Boat or bus? Bay harbor tours vs the San Diego Trolley

From salty sea breezes to historic old town trolleys, get the inside scoop on San Diego's top transport tours.

San Diego Bay

In sunny San Diego, the adventure begins with how you get around. City Cruises’ harbor tour offers bay breezes, sweeping seaside vistas, and a totally new angle on the city from the water. Old Town Trolley Tours’ hop-On, hop-Off route lets you dive into the heart of every neighborhood, giving you the power to jump on or off at more than a dozen must-see stops. Both are classic, can’t-miss sightseeing experiences—but which is right for you? We break down the highlights, hidden gems, food stops and more, so you can plan the most scenic, memorable day out in ‘America’s Finest City’.

The lowdown

 

City Cruises harbor tour

  • Narrated cruise along San Diego Bay
  • Top deck open-air seating and enclosed lounge; snack bar and full bar available
  • Sights include the Coronado Bridge, downtown skyline, Star of India, Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma, US Navy fleet and sea lion colonies
  • Great photo ops and wildlife spotting (sometimes including dolphins and pelicans!)
  • Tours run several times daily, easy to book ahead or walk up

Old Town Trolley Tours

  • Classic green-and-orange trolleys with live guides full of stories, jokes and local lore
  • Twelve stops: Old Town, Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park, Hotel del Coronado, Balboa Park, Little Italy and more
  • Board at any stop, hop on or off as much as you want all day
  • One or two-day passes available for deeper exploring; no reservations needed
  • A full loop takes about two hours—ride as little or as much as you want
  • Family-friendly, easy for groups, and customizable based on your interests

Sounds amazing, tell me more...

San Diego's Old Town Trolley

City Cruises harbor tour

Step on deck, find your favorite spot and get ready to see San Diego’s bay from a whole new perspective. Sail past the downtown skyline with its modern towers, catch the sun glinting off the historic Star of India, hear stories about infamous pirates and learn about the city’s Navy heritage as you glide by active aircraft carriers. Docents or audio narration point out everything you need to know, mixing history, trivia and goofy puns for kids. On the upper deck, snap panoramic photos; on the lower, stay shaded and grab a snack or drink at the bar. Spot sea lions lounging by the buoys and watch for pelicans cruising at wave-height. The vibe is laid-back and perfect for anyone wanting a breezy, effortless afternoon—and the best photos of the Coronado Bridge.

Hop-on hop-off Trolley tour

Want to see it all? The Old Town Trolley is your ticket. With frequent departures from most major attractions, you can ride the full two-hour loop for the whole city story, or hop off whenever something triggers your curiosity. The trolleys are lively—guides pepper their narration with weird facts, local legends and jokes (some corny, all fun!). You’ll swing through historic Old Town, then down to the Embarcadero for ships and the Maritime Museum, roll through the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter’s Victorian streets, and cross the glittering Coronado Bridge for a stop at the legendary Hotel del Coronado (did you know it's haunted?). Hit Balboa Park’s museums, Little Italy’s foodie streets, or Petco Park for baseball fans. The flexibility is unbeatable: get off at Seaport Village for shopping, grab tacos in Old Town, or walk the promenade at Shelter Island—all at your pace, and with a new trolley along every 20–30 minutes. Perfect for explorers, families and first-timers who like a little bit of everything.

Which tour is more impressive?

 

For sheer visual wow-factor and relaxing at-sea charm, the harbor cruise is hard to beat. Nothing compares to gliding under the Coronado Bridge, with ocean breezes and bay panoramas everywhere you look. The scale of Navy ships, the intricate details of the waterfront, and the thrill of a city skyline rising straight from the bay are uniquely impressive by boat. Photographers, wildlife-watchers and architecture fans will never run out of ‘wow, look at that!’ moments. Even long-time locals feel like they’re on vacation when the city comes alive from the water—the sights, the stories and the sunsets always feel new.

Which is more fun?

