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Historical Walking Tour of San Diego

5 (7)
San Diego, US
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Historical Walking Tour of San Diego

5 (7)
San Diego, US
Share
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Experience the vibrant history of San Diego on this thrilling group walking tour. Immerse yourself in the fascinating story of this city, from its humble beginnings in 1542 to its rise as a modern industrial hub. Explore iconic landmarks such as the Gaslamp District, Horton Park, and Santa Fe Train Station, as you learn about the visionary founders and pioneers who shaped San Diego's destiny. Marvel at the majestic USS Midway, a testament to the city's significant role in world wars and the military industry. Led by our knowledgeable guide, you'll be captivated by tales of Spanish explorers, the Mexican-American War, and the city's journey to becoming the 31st state of the U.S. Prepare for a thrilling 75-minute adventure that will bring San Diego's history to life right before your eyes.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 1 hours 15 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-10 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • Self Guided Experience
  • Learn the full history of San Diego
  • Explore the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter
  • Discover the visionary creation of downtown San Diego
  • Learn about the connection of the east and west coast via train
  • Uncover San Diego's role in world wars and military industry
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance Tickets to the USS Midway Museum ($31 for adults on your own after the tour)

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More about this experience

Introduction

Welcome to the Historical Walking Tour of San Diego, a captivating journey through the rich history of this vibrant city. Immerse yourself in the fascinating tale of San Diego's evolution from its humble beginnings in 1542 to its role as a modern-day metropolis. This group walking tour is the perfect opportunity to discover the founders and visionaries who shaped the city, explore iconic landmarks, and gain a comprehensive understanding of San Diego's captivating past.

What to Expect?

During this 75-minute tour, you can anticipate a captivating exploration of San Diego's historical highlights. Join your knowledgeable guide, Josh, for an enlightening experience that will take you through centuries of history. Starting from the lobby of the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Downtown, you'll embark on a mesmerizing journey through the Gaslamp Quarter, where you'll learn about Spanish explorers, the Mexican-American War, and San Diego's role in becoming the 31st state of the U.S. Next, discover downtown San Diego's visionary creation in the late 1800s and its transformation into a bustling city. Marvel at the landmark Santa Fe Train Station, which connected the east and west coasts by rail and ushered in a new era of prosperity. Finally, the tour concludes outside the renowned USS Midway Museum, where you'll delve into San Diego's involvement in world wars and the thriving military industry.

Who is this for?

The Historical Walking Tour of San Diego appeals to anyone with a passion for history and a desire to uncover the hidden stories of this remarkable city. Whether you are a local resident looking to deepen your knowledge or a visitor seeking an engaging cultural experience, this tour is designed for all curious souls. No matter your age or background, join us on this journey to explore San Diego's captivating past.

Why Book This?

Embark on the Historical Walking Tour of San Diego and unlock the secrets of this vibrant city's past. Josh, your experienced guide, will bring history to life with captivating stories and insights. From the birthplace of California in the Gaslamp Quarter to the influential Santa Fe Train Station and the historic USS Midway, this tour will transport you through time, immersing you in the thrilling narratives that have shaped San Diego into the city it is today. Book now and embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of San Diego's history.

Good to Know

As you prepare for the Historical Walking Tour of San Diego, remember to meet Josh, your guide, in the lobby of the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Downtown. Arriving 10 minutes early will ensure the tour starts promptly. While the tour does not include entrance to the USS Midway Museum, you'll have the chance to explore the exterior and learn about San Diego's military history. Prepare for an approximately 75-minute walking experience, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating stories of San Diego's past on this truly enlightening tour.

Reviews

Stephanie, a recent tour participant, raved about the experience, saying, "The Historical Walking Tour of San Diego was an absolute delight. Josh's deep knowledge and passion for the city's history made the tour exceptional. I learned so much about San Diego's fascinating past and felt truly connected to the city. I highly recommend this tour to both locals and visitors who want a unique perspective on San Diego's history." John, another satisfied participant, shared, "This tour exceeded my expectations. Josh's storytelling skills and attention to detail transported us through time. The tour was well-paced, allowing time to absorb each stop's significance. If you're interested in understanding the captivating history of San Diego, don't miss this tour!" Join us on the Historical Walking Tour of San Diego and witness the city's past come alive while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Gaslamp Quarter

Josh will meet you in the lobby of the historic San Diego Trust and Savings Bank Building (now a Courtyard Marriott) to share information on how San Diego became the birthplace of California. You will learn about Spanish explorers, the first settlement of Old Town, the Mexican-American War, and becoming the 31st state in the U.S.

