San Diego Free Walking Tour: The Best of Historic Downtown and Waterfront
Hello there! This is Iryna with San Diego Free Tour and we offer the most interesting free walking tour in San Diego! It's fun, engaging and full of history! We start at the historic Gaslamp Quarter and then make our way to San Diego Harbor to see USS Midway, the Star Of India, the Unconditional Surrender statue and much more! We end the tour at the Seaport Village which is full of places to eat and rest. The tour lasts for 2 hours and makes a loop so it doesn't end far from where we started! We make plenty of stops and take a bathroom break in the middle of the tour. Join us for the fun and informative tour and experience beautiful San Diego with us!
Pickup
We meet at 222 Fifth Ave, next to the Gaslamp Quarter Arch. I will be holding a Free Tour sign.
Description
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.
What to Expect:
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.
We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes early – allowing some time to find parking, and then walk to the starting point. Street parking is free on Sundays and time limit is not enforced, but during the weekdays and on Saturday parking is about $1.00 per hour which could be paid by credit card.
There is plenty of 2hr street parking around, however this is not the best option since our tour lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours plus you need time to walk back as well.
These are the best parking options that allow parking for over 2 hours:
Best option:
Parking at Seaport Village parking lot - $5 for the 3 hrs with purchase ( coffee, etc) and $3 for the next 30 min- the tour ends at Seaport Village and so this option is one of the best!
You will need to walk for about 10 min from the Seaport parking lot to the starting point for the beginning of the tour.
Option 2:
Street parking over 2 hours and up to 9 hrs is available at the following locations:
1. 3rd Street between Market and Island - 5 min from meeting point
2. G Street between Kettner and Union Streets ( 10 min from the meeting point)
3. Island avenue next to Children's Museum- 7 min to the meeting point
Option 3:
Any other street parking is available as well at Gaslamp, but it's usually up to 2 hours and you will need to refill and add more $ for every 2 hours. This is not ideal, but will work if you are running late.
Option 4:
ABM parking lots are available all over the city and the cost is around $15-$20 for the day.