After purchase, you will receive the link to download the app to take this tour.
With the in-app audio guide, you decide when to start, pause, and finish your tour.
All audio tours and tickets can be downloaded to your device anytime.
Welcome to San Diego! This audio tour invites you to walk around the city that was California's first Spanish settlement in 1769 and experience the diverse past preserved here, off the waterfront, and along it. You will start the tour promenading the pristine Pacific beach at the Waterfront Park, where locals enjoy San Diego's famous summer fireworks. Passing by the floating Maritime Museum of San Diego, consider boarding the world's oldest active sailing ship. After that, enjoy glorious views of the San Diego Bay at the Broadway Pier and the sleek Port Pavilion. Next, you will get a chance to learn about the city's much-prized navy at the 20th-century decommissioned aircraft carrier, the USS Midway museum, which still hosts hundreds of active-duty military events yearly. A few steps away, you will see the San Diego Convention Center, which houses the celebrated world's largest Comic-Con convention. In pursuit of history, near the Chinese Historical Museum, you will be introduced to Ah Quin, the unofficial "Mayor of Chinatown." Then, once in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, you will spot the city's oldest surviving structure, the William Heath Davis House of 1850. Finally, you will arrive at Horton Plaza Park, named after Alonzo Horton, the Father of San Diego, and learn about his impact on the area and successful real estate endeavors. Join the tour and engage with San Diego's charm as the state's forerunner and storied military town!
Welcome to the Balboa Park in San Diego! With this in-app audio tour, you will explore a part of this iconic multifaceted park, get astonished by the Spanish-Colonial-style buildings, and learn which attractions inside are best to visit. The tour starts near the famous San Diego Zoo, one of the largest zoos in America, so you can visit it and meet over 3,700 rare and endangered animals. While walking through the park, you will notice the magnificent Bea Evenson Fountain named after the activist of the San Diego's Committee of 100 that worked hard to preserve Balboa Park's exciting architecture. If you are an art lover, don't miss a chance to visit the San Diego Museum of Art, featuring masterpieces by Murillo, Cotán, El Greco, and others. Next, you are recommended to poke into the famed Mingei International Museum, displaying everyday objects made by anonymous artisans. Continue, and you will linger in the serene Japanese Friendship Garden to enjoy bonsai and watch the colorful koi fish. From there, you will enter the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and see the world's largest outdoor pipe organ. Then, consider gazing at the Apollo spacecraft module pieces in the local aviation-themed San Diego Aerospace Museum. Finally, at the honored Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, you can celebrate the history and "meet" San Diegans who served in the military. Ready to relish this green and splendid must-see San Diego outdoor attraction? Then join the tour!
History walking tours in San Diego offer an engaging and informative way to explore the city's rich past and learn about its cultural heritage. With a diverse range of historical sites, architectural gems, and intriguing stories, a history walking tour in San Diego provides a unique perspective on the city's development and its role in shaping California's history. Here's what you can expect:
Old Town San Diego: A history walking tour often begins in Old Town, considered the birthplace of California. This historic neighborhood is filled with adobe buildings, museums, and colorful shops that showcase the city's Spanish and Mexican heritage. You'll learn about the early settlers, the Mexican period, and the transition to American control, gaining insights into the cultural influences that shaped the region.
Gaslamp Quarter: The Gaslamp Quarter is a vibrant neighborhood known for its Victorian architecture and lively atmosphere. A history walking tour here will take you through the streets lined with beautifully restored buildings, sharing stories of the area's transformation from its wild frontier days to becoming a thriving entertainment and commercial district. You'll learn about the neighborhood's role in San Diego's history and the preservation efforts that have maintained its architectural charm.
Balboa Park: Balboa Park is a cultural and recreational hub in San Diego, boasting stunning Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and lush gardens. A history walking tour in Balboa Park will highlight the park's history, including its origins as the site of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. You'll explore iconic landmarks such as the California Tower, the Botanical Building, and the Prado, while discovering the park's significance in San Diego's cultural landscape.
Maritime History: As a coastal city, San Diego has a rich maritime history, and a walking tour may delve into this aspect. You'll visit the Embarcadero, where historic ships and museums pay homage to the city's maritime heritage. Guides will share stories of the tuna industry, the role of the Navy, and the famous Star of India, the world's oldest active sailing ship. These maritime tales provide a fascinating glimpse into San Diego's relationship with the sea.
Presidio Park and Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá: A history walking tour may also include a visit to Presidio Park, the site of the first European settlement in California. You'll learn about the establishment of the Presidio and the early days of Spanish colonization. Nearby, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, the first of the California missions, offers insights into the region's mission period and the efforts to convert Native Americans to Christianity.