free walking tours san diego

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This post will provide information about how to get a bike rental in San Diego, including details about how long the rentals last, prices you can expect to pay, and more.  In addition to these details, this post also includes advice about bike tours you might also want to consider. San Diego Bike Rentals This […]

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Free Public Walking Tour

Hear a full one-hour expert overview of the park’s history and attractions during a leisurely walking tour of the park’s Central Mesa

Very few people know the park as well as Balboa Park Visitors Center staff and volunteers. Now you can hear a full one-hour expert overview of the park’s history and attractions during a leisurely walking tour of the park’s Central Mesa. Filled with amusing anecdotes, little-known facts, and eye-fulls of gorgeous scenery, the 11am tours are the perfect complement to a day exploring other free cultural offerings in the park on Residents Free Days. Tours meet at the Visitor Center at 11:00 am, every Tuesday and 2nd, 4th & 5th Friday of the month.

Call (619) 239-0512 or email [email protected] for more information. Custom group tours are also available. Contact Visitors Center for pricing and scheduling.

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Balboa Park is a public park and is available for all to enjoy!

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15 Exciting San Diego Walking Tours – Recommended By A Local

September 7, 2023 By: Maria Haase This article may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy through our links.

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Over the past decade, San Diego has become one of the United State’s main tourist hot spots. With an array of adorable neighborhoods and great weather all year round, it’s no wonder millions visit each year.

Every corner you turn in San Diego, something exciting awaits. That’s why the city is super fun to explore on foot. But what happens when you don’t know where to go? We’ve got one solution: walking tours! Greg and I love going on walking tours when we travel but have also done a few San Diego walking tours over the years.

Walking tours are a fantastic way to get a feel for the city and discover hidden pockets you wouldn’t find alone. There are a bunch of exciting walking tours available all over San Diego with many in various neighborhoods to show you all the metropolis has to offer.

Here are our picks of the best San Diego walking tours!

San Diego Walking Tours – Gaslamp Quarter

San diego gaslamp quarter historic true crime tour.

Are you a true crime buff? Then this one-hour walking tour in San Diego is for you. Learn about the other side of the bustling Gaslamp Quarter that many have yet to hear about.

Meet your guide at Fifth Avenue and wander through an area previously referred to as Stingaree. Travel back in time to hear tales about an appalling string of crimes that happened there in the past. Along the way, you’ll even stop at a haunted hotel known for its mysterious paranormal activity. If this doesn’t give you a chill down your spine, then what will?

Greg and I had so much fun hearing about the dark and twisted history, haunted tales, and true crime stories on this tour. Highly recommend this one!!!

Downtown Gaslamp Walking Tour

Expose yourself to San Diego’s covered-up history involving brutal gangsters, ladies of the night, and frightening ghost chronicles. The stories will keep you up at night.

Join your guide at the Gaslamp Quarter Arch, where they’ll bring you to over 30 petrifying locations, each with a spooky story. Get the chance to step inside two haunted buildings, the only tour in San Diego that does so.

It’s a fascinating two-hour tour with a private guide, admission tickets, and a thrilling experience you’ll never forget.

Culinary Tour In The Gaslamp Quarter

Sample the tastiest bites on this walking food tour in San Diego with an experienced guide who has the city’s culinary scene down to a T. Bounce between restaurants and bars, testing out mouthwatering dishes and well-crafted drinks while learning about the district’s seedy past. 

The eye-opening 2.5-hour tour will commence at Fifth Avenue and finish up somewhere in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. While there’s a lot of eating and drinking involved in this activity, the focus is on the area’s sleazy history and stories about how it used to be a red-light district.

All the food and drink you consume on this San Diego walking tour are included in the booking. Just how foodies like it.

Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour

Take this 1.5 hour small group tour to grasp the origins of the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter.

Join up with your guide on Fifth Avenue and roam around the area listening to facts and stories only the locals know about. See the Yuma Building, which was raided in 1912, and dive into the world of drama outside the Balboa Theatre .

To keep things intimate and give you a chance to make new friends, only twelve people maximum can join this downtown walking tour.

Gaslamp Audioguide Tour

Nothing screams fun like an audio guide tour. Within seconds of downloading a simple mobile phone application, you’ll be on your way to running around the Gaslamp Quarter’s points of interest. A few highlights include the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum and the US Grant.

