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Embarcadero, San Diego

Embarcadero, San Diego: Our most recommended tours and activities

San Diego: Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour

1. San Diego: Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour

Join the Hop-on Hop-Off Tour of Old Town San Diego at any of the tour's 12 boarding points and visit more than 100 interesting points in Coronado and San Diego at your own pace. You can begin at any time of the day and listen to the entertaining narration of the onboard conductors along the way. San Diego is known as America’s Finest City, and as you explore the sights of Old Town and the scenic coastline you’ll see why. Opt to begin your tour at the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, where you’ll see original adobe homes and artifacts from the earliest Mexican settlements. At the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, you’ll learn about the importance of the U.S. Navy's presence in San Diego. Then continue on to nearby Seaport Village, where you can stop for refreshments and enjoy shopping and entertainment. In the historic Gaslamp Quarter, you’ll find loads of shops and other interesting places located in Victorian-themed buildings. One particular house of interest is the William Heath Davis House. Built-in saltbox style, it is similar to the original home of Davis, who founded New Town San Diego. When you’re back on the trolley you’ll be entertained once again by the conductor’s narration. Continue on to the well-known Hotel del Coronado, one of America’s leading resorts. You may choose to take a stroll through nearby Balboa Park, along El Prado, the promenade lined with Spanish-style buildings. With more stops than any other tour, this hop-on hop-off trolley ride is guaranteed to deliver. In addition to sightseeing, enjoy free shuttle service to and from select area hotels, a map and day planner, and $70 in discount coupons to use at restaurants and area attractions. Hop on or hop off at 12 convenient stops: 1) 4002 Wallace St: Old Town State Historic Park 2) 1492 N Harbor Dr: Maritime Museum of San Diego/Star of India 3) 200 Marina Park Way: San Diego Embarcadero 4) 849 W Harbor Dr: Seaport Village 5) 333 W Harbor Dr: Marriott Marquis & Marina6) Gaslamp Quarter 7) 111 W Harbor Dr: Petco Park/San Diego Convention Center 8) Barrio Logan9) 1500 Orange Ave: Hotel Del Coronado10) Coronado/Orange Avenue 11) 1549 El Prado: Balboa Park and El Prado Museums 12) Little Italy

San Diego: SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus

2. San Diego: SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus

Splash into San Diego Bay with an insightful tour across land and water. most unique sightseeing tour. Take a seat aboard a hybrid bus and boat and come across the most interesting sights in the city. Learn about San Diego's main landmarks from your guide. Wind through picturesque San Diego streets before splashing into the water for a cruise of San Diego Bay. Pass the Embarcadero and San Diego International Airport. Hear about the importance of the military in San Diego and other local icons as you travel along the scenic coast. Once you splash into the Big Bay, glide by Navy ships, tugboats, and fishing vessels throughout the harbor. Pass by Shelter Island and listen to stories of early sailors.

San Diego: City Lights Night Tour

3. San Diego: City Lights Night Tour

Your 90-minute night tour boards in Seaport Village and starts off by exploring the West Coast’s premier entertainment district, known as the Gaslamp Quarter, full of vibrant nightlife, bright lights, and Victorian architecture.   Then, make your way to Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the U.S., where stunning buildings, fountains, and statues glow bright at night. From Balboa Park, drive to the top of Coronado Bridge for more spectacular sights, including the lights coming in from Tijuana, Mexico, the bay, and Downtown San Diego. Then, travel to Coronado’s Ferry Landing for a 20-minute stop to take in the stunning beauty of the San Diego city skyline, visible from across the bay and a perfect photo opportunity. From Coronado, make your way back to San Diego to take in the Embarcadero’s bay-front views. You’ll see the Historic County Administration Building, Maritime Museum’s Star of India, the USS Midway Museum, and Navy aircraft carriers from across the bay. The tour ends in Seaport Village, where guests are invited to the Top of the Hyatt for 50% off a glass of wine.

The San Diego Highlights Tour

4. The San Diego Highlights Tour

This tour is a combination of the very popular San Diego and La Jolla Sightseeing Tours. On this tour you will experience the most comprehensive and entertaining tour throughout America’s Finest City! Your tour begins daily at the supplier's convenient downtown location and from here you will be transported throughout the loveliest and most renowned parts of the city. The first areas you will visit include sparkling Coronado, The Hotel Del Coronado, The Historic Gaslamp Quarter, Embarcadero and the resplendent and beautiful Balboa Park. Then make a 1-hour stop for lunch in the Gaslamp Quarter. After the lunch break, continue by driving north to explore the stunning coastline of La Jolla at 1:00 PM. La Jolla is arguably the most beautiful part of the city. Many of San Diego’s most famous and wealthiest residents live here. There are many dramatic ocean views from the coastline to the mountains and the city in-between. La Jolla is a stunning place with a natural cove, mysterious caves, rugged cliffs, abundant marine life, posh shopping, and a fine dining district too. The stunning shoreline cliffs and the view from Mt. Soledad are also why this area is known as “The Jewel” of San Diego. This 3-hour afternoon portion of the tour is stunning and filled with great back stories too. See why the spectacular city beckons Californians and travelers from far abroad. Please note that the guide will not be in the vehicle the entire time and there are many stops where you will get out, walk around, and explore the sights that we are visiting. This sightseeing tour is available every day of the year, including weekends and holidays, and departs at 9:00AM from our office at 300 G Street. All details of your tour will be sent to you immediately after booking.

