LA to San Diego: History, Harbor & USS Midway Magic in one day
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Ready for a Southern California escape? This all-in-one San Diego day tour from Los Angeles delivers history, culture, and coastal charm in one unforgettable journey. Step aboard the legendary USS Midway aircraft carrier and explore its towering flight deck and vintage warplanes. Cruise the sparkling San Diego Harbor with panoramic views of Navy ships and the city skyline. Wander through Old Town’s adobe buildings, Presidio Park, and vibrant markets, then soak up the beauty of Balboa Park’s lush gardens, Spanish-style architecture, and world-class museums. This hassle-free tour is perfect for curious travelers, history lovers, and anyone craving a taste of San Diego’s magic.
Itinerary:
Los Angeles → Old Town San Diego (30 mins) → San Diego Harbor Cruise (60 mins, include ticket) → USS Midway (80 mins, include ticket) → Balboa Park (120 mins) → Los Angeles
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tour duration includes visit times, travel, traffic, and driving between locations. The roundtrip traveling time between Los Anegeles and San Diego will be around 3-4 hours depends to the traffic on the day.
Note: Due to the closure of the USS Midway on Thanksgiving and Christmas, the attraction will be replaced by Hotel del Coronado (40 mins) on the day of the tour. And no ticket fee will be refunded.
Travelers under 18 must be with an adult. Pregnant travelers allowed if under 24 weeks.
Please verify your name and contact details; errors may incur additional costs.
You must provide your pick-up location to the operator at least 3 days before departure. If not received, the default pick-up will be: 07:00am Departure Pico House Los Angeles--424 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tickets & Admission: Third-party attraction tickets or city passes are not accepted.
By selecting an option and completing your booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the tour's full product description, including all details about itinerary, included and excluded fees. Your payment indicates your acceptance of these terms.
For multiple bookings, please provide all confirmation numbers after booking to ensure you travel on the same bus.
Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, cash, and water for hydration. A valid reachable phone number is required for safety and trip communication.
Children under 6 may require a booster seat by law. Coach buses usually do not need one, but winter tours using vans/minivans may. Please contact the operator in advance if needed; rental available on request.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Professional vehicles transportation (Vehicle used based on the number of guests attending that day)
For the driver and tour guide are included
Admission tickets to San Diego Harbor Cruise and USS Midway Museum(excluding Thanksgiving&Christmas)
Professional Driver and Guide (or Driver-Guide)
Meals, Food and Drinks
Personal expenses and other expenses not listed in the Cost Includes
What To Expect
San Diego
Buckle up for a scenic coastal journey from Los Angeles to San Diego! As we cruise down the iconic I-5, watch the urban sprawl melt into rolling hills, golden beaches, and sparkling Pacific views. We will pass through charming beach towns like Dana Point and Carlsbad, with glimpses of surfers riding waves and palm trees swaying in the breeze. This relaxing drive sets the tone for a day of discovery—where history, harbor views, and cultural gems await. With comfortable transport and curated stops, it’s more than a day trip—it’s the start of your Southern California adventure. Itinerary: Los Angeles → Old Town San Diego (30 mins) → San Diego Harbor Cruise (60 mins, include ticket) → USS Midway (80 mins, include ticket) → Balboa Park (120 mins) → Los Angeles Note: Due to the closure of the USS Midway on Thanksgiving and Christmas, the attraction will be replaced by Hotel del Coronado (40 mins) on the day of the tour.
Old Town San Diego
Step into the soul of San Diego at Old Town — a vibrant, centuries-old neighborhood where California’s story began. Wander cobblestone streets lined with adobe buildings, lively cantinas, and artisan shops that echo the charm of early Spanish settlers. Explore the iconic Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and Presidio Park, both steeped in history and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From mariachi melodies to mouthwatering Mexican cuisine, Old Town offers a colorful, immersive glimpse into the birthplace of California. It’s not just a visit — it’s a time-traveling experience wrapped in culture, flavor, and unforgettable stories.
Options
Rosemead (SD1)
Starting point:
8832 Glendon Wy, Rosemead, CA 91770, USA
Rowland Heights(SD1)
Starting point:
1463 Nogales St, Rowland Heights, CA 91748, USA
Sheraton San Gabriel (SD1)
Pick-up & drop-off services at: this location are only available for guests who have reservations in the hotel. Please provide the hotel confirmation number.
