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A coastal scene with a historic building, a sign for Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, and a sailing ship. 1
A coastal landscape with a rocky shoreline, a bridge, and a building with a unique roof structure. 2
A memorial with a bust and plaques, located near a large ship. 3
A multi-level prison with barred cells, a staircase, and a metal railing. 4
A tall ship docked at a pier with a clear blue sky and palm trees in the background. 5
By Drives & Detours
Free cancellation available
Price is £22 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

  • Discover the essence of San Diego through five self-guided walking tours, allowing you to explore at your own pace. Stroll through the historic streets of Old Town, immerse yourself in the cultural treasures of Balboa Park, delight in the vibrant atmosphere of the Gaslamp Quarter, enjoy stunning waterfront views along the Embarcadero, and take in the coastal beauty of La Jolla. Each tour features engaging storytelling paired with GPS-triggered audio, enhancing your experience as you walk. Perfect for first-timers or returning visitors, these tours are yours to keep, so you can enjoy them now or on your next trip.

    • Five self-guided walking tours covering iconic San Diego destinations
    • Blends storytelling with GPS-triggered audio for an immersive experience
    • Explore at your own pace, perfect for both first-time and returning visitors
    • Tours are yours to keep for future visits, allowing flexibility in your schedule

Activity location

  • Embarcadero
    • San Diego, California, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Kate Sessions Statue
    • 698 El Prado
    • 92103, San Diego, California, United States

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

Essential San Diego 5 Self Guided Walking Tours Bundle in Multilingual

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • Opening hours: Sun 07:00-21:00
  • English
Price details
£22.42 x 2 Adults£44.84
Total
Price is £44.84

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Audio Guide & Route Map (in-app)
  • Inclusions
    Flexible Usage (tours are yours to keep)
  • Inclusions
    App and Tour Download
  • Exclusions
    Smartphone (bring your own)

Know before you book

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transport options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
    • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Embarcadero

  • 10m
Wander along the waterfront past the maritime museum, USS Midway Museum, cruise ships, public art, and scenic views of the harbour and Coronado Bridge.

Santa Fe Depot

  • 5m
A living landmark of Spanish Colonial architecture, this elegant train station connects San Diego’s past and present while welcoming travellers from near and far.

USS Midway Museum (Pass by)

Get up close to one of America’s most storied aircraft carriers, now an iconic museum that honours the spirit of those who served at sea and in the sky.

San Diego Bay Walk

  • 10m
A stretch of waterfront devoted to remembrance, where moving memorials honour courage, sacrifice, and homecoming in America’s military history.

The Headquarters at Seaport

  • 10m
Once San Diego’s police headquarters, this artfully restored complex now houses unique boutiques and restaurants—where history meets modern waterfront life.

Seaport Village

  • 10m
A charming bayside destination filled with shops, eateries, and timeless attractions like a 19th-century carousel—ideal for a leisurely stroll or afternoon treat.

Immaculate Conception Church

  • 5m
It was here in Old Town that Saint Junípero Serra celebrated his First Holy Mass in California on July 2, 1769, near this site of the present-day Immaculate Conception Church.

Adobe Chapel Museum (Pass by)

This modest structure is California Historic Landmark number 49 and it has one of the most complicated backgrounds of any you’ll see on this tour!

El Campo Santo Cemetery

  • 10m
Step into one of San Diego’s oldest cemeteries, where 19th-century graves and adobe walls preserve the stories of early settlers, outlaws, and soldiers. El Campo Santo is a quiet, hauntingly beautiful stop that offers a glimpse into the city’s frontier past. Keep an eye out because some say not all of its residents rest in peace.

Heritage County Park

  • 10m
Heritage Park is a charming collection of restored Victorian homes and cottages, each relocated here in the 1970s to save them from demolition. As you explore the park, you'll pass beautifully preserved structures like the Sherman-Gilbert House, Bushyhead House, and Senlis Cottage—each with its own storey tied to San Diego’s past. It's a peaceful, walkable glimpse into the city's architectural and cultural legacy, brought back to life through grassroots preservation efforts.

Mormon Battalion Historic Site

  • 10m
This free museum shares the remarkable storey of the Mormon Battalion, a group that marched over 2,000 miles west during the Mexican-American War and helped shape early San Diego. Today, the Mormon Battalion Historic Site offers hands-on exhibits, immersive storytelling, and interactive activities like gold panning and brick making. It's a fascinating stop that blends local, military, and religious history in one engaging experience.