 

Fun is the name of the game for the trolley crew. Guides have the freedom to riff, tell personal stories and answer your questions—think history, ghostly tales, food tips, secret haunts and San Diego trivia. The ability to jump on or hop off at will means you can break up the journey for spontaneous ice cream stops, photo hunts or city strolls. Families will love the silly jokes and constant motion, while groups of friends can treat it like a roving pub crawl or cultural scavenger hunt. For pure customizable energy, playful guides and the feeling that you’re in on every San Diego secret, the trolley takes the trophy.

How do I get there?

 

City Cruises harbor tour

All tours board at Broadway Pier or Pier 2, right on the Embarcadero. Both piers are steps from downtown’s Santa Fe Depot (Trolley and Coaster lines), and nearby parking lots (some paid, some metered). Rideshare drop-offs are easy, and you’re just a stroll from the Gaslamp, Seaport Village and Waterfront Park.

San Diego Trolley tour

Start and end at any designated Trolley stop, with major hubs at Old Town, Seaport Village and the Embarcadero (right by the cruise, in case you want to do both!). Trolleys run frequently (roughly every 20-30 minutes), and all stops are accessible by city transit, car (parking at Old Town is free and abundant), or even bike or foot if you’re staying centrally.

Best choice for families, couples or friends

Unconditional Surrender statue on Embarcadero in San Diego
  • For families: the trolley is a favorite for families with kids or multigenerational groups. The ability to break up the tour, get out at each stop and see everything from the zoo to Old Town means kids don't get restless and everyone can follow their own interests. The guides are usually great with young ones, telling pirate stories, sharing fun sound effects and making each child feel like a VIP. The harbor cruise can also be excellent (kids love spotting sea lions or ships), but if your little ones have lots of energy, the trolley's frequent stops and freedom to run around between rides make all the difference.
  • For couples: the harbor cruise is tailor-made for romance—think ocean breezes and sunset photo opps with the city skyline as your backdrop. Sip wine, hold hands on the open deck, and let the mood do the rest. For adventurous couples, though, the trolley tour offers a playful ‘choose your own adventure’ vibe: hop off for brunch in Little Italy, catch a pop-up jazz band in Balboa Park, and wander hidden corners of Coronado—all at your own pace.
  • For friends: groups of friends or adults visiting together will love the trolley for its flexibility: use it as a moveable pub crawl, a shopping spree vehicle, or the backbone of a DIY city scavenger hunt. The banter from guides and the hop-on, hop-off spontaneity keep things dynamic and never dull. City Cruises is perfect for groups that just want to relax, catch up and enjoy scenery—great for reunions, birthdays or simply soaking up sun on the bay.

Which tour is better for fidgety kids?

 

With the trolley, restless kids never have to sit still for very long. Jump off at Balboa Park for playgrounds and museums, explore the giant ships at the Maritime Museum, or let them count statues and murals in Seaport Village. Every stop is a mini adventure, and the thrill of climbing onto the trolley and choosing your next destination keeps energy high.

What’s the accessibility like?

 

City Cruises harbor tour

Vessels are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, with helpful crew ready to assist with boarding. There are accessible restrooms, plenty of seating (indoors and outdoors), and the narration can be heard throughout both decks. Service animals are welcome and the flat, stable ride is ideal for anyone with mobility challenges.

Hop-on hop-off trolley tour

All trolleys are wheelchair accessible with lifts, and staff are trained to help with boarding and seating. Stops are close to curb cuts and ramps. Guides happily answer questions or share tips for those with limited mobility or sensory needs. Strollers are welcome and can be stored during each ride.

Best lunch spots nearby?

 

Near City Cruises’ harbor boarding

  • Portside Pier: multiple restaurant choices (seafood, Mexican, pub grub) with bay views and outdoor patios.
  • Carnitas Snack Shack: known for its pork sandwiches, loaded fries and lively harbor patio.
  • Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar: sit outside on the breezy deck and order local swordfish tacos.

