Go Car Tour San Diego – A Fun Way to Explore

If you’ve seen the small yellow cars driving around San Diego, you should look up Go Car Tour San Diego and book a slot immediately.

For those unfamiliar, the Go Car San Diego Tours provide one of the most unique and fun ways to explore America’s Finest City. Whether you’re only here for a weekend or you’ve lived here for years, the tour takes you to some of the most well-known areas in town.

Don’t let the size of the car intimidate you — I’m 6’6” and fit in just fine. That said, the friend I brought along with me was much more petite, and I don’t know if we both would have fit if her legs were the same size as mine.

The car itself operates as a three-wheeled vehicle that’s a mix between a scooter and a bike. The built-in GPS also guides you through an effortless journey that won’t leave you lost in the city. You also have a physical map with you to help you map out where you’ll go before you do so, which could provide valuable information for you to plan.

To start your adventure, meet at the headquarters of the San Diego GoCars to watch a safety video that gives you the essential information needed for a successful trip. It explains the two brakes on the side of the driver’s handlebars, which work the same as brakes on a bike. You’ll find the gas on the right handlebar, and you simply pull it toward you to give it a go.

Even if you’re nervous, that’ll disappear by the time you get to the end of the street. The tour avoids major freeways and takes you effortlessly around some of the busiest streets. 

Downtown & Balboa Park Go Car Tour San Diego

Your tour choice determines where the tour takes you, and the tours range from one hour all the way up to eight. Personally, I did the 2-hour Downtown & Balboa Park Tour, which the company dubs “THE essential San Diego tour.” It costs $173 per vehicle, not per person, but each vehicle only seats two, so keep that in mind. You’re free to extend your tour if you’d like, but they charge in 15-minute increments when you do. 

Although I didn’t experience any of the other tours, I would agree that the Downtown & Balboa Park Tour is essential, especially if you’ve only got a few days to spare. It begins in Old Town, where all tours do, then takes you down toward the Maritime Museum, the U.S.S. Midway, and Seaport Village along the harbor next to the ocean. You’ll learn some random facts along the way, including a story about the iconic statue of a couple kissing and its influence from the LIFE magazine photo snapped at the end of World War II.

Once the ocean’s in your rearview, follow along through the historic Gaslamp Quarter, which highlights some of the older architecture and is still one of the most popular nighttime spots in the area. When it takes you through Little Italy, just know that all of the smells coming from the restaurants will make you hungry, so either give yourself a little extra time to stop or take note of a place you’d like to try out once you finish the tour.

The exploration of Balboa Park is the best part of this tour if you ask me. This park has so much more to offer than what initially meets the eye. Even if you frequent the museums or attend shows at The Old Globe, the GoCar Tour will still fill you in on some fun facts you may or may not know, especially when it comes to the organ.

Other San Diego Go Car Tours

Outside of the Downtown & Balboa Park tour, there are a number of other tours including, but not limited to, the Downtown and Old Town Tour, the Coronado San Diego Tour, the Sunset Cliffs & Beaches Tour, the Full Day Tour (5 hours), the Night Owl Special Tour, and the Land & Sea Tour that also comes with a speedboat adventure that looks super fun. Tours have different durations, but all require a valid Driver’s License to operate the vehicle. Outside of the tours, they also offer scooter and e-bike rentals for you to explore a little more on your own. 

The next time you’re looking for an experience you’ll never forget, check out the GoCar San Diego City Tours for one of the most unbeatable explorations of this city. Allow yourself some extra time if you have it, grab a bite to eat along the way, and see what all the fuss is about San Diego, whether you’re a local or not. 

Last Updated on August 29, 2024 by Maria Haase