Get the app on your phone and embark on your journey around the Gaslamp Quarter. It usually lasts between 1.5 – 2 hours, but the benefit of this excursion is you can go at your own leisurely pace.

San Diego Walking Tours – Balboa Park

Hidden gems tour of balboa park.

How would you like to explore the delightful Balboa Park? The 1,200 acre area is sometimes referred to as San Diego’s backyard and is filled with hidden gems waiting to be found.

This interesting 1.5 hour guided walking tour takes you to Balboa Park’s secret highlights. These include the Sculpture Garden, Palm Canyon Trail, Casa Del Prado, and much more. There are over 25 attractions to see throughout the short excursion, so it promises to be action-packed, to say the least.

The tour kicks off at the Plaza de Panama, the park’s central point, and ends at the Botanical Building. The tour guide provides admission tickets for more than half of the sights, including the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden and Balboa Park Visitor’s Center.

You’ll have plenty of time to roam freely when the tour is over. At this time you can also purchase tickets for additional attractions.

Small Group Balboa Park Highlights Tour

You can’t visit San Diego without taking a trip to Balboa Park, and what better way to do it than by taking this two hour small group tour?

Link up with your guide at El Prado and begin seeing all that the park has to offer. Such as the 200 foot tall California Tower and the group of cottages at the Spanish Village Art Center. Hear about the park’s links with the Navy while sipping a complimentary cup of coffee along the way.

San Diego Walking Tours – Haunted Tours

Tequila, tacos, & tombstones food tour.

It’s time to visit San Diego’s Old Town Mexican style. Take a trip to the neighborhood’s outstanding Mexican eateries to try out several bites of local cuisine and some tequila-based drinks.

Listen to tellings about the past relationship between the Native Americans, Mexicans, and Spanish in the area. Pass by Whaley House Museum and an old cemetery to hear about the San Diego ghosts who have been spotted there.

This is a 2.5 hour, action-packed tour including food samples and drinks is definitely one of the most fun walking tours in San Diego. Your tour guide will be waiting for you at the front of the Cafe Coyote restaurant in Old Town.

Ghosts Of San Diego Walking Tour

Most people who visit San Diego come for the white sandy beaches, but there’s another aspect you can learn about on this Ghosts of San Diego walking tour.

Stroll around Old Town, taking in sinister accounts and ghastly tales about past sightings of spirits. Hearing these stories would make you think twice about going outside after dark.

Start your uncanny journey at Heritage Park Row, where your guide will meet you. Drop into three chilling locations over the space of 1.5 hours, including La Casa de Estudillo (one of the city’s oldest buildings) and Whaley House Museum. Plus El Campo Santo Cemetery, where the spirits go to play.

All ticket fees and taxes are paid with your booking.

San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour

Come take in the eerie stories about the possessed ships down by San Diego’s Embarcadero Waterfront. See a different side of the city once the sun goes down on this one hour guided tour that fills you in on all of the shocking happenings that have gone on here over the years.

We’d classify this as one of the scariest tours in San Diego. It’s only suitable for teens and adults because of the nature of the stories told. Disturbing, right?

Start things off at Headquarters at Seaport to learn about the Old Police Headquarters; you’ll even get to pop your head into the cells. Check out USS Midway Museum to hear about the story behind the military ship.

End the tour at Star of India and Berkley Steamboat Ferry to find out about the supernatural happenings that have been reported.

San Diego Walking Tours – Coronado Island

Coronado history & highlights tour.

Those looking to kick back and relax in the sun often visit Coronado Island , but what if we told you the resort city has so much more to offer?

This 2 hour and 45 minute tour takes visitors to learn about the island’s surprising history at a local museum. Additionally, you’ll view the charming Victorian architecture, and get off the beaten path for some surprises.

This informative walking tour’s meeting point is at the Rotary Park fountain. You’ll head to many locations, including the Coronado Public Library, the gothic Christ Episcopal Church, the circular Star Park, and more.

The booking comes with complimentary snacks, a museum donation, and an entertaining guide who knows Coronado better than anyone.

San Diego Walking Tours – Little Italy

Little italy wine tour.

