Old Town Trolley Tours San Diego: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing

Old Town Trolley Tours4010 Twiggs StreetSan Diego, CA 92110
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$55.00
Total Price: $55.00 (USD)
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San Diego Trolley Tour Tickets

Overview

Explore "America’s Finest City" with Old Town Trolley Tours San Diego. Enjoy a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour with live narration, panoramic views, and unlimited reboarding at 11 convenient stops. Choose a 1- or 2-day pass for flexible, family-friendly fun.

up to 2 hrs 1 or more people

Good To Know

  • Hop on and off at 11 stops near San Diego's top attractions.
  • Visit iconic areas like Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town, Balboa Park, Coronado, and downtown.
  • Full loop covers 25 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
  • Family-friendly trolleys with open-air seating; children 3 and under ride free.
  • Choose between a 1-day or 2-day pass.
  • Enjoy live narration from knowledgeable, entertaining conductors.
  • Trolleys arrive at each stop approximately every 30 minutes (subject to traffic and weather).
  • Wheelchair-accessible trolley available with advance notice.
  • Food and drinks allowed on board (no alcohol permitted).

Discover More With Us

Insights from Tripster's own team members
Megan Aguilar Tripster User Profile Image

Megan Aguilar

This is a great way to see the sites and let someone else do the driving. You can hop on or off at any of the stops and the trolley's come by every 30 minutes. I would recommend doing this tour on your first day to get an overall glimpse of San Diego and gain insightful information from the guides.

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Description

The San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour is a flexible, hop-on hop-off sightseeing ride that makes exploring easy and enjoyable. With 11 convenient stops near iconic landmarks like Balboa Park, the USS Midway, Coronado Island, and the Gaslamp Quarter, it's a seamless way to navigate the city's top attractions.

Perfect for families, couples, and solo explorers, the trolley lets you design your own sightseeing day. Friendly conductors share fun facts and historical anecdotes that bring San Diego’s past and present to life. With unlimited reboarding, you can hop off to explore and hop back on when you're ready to continue.

This 95-minute loop runs throughout the day, offering panoramic views, engaging commentary, and easy transportation between highlights. Whether you’re discovering the shops of Old Town, soaking up bay views from Seaport Village, or admiring architecture in Balboa Park, the Old Town Trolley connects you with it all.

You’ll skip the stress of parking and traffic, and instead enjoy a relaxing, scenic ride through "America’s Finest City." Choose a 1-day or 2-day pass to maximize your time and explore deeper.

San Diego Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour Reviews

Jeanne Starman Tripster User Profile Image
Jeanne Starman
Naples, FL
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Great way to see San Diego & Coronado"
March 2025
We had 2 very knowledgeable & entertaining drivers on our tour. Sometimes we hate to exit a tour when we have a great guide, but we took the chance so we could enjoy Coronado Island. We were pleasantly surprised when our 2nd guide was just as good as the 1st one!
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Tip: Check out the full map to determine where you want to start & know which tour you’ll be taking

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ELAINE FAULKS Tripster User Profile Image
ELAINE FAULKS
Arlington, TX
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Girls trip to San Diego"
March 2019
I was born and raised in San Diego moved to Texas for work and 2 girl friends. And I went to San Diego and we booked Old Town Trolley the stops were places I wanted to take the ladies to show off my city.
Old Town Trolley was great price no hassle for me driving, packing and educational for all of us, but most of all able to enjoy Great City of San Deigo with my friends from Texas. All the tour guides we had were great interaction with passengers and very knowledgeable learned things I didn't know. Like Wyatt erup had card parlor downtown San deigo.
I would recommend this to Family and Friends to use Hop on Hop off sightseeing Tours and I would use again.
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Tip: FYI - make sure you plan to go back to your departing stop 1 1/2 hours before last time because the bus fills up fast and will be waiting for a empty bus to come by 20 minutes

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Shannon Gildea Tripster User Profile Image
Shannon Gildea
Gardnerville , NV
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Wonderful way to see San Diego!"
October 2018
My daughter & I loved touring San Diego on the Trolley tour. The hop on and hop off option allowed us to spend additional time exploring locations such as Coronado Island and Balboa Park. I definitely recommend this attraction and would do it again when back in San Diego
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Tip: You may want to spend the 1st 2 hours on the trolley so you can see the 10 stops available to visit on the tour. Then you can decide which areas you want to spend time visiting

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Jennifer Fields Tripster User Profile Image
Jennifer Fields
1 Review
"Time is not on your side"
August 2018
Sitting at the stop waiting for the next trolley because the 10:25 left at 10:20. What a difference 5 minutes can make.
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Tip: The times are squishy so be ready to spend time sitting on benches waiting either because you have to show up early to make sure you dont miss it or you show up on time only to realize you missed it.

