Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the tour last?

The tour is 1 hour and 45 minutes if you don’t get off. Otherwise, make an entire day of the hop-on, hop-off tour with many stops in San Diego and Coronado. You may hop on and off at any one of our convenient stops throughout the entire day. Depending on your start time, you may also use your ticket to enjoy your tour in segments by hopping off at one or two of our distinctive stops on the loop. The number of stops you can explore in one day depends on the time of year that you are touring and the amount of time you have on the day of your tour.

…and don’t forget to ask about our discount package and attraction offers.

Do I have to start at stop #1?

You may start your Old Town Trolley Tour at any of our convenient stops. Click on Map and Stops to see a list of our stops with information about the attractions and points of interest at each stop.

What language are the tours in?

All of our tours are in English.

How often do trolleys come to each stop?

Our trolleys come by approximately every 30 minutes. Times may vary slightly due to traffic conditions and city events. Depending on demand, the time of year, day of the week, and time of day, our in-field dispatchers often put more trolleys in the tour loop at an increased frequency. We are San Diego’s most popular tour, and during peak times, we cannot guarantee that each trolley will have available seats.

How much does the trolley tour cost?

Please refer to our San Diego Tickets, and don’t forget to ask our Castmembers about cost saving “combination packages” and “multi-day passes”

How do I get to Old Town?

Our Old Town Trolley Depot is located at the Old Town Market on 4010 Twiggs Street and San Diego avenue in the heart of Old Town San Diego, the Birthplace of California …about four minutes drive from the “Old Town Exit” on Interstate 5. Please refer to the San Diego Map Section for details. Public transportation and parking is available at this stop.

What is the last tour of the day?

The last tour of the day varies depending on the depot that you are starting from, the time of year, the day of the week, and any citywide events in town. Please refer to the Tour Schedule Section.

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 own seat.

Do you run tours in any other cities?

Old Town Trolley Tours operates sightseeing tours and historically themed tourist attractions in 9 different cities around the country. Go to Sightseeing Tours to learn more about our other cities.

How does the Old Town Trolley San Diego Hop-On Hop-Off tour work?

You can explore San Diego at your own pace by boarding or disembarking at any of our convenient stops throughout the day. Your ticket includes unlimited free reboarding, allowing you to spend as much time as you like at each destination. Our orange and green trolleys travel on a continuous 25-mile loop with frequent pickups.

How long does the full Old Town Trolley San Diego loop take?

The full loop of the Old Town Trolley San Diego tour takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete without getting off. This 25-mile journey covers over 100 points of interest, including the historic Gaslamp Quarter and Balboa Park. Please note that travel times may vary based on local traffic and city events.

Are the Old Town Trolley Tours in San Diego narrated?

Yes, our tours are live-narrated by our expert and entertaining “Castmembers” (conductors). They share a fascinating mix of history, trivia, and humorous stories as you travel through the city. Unlike recorded tours, our conductors can interact with you directly and provide up-to-the-minute local insights.

Does Old Town Trolleys San Diego operate in the rain?

Yes, our trolleys operate daily, rain or shine, to help you make the most of your vacation. Our fleet is equipped with clear, roll-down curtains that protect you from the elements while still allowing for excellent views of San Diego’s landmarks.

Does Old Town Trolley San Diego have air conditioning?

No, we utilize open-air trolleys that allow you to enjoy San Diego’s beautiful weather and take unobstructed photos. The coastal breeze provides natural cooling as we drive along the bayfront and over the bridge to Coronado.

Where is the best place to start the Old Town Trolley Tour in San Diego?

The most convenient starting points are Old Town Market or Seaport Village. Both locations feature full-service ticket booths and are situated near ample parking and diverse dining options.

What is the difference between the Old Town Trolley and the SEAL Tour?

The Old Town Trolley is a land-based, hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour that allows you to explore the city’s top landmarks at your own pace across different stops. In contrast, the SEAL Tour is an amphibious adventure that travels on both land and water, transitioning from the streets to the San Diego Bay for a narrated harbor cruise. The SEAL Tour is not hop on, hop off.

Where can I buy Old Town Trolley San Diego tickets?