Did someone say vino? Learn about Little Italy’s history while sipping fine wine and munching on scrumptious nibbles like calamari, pizza, and meatballs. 

Get picked up at Vino Carta and venture deep into the heart of Little Italy while being told intriguing stories about the district. You’ll take a few breaks along the way for some well-deserved Italian snacks and wine. Who said history and wine weren’t a thing?

This is a three hour all-inclusive tour, so everything is included in your booking. It’s a bit pricier than other picks on our list but well worth it for what you get. This is definitely one of the more unique San Diego walking tours!

Private Walking Tour Of Little Italy & Gaslamp Quarter

Why limit yourself to one neighborhood in downtown San Diego when you can take a tour of two? Sign up for this private walking tour of Little Italy and the Gaslamp Quarter.

Your dedicated guide will meet you at San Diego County Administration Center and show you the area’s remarkable sights for three hours. From companies founded by Italian immigrants to Victorian buildings, this is a day you don’t want to leave your camera at home.

Pick up can be arranged for free if you’re staying at a hotel in either of the two districts. A big perk that only a few other tour guides offer.

San Diego Walking Tours – La Jolla

La jolla coast walking tour.

Head out to the pretty seaside area of La Jolla for this 1.5 hour coastal walking tour. Take the guesswork out of your travels and let the guide do all the hard work. They’ll meet you at the El Patio Building and begin with a saunter from Prospect Street to Girard Avenue.

Along the way, you’ll make over ten attraction stops. There’s plenty of walking involved, so wear comfortable shoes. Only your tour guide is included in the price, but there are no hidden fees, so you won’t be expected to fork out some unexpected cash unless you want to tip, of course.

La Jolla Self-Guided Audio Tour

Avoid the strict itineraries and rushing around by taking this self-guided audio tour of La Jolla. Ramble through the coastal town taking in rugged coastlines, posh shopping malls, churches, and historic buildings, all while going at your own pace without any disturbances.

It’s as simple as heading to Prospect Street (the starting location) and downloading an app and then you’re on your way. Plus, you don’t need any cell phone service, once it’s on your phone.

As you can see, America’s finest city, San Diego, has lots of excellent walking tours. Each with their own unique touch and exciting in their own way. In the end, each person will make their own decision and have an awesome time.

Which walking tour of San Diego will you join!?

Want to tour at a faster pace? Check out these Top Segway Tours In San Diego (link needed) .

Travel Resources for Planning Your Trip

• 🏨 Find your perfect accommodation for your trip on Tripadvisor
• 🎡 Get more emotions from your journey with Viator tours
• ✈️ Buy cheap flight tickets via WayAway
• 🚘 Need a car for your trip? You will find it on Discover Cars

Last Updated on September 7, 2023 by Maria Haase

About Maria Haase

Maria Haase has been a travel writer since 2007, stumbling into this profession during an internship in China. She grew up in Germany, but has lived in San Diego since 2006. Maria is a globetrotter, but also adores to explore her own back yard whenever she is home. She loves to share her favorite spots, help visitors plan their trips and share helpful tips about her chosen hometown San Diego.

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San Diego Walks

Get off the beathen path in san diego's best spots.

Get away from the crowds and the tourist traps by joining San Diego Walks on small-group walking tours throughout the city. Locals know the best places to grab a bite or a craft beer - with or without a view - and our local, knowledgeable and passionate guides are ready to show off their city. Join them and find out why it will be your favorite day in sunny San Diego!

Want to tour the city with a new local friend? San Diego Walks knows San Diego as only locals do, and our knowledgeable guides want to show you around neighborhoods like Balboa Park, Liberty Station and Coronado and Old Town. You won't get lost in a crowd as our tours are small (1-15 guests), and depart five days a week. We get off the beaten path and take advantage of some of the city's best locally-owned restaurants with included food or drinks (no chain restaurants or bad souvenirs!). You'll learn about the people who shaped San Diego's past, and what lies ahead for its future.

