete your road trip around California with an audio guide featuring 169 locations and 3 hours of audio in 1 app. Listen to the recordings as you take in views at Yosemite, Mt. Whitney, and Zabriskie Point, experience the unique cultures of Silicon Valley, Santa Monica, and Hollywood, and drive down Highway 1. Feel at ease taking in the views while the app uses GPS to find your location and suggest stops. From famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge to lesser-known gems like Moss Landing, appreciate the wealth of beauty and history in California with detailed audio descriptions.   Stop and start your journey as often as you please, there’s no constraints once you download the app and activate your audio guide. If there’s a specific site you’d like to visit, manually choose audio guides from the built-in map or from a list.

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What people are saying about Mission Bay, San Diego

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 36 reviews

We rented a duffy for my friend's bachelorette party and for our group it was perfect. We had a blast and would absolutely come back again!

Efficient staff and Duffy boat in good condition. Fun way to spend a birthday with friends!

Old Town trolley is a great way to see the city without worrying about parking.

Judy has a broad range of knowledge of the area and a great sense of humor.

Surprisingly Easy to use. It really is as easy as scan and go.