San Diego Sunset Cliffs Polaris GoCar Tour: Self-Guided GPS

Race through Point Loma’s tide pools and past the century-old lighthouse at dusk

A self-guided tour of San Diego in a two-seat Polaris GoCar with GPS audio commentary, starting in Old Town and running three hours through Point Loma, Liberty Station, Cabrillo National Monument and Sunset Cliffs to Ocean Beach. The car accelerates 0–60 in 4.5 seconds and reaches 30 mph. Gas and rider orientation are included. Drivers must be at least 25 years old.

Step-by-step itinerary

San Diego Scenic Drive and Sightseeing

• Start at Old Town San Diego
• Drive to Liberty Station
• Pass Shelter Island and view submarine base
• Visit Cabrillo National Monument and lighthouse
• Explore tide pools at Point Loma preserve
• Drive along Sunset Cliffs
• End at Ocean Beach community

The experience

The Polaris GoCar is a two-seat open-air vehicle you drive yourself, not a tour bus or a guided ride. You start in Old Town San Diego, where the GPS audio guide begins narrating as you head into Point Loma. The route takes you past Liberty Station, a former Naval Training Center that closed in 1997 and now holds housing, shops, restaurants and recreational spaces. From there you continue toward Shelter Island for views of the Attack Submarine base, then on to Cabrillo National Monument on the rocky Point Loma peninsula.

At Cabrillo you'll see the historic lighthouse that once guided sailors and fishermen through dangerous waters, and you can stop to explore the tide pools where sea creatures live among the rocks. The route finishes by passing Sunset Cliffs (a natural overlook known for evening views), and into Ocean Beach, a neighborhood of independent shops and local businesses with few chain stores. The whole loop takes about three hours. Gas is included, and the orientation before you leave covers how to operate the car and use the GPS system.

What’s included

• Rental of the two-seat Polaris GoCar for three hours.
• a full tank of gas.
• GPS audio guide in English.
• rider orientation before departure.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 13:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Audio guideEnglish

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

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 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by GoCar Tours San Diego

Is this one for you?The GPS audio guide is in English only, so you'll follow the narration comfortably if that's your language. You drive the car yourself at your own pace along the set route, which gives you control over stops and timing within the three-hour window: useful if you want to linger at the tide pools or Sunset Cliffs without waiting for a group.

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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 Liberty Station and why does the tour stop there?

Liberty Station is a mixed-use development in Point Loma built on the grounds of the former Naval Training Center, which closed in 1997. The tour passes through it to show how the site was repurposed into housing, shops, restaurants, hotels and recreational centers.

Can I see the submarine base from the GoCar route?

Yes. The route takes you to Shelter Island, which offers views of the Attack Submarine base across the water.

What happens at Cabrillo National Monument?

Cabrillo National Monument sits on Point Loma's rocky shores and includes the historic lighthouse that once lit the waterways for sailors and fishermen. You can stop to walk the tide pools and see the aquatic life there, or simply view the monument from the car.

Do I need a special license to drive the GoCar?

You need a valid driver's license and must be at least 25 years old to rent. The operator provides a rider orientation before you depart to explain how to operate the vehicle and use the GPS audio guide.

Is the GoCar route fixed, or can I change where I go?

The GPS audio guide follows a set route through Old Town, Point Loma, Liberty Station, Cabrillo, Sunset Cliffs and Ocean Beach. You drive the car yourself, but the route and narration are predetermined.