Our Tours Include

Secrets and Highlights of Balboa Park – one of the largest urban cultural parks in the country full of architectural and botanical treasures, it’s also a place with hidden treasures and wonderful stories. Explore parts of the park that some locals don’t know about on the prettiest tour in town. Offered Tuesday - Saturday at 10am and 2pm

Old Town Tales, Tacos and Tequila - Get a taste of Mexico in San Diego’s most historic neighborhood! Explore the origins of the birthplace of California and find hidden treasures hiding in plain sight. You will also sample local delicacies such as handmade tortillas and tacos and sip some of the world’s best tequilas. Offered Tuesday - Saturday at 10am and 1pm

Coronado Bay and the Beach –This island town is a short ride from San Diego, but is a world apart. Grab a snack and see how the US Navy, multi-million dollar homes and enthusiastic beach dwellers co-exist in this charming, seaside town. Offered Tuesday - Saturday at 2pm April 1 to Memorial Day, and also at 5:30pm Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.

Liberty Station: Cradle of the Navy - San Diego’s relationship with the US Navy goes back over a century and continues to be an important part of the city’s economy and culture. Travel back in time when modern-day Liberty Station was the Naval Training Center and millions of recruits were transformed into sailors. See where sailors slept, marched and learned important skills, and see if you can master a sailor skill too! Offered Tuesday - Friday at 10am Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Want us all to yourself? We offer Private Tours for groups big and small.

Have something in mind? Or want to customize or combine our tour offerings? We can help you Create Your Own Tour .

Neighborhood: Downtown

Contact info.

(619) 329-9923 [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday - Saturday 8am - 5pm Tour Hours: Vary

Deals just for you

Save 10% off any san diego walks tour.

We offer tours of Balboa Park, Old Town, Liberty Station and Coronado. Use code BEST10 at time of booking to save 10%    

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What We Offer

• Secrets and Highlights of Balboa Park - prettiest tour in town!
• Old Town Tales, Tacos & Tequila - explore San Diego's most historic neighborhood
• Coronado History & Highlights - where the US Navy, beach-goers and mansions meet
• Liberty Station: From Barracks to Brews - explore historic Naval Training Center
• Private Tours - for as few or as many guests you want to include
• Locally owned and operated
• Committed to responsible tourism, local businesses and our community
• We offer departures with no minimum. Just you? Fine by us! We won't cancel.
• You won't get lost in a crowd since we won't take more than 12 guests at a time.
• Knowledgeable, passionate guides who become your new local friend.

More Information

• Self-guided
• Create Your Own Tours - let us create something unique just for you!
• Woman owned and operated

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9 of the best free family activities in san diego.

By Bethany Mavis

After San Diegans pay the “sunshine tax” to enjoy mild weather year-round and easy access to some of the top beaches in the nation, budgets can be tight for family fun—but how many more times can you really go to the playground ? Luckily, making family memories doesn’t have to be pricey. Whether your crew is looking for history, art, wildlife, or play, you can find experiences for the whole gang to enjoy without breaking the bank. Here are nine of our favorite free family activities in San Diego .

Stroll Through Balboa Park

The Spanish Colonial Revival architecture alone is enough to inspire, but throw in the magnificent gardens and top-notch museums, and it’s no wonder this park is considered the “crown jewel” of San Diego . A must-see is the lily pond outside of the Botanical Building (the century-old structure is closed for renovation until 2025). Other garden favorites are the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden and the Trees for Health Garden, which teaches visitors about medicinal plants. Peek at some artwork without paying admission prices at the Timken Museum of Art and on the commons level of the Mingei Museum. On Sundays at 2 p.m., enjoy a free organ concert at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, home to one of the largest outdoor pipe organs in the world, now 110 years old. 

Plan-ahead tip: The Visitors Center offers free tours at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and architectural tours at 11 a.m. on the first and third Friday. If those times don’t work, you can book a custom tour and request a particular focus (history, horticulture, or architecture).

Hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve 

Feel the ocean air and explore rugged coastline under the shade of the rare Torrey Pines at this 1,500-acre La Jolla reserve. At low tide with some resilient hikers (at least 4 or 5 years old), you can trek the 2.5-mile beach trail loop. Start at the parking lot at the base and follow the road to the top (your best chance for a restroom break). Take one of the trails out to the cliffs and down the steps to the beach, then finish the jaunt on sand back to the parking lot. Pack sunscreen, water, and snacks, and keep your hands free to carry your shoes (and kids’ sneakers) across the sand. If you need a stroller-friendly route, park at the top and explore out-and-back trails and ocean views. The reserve offers free guided walks on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 10 a.m.

