San Diego Free Tours
English and Spanish tours available! Look for the blue umbrella!
Explore San Diego’s rich history and vibrant culture starting in the iconic Gaslamp Quarter. Capture stunning photos, get all your curious questions answered, and enjoy fun facts about this beautiful city.
Our tour showcases San Diego’s main streets, quaint parks, and waterfront. Hear intriguing tales about the city’s founders and visit notable landmarks, including the USS Midway, The Star of India, and the Unconditional Surrender Statue. We will end the tour at Seaport Village with lots of restaurants and resting areas.
Be greeted by a passionate local guide, hear fascinating stories, meet interesting people, and enjoy breathtaking views. By the end, you’ll receive an insider’s list of things to do, tips for top attractions, and recommendations for hidden gems.
Logistics: The tour starts at the Gaslamp Quarter Arch and ends at Seaport Village, covering about a mile and a half in two hours. The terrain is flat and easy to traverse, ensuring a casual pace for everyone.
Parking instructions here! If you are arriving with a car be sure to prepare 20min before the tour starts.
To find the tour guide look for the blue umbrella saying Free Tour next to the Gaslamp Quarter Arch.
We are also a member of the Free Tour Community. The Free Tour Community is a worldwide family of 80+ local free tour initiatives operating in 40+ countries. We are incredibly proud of our local community for sharing their stories on these tours!
Tour Stops
The San Diego Free Tour starts from the Gaslamp Quarter Arch
1. Gaslamp Quarter Arch (Meeting Spot)
We will start the tour with an introduction to California and how San Diego was built.
Horton Davis House
One of the most iconic buildings in San Diego and the oldest standing structure in Downtown San Diego.
Yuma Building
The Yuma Building, a classic example of Victorian architecture, is three stories high with a basement. True gem in San Diego.
Louis Bank Of Commerce
The Louis Bank of Commerce is one of San Diego’s most ornate commercial structures
Spreckles Building
This was the tallest building in the city for a short period of time!
USS Midway
Once upon a time The USS Midway was the world’s largest ship when it was commissioned in 1945.
Horton Grant Hotel
Originally constructed in the 1880s as two separate hotels, the Grand Horton and the Brooklyn-Kahle Saddlery Hotel, these buildings were dismantled and combined into the present-day Horton Grand Hotel in the 1980s.
The “Unconditional Surender” statue
Created by artist Seward Johnson, the sculpture stands at an impressive 25 feet tall and has become a beloved landmark, symbolizing the joy and relief felt at the end of the war, but wait until you hear the story behind!
Star Of India
The Maritime Museum of San Diego is a captivating destination for those interested in maritime history and naval heritage.
Seaport Village
This picturesque waterfront shopping and dining complex located in the heart of San Diego offers visitors a delightful mix of quaint boutiques, unique shops, and a variety of restaurants, many of which offer stunning views of San Diego Bay which makes it the perfect place to end the tour.
What is a Free Walking Tour?
Our tours are fun and interactive. We focus on the interest of everyone in the group and we’d love to make you feel like you’re walking with a friend. We practice the Freedom Of Speech to tell you how it’s living in San Diego from our perspective that it may be different from what is on the news. We work on the pay as you wish model. At the end of the tour you pay to the guide as much as you feel this tour was worth it. This way everyone can join.
We’ll make breaks to take photos!
- Ask questions!
- Give random answers =)
- Experience San Diego in a fun way!
Learn about the culture of San Diego
- San Diego is known for its Zoo, beaches and laidback culture.
- Find out about local events in the city.
- Learn the tip & tricks from locals!
“San Diego is one of those places when you make it your home it feels as if you are on a long vacation”
Iryna Djopmins
a San Diego local
Our tours are free to book and to join. They work on the Pay-As-You-Wish model. After the tour ends you determine the price for the tour and pay the guide.
This way everyone can join <3
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