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Mary Kanos Tripster User Profile Image
Mary Kanos
Huntington Beach, CA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"old town Trolley"
November 2015
It was a great way to see and learn about attractions in San Diego. My family that was visiting enjoyed it too. Would definitely recommend it.
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Tip: Check for any activities going on downtown that may interfere with tour. Comicon prevented us from seeing Gaslamp District...

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Frequently Asked Questions about San Diego Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

How long does the full loop take without hopping off?

The loop tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Can I start the tour at any stop?

Yes, boarding is allowed at any of the 11 designated stops, including: Stop 1: Entrance to Historic State Park and Old Town Market (4010 Twiggs Street) Stop 2: Maritime Museum / Star of India on the Embarcadero (N. Harbor Drive and Ash Street) Stop 3: Embarcadero Marina (1004 N. Harbor Drive) Stop 4: Seaport Village (825 West Harbor Drive) Stop 5: Marriott Marquis and Marina (333 West Harbor Drive) Stop 6: Gaslamp Quarter – Corner of 4th street and Island Avenue (480 Fourth Avenue) Stop 7: East Convention Center – Petco Park and Hilton Bayfront (855 East Harbor Drive) Stop 8: Barrio Logan at Cesar Chavez Pkwy. and National Ave. (1113 Cesar E. Chavez Pkwy) Stop 9: Coronado / Orange Avenue (1107 Orange Avenue, between C and B Avenues) Stop 10: Balboa Park / Zoo (2185 President’s Way) Stop 11: Little Italy – Corner of India and Cedar Streets (1605 India Street)

Are tickets valid for the whole day?

Yes. Tickets are valid from the time of first use until the end of the day. A 2-day pass is also available.

What are the operating hours?

Trolleys typically run daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Last tour departure times vary by season. From January 1 to March 9, on July 4, and from November 3 to December 31, the last tour departs Old Town at 3:00 PM and concludes around 5:00 PM. From March 10 to July 3 and July 5 to November 2, the last tour departs at 4:00 PM and finishes around 6:00 PM. Operating hours may vary due to traffic, weather, or special events.

How often do trolleys come to each stop?

Trolleys typically arrive at each stop every 30 minutes throughout the day. Arrival times may vary slightly depending on traffic conditions, weather, and seasonal demand.

Are the trolleys wheelchair accessible?

Yes, most trolleys are wheelchair accessible. Guests using mobility devices should provide at least 24 hours' notice by calling the number on your e-ticket. For safety and convenience, accessible boarding is recommended at Stop 1 (Old Town), Stop 4 (Seaport Village), or Stop 10 (Balboa Park). The mobility device must not exceed 600 lbs when occupied and must fit within 30 inches by 48 inches. Collapsible wheelchairs may be stored if the guest can board independently.

Are pets allowed on the trolleys?

Only service animals are permitted on the trolley. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed.

How do I get to Old Town Market (Stop 1)?

The Old Town Trolley Depot is located at the entrance to the Historic State Park and Old Town Market (4010 Twiggs Street and San Diego Avenue) in the heart of Old Town San Diego, about a four-minute drive from the "Old Town Exit" on Interstate 5. Public transportation and parking are available at this stop.

Where can I park?

Convenient parking can be found near any of the trolley stops. You’ll find free all-day parking spaces located at Old Town Parking/Lot C at 4015 Twiggs St., Old Town Parking/Lot F at 2750 Juan St., and Old Town Transit Center at 4451 Pacific Hwy.

Can I bring my stroller on board?

Yes, trolleys can accommodate strollers, but they must be collapsible and stored up front with the conductor. Strollers in the aisle ways would constitute a safety hazard.

Where can babies or toddlers ride on the trolley?

Babies and toddlers can sit on the parent or guardian's lap. Depending upon the age, a child could sit in their seat.

Are the trolleys heated?

No, the trolleys are open-air vehicles.