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San DiegoSelf-guided activities

Our most recommended San Diego Self-guided activities

San Diego: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket

1. San Diego: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket

Take a self-guided audio tour onboard the world’s longest-serving aircraft carrier, the historic USS Midway. See the carrier’s 25 restored aircraft from the days of WWII to Operation Desert Storm. Visit areas throughout the Midway, from the crew's sleeping quarters to the pilots' ready rooms. Docents are available throughout the carrier and are eager to share their stories, anecdotes, and statistics, creating a picture of just how important the USS Midway was to the U.S. Navy. Most guests spend 3 to 4 hours exploring this historic aircraft carrier and learning its history. The included audio guide, available in 6 languages, will help you explore the dozens of highlighted areas across the massive ship.  There are family-oriented activities throughout the Museum. Included are 3 types of flight simulators, music videos, short films, climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits, and more. The Museum is located at the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego.

San Diego: Haunted Historic Whaley House - Self-Guided Tour

2. San Diego: Haunted Historic Whaley House - Self-Guided Tour

Travel back to 1800s San Diego as you explore the family home of Thomas Whaley on a self-guided tour. After a 5-minute introduction, walk through the Whaley House Museum at your own pace and ask the docent in each room any questions you may have. For those who have an affinity for the paranormal, San Diego’s famed Whaley House is widely regarded as the most haunted house in America. With its rich and dark past, spine-tingling cases of spiritual encounters, and inexplicable events, its haunted pedigree is second to none. Get a glimpse into the past at a house that’s been viewed as an integral part of Old Town San Diego since 1857. With more than a century in the making, the Whaley House Museum holds an impressive amount of San Diego heritage. Recognized as the oldest two-story brick-structure south of Monterey California, the Whaley House features magnificent Greek Revival architecture along with an unrivaled historical timeline encompassing San Diego’s second county courthouse, a lively theater, a charming general store, and a prominent family home.

La Jolla: Double Kayak Rental

3. La Jolla: Double Kayak Rental

Chart your own course through California's breathtaking La Jolla Ecological Reserve with this kayak rental service. Pick up your equipment at the beach, receive a quick safety briefing from your host, then set out to discover the impressive wildlife, including birds, fish, and dolphins. Begin your experience by checking in at the shop, then head to the beach for your safety briefing. Hop into your double kayak and get going. Get the chance to see a variety of marine life while kayaking around the ecological reserve. See different kinds of fish, birds, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and even whales, depending on the time of year. Take in impressive scenery as you go. Sail past the beautiful town of La Jolla from the water, and take in the amazing scenery.

San Diego: Bike or eBike Rental with map

4. San Diego: Bike or eBike Rental with map

Explore San Diego in a unique way - by Bike! From our store location, guests will be able to see all of the vibrant scenes that San Diego has to offer - from theaters to parks to art galleries to symphony halls to museums. Ride through Balboa Park and visit the Bea Evenson Fountain, San Diego Zoo, Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego Air & Space Museum and more! Then, bike through the historic infamous Gaslamp Quarter towards the Embarcadero, which has some of the best views of San Diego. You’ll be able to see all of the amazing downtown gems, including the USS Midway, Embarcadero Marina Park, Billionaire Row, Maritime Museum, Bob Hope Memorial, Tuna Pier, and Seaport Village! We offer bikes for everyone, including eBikes, Kids Bikes and Tandems. Additionally, we have baby seats and baby trailers available for families.

San Diego: Self-Guided E-Bike Tour

5. San Diego: Self-Guided E-Bike Tour

Ride with ease to the best parts of San Diego on an e-bike. Experience the iconic sights of Downtown, Balboa, and the Old Town, with plenty of time to explore all three. See all the major attractions on a prepared route, or venture out on your own. Begin your journey in San Diego's Old Town and take your time at the Maritime Museum, known for its bold restorations and interesting exhibits. Navigate through the unique Horton Plaza Mall and the Gaslamp Quarter to make your way to the rest of Downtown. Peruse Balboa Park by foot and breathe in the fresh air and beautiful sights and sounds. Take the option to enter some of the many museums or smell the roses in the Rose Garden with over 800 different varieties. Grab a bite to eat at an authentic Mexican food restaurant after meandering through many of the city's historic buildings. Visit the spookiest location, the Whaley House, named one of America's most haunted houses. Stop and take pictures, try different foods, drink and relax, and truly discover why San Diego is America's Finest City.

San Diego: Self-Guided Scooter Tour of Downtown & Balboa

6. San Diego: Self-Guided Scooter Tour of Downtown & Balboa

Pick up your scooter at the rental location and hit the road after a brief tutorial. Begin your tour by riding down the streets of Little Italy. If you feel like it, stop into a restaurant and grab a quick slice of pizza. It’s your self-guided tour, and you set the pace. Feel the cool ocean breezes as you check out the schooners, steam tugs, and paddle wheel boats that make up the by the Maritime Museum. See the USS Midway, a massive decommissioned aircraft carrier that’s docked in the San Diego Bay.  Cruise through Seaport Village, a buzzing entertainment and shopping area that connects the harbor to the city’s downtown. Pick out where you’re going to party once it gets dark as you explore the Horton Plaza Historic Gaslamp Quarter, the epicenter of San Diego’s nightlife. Admire the architecturally magnificent Petco Park, the home of San Diego’s baseball team the Padre’s. Enjoy going down the quaint residential streets of the upscale Banker’s Hill. Explore Balboa Park which is dotted with Spanish Renaissance-inspired architecture, over a dozen museums, colorful flower gardens, and a world-renowned outdoor organ pavilion. Journey to the always happening Hillcrest neighborhood, a buzzing part of town known for its many restaurants and thriving LBGT community. After seeing the best of San Diego, come back to the rental location and return your scooter.