Plan-ahead tip: California public library card–holders can rent free vehicle day-use passes for participating state park units, including Torrey Pines. Depending on the library, the pass is good for up to two weeks, so you won’t have to spend your time hunting for street parking.

Splash Around at Waterfront Park

San Diego Bay views and a central location make this urban splashpad a favorite for families year-round. On 12 acres beside Pacific Highway, Waterfront Park features grassy lawns, spray fountains, reflecting pools, colorful sculptures, and a modern playground, all of which will entertain kids for hours. Pack for this park like you would the beach—umbrellas, sunscreen, blankets, towels, swimsuits, and snacks—and enjoy not coming home with a car full of sand . (Note: Downtown parking can be tricky and pricey, but there is an underground lot below the park.)

Plan-ahead tip: Gather blankets, jackets, and some treats and cart the kids to Summer Movies in the Park on some Friday evenings in May through October. Check the park website for other events year-round.

Explore a Museum

On Tuesdays, Balboa Park offers free admission to a rotation of museums for San Diego County residents. On the first Tuesday of the month, touch real fossils and rocks from prehistoric Southern California at the San Diego Natural History Museum . On the second Tuesday, peer into the Apollo 9 command module, flown in space on a 10-day mission in 1969, at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. On the third Tuesday, see if your kids can identify the 20 koi by name at the Japanese Friendship Garden. The flagship location of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla also offers free admission on the second Sunday and third Thursday of the month. Inside, view pop art and contemporary landscape exhibits; outside, tour the impressive sculpture garden.

Plan-ahead tip: Certain months of the year, the Old Globe offers free, one-hour behind-the-scenes tours for ages 8 and up (registration is required).

Learn About Julian History

Julian is more than the home of delectable apple pie—this 1870s gold rush town in the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego is also packed with history. Pick up a map from the local chamber of commerce, then breathe in fresh mountain air as you navigate the self-guided walking tour. Start from Julian’s town hall and finish at Pioneer Cemetery.

Plan-ahead tip: Julian maintains a lively year-round calendar of community events, like a Sasquatch scavenger hunt and stargazing nights. Check the online calendar to take advantage of family-friendly activities.

View the Art at Chicano Park 

In Barrio Logan , a hub for Mexican-American culture in San Diego, lies this National Historic Landmark . It contains more than 100 massive, vibrant artworks, the largest concentration of Chicano murals in the world, painted onto the Coronado Bridge’s concrete pillars. The colorful murals are the showstoppers of this seven-acre park, but if that won’t hold your kids’ attention for long, bring some snacks to enjoy at the picnic tables, walk through the gardens, and then let them go wild on the playgrounds.

Plan-ahead tip: Print out a map of the murals to identify them as you tour.

See the Sea Lions at La Jolla Cove

Fair warning: They stink, literally, but watching a raft of California sea lions bark at each other all day among picturesque sandstone cliffs is a SeaWorld-level experience, minus the price tag. A short distance away are the equally fascinating Pacific harbor seals, who have now taken over Children’s Pool Beach . Dip your toes into the small beach area at La Jolla Cove, then enjoy the sunset from the picnic tables or the grass at the adjacent Ellen Browning Scripps Park .

Plan-ahead tip: If you have your own snorkel gear (and strong swimmers in the family), La Jolla Cove is famous for its snorkeling—it’s even part of the San Diego– La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve . On good visibility days, you’ll see garibaldi, guitarfish, sea stars, and anemones.

Play Outside at Mission Bay Park 

Hike, bike, frisbee, swim, and more at this expansive, 4,600-acre waterfront park. Mission Bay is a paradise for active families—it features a marked 12-mile paved path for a leisurely ride or run, plus plenty of grass to set up a volleyball or badminton net. Crown Point is a popular spot for volleyball games, and Tecolote Shores is where the kite-flyers go. Playgrounds and picnic tables dot the entire park, almost all within sight of the water.

Plan-ahead tip: Bring Fido along for the adventure—the sand dune–covered Fiesta Island has an off-leash dog beach .