You can purchase Old Town Trolley San Diego tickets online or in person at several physical ticket booths throughout the city. Buying your tickets online in advance is the most convenient method and often allows you to take advantage of specific internet discounts. For those who prefer to buy tickets on-site, we have booth and depot locations at the following stops:

• Old Town: 4010 Twiggs St.
• Embarcadero: 1004 N. Harbor Drive
• Seaport Village: 825 West Harbor Drive
• Gaslamp Quarter: 4th and Island Avenue
• Coronado: 1107 Orange Ave. (at McP’s)

Are there senior or military discounts for Old Town Trolley San Diego?

We honor our heroes with special military discounts and free admission for Veterans during select periods like our “Honors Our Heroes” event in November. Active duty and retired military should present a valid ID at any ticket booth to receive the best available local rates.

What is the Old Town Trolley San Diego Hometown Pass?

San Diego County residents can ride for free by signing up for a Hometown Pass, provided they are accompanied by a guest paying full adult fare. To redeem this offer, simply present your pass and a valid local ID at any official ticket booth when purchasing your guest’s ticket.

Do children under 4 ride free on the Old Town Trolley in San Diego?

On the standard Old Town Trolley and the City Lights Night Tour, children under the age of four ride for free. However, for the SEAL Tour, children aged three and under are required to have a paid ticket at a specialized lower “infant” rate to comply with Coast Guard safety regulations and seat capacity.

Does Old Town Trolley San Diego participate in “Kids Free October”?

Yes, we participate in San Diego’s “Kids Free October” promotion, offering one free child ticket (ages 4–12) with the purchase of one full-fare adult ticket. This offer helps families explore the city’s top historical sites and museums at a significant discount.

Do I need a reservation for the Old Town Trolley Tour in San Diego?

Reservations are not required for the standard daytime Hop-On Hop-Off tour; you can board at any stop with your ticket. However, reservations are required for the SEAL Tour, the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour, and the City Lights Night Tour.

Do I need to print my tickets for Old Town Trolley?

No, you do not need to print your tickets. We can scan your mobile ticket directly from your smartphone at any of our depots or ticket booths. If you prefer a physical ticket, you can visit any of our sales locations to have one printed for you.

Are there combo tickets for Old Town Trolley and the SEAL Tour?

Yes, our Trolley & SEAL Tour Package offers significant savings and the flexibility to use each ticket on different days. This package includes one day of unlimited hop-on hop-off sightseeing and a 100-minute narrated amphibious tour departing from Seaport Village.

Does Old Town Trolley San Diego go to Coronado Island?

Yes, we are the only hop-on hop-off tour in San Diego that travels across the bay to Coronado. Our trolleys make a dedicated stop on Orange Avenue, placing you within easy walking distance of the beach and the historic Hotel del Coronado.

Does Old Town Trolley San Diego drive over the Coronado Bridge?

Yes, our trolleys drive over the iconic San Diego-Coronado Bridge, providing one of the most spectacular views of the city skyline and the bay. This crossing is a highlight of the 25-mile loop and is included with your standard day ticket.

Does the Old Town Trolley San Diego go to Balboa Park?

Yes, the trolley makes a scheduled stop at Balboa Park. This stop provides easy access to the park’s 17 museums, beautiful gardens, and Spanish Moor architecture, as well as the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Does the Old Town Trolley stop inside the San Diego Zoo?

The trolley stops at the Balboa Park/San Diego Zoo location, which is situated in the heart of the park’s museum district. From this stop, the entrance to the San Diego Zoo is a scenic 10-minute walk past the park’s historic architecture and gardens.

Does the Old Town Trolley go to La Jolla?

Old Town Trolley San Diego does not travel to La Jolla at this time.

Does the Old Town Trolley go to the USS Midway Museum?

Yes, Stop 3 is the designated stop for the Embarcadero, located immediately adjacent to the USS Midway Museum.

Does the Old Town Trolley go to the Gaslamp Quarter?

Yes, the trolley stops at the historic Gaslamp Quarter, typically near 4th and Island Avenue.

Does the Old Town Trolley stop at the Cruise Ship Terminal?

Yes, Stop 3 is located on North Harbor Drive, directly across from the B Street Pier and Broadway Pier cruise ship terminals.

Are food and drinks allowed on the Old Town Trolley in San Diego?