Horton Plaza Park

After passing through the Gaslamp Quarter you will learn about the growth of the city and the visionary creation of downtown San Diego in the late 1800s (including international recognition and the development of the San Diego Zoo).

Santa Fe Depot

The tour will stop outside of the historic Santa Fe train station to learn how the east coast and west coast were connected by train. Train access led to an age of prosperity and rich elites visiting San Diego, especially with the opening of the famous Hotel Del Coronado.

USS Midway Museum

The tour will end outside of the USS Midway Museum to discuss San Diego's role in world wars and the modern day military industry. Please note the tour does NOT include entrance to the USS Midway Museum and the tour will NOT go inside the museum.

Admission Not Included

Reviews

(7)

5 (7)

Karen_R

My mother and I had an amazing time on our tour. Josh did a great job of explaining the historical and cultural influences to the city and how they affected each other. He also gave great recommendations for restaurants and activities to do throughout the city. We highly recommend this experience if you are visiting San Diego!

bardins2021

Our group of five thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Josh's knowledge about the City of San Diego and its unique history is very impressive. We would highly recommend this tour to others. Thanks, Josh!

WBiggs516

Josh was a fantastic tour guide with wonderful knowledge of the history of San Diego. He’s very personable and I would definitely recommend taking his walking tour of San Diego!!!

L2784QIjs

Josh was awesome. His knowledge of the city was impressive. We learned so much about the history of the city. Josh shares how San Diego began and tells the story through modern day. We wish we had done this earlier on our trip so we would have known more about where we exploring. He also gave us some fantastic restaurant and cocktail spot recommendations. Book this trip and do it at the beginning of your trip. Thank you for a great tour, Josh!

Destination61114

We went on this historical walking tour and it was awesome. We met Josh at a hotel in downtown San Diego and he walked us through downtown to the USS Midway Museum. Throughout the 1-1.5 hour walk, he would explain the history behind each historical building/monument, which we learned and enjoyed so much. He also recommended where to go for food/drinks which we did (the tacos were fantastic, and the Old-Fashioned at the US Grant was grand!). Josh is very passionate about the city and he was friendly and patient with us throughout the walk. Highly recommended!!

dianesH6788TM

We loved our tour with Josh. He has clearly done a ton of research on the history of San Diego and made it very interesting. We had no idea there was such history here. It was only about an hour long, but we enjoyed every bit of it and were impressed how personable Josh is and how he pulled together the various things that happened in history to bring San Diego to the point it is today. He even inspired us to do a little bit more exploring on our own! I would most definitely recommend this tour to anyone who likes history and architecture. It doesn’t take long and is super affordable. A great use of your time!

pamelafi2014

LOOK NO MORE AND BOOK THIS TOUR! I just moved to the city, so I wanted to take a tour to learn a few interesting facts about my new home, but little did I know that it was going to surpass all my expectations. First off, Josh is exactly what you want in a tour guide, a huge history buff with impeccable storytelling skills who is super nice, very knowledgeable and really funny! The tour begins at this really cool place that at first you don’t think much of it, until Josh reveals the history of it,( I won’t ruin the surprise you’ve got to experience it yourself 😉) and proceeds to walk you through the history of the foundation of San Diego. Then the walking tour starts in the heart of the city and you hear all about the creation of the downtown area, the role that the Gilded Age played in its expansion, the role of the military in the city and up to the modern times of what today is San Diego. Throughout the whole tour Josh points out little details in the landscape, landmarks, surroundings and buildings that take you back to the time in which they were installed which, if it wasn’t for this tour, I probably would have not noticed on my own. It is such a wonderful, easy, informative and very enjoyable experience for such a good price and it will definitely become a must for when I have visitors in town. Please do yourself a favor and don’t miss out on this tour. You won’t regret it!
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-06 22:26