Near trolley tour stops

  • Old Town Mexican Café: hand-pressed tortillas, classic margaritas and festive, family-friendly vibes.
  • Little Italy Food Hall: a block from the trolley stop, it's a smorgasbord of small eateries and great coffee.
  • Café 222 (near Gaslamp): famous for peanut butter and banana-stuffed French toast—perfect for breakfast or brunch between stops.
  • Seaport Village: try the Pier Café for fish and chips or Frost Me Café & Bakery for delicious cupcakes and coffee.

Where will I find the best photo ops?

Hotel del Coronado
Hotel del Coronado

City Cruises harbor tour

The open-air top deck turns every angle of the skyline, Coronado Bridge, and Navy ships into striking photo ops. Golden hour (late afternoon) is stunning, but blue skies are equally share-worthy. Snag a selfie sailing under the bridge or, with luck, as a sea lion pops up alongside the boat.

San Diego Trolley tour

Take your pick from the best of San Diego: historic Old Town plazas, Balboa Park’s ornate gardens, the Gaslamp Quarter’s arch, views from the Coronado ferry landing, and Hotel del Coronado’s fairytale turrets (pictured). Every stop adds something new to your Instagram story—don’t forget street performers and bright murals as you roll through local neighborhoods

We’re done and we’d like a drink – any good bars nearby?

 

Near City Cruises’ harbor boarding

  • Ketch Grill & Taps: local brews and creative cocktails with prime waterfront views; try the house IPA and soak in the sunset.
  • Top of the Hyatt: rooftop drinks up on the 21st floor, with panoramic bay and city views; order a craft old fashioned for a stylish finish.
  • Portside Pier bars: multiple options for happy hour with a harbor breeze.

Near trolley tour stops

  • Ballast Point Little Italy: award-winning local beers and sangria flights on a lively rooftop patio.
  • Prohibition Lounge (Gaslamp): hidden speakeasy with live jazz and mood lighting; perfect for a Prohibition-era Manhattan or gin fizz.
  • Monkey Bar (Hotel del Coronado stop): Resort rooftop lounge with craft cocktails and beach views—super Instagrammable at sunset.

Any other good stuff nearby?

Giraffes at San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo

Near City Cruises’ harbor boarding

  • USS Midway Museum: board a real aircraft carrier right next to the pier.
  • Waterfront Park: splash fountains for kids, picnic lawns and panoramic city views.
  • Seaport Village: boutiques, food trucks, and sometimes live music on the green.

Near trolley tour stops

  • Balboa Park: museums, gardens and a world-class zoo, all easily reached.
  • Coronado Beach: one of the nation’s prettiest stretches of sand, just blocks from the trolley stop.
  • Little Italy Mercato (Saturdays): San Diego’s favorite farmers market, right by the trolley stop.

In summary…

 

Whether you fancy sailing beneath the bridge with sea breezes or cruising trolley tracks through every vibrant neighborhood, San Diego’s top tours have you covered. If you crave stunning water views, wildlife spotting and laid-back narration, the harbor cruise paints the city in panoramic blues and golds. For those who want flexibility, flavor and jokes along every route through San Diego’s neighborhoods and history, the San Diego Trolley lets you sightsee on your own terms. The good news? With Go City®, you can do both—two perspectives, double the fun, and memories made at sea and on the street.

Looking for more great ways to explore San Diego? Check out our guide to Petco Park and Gaslamp ghost tours, and experience the best of the city’s aquariums.

