San Diego Balboa Park Highlights Small Group Tour with Coffee
Overview
There is so much more to beautiful Balboa Park than meets the eye, and you'll find all the secret spots on this small group walking tour of San Diego's cultural crown jewel. You'll see gardens of different types, inspiring architecture, learn about the park's history and the cultural organizations that populate it now. And top it all off with a beverage at a popular coffee cart.
- 2 hour walking tour of Balboa Park
- Learn how two expositions shaped the park and changed San Diego
- Discover the Naval connection to the park
- Be sure to bring a camera as this is the prettiest tour in town!
- Enjoy a beverage at a park coffee cart
- 2 hour walking tour of Balboa Park
- Learn how two expositions shaped the park and changed San Diego
- Discover the Naval connection to the park
- Be sure to bring a camera as this is the prettiest tour in town!
- Enjoy a beverage at a park coffee cart
Inclusions
- Professional and Fun Tour Guide
- One beverage at a local coffee cart
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101-1660
Balboa Park is the cultural jewel of San Diego with architecture, gardens and cultural organizations a-plenty. Keep a camera handy as there are Instagramable spots around every corner.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sefton Plaza, 698 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92103
Sefton Plaza, located near the Park's west entrance, is where we begin our tour. We'll meet at the three large bronze statues of the founder's of the park, and learn how they shaped the city as well.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Cabrillo Bridge, San Diego, CA 92101
We'll pause on our walk across the bridge to admire the views of downtown, the San Diego Zoo and the historic highway below.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: California Tower, 1350 El Prado At the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, CA 92101-1616
The California Tower is a landmark not only for the park but for San Diego as well. The nearly 200 foot tall tower was built for the 1915 Panama California Exposition, and the story of San Diego’s founding in it’s ornate facade. We’ll get three great views of the tower, each one prettier than the next.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101-1696
The three theaters in this complex have wowed audiences since the original construction for the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935. Your guide will give you the scoop on getting tickets when shows are in production.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Pl Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101-1651
This colorful collection of cottages, built for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition, house 37 studios and many more artists. You'll have a chance to explore this unique village, and grab a beverage too!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Botanical Building and Lily Pond, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101-1660
This building was the largest of its kind when built for the 1915 Exposition, and one of four buildings constructed to last past the festivities. In front of it is a historic pond where we will spot koi and other wildlife.
Duration: 10 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101-1660
Balboa Park is the cultural jewel of San Diego with architecture, gardens and cultural organizations a-plenty. Keep a camera handy as there are Instagramable spots around every corner.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sefton Plaza, 698 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92103
Sefton Plaza, located near the Park's west entrance, is where we begin our tour. We'll meet at the three large bronze statues of the founder's of the park, and learn how they shaped the city as well.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Cabrillo Bridge, San Diego, CA 92101
We'll pause on our walk across the bridge to admire the views of downtown, the San Diego Zoo and the historic highway below.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: California Tower, 1350 El Prado At the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, CA 92101-1616
The California Tower is a landmark not only for the park but for San Diego as well. The nearly 200 foot tall tower was built for the 1915 Panama California Exposition, and the story of San Diego’s founding in it’s ornate facade. We’ll get three great views of the tower, each one prettier than the next.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101-1696
The three theaters in this complex have wowed audiences since the original construction for the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935. Your guide will give you the scoop on getting tickets when shows are in production.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Pl Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101-1651
This colorful collection of cottages, built for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition, house 37 studios and many more artists. You'll have a chance to explore this unique village, and grab a beverage too!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Botanical Building and Lily Pond, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101-1660
This building was the largest of its kind when built for the 1915 Exposition, and one of four buildings constructed to last past the festivities. In front of it is a historic pond where we will spot koi and other wildlife.
Duration: 10 minutes
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Let us know in advance if you would like an audio system.
- Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Voyager611219
April 2022
We had a wonderful walking tour with Jennifer. She is very knowledgeable, down to earth, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the park with her. The rose garden was absolutely amazing! Thank you Jennifer for sharing the park and the morning with us. Highly recommend!
We had a wonderful walking tour with Jennifer. She is very knowledgeable, down to earth, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the park with her. The rose garden was absolutely amazing! Thank you Jennifer for sharing the park and the morning with us. Highly recommend!Amanda_M
April 2022
This was a great experience. The tour guide was friendly and knew a lot about the area. I would do this tour again.
This was a great experience. The tour guide was friendly and knew a lot about the area. I would do this tour again.Robert W
April 2022
The tour was exceptional! I came in knowing nothing about such an interested place and the tour guide Jennifer did an amazing job of highlighting the history of the park and architecture along with how the park was tied into the important events of San Diego. Even though our tour took place durin...
The tour was exceptional! I came in knowing nothing about such an interested place and the tour guide Jennifer did an amazing job of highlighting the history of the park and architecture along with how the park was tied into the important events of San Diego. Even though our tour took place during one of the busiest times due to a number of festivals, it went very smoothly. Additionally, Jennifer gave recommendations for further activities and dining options after we finished. Great experience and highly recommended!Lorraine_S
April 2022
Our guide, Jennifer, was delightful and extremely knowledgeable. We learned the fascinating history of this magnificent park, as we soaked in the beauty of the architecture and landscaping. Following the tour we remained in the park and visited the Japanese Tea Garden, which was lovely.
Our guide, Jennifer, was delightful and extremely knowledgeable. We learned the fascinating history of this magnificent park, as we soaked in the beauty of the architecture and landscaping. Following the tour we remained in the park and visited the Japanese Tea Garden, which was lovely.TerryGahan
April 2022
Jennifer was a fountain of knowledge in regards to the history of Balboa Park. At one time I had lived in the San Diego area for a span of 8 years but had no knowledge of all the interesting details Jennifer provided. Thoroughly enjoyed the walk with her and hope to make new discoveries on ano...
Jennifer was a fountain of knowledge in regards to the history of Balboa Park. At one time I had lived in the San Diego area for a span of 8 years but had no knowledge of all the interesting details Jennifer provided. Thoroughly enjoyed the walk with her and hope to make new discoveries on another, different tour with Jennifer in the future!MarenKate
March 2022
Jennifer was punctual and friendly. She tailored the tour to the participants. It was fun to learn the history of the park.
Jennifer was punctual and friendly. She tailored the tour to the participants. It was fun to learn the history of the park.