Yes, food and drinks are welcome on our trolleys so you can stay refreshed during your tour. However, alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited at all times for the safety and comfort of all our guests.

Can I bring a stroller on the Old Town Trolley in San Diego?

Yes, we can accommodate strollers, but they must be folded and stored at the front of the trolley with the conductor. Strollers cannot be left in the aisles as they constitute a safety hazard for other passengers.

Can I bring luggage on the Old Town Trolley in San Diego?

No, we cannot accommodate oversized luggage or large carry-on items on our trolleys due to limited space and safety regulations. We recommend leaving large bags at your hotel or a secure storage location before beginning your tour.

Can I bring my dog or service animal on the Old Town Trolley in San Diego?

Only individually trained service dogs are permitted on our trolleys in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Pets, emotional support animals, and comfort animals are not allowed on the tour for the safety of our passengers and Castmembers.

Are the Old Town Trolleys in San Diego wheelchair accessible?

Yes, our trolleys are wheelchair accessible. We kindly request that you provide 24-hour advance notice by calling (619) 298-8687 so we can ensure the proper equipment is available and ready for your preferred departure time.

Where do I park for the Old Town Trolley in Old Town San Diego?

Ample parking is available near Old Town Market at 4010 Twiggs Street, with several free public lots located throughout Old Town State Park. We strongly recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early, especially on weekends and holidays, as these popular lots can fill up quickly. For additional convenience, a large paid parking structure is also available just a short walk away at the Caltrans building on Taylor Street.

Can I park at Seaport Village for Old Town Trolley?

Yes, if you choose to start at Seaport Village, the parking lot is very convenient for accessing the ticket booth and boarding. However, if you plan to spend the entire day on the tour, the validated time may expire, leading to higher parking fees. For a “park once and forget it” experience, the free lots at Old Town are generally preferred by locals and frequent visitors.

San Diego City Lights Night Tour

How long is the San Diego City Lights Night Tour?

The San Diego City Lights Night Tour is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes long. This tour is a continuous loop and does not allow for hop-on hop-off access, ensuring all guests see the city’s illuminated landmarks in a single journey.

Can I hop on and off during the San Diego City Lights Night Tour?

No, the City Lights Night Tour is not a hop-on hop-off tour. However, it does include one 15-minute photo-op stop at Coronado’s Ferry Landing, which offers the best views of the glowing downtown San Diego skyline.

Where does the San Diego City Lights Night Tour depart from?

You can begin your evening adventure from one of two convenient locations: Seaport Village at 500 Kettner Blvd (located next to Malibu Farm) or the Old Town Market at 4010 Twiggs Street.

Does the San Diego City Lights night tour cross the Coronado Bridge?

Yes, the City Lights Night Tour drives to the top of the Coronado Bridge. From this vantage point, you can see the twinkling lights of downtown San Diego, the bay, and even as far as Tijuana, Mexico.

San Diego SEAL Tour

Where do I board for the SEAL Tour?

The SEAL Tour departs from Seaport Village located at 500 Kettner Boulevard or Embarcadero at 1004 North Harbor Drive. Please refer to the San Diego Map Section for details.

Will I see seals on the tour?

Maybe; but more likely, you will see sea lions as we travel near the bait barges in the bay along with many other sea wildlife. The name “SEALS” is an acronym for “SEa And Land” adventure tour.

How much does the SEAL tour cost?



Please refer to our San Diego Tickets Price Section, and don’t forget to ask our CASTmembers about cost saving “combination packages” and “multi-day passes”!

How long is the SEAL tour?

The SEAL Tour is approximately 90 minutes long. 30 minutes on land and 60 minutes on San Diego Bay.

Where do I park for the SEAL tour?



The Seaport Village parking lot is located near the SEAL Depot at 500 Kettner Boulevard.

Validated Parking: $5 for the first 3 hours or part thereof; $3 every 30 minutes thereafter or part thereof. Validation with a minimum $10 purchase from any Seaport Village establishment. Non-validated parking: $8 per hour or part thereof.

If I buy the Trolley/SEAL combo, can I do the SEAL Tour one day and the Trolley another day? Or do I have to do both activities in one day?

You may take the trolley tour one day and the SEAL on another day…or even another week.