Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour San Diego
- Duration1 day
- Daily
- Group
- Fair, honest prices
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Overview
This hop-on hop-off trolley tour lets you see San Diego at your own pace with a live English-speaking guide on board. Twelve stops link Old Town, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, Balboa Park and Little Italy, and you can hop on and off as often as you like for one or two days, depending on the option you choose. It is a flexible shared-ticket way to see the city, with no hotel pickup and no fixed schedule.
Highlights
- Unlimited hop-on hop-off rides for one or two days, depending on the option
- Live English-speaking guide on board with stories about the city
- Twelve stops from Old Town to Coronado, Balboa Park and Little Italy
- Tour brochure with a map and day planner
- Self-guided walking tours of Old Town and the Embarcadero on your smartphone
- Discount coupons for local restaurants and attractions
- Board at Old Town or at any stop by showing your ticket to the driver
Full Description
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town is where San Diego began. The Spanish settled the area in the 1700s, and the neighbourhood later became a Mexican pueblo, so today's Old Town San Diego State Historic Park keeps adobe buildings, museums and shaded plazas from that period. It is the main departure point of the trolley, so most visitors start their Old Town San Diego tour here.
Give yourself an hour to wander the park, look inside the historic houses and browse the craft shops. The self-guided Old Town walking tour on your phone is a good way to see the details, and staff at the stop can help you activate it.
The Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village and the Embarcadero
The Gaslamp Quarter is downtown's historic district, with sixteen blocks of Victorian-era buildings, shops and restaurants. The trolley stops here, and it is close to Petco Park, so it is easy to explore on foot for an hour or two. Nearby, the Embarcadero waterfront is lined with promenades, and it is a good place to see the Maritime Museum ships, the aircraft carrier museum and the harbor.
Seaport Village, a short ride away, has waterfront paths, small shops and open views over the bay. It is one of the best places to stop for a break, and the trolley stops close to the entrance.
Coronado and the Hotel del Coronado
The trolley crosses the bay to Coronado, a peaceful resort town with wide beaches and quiet streets. The best-known landmark is the Hotel del Coronado, a red-roofed Victorian seaside resort that opened in 1888 and is still one of the great historic hotels of the American West.
Hop off at Orange Avenue to walk the main street, then continue to the beach, which is one of the widest and cleanest in the area. If you want a Coronado day trip from downtown San Diego, plan a full afternoon so you have time for the hotel, the beach and the shops.
Balboa Park and Little Italy
Balboa Park is a huge cultural park with Spanish colonial buildings, gardens, fountains and many museums, all connected by the El Prado promenade. The trolley stop puts you at the heart of the park, and it is the best base for museum visits, the Botanical Building and the gardens. Entry tickets for museums and the zoo are not included.
Little Italy is a lively neighbourhood of Italian-style cafés, small shops and street markets. It is a pleasant place to end the day, and it is a short ride back to the waterfront. Together with Balboa Park, it makes the trolley worth it for a two-day pass.
Itinerary
- Old Town State Historic Park (stop A)Start here or at any stop; trolleys leave about every 20 minutes from the morning.
- Maritime Museum and Embarcadero (stops B and C)See the historic ships and the waterfront; hop off for photos and harbor views.
- Seaport Village (stops D and E)Waterfront shops and paths; a good place for a break.
- Marriott Marquis and Gaslamp Quarter (stops F and G)Victorian buildings, shops and restaurants; allow an hour or two on foot.
- Petco Park and the murals district (stops H and I)Ballpark, convention center and the colourful murals of a historic neighbourhood.
- Coronado (stop J)Cross the bay to the Hotel del Coronado and the beach.
- Balboa Park and Little Italy (stops K and L)Museums, gardens and cafés before returning to Old Town.
What's included
- Unlimited hop-on hop-off rides on the narrated trolley
- Live English-speaking guide
- Tour brochure with map and day planner
- Self-guided walking tours of Old Town and the Embarcadero on your smartphone
- Discount coupons
Not included
- Tips
- Entry tickets to attractions
- Food and drinks
Is this right for you?
Great for
- First-time visitors who want the highlights
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes 1 days
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Visitors who want a private or hotel-pickup tour, as this is a shared, ticketed service
- Travelers who prefer a fixed timetable with no waiting between stops
Meeting point
Board at Old Town San Diego, the main departure point, or at any trolley stop by showing your ticket to the driver. Trolleys depart roughly every 20 minutes from each stop, starting in the morning; the last departure is in the afternoon and changes by season. There are no tours on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hotel pickup is not included.
Important information
- Show your ticket to the driver at any stop, or at an Old Town ticket booth
- Trolleys run about every 20 minutes; the first tour leaves Old Town in the morning
- The last departure is in the afternoon and changes by season; check on the day
- No tours on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
- Large luggage and smoking are not allowed on board
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and a light jacket for the breeze
- Entry tickets to attractions, tips, food and drinks are not included
- Children's prices apply to ages 4 to 12; younger children may ride free, so check the booking panel
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the hop-on hop-off trolley ticket cost?
The price depends on the option (1 day or 2 days) and the age of the traveler. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children for each option.
Is hotel pickup included?
No, hotel pickup is not included. You board at Old Town or at any trolley stop by showing your ticket to the driver.
How long is the hop-on hop-off trolley tour?
A full loop takes around two hours without stopping, but you can hop off wherever you like. Most visitors take one day for the highlights, or two days to explore each neighbourhood at a relaxed pace.
Is the trolley tour suitable for children?
Yes, the open, narrated ride is popular with families. Child prices apply to ages 4 to 12, and the booking panel shows the details for younger children.
What is the difference between the 1-day and 2-day tickets?
Both include unlimited hop-on hop-off rides with a live English-speaking guide, a tour brochure, walking tours on your phone and discount coupons. The 1-day ticket is valid for one calendar day, and the 2-day ticket for two consecutive days.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, subject to availability. Show your ticket to the driver at any stop to start.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes for walking at stops, sunscreen, a hat and a light jacket. Food and drinks are not included.
Which stops are included?
There are twelve stops, including Old Town, the Maritime Museum, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park, Coronado, Balboa Park and Little Italy. Routes can change, so check the brochure.
How do I get from Old Town to Coronado?
Hop on at Old Town and ride to the Coronado stop on Orange Avenue. The trolley crosses the bay for you, so you do not need to change vehicles.
Is the San Diego trolley tour worth it?
Yes if you want to see several neighbourhoods with a live commentary and the freedom to stop where you like. For one area only, a single attraction ticket may be enough.
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