Discover Mission Trails Regional Park

Your first stop at this 8,000-acre park should be the Mission Trails Visitor and Interpretive Center , which features a beautiful outdoor area overlooking Mission Gorge. Meander through the cultural, historical, and natural exhibits to learn about the local wildlife and the Kumeyaay, the indigenous people who once lived there. Then grab some trail maps to explore the 60-plus miles of trails. Don’t forget sunscreen!

Plan-ahead tip: Time your visit for the park’s volunteer-led free nature walks . The walks include a variety of emphases, from wildlife tracking to bird watching and park geology, all on specific days each month.

Bethany Mavis is a writer, editor and aficionado of hiking, crafting and thrifting. She is an adjunct professor in journalism at Point Loma Nazarene University, and she lives in Escondido with her husband and three daughters.

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Walk, Learn, Explore with San Diego Walks

A san diego experience for locals and visitors, san diego architecture, art, cuisine, & history, taking you off the beaten path.

San Diego Walks offers a San Diego experience like no other. Locals and visitors alike will gain a greater appreciation for America’s Finest City while enjoying an afternoon at some of San Diego’s most popular destinations: Balboa Park, Old Town, Coronado, and Liberty Station. We even offer private tours and a team-building scavenger hunt at Balboa Park. Our tour guides are excited to share their wealth of knowledge as they make your experience unforgettable. We look forward to walking with you!

Old Town Tales, Tacos, and Tequila

Secrets & highlights of balboa park, coronado history & highlights, liberty station: from barracks to brews, why walk with us, visit san diego’s top spots, locally owned & operated, fun and knowledgeable guides, corporate scavenger hunt, a customizable team building activity.

The San Diego Walks Scavenger Hunt is a perfect way for your team to bond in a beautiful and historic setting, while applying functional group skills like communication, problem-solving, prioritization, and iteration. Whether you’re a local or visitor, we’ve got the perfect group activity for the office, reunions, conventions, and anything in between. We are excited to personalize our Scavenger Hunt, ensuring your business or event a fun-filled San Diego experience.

The San Diego Walks Scavenger Hunt is a perfect way for your team to bond in a beautiful and historic setting, while applying functional group skills like communication, problem-solving, prioritization, and iteration. Whether you’re a local or visitor, we’ve got the perfect group activity for the office, reunions, conventions, and anything in between. We are excited to personalize our Scavenger Hunt, ensuring your business or event a fun-filled city tour in San Diego.

See Why People Walk with Us!

My sisters and I had a great time with our wonderful tour guide Jennifer! Such fun and laughter with only a little sibling shenanigans. Would love to do the other tours provided by San Diego Walks. Not just for tourists, us locals enjoyed and even learned a new thing or two.

Jennifer Keith

Jennifer was amazing!!! We were in town for a conference and are so glad we found her. Her tour was full of wonderful information about San Diego. Not to mention, the food was delicious! I would highly recommend San Diego Walks for anyone looking for a fun time while they are in town!

What a great tour and a fantastic guide! Jennifer isn’t just knowledgeable, she’s a ton of fun and really makes the most of the time spent on this tour. Highly recommend!

Louise Ballard

Our memberships & awards, learn about san diego walks, we love what we do.

San Diego Walks is a woman-owned walking tour company, proudly supporting fellow local businesses. We offer both group and private tours in the San Diego area, from Old Town, Balboa Park, Coronado to Liberty Station. Our dedicated tour guides enjoy sharing knowledge and anecdotes as they uncover San Diego secrets.

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We loved putting together a special "Taste of...

We loved putting together a special "Taste of Old Town" for this very fun group on Valentine's Day. After tasting some of the unexpected foods and drink associated with San Diego, they got a tequila tasting and lesson from our good friend Carlos at El Agave. If you're interested let us know - we'd love to do it again! #oldtownsandiego #sandiego #oliveoil #temeculaoliveoilcompany #nibbleschocolate #rosestastingroom #chocolate #wine #sandiegowine #thetilestore #sandiegowalks #sandiegotours #sandiegowalkingtours ...

We hosted the marketing department of a local ...