Starting point:
303 E Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776, USA
Monterey Park (SD1)
Starting point:
123 S Lincoln Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755, USA
Pico House Los Angeles (SD1)
Starting point:
424 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Irvine(SD1)
Starting point:
5402 Walnut Ave, Irvine, CA 92604, USA
Reviews
24 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
My tour
katherine Z,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was a great way to see San Diego in one day. The schedule was well planned and we had enough time at each stop. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. The bus was clean and comfortable for the drive. Old Town had a lot of history and character. The harbor cruise was relaxing with beautiful views. The USS Midway was very impressive and full of interesting exhibits. Balboa Park was a lovely final stop with plenty of photo spots. I really enjoyed this tour and would recommend it to anyone looking for a convenient and enjoyable way to explore San Diego.
not worth the effort
ALBERT P,
Jun 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00A very disappointing experience.it turned out that the driver was also the guide . The driver does not know how to guide and does not speak english very well.IN our opinion poor value for money. I participated in the copanys tours in the past and it was very successful,hence our disappointment.
Overpriced and no guide
Garry C,
Apr 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00For what it was, this excursion was very overpriced. The driver/guide spoke broken English and never introduced himself. We got dumped in the harbour at 10:40 and told “cruise goes from there at 11:15 then go to the Midway and be back here for 1:30” and then he was gone. Cruise was nice and the crew were very friendly and informative. By the time got to the USS Midway I had about 45mins to explore the attraction. This was amazing but nowhere near enough time. We were then driven to Balboa park and dumped there with a pick up time 2h later. Finally we visited the Old Town but due to others being later at previous points we only had 25 minutes here. The journey was probably the most uncomfortable I have ever been on an excursion with the aircon on full blast for most of the journey (despite the driver been asked to turn it off). To cap things off the driver tried to insist on a $15 per person service charge.
Very nice trip
sreckosekusak,
Mar 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00very nice trip. We saw many places, very many in one day. The guide-driver Daniel tried to show us everything that was on the itinerary and did his job very well.
Terrible Tour 2025
Camper32531874665,
Mar 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I am writing this review because after a terrible experience with this tour company and asking for a complete refund, they only offered only a 15% refund of the total cost of the tour. After several emails, they refused to give anywhere near what I felt was a reasonable refund. After a phone call to Tripadvisor, they included an additional 10% to the tour company's original refund. This was very much appreciated from Tripadvisor, and I thank them for this, but any additional refund should have come from Jupiter Legend Corporation which was the host tour company. Signing up for the tour, which in the tour information, it said the tour was in English, this was not the case. Other than myself and my wife, the tour group was entirely Chinese, and although the tour guide spoke some English, it obviously was not his first language. Many highlights along the tour were lost in translation and the tour guide not having a mic and speakers to spread his voice throughout the van made it very difficult to hear any commentary, especially the times when he did try and speak some English. The van that took us on this tour, had some issues as well. The seats did recline for the passengers' comfort, but when fully reclined, made if very uncomfortable for those behind, which this happened with my wife. I usually have a good time on any tour I and my wife have taken in the past, but on this date, the tour provided only a bad experience, and I will not be taking any more tours with this company. I hope this review helps others when they are planning their next vacation. Regards, Terry Z
Not to miss while in LA day trip.
Fearless66470496156,
Dec 22, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Me and my wife took this tour from LA. It was value for money. The old town was a good experience. The cruise was exceptional seeing war ships all along the way. Visiting a warship museum was an eye-opener to understand the life of Naval war soldiers. The driver cum guide Mr.Bill Chen was very friendly. He narrated well. He drove safe. Was patient and helped to make this trip a memorable one.
Amazing and superb
Michael P,
Dec 15, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The narration is funny and engaging . Perfectly timed at different destinations . Will def recommend
Great day in San Diego
Magdalena B,
Dec 10, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Great trip, our guide Hank was very helpful Itinerary covered all important spots in San Diego. Visit to USS Midway was amazimg
Disappointed
Eric L,
Oct 1, 2024
- Review from Viator
1.00Service of the company is not that great and when I lodged a complaint didn’t get my needs addressed in the right way! Also company operates under 2 names. Jupiter legend corporation and ctours. I’d be wary of using them as ctours has a lot of bad reviews and it’s one of the names they use to run the tours whilst jupiter legend corporation promote via Jupiter legend corporation
Great day trip to San Diego
Denise D,
Apr 30, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time! The tour was well organised, our tour guide Daniel was great, professional and friendly with a great sense of humour and a great driver. San Diego is beautiful and the tour included activities that make San Diego special. Old Town was great, the cruise was great, lunch was great (lots of options) the USS Midwsy was great, we could have listened to the talks by the veteran pilot for hours they were so interesting. Balboa park is beautiful. On the ride back we got to experience LA’s traffic! Even this was an adventure! Good day out and a great value tour. Thank you
From $234.00
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Operated by Jupiter Legend Corporation