San Diego: City Segway Tour with Snack and Water

5. San Diego: City Segway Tour with Snack and Water

Join us for a beautiful ride through San Diego’s picturesque city center on this 1-hour Segway tour. Start by learning to ride a new Segway® Personal Transporter, the “Bike of the Future”, and enjoy the city scenery of San Diego. This tour covers almost entirely flat ground, so this tour is ideal for Segway beginners as well. Ride through the historic Gaslamp Quarter and make your way to the city pier and the Embarcadero. Pass along Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres, and take in the impressive and unique Urban Trees art exhibit. We will guide you through one of America’s finest Cities with historical information and quirky fun facts from your guide throughout the tour. Be prepared for a great time!

San Diego: Segway Tour of the Gaslamp District

6. San Diego: Segway Tour of the Gaslamp District

Get the perfect overview of San Diego’s landmarks and history on this 2-hour Segway tour. From downtown, through the Gaslamp Quarter to the Embarcadero and waterfront, we cover the main sights of the first city in California. The Gaslamp Segway Tour is a great introduction to San Diego. The Gaslamp district is where we started our business, and gives this tour its name. Get to know the historic heart of San Diego and see what makes the Gaslamp District home to the city’s most exciting events and nightlife, but there’s more to the tour than this charming quarter. Take in the impressive San Diego The Convention Center and breathe in Pacific air at the Seaport Pier. Enjoy a beautiful San Diego skyline view, see the USS San Diego Memorial and USS Midway on the water, check out the urban tree exhibit and Inez Parker Rose Garden, and much more! Explore San Diego by Segway to experience the sights and history of the first city in California.

San Diego: Holiday Lights and Sights Trolley Tour

7. San Diego: Holiday Lights and Sights Trolley Tour

Get into the Christmas spirit on this holiday lights and sights trolley tour in San Diego. Ride a wave of holiday cheer as you celebrate in the sights, songs, and traditions of the holiday season alongside elf conductors in “America’s Finest City.” Join in sing-along caroling with elf conductors as they share fun holiday facts and traditions. See the festive holiday lights of Old Town, Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Balboa Park, and more. Enjoy a 15-minute stop at Seaport Village for even more holiday fun. When it comes to living that laid-back West Coast lifestyle, San Diegans do it better than most. Whether it’s sunbathing with the seals in La Jolla or seeking out the hottest regional Mexican food, easy and breezy is the order of the day. Because of the year-round picture-perfect weather, sometimes locals and visitors alike need reminding when the holidays are approaching. But when the holidays do come, the city goes all out.

San Diego: City Highlights Tour with Hotel Pickup

8. San Diego: City Highlights Tour with Hotel Pickup

Make the most of your time in San Diego on a guided tour with hotel pickup. Whether you're on vacation with your family or in town for the day on business, you will be sure to fall in love with this city on the sea. The day starts with pickup from your accommodation. You'll then travel comfortably in an air-conditioned van to the city's best sights. Admire the white-sand beaches and rugged coastline of La Jolla and travel back in time on a stroll through the Spanish settlement of Old Town – the first European settlement in present-day California. Feel the energy of the Gaslamp Quarter, visit Seaport Village, and explore the resort city of Coronado. Finally, take a walk through Balboa Park and admire the chic and bustling eateries in Little Italy. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped-off at your hotel.

San Diego: Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Walking Tour

9. San Diego: Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Walking Tour

Experience the darker side of San Diego's Embarcadero waterfront and visit its most popular haunted locations. Hear stories of spooky spirits, disease, death, and espionage from your guide on a walking tour at night. With many infamous ghosts and ships, there are several notable occurrences of hauntings at the downtown San Diego Embarcadero along the waterfront. Listen as your guide shares thrilling stories of the spirits and ghosts believed to reside in the area. During your walking tour, you have the opportunity to do some ghost hunting for yourself. Experiment with detecting ghosts and spirit anomalies using paranormal and ghost investigation equipment provided by your guide. Along the way you can see Dead Man's Point, USS Midway, The Headquarters, and the Maritime Museum, but you do not enter any of these landmarks.

San Diego: Waterfront Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

10. San Diego: Waterfront Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

Embark on a self-guided tour of San Diego's picturesque waterfront. Stroll past historical landmarks while listening to the audio guide installed on your own portable device. After beginning your tour across from the San Diego County Administration Building, your audio guide will lead you along the city’s well-loved waterfront in discovery of historical buildings, maritime attractions, statues, monuments, and superyachts. See one of the country's largest collections of historic sea vessels at the Maritime Museum followed by military vessels at the USS Midway Museum. Hear the heartwarming stories behind the Homecoming Statue, the Flame of Friendship, the USS San Diego Memorial, and the National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military war memorial. Pose for a selfie at the Embracing Peace statue. Learn about the historic Port Pavillion on Broadway Pier and the Battle of Leyte Gulf Memorial. At Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, you'll find out about local fishing methods. Hear about San Diego’s goal to protect its ecosystems and the San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge. Take in the views of the bay and the city skyline along the waterfront at Ruocco Park. Walk around Seaport Village, a picturesque 14-acre shopping and dining complex. At the end of the tour, enjoy answering fun trivia questions based on the audio commentary.

Other Sightseeing Options in Embarcadero, San Diego

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What people are saying about Embarcadero, San Diego

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 534 reviews

There was free parking across from the trolley prick up point and that was pretty great! My mom and I enjoyed the tour very much. Our driver, Sherry, was extremely knowledgeable! The weather was perfect for December and I highly recommend that you take this tour, regardless of whether you’re a stranger to San Diego or a local.

Loved all the sights and history that was given. Freedom to hop off and explore and the jump back on. So much fun and the tour guides were terrific... thank you!!!

This was a great way to see San Diego as a whole when you can’t decide what to see and are on a time crunch.

Debbie was our tour guide! She was personable friendly funny and knew her stuff!

The tour was interesting, the tour guides were terrific.