We hosted the marketing department of a local biotech company late last month, and as you can see from the photos, they had fun exploring Balboa Park on our Scavenger Hunt. Our Scavenger Hunt can be just for fun, to help build your team, or can facilitate leadership training. We'd love to host your group of up to 50. Let us know when and we'll be there! #sandiego #balboapark #scavengerhunt #leadership #teambuilding #teambuildingevents #companyculture #sandiegowalks #sandiegotours #sandiegowalkingtours ...

Everyday is a Margarita Day for us at San Diego ...

Everyday is a Margarita Day for us at San Diego Walks. Our Old Town tour ends at El Agave and their bartenders make the best handcrafted margaritas! #margaritaday #sandiego #oldtown #oldtownsandiego #elagave #nationalmargaritaday #sandiegowalks #sandiegotours #sandiegowalkingtours ...

Big waves in Coronado Tuesday evening as another ...

Big waves in Coronado Tuesday evening as another storm rolls through. Since Coronado is a south facing beach these waves are massive compared to what is normally here. #coronado #stormwaves #bigwaves #sandiego #sandiegolife #sandiegowalks #sandiegowalkingtours ...

We've got you covered! Time is running out ...

We've got you covered! Time is running out but you can still gift a special person with a fun, unique experience and save money too! Our gift cards are on sale - save 15% off any gift card purchased between now and 12/26/23 for use between now and 12/31/24. And if you buy it for yourself we won't tell a soul! Visit our website at <sandiegowalks.net> and click on the GIFT CARD button. #giftideas #officiallylastminute #giveexperiencesnotthings #sandiego #sandiegowalks #sandiegotour #sandiegotours #sandiegowalkingtour #sandiegowalkingtours #sandiegolife #visitSD #visitSanDiego ...

If you were from San Diego on Monday, your social ...

If you were from San Diego on Monday, your social media feeds would have been filled with images of the sunset that night. Here are ours from Little Italy. #sandiego #littleitaly #sandiegowalks #sandiegotour #sandiegotours #sandiegowalkingtour #sandiegowalkingtours #sandiegolife #visitSD #visitSanDiego ...

Scenes from Old Town today #diadelosmuertos

Scenes from Old Town today #diadelosmuertos ...

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San Diego's Free Walking Tour

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San Diego's Free Walking Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Downtown San Diego a walking tour by Carol Mendel

Great Walking Tours in the Gaslamp Quarter!

The Gaslamp Quarter prides in our rich 150 years of history. Why not take a walk through our historic district and participate in one of the following great tours! Learn about the 92 beautiful Victorian buildings, hear the great stories of the past, and see why we are the Historic Heart of San Diego!

Gaslamp Thursday Walking Tour

Opening a window to San Diego’s past, the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation showcases the history of the Davis- Horton House built in 1950, as well as walking tours of the historic Gaslamp Quarter. This walking tour takes place every Thursday at 1:00 PM starting at the Davis-Horton House at 410 Island Ave.

Reservations MUST be made and confirmed by 1 PM Wednesday.

This tour is 90 min. rain or shine.

Tickets- $20 adults; $15 seniors, active military; $10 students, free age 7 and under.

Contact the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation for more information:

• Website: Thursday Walking Tour
• Phone: (619) 233-4692
• Address: 410 Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

Gaslamp Saturday Walking Tour

This walking tour takes place every Saturday at 11 AM starting at the Davis-Horton House at 410 Island Ave.

The tour is 90 minutes and takes place rain or shine.

Tickets: $20 adults, $15 seniors, active military; $10 students, free age 7 and under

• Website: Saturday Walking Tour

Ghosts of the Gaslamp Walking Tour

Take a stroll through the Gaslamp’s haunted history with Davis-Horton House Historian, Sandee Wilhoit, who will recount ghostly happenings of the past…and of the present. Fridays at 5pm -Tour length is 120 minutes and the walking distance is a 1/2 a mile Tickets- $20 adults; $15 seniors and active military; $10 students; free age 7 and under.

