San Diego Balboa Park Highlights Small Group Tour with Coffee
San Diego Walks
5.0
SpectacleRx
12 days ago
We enjoyed a wonderful private tour with Jennifer on Black Friday. The weather was so nice and my family had a lovely time taking in views and hearing about the history of Balboa Park. This was a perfect activity for our small group which included 2 small dogs.
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
Departure Point
- We meet at the Founders Statues near 698 El Prado between 6th Ave and Balboa Drive at the west entrance of Balboa Park. It's on the only corner with an incline. If using ride share services request SEFTON PLAZA as the drop off location. Otherwise you may get dropped off in the wrong place.
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Balboa Park1549 El Prado, , San Diego, CaliforniaBalboa 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 hourStop At: Cabrillo BridgeWe'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 minutesStop At: California Tower1350 El Prado, At the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, CaliforniaThe 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: 5 minutesStop At: Old Globe Theatre1363 Old Globe Way, , San Diego, CaliforniaOriginally developed for the 1915 Exposition, this garden was redesigned for the 1935 Exposition off the Alcazar Gardens in Seville SpainDuration: 5 minutesStop At: Botanical Building and Lily Pond1550 El Prado, , San Diego, CaliforniaThe 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 minutesStop At: Spanish Village Art Center1770 Village Pl, Balboa Park, San Diego, CaliforniaThis plaza is surrounded by cultural organizations and places to eat. We'll provide all the details you need to know for further exploration after the tour.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Alcazar GardenEl Prado at Park Boulevard, , San Diego, CaliforniaThis 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 minutesStop At: Casa del Prado1650 El Prado, Ca 92101, San Diego, CaliforniaThis 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 minutesStop At: Plaza de Panama Fountain1350 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CaliforniaPlanted for the 1915 Exposition, this magnificent tree has seen a lot in the century since, and we'll get up close and personal thanks to a new viewing platform.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Moreton Bay Fig Tree1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101Named for the founder of the Committee of One Hundred, this fountain attracts children, dogs and birds, plus also has a surprising feature that is activated by the Fleet Center next door.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Bea Evenson Fountain1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101The home of many cultural and botanical organizations, this building also holds the secrets of how the detailed architecture of the park was created quick and cheap.Duration: 5 minutesAdditional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Let us know in advance if you would like an audio system.
- Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- Exclusive access to park resource list with recommendations on how to enjoy the park after the tour
- One beverage at a local coffee cart
- Professional and Fun Tour Guide
- Guide gratuity
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
Departure Point
- We meet at the Founders Statues near 698 El Prado between 6th Ave and Balboa Drive at the west entrance of Balboa Park. It's on the only corner with an incline. If using ride share services request SEFTON PLAZA as the drop off location. Otherwise you may get dropped off in the wrong place.
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Balboa Park1549 El Prado, , San Diego, CaliforniaBalboa 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 hourStop At: Cabrillo BridgeWe'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 minutesStop At: California Tower1350 El Prado, At the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, CaliforniaThe 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: 5 minutesStop At: Old Globe Theatre1363 Old Globe Way, , San Diego, CaliforniaOriginally developed for the 1915 Exposition, this garden was redesigned for the 1935 Exposition off the Alcazar Gardens in Seville SpainDuration: 5 minutesStop At: Botanical Building and Lily Pond1550 El Prado, , San Diego, CaliforniaThe 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 minutesStop At: Spanish Village Art Center1770 Village Pl, Balboa Park, San Diego, CaliforniaThis plaza is surrounded by cultural organizations and places to eat. We'll provide all the details you need to know for further exploration after the tour.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Alcazar GardenEl Prado at Park Boulevard, , San Diego, CaliforniaThis 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 minutesStop At: Casa del Prado1650 El Prado, Ca 92101, San Diego, CaliforniaThis 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 minutesStop At: Plaza de Panama Fountain1350 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CaliforniaPlanted for the 1915 Exposition, this magnificent tree has seen a lot in the century since, and we'll get up close and personal thanks to a new viewing platform.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Moreton Bay Fig Tree1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101Named for the founder of the Committee of One Hundred, this fountain attracts children, dogs and birds, plus also has a surprising feature that is activated by the Fleet Center next door.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Bea Evenson Fountain1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101The home of many cultural and botanical organizations, this building also holds the secrets of how the detailed architecture of the park was created quick and cheap.Duration: 5 minutesAdditional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Let us know in advance if you would like an audio system.
- Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- Exclusive access to park resource list with recommendations on how to enjoy the park after the tour
- One beverage at a local coffee cart
- Professional and Fun Tour Guide
- Guide gratuity
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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5.0
based on Groupon 169 reviews
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SpectacleRx
We enjoyed a wonderful private tour with Jennifer on Black Friday. The weather was so nice and my family had a lovely time taking in views and hearing about the history of Balboa Park. This was a perfect activity for our small group which included 2 small dogs.
lauralR125FO
This was a fantastic walking tour! I love Balboa Park, but all my previous visits to Balboa Park have been limited in what I could actually see and do there. I arranged this tour (through her direct website) on a solo trip to San Diego. Even though I was the only person on the tour (a random Tuesday in October), Jennifer still led the tour. She spent lots of time answering my questions but also asked me questions (my key interests in the park, what I had seen before, etc.) and she kept me busy the entire 2 hours. I cannot praise her dedication & knowledge enough!
Inspiration675002
Jennifer was a fantastic guide! She learned our vibe quickly and delighted us with lots of trivia and knowledge of the park’s history and additional areas of the park to visit.
She blended humor with vast knowledge of the history of the park in general and the specific buildings we viewed! Without her we would have just walked by venues like the Globe Theater and its story. We would definitely join Jennifer for any other tours she would lead!
chuckt457
In 2.5 hours and over 9,000 steps, our guide Jennifer amazed our 4-person group with her detailed knowledge of the history, art, architecture, ecology of Balboa Park and the visionary personalities who created this multi-faceted oasis in the middle of the city. She made it interesting, humorous at times, and answered all our questions. At the end of the tour, we walked a few steps over to The Prado Restaurant at Balboa Park for an enjoyable early dinner.
Guide28852792472
We had an amazing time and loved our guide Jen! She was incredibly knowledgeable and fun. She made our experience so enjoyable and we learned so much about the area. I highly recommend this tour and guide!