San Diego: Self-Guided Scooter Tour of Downtown & Old Town

7. San Diego: Self-Guided Scooter Tour of Downtown & Old Town

Start your tour with a trip through historic Little Italy. Once home to the city’s Italian community, the neighborhood has now become a modern business and arts district. Make your way to the bay and see ships that explored the new world, and patrolled the waters in time of war. Then cruise down the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter which was once San Diego’s red-light district, but is now the center of the city’s nightlife.  Leave modern San Diego and take a trip through the past as you check out the beautiful Mission Hills and the historic Fort Stockton. Visit Presidio Park where see the old Spanish mission used to stand. Ride through Old town San Diego and see how the city looked in the era of the old west when its Spanish and American residents were just laying the foundation for a thriving community.

Coronado: GPS-Guided Private Electric Open-Top Car Tour

8. Coronado: GPS-Guided Private Electric Open-Top Car Tour

See the sights of Coronado on a GPS-guided private electric car tour. Have an exhilarating drive in an open-top vehicle as you visit downtown Coronado, go over Coronado Bridge, view San Diego Harbor, or pass Petco Park. Learn about the city's attractions from your onboard commentary. Your tour begins downtown to explore the Gaslamp Quarter, USS Midway, and Seaport Village. Afterward, head to Coronado's pristine beaches, the famous Hotel del Coronado, the ferry landing, Petco Park, and more. Enjoy the drive as your electric car takes you to important sites, recommends restaurants, cracks jokes, and tells stories that bring destinations to life. On your tour, drive over the Coronado Bridge for incredible views of San Diego. Ride along the beaches and pass by the Naval Air Station on North Island.

GPS Talking Tour Cars: Point Loma & Beaches Loop

9. GPS Talking Tour Cars: Point Loma & Beaches Loop

Take a GPS-guided tour in the Storytelling Car® and see for yourself why TIME Magazine called GoCar "The Most Amazing Invention of the Year!" Let GoCar be your guide through an exciting loop of San Diego. GoCar, The Cure for the Common Tour®, lets you experience the beauty of San Diego and visit places tour busses cannot go – all at your own pace! Fold up your map, put away the guidebook and let the GoCar show you what most visitors never see! Zip around in a cute, yellow Storytelling GoCar as it takes you on your own GPS-guided tour. The GoCar is easy and fun to drive. Since it is GPS-guided, the car knows where you are – even if you don’t. With you in the driver’s seat, it not only tells you where to turn, it tells the stories that bring the city to life. Let the car direct you, or for those more adventurous, blaze your own trail! Above is only a suggested route. Your tour’s length may vary due to circumstances such as departure time and location, traffic and your itinerary. If you do take additional rental time, this will be billed in 15-minute increments at our retail rates. You may visit all or some of the tour’s highlights. If you are unsure of which tour to book, just book according to the amount of time you think you would like to spend. We can customize a tour especially for you, with the sights you want to include, when you come into our shop. PRICING IS PER VEHICLE NOT PER PERSON. EACH VEHICLE SEATS 2 PEOPLE. GoCar Tours, a CarbonNeutral® Company Gocar Tours is certified CarbonNeutral® by offsetting all CO2 emissions from vehicle operations, electricity use, business travel and employee commuting across global operations in Europe and the United States.

San Diego: Downtown Electric GoCar Rental

10. San Diego: Downtown Electric GoCar Rental

Join a tour with a top speed of 75 miles an hour. Explore San Diego in a green and fun way. See the sights of downtown and see iconic Balboa Park. Embark on a tour of downtown San Diego's sights. See Spanish renaissance architecture, museums, colorful flower gardens, and a world-renowned outdoor organ pavilion. Let your electric tour take you to happen Hillcrest, home to quirky shops and restaurants. Explore an area that is home to some of the best food in the county. Experience a green and open-air adventure as you drive through downtown in a unique way. See the Maritime Museum, the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, and famous Balboa Park among other landmarks.

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What people are saying about San Diego

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 2 reviews

Really well organised tour. Audio tour is free and very good. Must have it to appreciate the history of the ship. Indeed and in general there is lots of information available about the role of the ship. The staff are extremely attentive. Allow 3 hours minimum. Restaurant in the hanger is ok.

Amazing to be on a part of history! Please make sure to go to see the Midway and hear the incredible docents describe the different areas of the ship.

Very cool experience, with lots to see. I would do it again - to see what I missed!!

It’s amazing and the docents are informative, terrific people.

Helps convey the arena our service men served our country.