Old Town Walking History Tour in San Diego

Exploring San Diego’s rich history has never been more engaging. The Old Town Walking History Tour invites you on a 2-hour journey through the city’s past, guiding you along 1.5 miles of scenic routes. Led by knowledgeable hosts, you’ll gain exclusive access to Heritage Park and have the option to visit the renowned Whaley House. With a small group size, this personalized experience promises an unforgettable look into San Diego’s captivating heritage. What secrets will you uncover?

This experience made our article of 16 Top Historical Tours In San Diego (With Reviews & Prices).

Key Points

• The Old Town Walking History Tour in San Diego is a 2-hour walking tour covering approximately 1.5 miles, with a cost of $35 per person.
• The tour includes access to Heritage Park, which is not normally open to the public, and an optional visit to the Whaley House for an additional $7.
• The tour is led by knowledgeable and entertaining guides, including Branwell and Rosalinda, who provide insights into San Diego’s past in a costumed performance.
• The tour concludes at the historic El Campo Santo Cemetery, and the maximum group size is 12 travelers to enhance the personalized experience.
• The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with assistance recommended for hilly terrain, and public transportation is available near the meeting point at Senlis Cottage.

Tour Overview

The Old Town Walking History Tour in San Diego is a 2-hour walking tour covering approximately 1.5 miles. Costing from $35 per person, the tour has a maximum group size of 12 travelers.

Reviewers highlight the tour’s knowledgeable and entertaining guides, such as Branwell and Rosalinda. The tour includes access to Heritage Park, not normally open to the public, and an optional visit to the Whaley House for around $7.

Meeting at the Senlis Cottage, the tour ends at the El Campo Santo Cemetery, near the starting point. Parking is limited in the park, but there’s a larger free area across the street.

Tour Highlights

Only history tour allowed inside Heritage Park, the Old Town Walking History Tour offers costumed, entertaining hosts who guide visitors through San Diego’s past.

The tour covers highlights like an optional inside Whaley tour for $7. It ends at the historic El Campo Santo Cemetery, near the starting point at Senlis Cottage.

Guests can expect a brisk 1.5-mile walk over 2 hours. With a maximum group size of 12, the tour provides a personalized experience.

For those needing assistance, the tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, though some hills may require help.

Meeting and Pickup Information

The meeting point for the Old Town Walking History Tour is Senlis Cottage, located within Heritage Park at 2460 Heritage Park Row, San Diego, CA 92110.

Parking is limited within the park, but there’s a larger free parking area across the street. The tour is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, though assistance may be needed on some hills.

Public transportation is available near the meeting point. Travelers should arrive on time, as the tour covers roughly 1.5 miles over 2 hours, with the endpoint near the starting point at El Campo Santo Cemetery.

Traveler Experience

Positive reviews highlight the knowledgeable and entertaining guides, particularly Branwell and Rosalinda, who lead the Old Town Walking History Tour.

Guests learned interesting historical facts and enjoyed the tour’s humor.

However, some travelers reported cancellations, expressing frustration with review requests for canceled experiences.

The tour experience includes:

• Engaging and informative guides

• Fun and lighthearted commentary

• Opportunity to learn about San Diego’s history

• Potential disappointment due to cancellations and review requests

Accessibility and Additional Info

Service animals are allowed on the Old Town Walking History Tour.

The tour is also accessible to travelers in wheelchairs and strollers, though assistance may be needed on some hilly areas. Public transportation is available near the meeting point at Senlis Cottage in Heritage Park.

Most travelers can participate, and the tour includes transportation that’s wheelchair accessible. However, the tour does involve brisk walking, so assistance is recommended for those using wheelchairs or strollers, especially on the hilly terrain.

Exploring Heritage Park

Heritage Park serves as the starting point for the Old Town Walking History Tour. This picturesque outdoor museum contains several historic buildings, offering a glimpse into San Diego’s past.

The tour guides lead guests through the park, highlighting:

• The Senlis Cottage, the meeting point for the tour

• The Whaley House, an optional add-on to the tour

• The El Campo Santo Cemetery, the ending location

• The unique architecture and rich history of the park

With assistance available for those with wheelchairs or strollers, Heritage Park provides an accessible and engaging introduction to San Diego’s historic Old Town.

The Whaley House Tour

Although the Whaley House tour is an optional add-on to the Old Town Walking History Tour, many guests choose to include it. For an additional $7, visitors can explore this historic San Diego landmark.

The Whaley House, built in 1857, is known for its paranormal activity and is considered one of the most haunted houses in America. During the tour, guests learn about the building’s history and the Whaley family who lived there.

The guided experience provides an opportunity to see the property’s unique architecture and gain insights into San Diego’s past.

Visiting El Campo Santo Cemetery

Where does the Old Town Walking History Tour conclude? The tour ends at El Campo Santo Cemetery, near the starting point.

The Old Town Walking History Tour concludes at the historic El Campo Santo Cemetery, near the starting point.

El Campo Santo is San Diego’s oldest active cemetery, dating back to 1849. Visitors can explore this historic burial ground and learn about:

• The diverse mix of early San Diego residents laid to rest here

• The cemetery’s association with Whaley House, the city’s most haunted site

• The unique gravemarkers and epitaphs that offer insight into the past

• The preservation efforts to maintain this important cultural landmark

The Sum Up

The Old Town Walking History Tour in San Diego offers an engaging exploration of the city’s rich past. Led by knowledgeable hosts, the tour covers 1.5 miles, providing exclusive access to Heritage Park and the option to visit the Whaley House. With a small group size, guests enjoy a personalized experience filled with fascinating historical insights, concluding at the historic El Campo Santo Cemetery.