Last updated on December 29th, 2024 at 02:21 pm
Looking for the best way to see San Diego? Take the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour for a fun and stress-free day that hits all the highlights.
Taking a hop on hop off San Diego Tour is the best way to get around, all while learning some cool facts about America’s Finest City. It is a fun and easy way to tour the city. And if you only have one day in San Diego, it is the best way to maximize your time and squeeze in visits to many top San Diego attractions.
Here is everything you need to know about exploring San Diego on the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour – including free admission to 10 museums and a map to help you get familiar with the route.
Exploring San Diego on the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour
When you live near a tourist destination, you don’t always think to do the touristy things! We’ve been visiting San Diego for years, and in our quest to discover something new to do, decided to explore the city via San Diego Old Town Trolley Tours, an awesome Hop On Hop Off San Diego tour. This ended up being one of the most fun decisions we’ve ever made on a trip!
This tour is great for first time visitors, if you are short on time, or if you just want to get an overview of the city without having to find your own way around. Being able to hop on and off along the continuous 25-mile loop means you can truly customize your day.
With one or two-day passes, you can explore neighborhoods, museums, beaches, and many popular attractions at your own pace.
There are 11 stops along the route, and the fully-narrated tours (by a live guide) provide humor, insight, and interesting facts about the city. They even play fun clips of music to add to the experience! For example, Dean Martin crooning That’s Amore when you drive through Little Italy.
So where does the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour go? Here’s what you’ll see along the way:
Stop A – Old Town San Diego
Known as the birthplace of California, Old Town is in the heart of San Diego. We love visiting Old Town San Diego! There is always something fun to explore, and they have the best Mexican food in San Diego!
Founded in 1769, Old Town San Diego is the site of the first Spanish settlement in California.
Today, Old Town State Historic Park is a lively attraction with 50 shops and restaurants and 36 museums and historic sites – many of which are free to explore.
The Whaley House Museum, one of San Diego’s most famous sites, is also just steps away from Old Town. (Old Town Trolley Tour San Diego Gold Pass includes free admission to the Whaley House Museum, which is said to be the most haunted house in America!)
If this sounds like a lot to cram into a day when you’re already planning on take the Old Town Trolley around San Diego – you are right! Your best bet is to come the day before and spend a few hours in Old Town. Enjoy a great dinner at one of the park’s many Mexican restaurants, and then spend the night.
We booked a room at the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel, which is literally adjacent to the park. The hotel was lovely and it was great to be able to spend time in Old Town at night and not have to worry about finding parking (or driving home after a few margaritas)!
The next morning, we were able to enjoy breakfast at the hotel and roll right over to the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tours ticket booth to catch the first tour at 9 am.
San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Guide – With Map!
Looking for the best way to see San Diego? Take the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour for a fun and stress-free day that hits all the highlights.
Taking a hop on hop off San Diego Tour is the best way to get around, all while learning some cool facts about America’s Finest City. It is a fun and easy way to tour the city. And if you only have one day in San Diego, it is the best way to maximize your time and squeeze in visits to many top San Diego attractions.
Here is everything you need to know about exploring San Diego on the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour – including free admission to 10 museums and a map to help you get familiar with the route.
Table of Contents
Exploring San Diego on the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour
I might be biased since I live here, but San Diego is one of the most beautiful places in the country. It has a rich history and many wonderful things families can enjoy together.
This tour is great for first time visitors, if you are short on time, or if you just want to get an overview of the city without having to find your own way around. Being able to hop on and off along the continuous 25-mile loop means you can truly customize your day.
With one or two-day passes, you can explore neighborhoods, museums, beaches, and many popular attractions at your own pace.
There are 11 stops along the route, and the fully-narrated tours (by a live guide) provide humor, insight, and interesting facts about the city. They even play fun clips of music to add to the experience! For example, Dean Martin crooning That’s Amore when you drive through Little Italy.
So where does the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour go? Here’s what you’ll see along the way:
Stop A – Old Town San Diego
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Although you can start at any of the 11 San Diego Old Town Trolley tour stops, many people choose to start at the Old Town State Historic Park, which is Stop A on the Old Town Trolley Tour.
► Travel Insight
Old Town is one of the only places that offers free parking, and there is plenty of it if you arrive early in the day! For this reason, Old Town is a great place to start the tour.
Known as the birthplace of California, Old Town San Diego Historic State Park is in the heart of the city. We love visiting Old Town! There is always something fun to explore, and they have the best Mexican food in San Diego!
Founded in 1769, Old Town San Diego is the site of the first Spanish settlement in California.
Today, Old Town State Historic Park is a lively attraction with 50 shops and restaurants and 36 museums and historic sites. Many of these attractions are free to explore.
The Whaley House Museum, one of San Diego’s most famous sites, is also just steps away from Old Town. It is said to be the most haunted house in America.
If this sounds like a lot to cram into a day when you’re already planning on take the Old Town Trolley around San Diego – you are right! Your best bet is to come the day before and spend a few hours in Old Town. Enjoy a great dinner at one of the park’s many Mexican restaurants, and then spend the night.