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Things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego

Sandwiched between La Jolla to the north and Mission Beach to the south, Pacific Beach – or P.B. as it's known to locals – is a sun-drenched slice of Californian paradise. Alongside a beautiful sandy beach and fairly calm waters, it boasts some of the best nightlife in the area, with a high density of lively bars and restaurants frequented by the local student‘n’surfer crowd. Dive in to discover our favorite things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego. Beach Party Atmosphere Central Pacific Beach’s party vibe is the stuff of legend. During the day, the sunkissed blonde sands are alive with kitesurfers, kids playing volleyball and everything else in between. Firepits glow red in the twilight of balmy summer evenings as revelers soak up the gentle sea breezes and prepare for an evening in the hip bars and restaurants around the broad, palm-lined Garnet and Grand avenues. Mosey along to the SD Taproom on Garnet to sample a selection of San Diego’s legendary craft beers, from hoppy pale ales to rich chocolate stouts. A bar menu that includes pizza, burgers and giant pretzels will help soak up all that lovely beer. Or hit the Pacific Beach Fish Shop for ocean-fresh tacos brimming over with the grilled fish or crustacean of your choice, plus crab cakes, clam chowder and more. The three-mile oceanfront boardwalk stretches all the way south to Mission Beach and Mission Bay, and bustles with cyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers and shoppers. Hire a bike to explore this scenic stretch of the California coast, and make a day of it by taking a picnic and meandering south around Mission Bay’s winding shoreline. Or head north into the bluffs of La Jolla, with their spectacular sea views. Fishermen angle for bass and halibut off Crystal Pier, jockeying for position with selfie-takers. Tread its boards as the sun sets, turning the sky several remarkable shades of orange, pink and purple, for some of the finest photo opportunities in the area. You needn’t stray too far from the main drag to find a relatively quiet stretch of beach, either: the calm waters and broad sands just north of the pier are a little less lively and especially popular with families as a result. Like Central P.B., North Pacific Beach has designated swimming and surfing areas, and a reassuring lifeguard presence. Surf’s up! Grab your board and make for Tourmaline Surfing Park. This cute cove where P.B. meets La Jolla is surrounded by cliffs and accessed down a steep, palm-lined road through Tourmaline Canyon. The slow-rolling waves make this beach popular with novice surfers, as well as windsurfers and kiteboarders when the wind is up. Park Life A big favorite with in-the-know locals, Kate Sessions Park is 79 acres of gorgeous greenery set on the verdant slopes of Mount Soledad. Pack a picnic and throw down your blanket on the grassy lawns for fresh sea air, balmy breezes and some absolutely cracking views of Mission Bay, P.B. and San Diego’s famous urban skyline. On clear days you might even glimpse the Coronado Bridge curving across the shimmering blue ocean. There’s a playground as well as plenty of wild trails for walking and biking. As dusk descends, fire up one of the barbecues for a sunset cookout and enjoy that magical moment when the lights come on in downtown San Diego’s distant skyscrapers. Lying east of the Pacific Beach neighborhood on the other side of Interstate 5, Tecolote Canyon National Park makes for a great day out thanks to its unchallenging walking trails and nature center with information on the canyon’s diverse flora and fauna, including a rainbow of butterflies and wildflowers and the occasional snake. Take the 10-kilometer Tecolote Canyon Trail, which weaves its fairly flat way through the narrow valley, and keep your eyes peeled for the majestic birds that give the canyon its name (tecolote is the Spanish word for owl). A shorter trail through the Native Plant Garden is ideal for families. Plants are numbered along the trail, and you can learn the names of each both in English and Kumeyaay, the language of San Diego’s original Native American settlers. Top Nearby Attractions North of Pacific Beach, picture-perfect La Jolla boasts wild, pine-scented hills and valleys and a long stretch of alternatingly rocky and sandy coastline that make it great for surfing, swimming, sunbathing and... seal-spotting. A number of colonies of harbor seals call this sunny spot in California their home. Head on up to Children’s Beach, where you’ll find dozens frolicking playfully in the surf and basking on the warm sand. Originally intended as a safe place for kids to swim following the installation of a concrete breakwater in the 1930s, it’s now one of the best seal-spotting destinations on the coast, with the colony estimated to be over 200 strong. And, if the cute seals have whetted your appetite for marine life, you’re in for an absolute treat at SeaWorld San Diego, just a short distance south of Pacific Beach in Mission Bay. Here’s where you’ll find orca whales and other giants of the deep including beautiful loggerhead turtles, other-worldly Japanese spider crabs and the elusive giant Pacific Octopus, a master of disguise. There are 19 enormous aquariums to explore here, plus stacks of high-octane thrill rides to keep everyone entertained. You’ll find gentler, more old-fashioned fun at nearby Belmont Park on Mission Beach, where the wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster is a century-old National Historic landmark. Other fun amusement rides in this nostalgia-fueled beachfront theme park include bumper cars, mini golf and a traditional painted carousel. Save on things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
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Stuart Bak
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A full 6-day San Diego itinerary for every kind of traveler