Casa de Aguirre

  • 10m
Once home to one of Old Town’s most prominent families, the Casa de Aguirre now serves as a small museum showcasing artefacts from both the Aguirre household and its later use as a Catholic-run industrial school for Native American children in the late 1800s. Displays include luxury imports, household items, and tools from the era, offering a glimpse into two very different chapters of Old Town’s past. It’s a thought-provoking stop that reflects both wealth and hardship in San Diego’s early history.

Callan Hotel

  • 5m
Once a modest hotel, the Callan is now better known for its ghost stories. Visitors say echoes of its wilder past still linger in its halls.

Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House (Pass by)

The oldest surviving structure in city centre, this house now serves as the Gaslamp Museum. Its rooms and exhibits bring the neighborhood’s layered history to life.

Gaslamp Quarter Sign

  • 5m
The iconic gateway welcomes you into the heart of the district. It’s one of the most photographed landmarks in San Diego.

The Keating Hotel

  • 5m
Built in 1890, the Keating was San Diego’s first skyscraper. Its Romanesque Revival design still dominates the block with confidence.

Historic Louis Bank of Commerce (Pass by)

This elaborate French Renaissance Revival landmark was once a bank—and later a notorious brothel. Its towers and ornamentation make it one of the Gaslamp’s most photographed buildings.

Old City Hall (Pass by)

This grand building once served as San Diego’s City Hall. The clock tower and bold design still stand as a symbol of civic pride.

Balboa Theatre (Pass by)

Restored to its 1920s glory, the Balboa Theatre is still a working performance venue. The theatre’s Spanish Revival style makes it one of downtown’s most elegant landmarks.

Horton Plaza Park

  • 5m
A lively public space since the 1870s, this plaza has hosted rallies, concerts, and celebrations. The park is a vibrant gathering spot at the edge of the Quarter.

Coast Walk Trail

  • 10m
Take in the views from this beautiful section of La Jolla's Coast Walk Trail. We'll point out prominent landmarks such as La Jolla Shores, the Scripps Pier, and Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Goldfish Point

  • 5m
Learn about the secret history of Sunny Jim Cave (as you stand above it) and how it got its name. If you decide to pay for admission (not included) you can descend the dark staircase and get a chance to view the cave for yourself.

La Jolla Cove

  • 10m
Take in the iconic sights of La Jolla Cove as you hear about some of the birds and marine animals that share this beautiful location.

Ellen Browning Scripps Park

  • 10m
Hear the fascinating history of Ellen Browning Scripps and the enormous impact her philanthropic activities have had on San Diego.

Children's Pool

  • 10m
Soak up more incredible views as you gaze out over the La Jolla Children's Pool, another historical piece of La Jolla's past.

La Valencia Hotel

  • 5m
Pop your head into this historic La Jolla hotel as you hear about its interesting history that involves some of Hollywood's early celebrities.

Botanical Building and Lily Pond

  • 5m
One of Balboa Park’s most photographed spots, this 1915 lath structure is a lush showcase of tropical plants and seasonal floral displays—reflected beautifully in the serene lily pond out front.

Cabrillo Bridge

  • 5m
Spanning Cabrillo Canyon, this dramatic arched bridge offers panoramic views and a grand approach into the heart of the park. It’s also a striking symbol of Balboa Park’s early 20th-century design ambition.

California Tower (Pass by)

This ornate, Spanish Colonial Revival tower rises above Balboa Park with distinctive flair. Once closed for decades, it now offers one of the best skyline views in San Diego—along with layers of history.

Kate Sessions Statue

  • 5m
This elegant bronze honours the Mother of Balboa Park, who transformed much of the park’s landscape with her visionary plantings. A fitting tribute to one of San Diego’s great unsung heroes.

Plaza de Panama Fountain

  • 5m
This central plaza links many of the park’s biggest attractions and offers space to rest, reflect, or people-watch. It’s a social crossroads surrounded by striking architecture and history.

Spanish Village Art Center

  • 15m
Colourful tiles lead the way into a working artists’ colony filled with open studios and galleries. From ceramics to jewellery, you can meet the makers, watch them at work, and even take home a handmade piece of San Diego.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Embarcadero
    • San Diego, California, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Kate Sessions Statue
    • 698 El Prado
    • 92103, San Diego, California, United States
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
    • 2540 San Diego Avenue
    • 92110, San Diego, California, United States
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    7905 Prospect Pl
    • 7905 Prospect Place
    • 92037, San Diego, California, United States
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Gaslamp Quarter Sign
    • 199 Fifth Avenue
    • 92101, San Diego, California, United States
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    1492 N Harbor Dr
    • 1492 North Harbor Drive
    • 92101, San Diego, California, United States

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