We booked a room at the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel, which is literally adjacent to the park. The hotel was lovely and it was great to be able to spend time in Old Town at night and not have to worry about driving home after a few margaritas!
The next morning, we were able to enjoy breakfast at the hotel and roll right over to the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tours ticket booth to catch the first tour at 9 am.
Stop B – Maritime Museum/Star of India
Stops B on the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Bus Tour is located on the north end of the Embarcadero. It’s where you’ll find the Maritime Museum and the Star of India. There are also some great seafood restaurants in the area.
I like to get off here and then walk down the Embarcadero, taking in all the sights, and then hop back on the bus again at Seaport Village (Stop D).
Stop C – San Diego Embarcadero
Just a short hope down the waterfront is the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum.
This location is also home to a great public art display along the waterfront called Embracing Peace (also called the Unconditional Surrender statue).
Stop D – Seaport Village
Stop D is in Seaport Village, one of San Diego’s most popular tourist spots. Seaport Village San Diego is a 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. It features a promenade with views of the iconic San Diego-Coronado Bridge and the boats on the bay.
Stop E – Marriott Marquis & Marina
The Marriott Marquis is Stop E. Besides it being central to Seaport Village and the Convention Center, there’s not a lot to do here. However, if you are staying at the Marriott Marquis & Marina or one of the other hotels near Seaport Village, it makes for a very convenient spot to start the tour.
The pick-up spot in front of the Marriott has a beautiful, almost tropical, waterfall as a backdrop, so it’s a pleasant spot to sit while you wait for the trolley.
Stop F – Gaslamp Quarter
The next group of stops on the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour route hit different neighborhoods downtown.
First up is Stop F, for the historic Gaslamp Quarter, a historic neighborhood now mainly filled with restaurants and bars. This area definitely comes more alive at night, especially when there is a convention in town.
Because it was free and we had never been there before, we took the opportunity to check out the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum in the Gaslamp Quarter – actually pretty interesting!
Stop G – Petco Park/Convention Center
Speaking of conventions, Stop G is on the east end of the San Diego Convention Center (it’s a BIG Convention Center). This is also the closest stop to Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres and also a stadium concert venue, in Downtown San Diego.
Stop H – Barrio Logan
This neighborhood has a deep heritage and is home to the largest display of Chicano murals in the world. Stop H is a cool area to visit if you want to check out the free public street art. There are also some good Mexican restaurants and art galleries in this neighborhood.
Stop I – Coronado Island
Cross San Diego Bay via the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and hop off at Stop I on Orange Avenue, the main shopping and dining area of Coronado. The Hotel Del Coronado is two blocks south, and Coronado Beach is also two blocks away.
The iconic Hotel del Coronado is certainly one of San Diego’s most famous hotels. And luckily you don’t need to book a room to enjoy it! Wander through the hotel’s shops, grab a drink or snack at the Sun Deck Bar (and enjoy it while looking out at the sea!) or simply spend some time on the beach.
Stop J – Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo
Each of the San Diego attractions at Stop J can easily be a full day. The San Diego Zoo is one of the best and largest zoos in the country, and Balboa Park is home to 16 museums and 1200 acres of gardens – many of which are free to enter – and some truly amazing architecture.
Since you are on a limited schedule, I wouldn’t recommend visiting any more than one museum on the same day as your trolley tour pass. (But definitely come back and see more another time if you can!) If you have kids, family-friendly museums you’ll want to check out include the San Diego Air & Space Museum, Fleet Science Center, and San Diego Natural History Museum (aka The Nat).
Each of the San Diego attractions at Stop J can easily be a full day. The San Diego Zoo is easily one of the best and largest zoos in the country, and Balboa Park is home to 16 museums and 1200 acres of gardens and some truly amazing architecture.
Because we are “museum people” and there was an exhibit on Cannibalism at the Museum of Man that my teenage son wanted to see, we stopped. But if you’re schedule permits save this area for a day when you can dedicate a big chunk of time to explore.
Stop K – Little Italy
In all the years we’ve been visiting San Diego, I had never even been to Little Italy. The Old Town Trolley Tour made it easy to hop off at Stop K and walk around, see what the neighborhood is all about.
Cap off your day with a made-fresh-daily gelato in Little Italy. And if you have kids (or just happen to like fire trucks), be sure to stop and check out the San Diego Firehouse Museum.
One time we ended our day at this stop so we could have dinner in Little Italy, and then took an Uber back to Old Town where the car was parked. Not ideal having to spend extra money (it was just a few bucks) but if you want an amazing dinner of Italian food without having to worry about parking, it’s a good trick to try.
San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Map
Looking for a map of where the Old Town San Diego Trolley stops? I’ve got you covered! Here is the official map, courtesy of Old Town Trolley Tours.
San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour Schedule
Old Town Trolley’s Hop On Hop Off San Diego Tour runs daily, with tours departing approximately every 20 minutes.
January 1 – March 9, July 4, November 3 – December 31
9 am to 5 pm
Last tour departs Old Town at 3 pm finishing up at approximately 5 pm.