The best way to fill 6 days with beach vibes and big sights.
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One Week in San Diego - 7 Day Itinerary for Your Vacation

Spending one week in San Diego but aren’t sure what to do to make the most of your time? Check out our week-long, 7 day itinerary for some suggestions on what to see and where to go. This San Diego 7 day itinerary is filled with a wide variety of attractions and activities, from theme parks and zoos to museums and tours. Visit these attractions with a 7-Day All-Inclusive Pass and save on combined admission costs vs. paying at the gate. This 7 day itinerary includes: SeaWorld San Diego Belmont Park San Diego Zoo San Diego Natural History Museum San Diego Air & Space Museum Fleet Science Center San Diego Zoo Safari Park USS Midway Museum Coronado Island LEGOLAND® California Museum of Making Music Birch Aquarium Speed Circuit: All Access Whale Watching Tour Knott’s Berry Farm DAY 1 Stop #1: SeaWorld San Diego What better place to begin your explorations than SeaWorld San Diego? Part amusement park, part conservation center, and all fun, SeaWorld has been a great family destination for decades and is adding new and exciting attractions every year. Some of the highlights of your SeaWorld experience include unparalleled animal shows, behind-the-scenes feeding demonstrations, animal encounters, thrilling amusement park rides, and so much more. Don’t forget to visit the interactive “Explorer’s Reef” exhibit! We recommend reserving between 4-5 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: Belmont Park After you finish at SeaWorld, treat yourself to some old-fashioned amusement park fun with a visit to Belmont Park. Filled with classic rides and arcade games that the whole family will love, this popular San Diego attraction is a great mellow way to round out the rest of your afternoon. A few of the available rides at Belmont Park include the Giant Dipper roller coaster, a few wave rides, the Vertical Plunge, Krazy Kars bumper cars, and the Coconut Climb. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Stop #3: Seaport Village (free!) Leave La Jolla and take a quick ride back down to San Diego proper for a chance to explore the popular Seaport Village area. This waterfront locale is filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions that you won’t find anywhere else. From bookstores to cafés and everything in between, you can window shop to your heart’s content in this quirky neighborhood. Or, stop in a few places in search of that perfect souvenir. This is also a great place to have dinner, if you're in search of some fun culinary options. DAY 2 Stop #1: The San Diego Zoo This popular San Diego destination is truly the heart of Balboa Park. It spans about 100 acres of the park, and is home to more than 3,700 animals from over 650 different species. Filled with creatures great and small, from the adorable Giant Pandas to the tiniest of little fish, the San Diego Zoo is the perfect destination for animal lovers. The San Diego Zoo is also one of the leaders in global conservation, rescuing and rehabilitating hundreds of animals each year. In fact, admission fees goes right back into their rescue efforts! We recommend reserving between 3-4 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: San Diego Natural History Museum With its particular focus on the history and culture of Southern California and Baja California, the San Diego Natural History Museum is a unique cultural destination in Balboa Park. The NAT (as it’s known by locals) is filled with fascinating exhibits and ancient artifacts that will delight and inspire the whole family. Some highlights of their offerings include dinosaur fossils, a collection of 200 animal skulls from their research lab, and special exhibitions on everything from whales to Mayan culture and civilization. We recommend reserving about 1 hour for this attraction. Stop #3: San Diego Air & Space Museum This one is a must-see attraction for all space lovers. San Diego, after all, is the home of modern aviation and particularly naval aviation. Another Balboa Park stand-out, this museum is perfect for space geeks of all ages. The San Diego Air & Space Museum is filled with immersive exhibits and real restored aircraft spanning all of aviation history – truly a treat for any fan of flight. The kids will love the scope and variety of the available exhibits, and you’ll love how educational everything is. Some of the exhibits you and your family can enjoy feature a variety of mint-condition historical