The Highlights Express Tour

Experience the best of San Diego in one well-paced, half-day highlights tour designed to show you what truly defines America’s Finest City. This express experience brings together Coronado’s coastal beauty, the character and history of the Gaslamp Quarter, and the dramatic scenery of La Jolla, where ocean cliffs, marine life, and sweeping views steal the show. With thoughtfully timed stops along the way, you’ll have time to enjoy each location rather than rush past it. It’s an easy, rewarding way to see San Diego’s most iconic sights and leave feeling confident you experienced the city the right way.

Price:

$189.00

DURATION:

Approx. 4 Hours

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Visitors on a walking tour of Coronado, enjoying historic buildings and local sights.

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The Highlights Express Tour

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Tour Description

If you want to experience the true essence of San Diego in a single, well-paced half day, the San Diego Highlights Express Tour delivers exactly that. This thoughtfully designed 4-hour experience brings together the city’s most defining neighborhoods, coastal scenery, and cultural landmarks into one smooth, confidence-building introduction to America’s Finest City.

This tour includes: Coronado Ferry Landing, the historic Hotel del Coronado, Balboa Park, Mount Soledad, La Jolla Cove, the Children’s Pool, Windansea Beach, and many unforgettable sights in between.

Your journey begins in Coronado, where the relaxed coastal atmosphere sets the tone for the day. You’ll explore the lively Ferry Landing and take in the timeless elegance of the Hotel del Coronado, one of California’s most iconic seaside landmarks. From there, the tour moves through the historic Gaslamp Quarter, where Victorian architecture and modern energy collide, offering insight into San Diego’s past and present.

Next, you’ll experience Balboa Park, the cultural heart of the city. Known for its Spanish Colonial architecture, gardens, and museums, this area showcases San Diego’s artistic and architectural soul. Along the Embarcadero, you’ll take in sweeping bay views and pass notable landmarks like the USS Midway Museum and the Unconditional Surrender statue, connecting the city’s maritime history with its waterfront charm.

The experience culminates in La Jolla, where dramatic coastal cliffs, pristine beaches, and marine life define one of Southern California’s most breathtaking settings. Stops at Mount Soledad provide panoramic views across the coastline, while visits to La Jolla Cove, the Children’s Pool, and Windansea Beach allow you to slow down and fully appreciate the natural beauty that makes this area so special.

What makes this tour stand out is its balance. Instead of simply driving past landmarks, you’ll have time to step out, explore, take photos, and truly absorb each location. The route is designed to maximize what you see without feeling rushed, leaving you with a clear sense of the city and confidence that you experienced San Diego the right way.

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