• Website: Ghosts of the Gaslamp Walking Tour

Shady Ladies and Hop Heads Historical Pub Crawl and Walking Tour

Our newest guided tour to hit the streets- and this time, the bars!- of the Gaslamp. Created in celebration of the 150 th anniversary of the founding New Town San Diego, now downtown, the combination historical tour and pub crawl explores the historic Gaslamp District. See the Gaslamp District in a new light

Follow your guides back in time to hear about the Gaslamp Quarter back when it was called the “Stingaree” and was infamous for its teeming red-light district. Learn about the historic buildings and colorful characters that populated them— and perhaps even meet a few of them along the way! Along the way enjoy a drink*- or just a seat- at three historic bars that are original to the Gaslamp Quarter.

The Shady Ladies and Hop Heads tour will take place one Friday a month! This is a 21+ tour.

• Website: Shady Ladies and Hop Heads Tour

Paranormal Investigations

The Davis-Horton House: Alive with Spirits from the Past?

Find out for yourself. Touted by many as, “the most haunted house in the Gaslamp Quarter,” the Davis-Horton House has become a highly popular place for investigating paranormal activities — occurrences that fall outside of what’s considered normal or that can’t be explained scientifically. Paranormal research teams present evidence to support their claims of having made contact with several house spirits. They’ve recorded voices, taken photos, and shot video to document their surprising findings. These other-worldly experiences are available to the public through monthly Paranormal Investigations tours, led by San Diego Ghost Hunters, a professional paranormal research team that conducts on-site investigations. You may bring cameras, smart-phones, and digital sound recorders, but NO PROFESSIONAL MEDIA EQUIPMENT is allowed with guests.

Since space is limited, we require that you make reservations and pay in advance for the Investigation. You may make your reservation via our website, or you can call for reservations at (619) 233-4692. Tickets must be purchased by 5pm the day of the Investigation. Tickets cannot be purchased at the Investigation.

Admission for this two-hour tour and investigation is $40.00 and goes from 10PM to midnight.

• Website: Paranormal Investigation

Brothels, Bites and Booze Tour

SoDiego Tour’s Brothels, Bites, and Booze is a fun and innovative tour that lets you explore the Gaslamp Quarter, the heart of America’s finest city. Experience what makes this city one of the top destinations for dining, shopping, and nightlife. Learn the secrets behind the district’s historic buildings as you to travel back in time to the post-Gold Rush era as thousands arrived in the port town of San Diego. This popular Gaslamp Quarter food tour will not only satisfy your taste buds, but your curiosity, too!

Tours- Wed-Sat. at 5:30PM and Fri-Sat. at 11AM

Tickets- $60/ person

Contact the SoDiego Tours for more information:

• Website: Brothels, Bites, and Booze
• Phone: (619) 233-8687
• Email: [email protected]

Another Side of San Diego- Segway and Walking Tours

Another Side of San Diego Tours takes guests on a historic walking tour where they learn the Gaslamp Quarter’s remarkable history and enjoy fantastic photo opportunities of the the Victorian architecture. All details of the tour are emailed directly after booking. Another Side San Diego also has Segway tours.

Semi-private tour that lasts approximately 1.5 hours

Tickets- $99 – $149 per guest. 2 guest minimum on walking tour

Contact Another Side of San Diego Tours for more information:

• Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour
• Gaslamp Quarter Segway Tour
• Phone: 619-239-2111
• Address: 300 G Street, San Diego, CA 92101

Self Guided Walking Tours

Click on the following links to get maps, and site information so that you can enjoy a self guided walking tour! You can explore the Gaslamp Quarter on your own time, and perhaps shop and dine along the way!

National Geographic Gaslamp Quarter Tour

Frommers San Diego Gaslamp Tour

GPS My City San Diego Gaslamp Tour

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36 excursions and activities in San Diego

Go City: San Diego Explorer Pass

San Diego Electric Car Tour

Go City San Diego All-Inclusive Pass

USS Midway Museum Ticket & Audioguide

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Tour of San Diego

San Diego Zoo Ticket

Seaworld San Diego Entrance Ticket

San Diego SEAL Tour

San Diego Speedboat Tour

Civitatis eSIM Card United States

Sesame Place Ticket

San Diego Private Tour

Whaley House Ticket

Travel back to the California Gold Rush  with this ticket to the  Whaley House . You'll visit this 19th-century home - a must when in San Diego!

Whale Watching Cruise

Civitatis Travel Insurance

San Diego Zoo Safari Park Ticket

Temecula Private Day Trip

Whale and Dolphin Cruise

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