Embarcadero on Foot: San Diego’s Waterfront
Self-guided audio walking tour of San Diego’s waterfront
What to Expect
Discover the best of 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. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the Embarcadero's many shops and restaurants, giving you a truly authentic San Diego experience. Join us for a one-of-a-kind walking tour of San Diego's Embarcadero!
Ready to go? Book below or download our app and purchase directly from your phone.
📍 Location: San Diego, CA
🚶♂️ Type: Walking tour
⏱ Duration: Approx. 1 hour (flexible)
✅ Includes: App download, GPS-triggered audio
📶 Works Offline: Download ahead of time - no cell service required
🎧 Multiple Languages: English, Spanish, French, German
Don’t forget to download the app before you go!
Get Ready for Your San Diego Embarcadero Self-Guided Tour
Discover San Diego’s picturesque Embarcadero with a self-guided audio tour that turns the waterfront into an immersive storytelling experience.
As you stroll along the bay, the narration automatically plays, revealing the tales behind historic vessels, eye-catching public art, green spaces, and bustling dining spots.
Whether you're exploring solo, with a partner, or as a family, this flexible tour brings the city’s maritime heritage and cultural highlights to life at your own pace.
Highlights
Enjoy a self-guided audio walk along San Diego’s famous waterfront
Learn the background of landmark ships, architecture, and coastal development
Accessible, family-friendly experience for all types of travelers
Automatic audio playback as you move, making the route effortless to follow
What You’ll See on Your San Diego Embarcadero Walking Tour
Star of India
Home to one of the world’s most remarkable fleets of historic ships, this stop offers a deep dive into San Diego’s seafaring legacy—complete with stories of exploration, global trade, and naval progress.
Portside Pier
A contemporary waterfront hub featuring fresh seafood, rooftop seating, and panoramic harbor views—ideal for taking a scenic break.
B Street Pier
As San Diego’s cruise ship terminal, this pier showcases the city’s role as a major Pacific port. Watching the comings and goings of massive vessels adds excitement to the shoreline.
Broadway Pier
This pier blends rich shoreline history with striking bay views, highlighting the city’s early maritime commerce and its evolving waterfront identity.
Santa Fe Depot
Opened in 1915, this stunning rail station combines Spanish Colonial Revival design with modern transit services—remaining one of downtown’s most iconic architectural gems.
USS Midway Museum
Step aboard a legendary aircraft carrier turned museum, packed with hands-on exhibits and stories honoring decades of naval aviation and military service.
San Diego Bay Walk
A peaceful stretch of pathway lined with memorials dedicated to veterans and service members, offering a thoughtful moment of reflection amid the waterfront scenery.
Unconditional Surrender
This dramatic sculpture recreates the famous World War II victory embrace—a beloved photo opportunity and enduring symbol of relief and celebration.
The Headquarters at Seaport
Once the city’s police headquarters, this restored complex now features shops, dining, and creative public art, blending historic character with modern energy.
Seaport Village
A classic bayside destination filled with charming boutiques, casual eateries, and open plazas. Its vintage carousel and ocean views make it a perfect place to linger.
Meeting Point
Your San Diego Embarcadero walking tour begins at the San Diego Maritime Museum, 1492 N Harbor Drive, San Diego.
Make your way to the path along the waterfront, just in front of the San Diego Maritime Museum.
FAQs About Our San Diego Embarcadero Audio Walking Tour
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Tickets to the USS Midway Museum cost the following:
Adults (Ages 13+): $39
Youth (Ages 4–12): $26
Veterans With ID: $26
Children 3 years old and younger, active-duty military (with valid ID), and reservists receive free admission.
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Entrance to the Star of India is included in General Admission to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Prices are as follows:
Adults: $28
Military & Senior (62+): $20
Youth (6–17): $15
Ages 5 & Under: Free
Visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego website for more information.
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Tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
If it’s within 24 hours or you had an issue during your tour, email support@drivesanddetours.com. We review all requests individually and will always do our best to make things right.
Our goal is to ensure every traveler has a great experience exploring with Drives & Detours.
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You will walk for about 2.5 miles on Drives & Detours’ San Diego Embarcadero walking tour. This is mostly easy and along flat, well-paved surfaces. There are some hills to climb.
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Yes, downloading the Drives & Detours app will give you full access to the tour you have purchased, as well as many other self-guided tours.
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Download the tour before you go. Some areas have poor signal, which can make downloading the tour difficult. Once the tour is downloaded, it will work without any cell signal
The tour audio plays automatically as you approach each stop
Want to see more? Tap “View Stop” to see photos and bonus content
To return to the map, tap the small down arrow between the “previous” and “next” buttons
Follow the blue line and audio directions to stay on route
Use audio controls to pause, rewind, or skip—just like a podcast
Safety first: Keep your eyes on the road or sidewalk, follow traffic laws, and stay aware of your surroundings
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No—download your San Diego Embarcadero tour before you go, and you won't need a cell signal. Drives & Detours’ tours work without any cell signal once they are downloaded to your device.
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Once you have purchased your San Diego Embarcadero walking tour from Drives & Detours, you can use it whenever you want. You can always take the tour another day if the weather is bad on the day you plan to take it.
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Unfortunately, Dives & Detours cannot guarantee that the San Diego Embarcadero self-guided tour is accessible. People with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility impairments are very welcome, but we recommend checking the San Diego Tourism Authority website for detailed information.
Pro Tips for Your Drives & Detours San Diego Embarcadero Self-Guided Tour
Download before you go.
Enable location services—GPS triggers the audio.
Use earbuds, headphones, or your car speakers.
Pause and resume anytime. If you take a break, just reopen the app and head back toward your last stop.
Lost your way? Tap any pin on the map, then tap the right-turn-arrow icon to open your default maps app for turn-by-turn directions to that spot.
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