San Diego GoCar Tour: Sunset Cliffs Beaches Adventure

Navigate San Diego's coastal neighborhoods and historic sites in your own GoCar

A 3-hour self-guided GoCar tour of San Diego that takes you from Little Italy through Old Town, Point Loma, Liberty Station and Cabrillo National Monument to Sunset Cliffs and Ocean Beach. You drive the open-air vehicle yourself following a GPS-guided audio tour in English, with a map, full tank of gas and helmet provided. A valid driver's license and minimum age of 21 are required.

Step-by-step itinerary

San Diego Coastal and Cultural Drive

• Drive through Little Italy
• Drive through Old Town
• Drive through Point Loma
• Drive through Liberty Station
• Drive by Attack Submarine base at Shelter Island
• Drive by Cabrillo National Monument
• Drive by Point Loma ecological preserve
• Drive by Sunset Cliffs
• Drive through Ocean Beach

The experience

You pick up a GoCar, a three-wheeled open-air vehicle, and follow a GPS-guided audio tour that narrates the route as you drive. The tour covers roughly 3 hours and moves through seven distinct neighborhoods and landmarks, each one introduced by the audio guide so you know what you're looking at and why it matters. The route starts in Little Italy, then moves into Old Town San Diego where Mexican and western culture blend together, continues through Point Loma toward Liberty Station (the former Naval Training Center repurposed into housing, shops and schools after it closed in 1997), and passes the Attack Submarine base at Shelter Island.

The second half takes you to Cabrillo National Monument and the Point Loma ecological preserve, where you'll see the old lighthouse that once guided ships through dangerous waters. From there the route passes through Sunset Cliffs, known for its romantic ocean views, and ends in the eccentric Ocean Beach community. You navigate the whole route yourself, which means you set the pace and can linger at any stop where you want to get out and look around. The GPS handles the directions. The audio guide handles the commentary.

A full tank of gas, helmet, map and rider orientation are included. The 8.75% environmental fee covers carbon offset, gasoline and tire recycling. You'll need a valid driver's license and must be at least 21 years old to drive. Optional collision damage waiver insurance is available at check-in for approximately $19 if you want it. Service animals are allowed in the vehicle.

What’s included

• Map and GPS-guided audio tour in English.
• full tank of gas.
• GoCar rental and helmet.
• rider orientation.
• 8.75% environmental fee covering carbon offset, gasoline and tire recycling.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs every day, 6 start times, from US$ 121 per person, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00

GroupPrivate

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to2h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by GoCar Tours San Diego

Is this one for you?The audio guide delivers the tour in English, so you follow the commentary as you drive without needing to read or plan stops ahead. This works well if you want to explore San Diego's neighborhoods at your own pace but still have context for what you're seeing.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Cabrillo National Monument and why is it on this tour?

Cabrillo National Monument sits on Point Loma and preserves the old lighthouse that once lit the rocky shores and warned sailors and fishermen away from dangerous waters. The tour passes the monument and the Point Loma ecological preserve as part of the route through the peninsula.

Do I need to book a guide, or do I drive and navigate on my own?

You drive the GoCar yourself and follow GPS directions on the vehicle. An English-language audio guide narrates the tour as you go, so you hear about each neighborhood and landmark without needing a person in the car with you.

Can I stop and get out during the tour, or do I have to keep driving?

You set the pace since you're driving yourself. You can stop at any point along the route to get out, look around and take photos before continuing to the next stop.

What's included in the rental, and what costs extra?

The rental includes the GoCar vehicle, a full tank of gas, helmet, map, rider orientation and the GPS audio tour. Collision damage waiver insurance is optional and costs approximately $19 if you want to add it at check-in. Gratuities are optional.

Is this tour good for someone who's never driven a GoCar before?

Yes. The rental includes a rider orientation that covers how to operate the vehicle, and the GPS handles navigation so you only need to focus on driving. You'll need a valid driver's license and must be at least 21 years old.