aircraft, including a Navy F6F Hellcat and the A-4 Skyhawk Jet, as well as the Wright EX Vin Fiz (from 1911!). We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Stop #4: Fleet Science Center The Fleet Science Center is one of the most important scientific complexes in the region. It's also conveniently located in Balboa Park, so you don't have to travel too far from your previous attraction to explore this fun option. It’s both a museum and an active research facility, offering the best of both worlds to curious visitors. Although their collections are vast and diverse, a few of the most popular exhibits include “Cellular Journey,” “Kid City,” So Watt,” and more. Don’t forget to check out the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. DAY 3 Stop #1: San Diego Safari Park This magnificent animal park is like nothing you’ve ever seen before and is probably unlike anything you’ll ever see again. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a truly unique institution, filled with animal encounters and experiences that go way beyond your typical zoo visit. For example, the Cheetah Run exhibit allows you to watch a cheetah go from 0-60 miles per hour in just seconds – an intimate glimpse of what their lives are like in the wild. You can also get up close (behind glass!) to lions, tigers, and many other majestic Saharan creatures. We recommend spending your entire day here. Plan on having lunch at one of their many delicious on-site restaurants. DAY 4 Stop #1: USS Midway Museum The USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum is one of the most-visited attractions in all of San Diego – for good reason! Its historic significance alone makes it worth exploring and its modern reincarnation as a world-class museum makes it worth spending plenty of time here. You’ll learn all about the battle that gave the ship its name, about aircraft carrier participation in U.S. Naval battles, and about the lives of sailors during WWII. Don’t miss their popular movie, “Battle of Midway: Voices of Midway.” We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: Coronado Bike & Kayak Rentals If you’ve got one full week to spend in San Diego, it’s definitely worth taking the time to explore Coronado, with its totally distinct culture and vibe. Hop aboard the ferry to come over. While you’re enjoying the sun in Coronado, why not be a little more active with your outdoor time with a bike, kayak, or stand up paddle board rental? This is an excellent way to explore the great outdoors in style, by land or by sea. Some of the sights you may see include Petco Park, the Embarcadero, the USS Midway, Naval Station North Island, the Silver Strand, the Convention Center and Glorietta Bay. Stop #3: Explore Coronado Island & Centennial Park (free!) There's also plenty more to see in Coronado, so you might as well spend the rest of your day here. There's the historic Hotel Del Coronado, today a resort with popular dining options (which you can enjoy without being a guest). Then, there's a golf course, multiple parks, and beaches to enjoy. As for Centennial Park, this cute little garden space is located just near the ferry landing. It provides stunning ocean views and amazing views of the San Diego skyline – the perfect photo opportunity. We recommend reserving between 30 minutes to 1 hour for this attraction. DAY 5 Stop #1: LEGOLAND® California Every kid’s favorite toys come to life at LEGOLAND® California! This fun-filled wonderland has enough exhibits, attractions, rides, and slides to keep the whole family busy for practically the entire day. The little ones will love the DUPLO® play area, and the older kids will enjoy exciting roller coasters and the famous Miniland USA. Did you know there’s also a water park and an aquarium that make up part of the larger LEGOLAND® complex? If you want the complete experience, why not check out the new LEGOLAND® hotel? We recommend reserving between 5-6 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: The Museum of Making Music The Museum of Making Music is a specialty museum dedicated to studying the art of how humans create, distribute, and enjoy music. It's also located in Carlsbad, so you don't have to drive too far from LEGOLAND to enjoy this attraction. Immerse yourself in over a century of musical history in interactive and exciting exhibits that cover all of the major developments in American musical history. With over 500 vintage instruments and hundreds of audio and video examples, the Museum of Making Music is a comprehensive portrait of the kinds of music that Americans have