Skip to content
Vacantier

Activity San Diego, USA

A Local’s Guide to San Diego’s Sights: A GPS Self-Guided Drive

4.1 (35 reviews) 2–3 hours Free cancellation Private tour
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

A Local’s Guide to San Diego’s Sights: A GPS Self-Guided Drive

About this activity

Designed by a pair of lifelong California residents with a passion for the region’s hidden history, this immersive audio tour transforms your vehicle into a private theater on wheels.

While massive tour buses are confined to rigid schedules, this digital experience allows you to navigate at your own pace, uncovering the secret stories behind the "Street of Dreams" in La Jolla and the rugged, off-the-beaten-path majesty of Sunset Cliffs.

Your drive weaves audio stories through the historic Gaslamp Quarter, the coastal heights of Cabrillo National Monument, and the lush architecture of Balboa Park.

Using smart GPS technology, the commentary plays automatically as you drive, functioning entirely offline to ensure a seamless journey without data interruptions.

By the time you reach the panoramic summit of Mt. Soledad, you won't just have seen the sights—you’ll have experienced San Diego through the eyes of an insider who knows exactly where the city’s heart beats.

Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides City Tours Car Tours Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration
2–3 hours
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Your group only
People per booking
1–15
Audio guide
English
Operated by
VoiceMap Audio Tours

What is included

Included

  • Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • Included: VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
  • Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Not included

  • Not included: Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Not included: Smartphone and headphones
  • Not included: Transportation
  • Not included: Food and drink

Itinerary

  1. Stop 1

    Passing by

    Our tour begins at the edge of Mission Bay and takes in legendary landmarks including SeaWorld San Diego, the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Old Town State Park and Presidio Park.

  2. SeaWorld

    Passing by

    The tour passes by legendary landmarks including SeaWorld San Diego, the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Old Town State Park and Presidio Park.

  3. Ocean Beach

    Passing by

    Experience Ocean Beach’s hippie vibe while gazing at the West Coast’s longest fishing pier and its unusual design.

  4. Stop 4

    Passing by

    On this drive, you'll be guided through the city's unique beach neighborhoods like La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs, and Pacific Beach.

  5. Point Loma

    Passing by

    The tour passes by legendary landmarks including SeaWorld San Diego, the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Old Town State Park and Presidio Park.

  6. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

    Passing by

    The tour passes by Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. You'll hear about the cemetery while you drive.

  7. Cabrillo National Monument

    Passing by

    See where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore present-day California, made his initial landfall on the West Coast.

  8. Gaslamp Quarter

    Passing by

    On this drive, you'll be guided through the vibey Gaslamp Quarter and hear its history.

  9. San Diego Zoo

    Passing by

    The tour passes by legendary landmarks including SeaWorld San Diego, the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Old Town State Park and Presidio Park.

  10. Balboa Park

    Passing by

    The tour passes by legendary landmarks including SeaWorld San Diego, the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Old Town State Park and Presidio Park.

  11. Cabrillo Bridge

    Passing by

    The tour takes you over the Cabrillo Bridge.

  12. Old Town San Diego

    Passing by

    The tour passes through Old Town San Diego. You'll hear a bit of its history while you drive.

  13. Presidio Park

    Passing by

    The tour passes by legendary landmarks including SeaWorld San Diego, the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Old Town State Park and Presidio Park.

  14. Stop 14

    Passing by

    You'll be guided along Camino de la Costa, La Jolla’s “Street of Dreams”.

  15. Pacific Beach

    Passing by

    On this drive, you'll be guided through the city's unique beach neighborhoods like La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs, and Pacific Beach.

  16. Stop 16

    Passing by

    On this drive, you'll be guided through the city's unique beach neighborhoods like La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs, and Pacific Beach.

  17. Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial

    Passing by

    The tour ends on Mt. Soledad where you'll be greeted by a dramatic 360-degree view.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

  • The tour ends in the parking lot of Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

───

Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. VoiceMap has sent you an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

───

Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

2. Create an account

3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

4. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

───

  • You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
  • This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
  • When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
  • Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

───

For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%

Good to know

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Traveller ratings

4.1 out of 5 · 35 reviews
5
66%
4
9%
3
6%
2
11%
1
9%

Activities, prices and reviews are from Viator. Booking and payment happen on Viator; Vacantier may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

A Local’s Guide to San Diego’s Sights: A GPS Self-Guided Drive

Pick a day to see the times and the price

Necessary cookies keep the site running and cannot be switched off. With your consent we also load Google Analytics, which tells us how the site is used, and our affiliate partners' scripts (Travelpayouts, Kiwi.com), which set cookies to credit us with bookings made through us. Details in the Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary

    The session, form protection, signing in, your chosen currency and this choice. The site does not work without them.

    Always on
  • Analytics

    Google Analytics. Counts visits and which pages and offers are used, so we know what to improve. It never receives your name, email or account.

  • Marketing and affiliate

    The Travelpayouts scripts and the Kiwi.com flight search. They set their own cookies, through which the partner knows you came from Vacantier.