Points of Interest
- Old Town
- Balboa Park
Description
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
Located in the southwest corner of California near Mexico, San Diego is part sun-drenched Mediterranean landscape, part south-of-the-border zest and part quintessential California beach town.
What better way to orient yourself with the diverse history and charms of your port city than with an open-air trolley tour about town? Step aboard a colorful trolley at your pier and set out on a two-hour, guided exploration filled with the sights and sounds of culturally rich San Diego.
Comfortable seating and large viewing windows offer a perfect atmosphere for taking in the city highlights. And your knowledgeable tour guide will regale you with information about San Diego's rich past, dating back to 1542 when explorer Juan Cabrillo claimed the area for Spain.
Your drive offers sweeping views of San Diego Harbor and the Embarcadero, a bustling boardwalk located along the downtown waterfront. You'll see the charming Seaport Village, a collection of shops and restaurants nestled against the sparkling San Diego Bay.
Travel into the heart of downtown San Diego past the popular Horton Plaza, a shopper's paradise offering an array of shops and eateries located in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Consisting of over 16 blocks, the Gaslamp Quarter features grand Victorian-era buildings that are home to the city's finest restaurants, pubs shops and nightclubs. When the sun sets, this downtown neighborhood is the place to be!
Rise high above the azure waters of the Pacific as your trolley crosses the soaring 2-mile Coronado Bridge! Completed in 1969, the span reaches a height of 200 feet allowing the U.S. Navy ships which operate out of the nearby Naval Station to pass underneath it. Have your cameras at the ready as your drive over the bridge offers panoramic vistas of bay and the city skyline.
The bridge takes you to the relaxed beach town of Coronado Island. Dotted with world-class resorts, one of the city's best beaches, an 18-hole golf course, and yacht marinas, this lovely island is a popular vacation destination. It is also home to the famed Hotel del Coronado – a Victorian beach-front masterpiece built in 1889. Look familiar? That's because this red-roofed hotel has been the location of many films including the classic "Some Like It Hot" starring Marilyn Monroe.
Next, journey through the magnificent 1200-acre Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park which is home to 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens and the world famous San Diego Zoo.
As you head back to your pier, you will pass through the city's Little Italy neighborhood. Originally an Italian fishing neighborhood, today it is composed mostly of Italian restaurants, Italian retail shops, home design stores and art galleries. And no tour of San Diego is complete without a visit to "Old Town." Considered the birthplace of California, this historic district was the site of the first Spanish settlement in California in 1769. Today it offers the finest in theater, galleries and shops as well as free live entertainment, mariachis, dancers and period attire docents providing tours.
Special Notes:
Guests may hop off/on starting in Coronado. If they choose to step off the private tour, they join the public hop on/off tour and are responsible to return to the ship on their own.At the conclusion of the tour, passengers may stay at the ship or take a short ride for a drop-off at Seaport Village or Horton Plaza and return to the ship on their own.
The content of this tour is identical to SAN-205. Only guests using a wheelchair can book this tour, as it ensures accessible transportation. Due to the specialized nature of some lift-equipped vehicles, priority is given to guests using a wheelchair and one companion only; additional companions may be required to travel on the transportation provided for tour SAN-205. Bookings not marked with an accessibility requirement will be removed from the tour's inventory.