Experience San Diego
Make the most of your trip with our self-guided audio tours
From historic Old Town to the cliffs of La Jolla, San Diego is a city made for exploring. Discover a mix of sun, stories, and coastal beauty as you experience its neighborhoods, landmarks, and beach-town atmosphere, all at your own pace.
Tour Collections - The Best of San Diego Made Easy
Essential San Diego Collection
Five self-guided walking tours covering San Diego’s essentials in one easy collection. Enjoy GPS-triggered audio, flexible pacing, and great value as you explore Old Town, Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, the Embarcadero, and La Jolla.
Ultimate San Diego Collection
Eighteen self-guided walking and driving tours covering San Diego’s top sights, neighborhoods, and nearby day-trip destinations. A flexible, all-in-one collection that lets you explore the entire region at your own pace with no expiration.
Self-Guided Tours in San Diego
La Jolla Seaside Stroll
Join us on this self-guided tour as we uncover La Jolla's hidden treasures. From secret sea caves to famous residents and playful seals, this adventure offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and sightseeing.
Beaches & Bluffs Driving Tour
Experience the best of San Diego's coastline on this audio driving tour. Stop and hike at Torrey Pines, walk the streets of La Jolla, and enjoy the best views of San Diego from Mt. Soledad and Cabrillo National Monument.
Apple Pies & Desert Skies
This all-day driving tour features some of the most stunning landscapes in San Diego County. You’ll visit Palomar Observatory atop Mt Palomar, Borrego Springs, and the historic mountain town of Julian. Click or tap for more info.
Discover Old Town San Diego
Come explore the unique and vibrant history of Old Town San Diego on this self-guided walking tour! Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the streets of Old Town as you learn about some of its early history and past residents.
Coronado: Discover the Crown City
Discover the charm and history of Coronado Island on this self-guided walking tour. Along the way, you’ll learn about the island’s origins, visit iconic landmarks, and hear stories about the people who helped shape this coastal gem.
Discover San Diego’s Little Italy
Explore the vibrant history and culture of San Diego’s Little Italy! This self-guided walking tour takes you through charming piazzas and historic landmarks as you explore the neighborhood’s rich past as a thriving tuna canning district.
San Diego Embarcadero Walking Tour
Take a stroll along San Diego's waterfront on this self-guided walking tour of the Embarcadero! See some of the city's most iconic landmarks and attractions, including the USS Midway Museum, Seaport Village, and the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Historic San Diego Gaslamp Tour
Step into a district where Victorian elegance meets red-light rebellion. This immersive walking tour of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter unravels the layered history of one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods.
Historic Liberty Station Discovery Walk
Once a naval training center, now a cultural crossroads—Liberty Station holds layers of stories waiting to be heard. This self-guided audio tour takes you through time, tracing daily life at the Naval Training Center and showing how its buildings and spaces have been reimagined for a new era.
Discover North Park Architecture Tour
Walk through a neighborhood where curved eaves, textured facades, and vintage charm bring the past vividly to life. This self-guided walking tour invites you to explore the architectural gems of North Park, from Craftsman bungalows to Spanish Revival beauties.
The Story of Balboa Park Walking Tour
This self-guided tour through Balboa Park’s El Prado invites you to look closer at the buildings that define San Diego’s most iconic park. Whether you’re a design enthusiast or a curious visitor, this walk offers a fresh perspective on the park’s layered history.
Bankers Hill Bridges & Views Walk
Discover a neighborhood where architecture and landscape meet in quiet conversation. This self-guided audio tour of Bankers Hill, San Diego, invites you on a walk through time—tracing the evolution of design, civic ambition, and urban identity from the late 1800s to the present day.
Sim Bruce Richards Architectural Tour
Explore the legacy of architect Sim Bruce Richards as you wander the quiet, tree-lined streets of Point Loma’s Wooded Area. This tour highlights several of his distinctive midcentury designs, and you’ll hear stories of Lomaland and the early beginnings of this coastal neighborhood along the way.
Barrio Logan Cultural Heritage Walk
Step into a neighborhood shaped by resistance, art, and community. This self-guided audio tour of San Diego's Barrio Logan takes you through murals, stories, and spaces that reflect a powerful legacy of migration, protest, and cultural pride.
UCSD Public Art Walk
Explore UC San Diego’s public art on this self-guided tour of over 20 site-specific art installations. From the iconic “Sun God” to the surreal “Fallen Star,” discover how contemporary art transforms the campus into a landscape of imagination, reflection, and innovation.
Del Mar Historic Homes Walking Tour
Put together by the Del Mar Historical Society, this self-guided walking tour takes you on a historical adventure through the heart of Del Mar, as you walk from L'Auberge on the corner of 15th Street and Camino del Mar, to the foot of 10th Street, and back.
Top Sights & Attractions
Discover the Magic of the San Diego Embarcadero: 5 Must-See Waterfront Attractions
The best way to experience the Embarcadero is on your own time, with a deep dive into the history that surrounds you. Here are the top five can't-miss attractions along the San Diego Embarcadero, curated for the independent traveler who wants to soak in every detail.
Essential San Diego (The Touristy Stuff)
From Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo to Legoland and the USS Midway, we think everything on this list is worth seeing at least once. Here’s Drives & Detours’ guide to some of the most popular attractions and destinations in San Diego.
USS Midway: The Secrets of San Diego’s Floating City & The Embarcadero
The Embarcadero is where the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean meets a skyline shimmering with promise. It is the beating heart of San Diego’s maritime identity, a place where historic tall ships rub shoulders with modern yachts, and where military history is woven into the very fabric of the city.
Best Beaches in San Diego County
Browse a collection of San Diego County’s best beaches and beach communities. From Coronado Beach to La Jolla Shores, Drives & Detours highlight some of the most famous beaches that San Diego is known for.
Best Drives and Driving Roads in San Diego
San Diego has some fantastic twisty backroads and scenic drives. Here we share a few of our favorite driving roads for driving enthusiasts and leisure drivers alike.
Favorite Food & Restaurants
Eat Like a Local Near the USS Midway: A Foodie's Guide to the San Diego Embarcadero
The Embarcadero is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking areas in Southern California. But with great views come great crowds—and an abundance of overpriced, underwhelming tourist traps.
Cesarina — Fantastic Italian Food
Amazing and authentic Italian food with fresh seafood, homemade pastas, and incredible sauces. Located in the neighborhood!
Reservations are a must.
Born and Raised — Cocktails & Steakhouse
This hip steakhouse in Little Italy with a rooftop patio serves some of the best drinks you’ll find in San Diego. It’s a must-visit.
Cantina Mayahuel — Tacos & Tequila
If you want to try some really nice Tequilas or Mezcal, this is the place to go. They have some fantastic food too.
Tips & Travel Information
Navigating the USS Midway & San Diego Embarcadero: A First-Timer’s Guide to Avoiding Tourist Traps
At Drives & Detours, we believe travel should happen on your own time. If you want to gain a deep, authentic knowledge of San Diego’s naval history and waterfront culture at your own pace, you need the inside scoop.
Best Places to Stay in San Diego, Including Important Tips on Weather & Climate Zones
Check out our guide on the best places to stay in San Diego. We cover areas and neighborhoods you may want to stay in, and why you might consider a vacation rental instead of a hotel.
Dog-Friendly Beaches of San Diego
Discover San Diego’s best dog-friendly and off-leash beaches. San Diego is very dog-friendly, so just because you're headed to the beach doesn't mean you have to leave your dog in the hotel room.