March 10 – July 3, July 5 – November 2
9 am to 6 pm
Last tour departs Old Town at 4 pm finishing up at approximately 6 pm.
Old Town Trolley does not run on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Admission to a number of different museums is included with your San Diego Old Town Trolley ticket. (Some offer free admission regardless.) These are all fairly small attractions that can be explored 30 minutes or less, so be sure to squeeze a few into your day to make the most of your experience!
- Seeley Stable Museum
- Casa De Aguirre
- Mormon Battalion Historic Site
- County Jail Cell and Police Historic Exhibit
- San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
- Coronado Historical Museum
- Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
- Timken Museum of Art
- San Diego History Museum
- San Diego Firehouse Museum
Old Town Trolley’s Hop On Hop Off San Diego Tour gives you the freedom to create your own itinerary, get off where you want and spend as much time as you want at each location. It is the perfect way to take in all that San Diego has to offer!
► Grab your discount tickets for the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour
Lights & Sights Trolley Tour
During Christmas in San Diego, Old Town Trolley Tour transforms into the Holiday Trolley for their San Diego Holiday Lights & Sights Trolley Tour.
See San Diego with a holiday twist! The trolley’s Elf conductors share fun holiday facts and traditions. You’ll get to see the festive San Diego Christmas lights of Old Town, Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Balboa Park and more! The tour departs from Old Town San Diego and includes a stop for a 15-minute holiday stroll through Seaport Village.
More Things to Know About the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour
Here are some commonly asked questions about exploring San Diego on the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour.
1. How long is the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour?
If you were just to ride the full circuit of the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley without getting off at any of the stops, the tour would last just under two hours.
Some people like to ride the full tour once without hopping off to get the lay of the land, and then ride again and stop at the sights they want to see. The choice is yours!
2. Where does the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Trolley Tour start?
The tour officially begins at the Old Town Trolley Depot, but you can start your tour at any of the stops.
3. How often does the Old Town Trolley run?
The San Diego Old Town Trolley arrives at each stop approximately every 30 minutes. Of course, times may vary slightly due to traffic conditions. During busy times when there is high demand, dispatchers often add more trolleys.
4. Are strollers permitted on the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Trolley Tour?
Yes, you can bring a stroller onboard but they must be folded.
5. Do the trolleys have air-conditioning in the summer or heat in the winter?
No, the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley is a year-round open-air tour, so they are not heated or air-conditioned.
6. Are food and drinks allowed on the tour?
Yes, food and drinks are welcome. However alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
7. Are pets allowed on the tour?
Old Town Trolley allows only service animals on board the trolleys.
Save This San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour Guide for Later!
Planning a San Diego vacation? Pin the image below for future reference!
I’ve been to California a few times but never San Diego… Now I’m wondering if I’d ever be able to pull myself away from the beach to check out all of the city’s beautiful architecture!
I did the route 1 drive from LA to San Fran a few years back but unfortunately we didnt venture far enough south to discover San Diego. This post makes me want to go!!
This does look like a fun way to explore the city! I actually really like exploring local areas like a tourist sometimes. It gives you a whole new perspective on how fun your city can be! It’s really cool that so many of San Diego’s museums were included in the price too!
Wow, I honestly didn’t realize there was so much to do in San Diego. I live in LA so I’ve made the drive a couple times, just day trips, and I guess I didn’t research enough beforehand! I need to try again and do it right this time.
I have heard how wonderful the zoo is from multiple people now, maybe I should make it a weekend trip so I can spend a whole day there. I’m on the same page as your son, I want to see that cannibalism exhibit haha. How was it?
You should definitely go for a weekend if you can get away overnight! We discovered a lot of things by taking the trolley that I didn’t even know were there. My husband and son really liked the cannibalism at the Museum of Man! It was very well done, educational and not too gross LOL. I walked around the park and went to the botanical gardens while they were there
What a cool way to explore the beautiful city
I’ve never imagined exploring San Diego on a Trolley could bring you to so many attractions. It seems you had so much fun as well!
It is always nice to explore a City a bit with style and your trolley tour looks like this!!! nice post.
I didn’t realize there was so much to see in San Diego! It sounds like a fun way to explore the city and see some of the sights you might not know exist. It would be hard to choose between the zoo and seeing Balboa Park and all of its museums.
I like this informative post. My cousin lives in Carlsbad, I’m sure she will take us everywhere if we go there again. But I think taking a trolley tour like you and your family did is a must-do. You have your family time while visiting the city, and you get to see a lot of things. Thank you for the post. Pinned it as well.
Gelatos in Little Italy sounds like a plan! It is amazing how much you can see with the planned tours like the trolley bus! This is a nice guide and important info! Thanks for sharing…
I just moved to San Diego and am enjoying exploring my own backyard for the last couple of months. I will definitely add a trolley tour to my to-do list now
I recently took the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour and it was an amazing experience! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave us a great overview of the city. The trolley was comfortable and the views were spectacular. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting San Diego!
I recently took the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour and it was a great experience! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of interesting facts about the city. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to learn more about San Diego’s history and culture.