enjoyed and produced over time, from the player piano to the invention of modern digital music. We recommend reserving about 1 hour for this attraction. Stop #3: Carlsbad Village Art & Antique Mall (free!) Explore downtown Carlsbad by strolling around the Carlsbad Village Art & Antique Mall, a great hidden gem. It’s a shopper’s paradise with more than 15,000 square feet and over 100 sellers at the Art & Antique Mall itself, although there are also more shopping options in Carlsbad Village as a whole. You are also close to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, should you be craving a more intense shopping experience. Depending on how much shopping you feel up to, we recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. DAY 6 Stop #1: Birch Aquarium Your San Diego itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. This highly interactive oceanographic institute is the perfect destination for anyone who loves sea creatures. From various special exhibits to several marine habitats and the opportunity to interact with select sea creatures, there’s so much to do and see here that you’ll never want to leave. Some exhibits you'll find at the Aquarium of the Pacific include "Boundless Energy," "There's Something About Seahorses," and "Coral Displays." You also won’t want to miss the beautiful, unforgettable view of the Pacific that you’ll see from inside the Aquarium! We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: La Jolla Beaches What better way to take advantage of the natural beauty of La Jolla than with some good old fashioned beach time? Sun, swim, or just wander these beautiful beaches to your heart’s content and feel like a real Californian. If you’re looking for something specific to explore, check out the fascinating Shell Beach Tide Pools, located at the south end of Ellen Browning Scripps Park. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Stop #3: Speed Circuit: All Access Transition from water-bound fun to some totally awesome indoor adventures at the Eastlake Speed Circuit. Feel like you’re a real race car driver as you speed through hairpin turns and long straightaways. The state-of-the-art equipment offered at this establishment is thrilling to observe and even more exciting to drive. Advanced technology will allow you clock your lap times, aim for specific speeds, and more. It’s one of the best indoor kart tracks in the country! Make sure to pay a visit to the Thrill Park too, equipped with wipe-out trampolines, a human hamster ball arena, 50-foot zip lines, and more! DAY 7 Stop #1: Whale Watching by Newport Landing Another attraction you won’t want to miss is an informative and exciting Whale Watching and Dolphin Tour by Newport Landing. With several daily departures available, you’ll be able to enjoy one of these great cruises any time you visit. A few of the fascinating and majestic species you may see on your adventure include the California Gray Whale, Giant Blue Whales, Orcas, Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, and other sea creatures including dolphins, seals, sharks, and more. Stop #2: Knott’s Berry Farm For your last attraction of the vacation, take a short drive up north to Knott’s Berry Farm. This classic theme park attraction is both a historic establishment in California (the very first theme park) and an exciting modern destination. Enjoy dozens of thrilling rides and slides, plus other fun attractions. There are breathtaking rides for the adults and gentler rides for the little ones, so there’s something to appeal to all visitors. Some of the popular rides are coasters like GhostRider and Boomerang, thrill rides like La Revolución, and rides for the little ones like those you'll find at Camp Snoopy. Don’t forget to pick up some Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Pie! We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction. Save on Attraction Admission So there’s your fun-filled San Diego 7-Day itinerary. It’s packed with every variety of attraction and activity you could imagine, complemented with delicious meals and fun free activities. So make the most of your one week in San Diego! Visit each of these above attractions with the 7-Day All-Inclusive Pass with Go City and save on combined admission costs. Plus, get additional discounts on shopping, dining, and more attractions. Go City® gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. Only have a few days in San Diego? We’ve also put together a 1 day, 2 day, and 3 day San Diego itinerary.
Katie Sagal

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