San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley: 11 Stops & Balboa Park

What if you could skip the driving and see San Diego on your own schedule?

You board at any of 11 stops and create your own route through San Diego's main neighborhoods and attractions. The trolley departs every 20 minutes with live commentary, real-time tracking, and access to Balboa Park, Coronado, Old Town, and the waterfront. No fixed schedule means you spend as long as you want at each stop before catching the next trolley.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Start at Old Town State Park
• Visit Maritime Museum and Star of India
• Stop at Embarcadero Marina
• Explore Seaport Village
• See Marriott Marquis and Marina
• Walk through Historic Gaslamp Quarter
• View Petco Park and East Convention Center
• Visit Barrio Logan for art and breweries
• Tour Coronado Orange Avenue
• Explore Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo
• Stop at Little Italy for dining and shops

The Experience

The trolley leaves Old Town every 20 minutes, and you pick which stops matter to you. Some people spend an hour at the Maritime Museum, others skip straight to Coronado and the Hotel del Coronado two blocks from the Orange Avenue stop. The whole route connects 11 designated stops across San Diego — Old Town, the Embarcadero, Gaslamp Quarter, Barrio Logan, Coronado, Balboa Park, and Little Italy — so you're not locked into a fixed itinerary or a guide's pace. You board with your ticket, hop off when something catches your eye, and catch the next trolley when you're ready to move on.

The trolley runs 9am to 6pm most of the year (9am to 5pm October 30 through March 10), and you get live commentary on board that fills the gaps between stops. There's a real-time tracking map on your phone so you know when the next trolley is coming, which matters more than you'd think when you're standing on a curb in the sun. Stop 10 lands you in the heart of Balboa Park near the Organ Pavilion, where the museums, gardens, and visitor center are all within walking distance. Stop 8 is Barrio Logan — Chicano Park, galleries, craft breweries, and restaurants clustered around Cesar Chavez Parkway. Little Italy, at Stop 11, is compact enough to explore on foot once you get there, with the Fire House Museum and rows of restaurants and shops along the main drag.

Accessibility is built in: trolleys are wheelchair accessible (just let them know at booking), and infants can ride in a stroller or on an adult's lap. If you're traveling in October, kids under 12 ride free with a paid adult — one free child per ticket. The ticket booths are at Old Town, but you can also board at any stop by showing your ticket to the driver, which means you don't have to start your day at the beginning of the route.

What’s included

• Your ticket includes hop-on hop-off access to all 11 trolley stops throughout San Diego, live commentary during the ride, real-time trolley tracking via mobile map, and local taxes.
• Trolleys depart every 20 minutes from each stop.
• You board at any stop with your ticket or at the Old Town Trolley Ticket Booth.
• Infants can ride in a stroller or on an adult's lap, and service animals are welcome.
• Wheelchair-accessible trolleys are available with advance notice.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Historic Tours Of America

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see multiple San Diego neighborhoods without renting a car or planning a fixed route — the 20-minute frequency between trolleys means you're never waiting long, and the real-time map takes the guesswork out of timing.

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Top questions

How often do the trolleys run?

Trolleys depart approximately every 20 minutes from each stop throughout the day.

Can I get on and off at different stops?

Yes. You can board at any of the 11 designated stops and hop off whenever you want. Catch the next trolley when you're ready to move on.

What time does the trolley start and end?

March 11–October 29: 9am–6pm (last departure from Old Town at 4pm). October 30–March 10: 9am–5pm (last departure from Old Town at 3pm).

Are kids free?

Kids ages 0–12 ride free in October (Oct 1–31) with a paid adult ticket. One free child per paid adult. Outside October, standard child tickets apply.

Is the trolley wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Trolleys are wheelchair accessible. Notify the operator at booking if you need a wheelchair-accessible trolley.

Do I have to start at Old Town?

No. You can board at any of the 11 stops by showing your ticket to the driver. You don't have to start at Old Town.

Is there a map to track the trolley?

Yes. You get access to a real-time trolley tracking map on your phone so you can see when the next trolley is arriving at your stop.

What's included in the ticket?

Live commentary on board, access to all 11 stops, real-time tracking, and local taxes. Museum or attraction entry fees are separate.