4 minute read
BACKSTAGE PASS!
San Diego guided and behind-the-scenes tours
Think you’ve explored everything San Diego has to offer? Well, grab your scuba mask and flippers because there’s more to discover beyond the surface of this amazing city! Take a deep dive into the various attractions below by embarking on a guided or behind-the-scenes tour this summer. Here are favorite local tours to explore with your family.
Insider tip: San Diego residents can register for San Diego’s Hometown Pass for free admission to several of these tours with a paid full-fare adult ticket. Find information at www.hometownpass.com.
Birch Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes Penguin Tours – La Jolla https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/all
Photo courtesy of Birch Aquarium
Enjoy an exclusive look at Birch Aquarium’s Penguin Care and Conservation Center. Meet a member of the care team and get behindthe-scenes access to these special seabirds. Learn what makes Little Blue Penguins so unique and discover how to help protect their habitats. Ages 8 & up. Tour tickets include aquarium admission.
San Diego Zoo Tours and Safari Park Safaris
Balboa Park and Escondido www.sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/ tours-safaris www.theoldglobe.org/arts-engagement/discovery-programs/tours
Make your visits to the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Safari Park extra memorable with a guided tour or safari excursion. Embark on an African adventure across expansive savanna habitats, experience up-close animal encounters, take a Morning Panda Walking Tour and more. Check website for the full list of opportunities.
Learn about costume, prop and set design, lighting, sound and more. Docents guide visitors (ages 8+) on a one-hour tour through three theaters and craft shops while sharing stories about past, present and future shows. Resident Free Tours available on third Tuesdays. Check website for details.
Petco Park: Home of the San Diego Padres Downtown San Diego www.mlb.com/padres/ballpark/tours
Learn the history of the ballpark and the San Diego Padres while touring a dugout, the Western Metal Supply Co. building, the Padres Hall of Fame, a private luxury suite, press box and more.
Snapdragon StadiumMission Valley www.snapdragonstadium.com/visit/tours
Take a guided tour of this multi-purpose outdoor stadium home to SDSU Aztec Football, San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC. Get an insider’s view of spots like the press box and locker rooms and discover San Diego landmarks throughout the stadium.
California Tower at Museum of Us Balboa Park www.museumofus.org/exhibits/ california-tower
Get an exclusive look at the inside of San Diego’s most iconic landmark, the California Tower in Balboa Park. A 40-minute tour promises 360-degree views of San Diego from the Tower’s eighth-floor viewing deck (accessible only by steps; there is no elevator). Ages 6 & up.
USS Midway ToursDowntown San Diego www.midway.org
Take a fascinating Family Self-Guided Audio tour (perfect for little skippers) or a VIP Docent Tour of the USS Midway aircraft carrier. Docent-led tours, which have limited-capacity, include the command center for Flight Deck Operations, the Navigational Chart Room, Captain’s Bridge, captain’s cabin and more.
La Jolla Kayak Cave Tours La Jolla www.lajollakayak.com
Embark on a guided kayak tour through La Jolla Ecological Reserve and the stunning La Jolla Sea Caves. Keep your eyes peeled for leopard sharks, Garibaldi, sea lions and dolphins. Ages 6 & up. No experience required. La Jolla Shores snorkel tours also available.
UCSD Stuart Collection La Jolla https://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/
Enjoy a free, self-guided walking tour of more than 20 modern-art installations throughout UC San Diego’s campus. Highlights include the iconic “Fallen Star,” a fully furnished cottage that appears to be dangling from the roof of Jacobs Hall, Niki de Saint Phalle’s Sun God statue and Alexis Smith’s Snake Path. Check website for Fallen Star visiting hours.
The Whaley House Museum Old Town San Diego www.whaleyhousesandiego.com
Embark on a journey through San Diego’s (haunted) past. Master storytellers share stories about the Whaley Family and the integral role their home played in Old Town’s history. Evening guided tours and daytime self-guided tours offered. Hometown Pass eligible.
Taylor Guitars El Cajon www.taylorguitars.com/contact/factory-tours
Free, guided factory tours offer an immersive look into the state-of-the-art manufacturing, artistry and craftsmanship that brings Taylor Guitars to life. Online pre-registration is required. Tours last a little over an hour.
San Diego Model Railroad MuseumBalboa Park www.sdmrm.org/docent-tours
Learn about the museum’s permanent exhibits, the art of model railroading and Southern California railroad history during a 45-minute docent-led tour. Tours are the second Friday of every month and are included in museum admission. Check website for timing. v
Adrienne Sigeti is the editorial assistant at San Diego Family and a native San Diegan who is always ready to learn something new about her hometown.
Read the full list at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/out-about/best-san-diego-tours.
