Professional guides. San Diego lovers. Colorful personalities.
Professional guides. San Diego lovers. Colorful personalities.
Bringing you unforgettable experiences
through handcrafted tours, local partnerships, and a passion for San Diego.
Break away from the typical tour experience, and allow us to show you how we like to explore our city. Here at So Diego, we specialize in cultivating completely unique experiences that give visitors and locals a more authentic, and more exciting, view of America’s Finest City.
What to Know
San Diego is a family-friendly city located in Southern California that offers year-round outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, surfing, and sailing for all adventure enthusiasts. People from all around the world flock to San Diego to experience our amazing weather and activities. Whether you’re interested in a food tour or a historical San Diego walking tour, you can experience the best of San Diego’s attractions led by a local San Diego tour guide.
Discover all of the must-try local food spots in our favorite neighborhoods. Choose a tour of Old Town San Diego for a taste of tequila and tacos or hop on our Gaslamp tour full of cuisine, culture, and curiosities, where we take you through the scandalous post-Gold Rush history of the heart of downtown San Diego. Your San Diego tour guide can also suggest the best places to experience the city’s growing food scene.
Explore attractions like the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, where you can witness exotic wildlife in a world-class setting. Cruise along the stunning San Diego Bay, unwind at the serene Mission Bay, and bask in the sun at Mission Beach—all part of our selection of private tours that showcase the diverse offerings of the city.
No matter what your interests are, whether you’re a local San Diegan or just visiting, you are guaranteed to have a great time in America’s Finest City with So Diego! Choose us for a guided tour that transforms your visit into an unforgettable experience, blending history, culture, and culinary delights while exploring the attractions that make San Diego truly special.
Our San Diego Tour Guides
Bianca Beale
Founder/OwnerBianca Beale - Founder/Owner
I’ve lived in San Diego for: My entire life!
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Connecting with guests, and watching them fall in love with San Diego.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Dependent on my mood because there are too many unique vibes in each neighborhood, but lately I’ve been loving spending time in Coronado with my family for the beach, Hotel Del, and riding bikes.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Woodworm. It’s a total foodie destination with their absinth bar, and gourmet French dishes.
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Attending music and food festivals like Wonderfront, Bay Fest, and Uncorked.
Nicole Cooley
OwnerNicole Cooley - Owner
I’ve lived in San Diego for: 5 years! Moving here was the best decision ever!
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Connecting locals and visitors with all the amazing things our beautiful city has to offer!
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Little Italy because it’s full of energy, fabulous restaurants and a great nightlife! On Saturday the Little Italy Mercato is a favorite to visit and I never miss popping into the local art galleries!
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Barbusa for the handmade pasta, great wine and energetic vibes.
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Spend time at the beach with my family.
Kaylee Killebrew
Tour GuideKaylee Killebrew - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: 5 years, I quickly fell in love with this city.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting people from all over the world, making them laugh, showing them some of my favorite spots and creating meaningful memories.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Hillcrest or Old Town. Both are walkable and friendly places with endless restaurants, bars, coffee shops etc. You can find me in Old Town most weekends.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: This is a tough choice, for atmosphere and cocktails probably InsideOUT or Coasterra. For Breakfast…Morning Glory or Great Maple. For Dinner, Queenstown, Underbelly or Bronx Pizza. There are way too many options to choose from!
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: To Read on the beach, host dinner parties with friends or scope out new happy hour spots.
Magda Medofer
Tour GuideMagdalene Medofer - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: my whole life, I was born here.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: meeting new folks and sharing San Diego with them.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Barrio Logan, I love the history of Chicano Park, the eclectic artisan shops, and extensive food scene. The weekend is the best time to explore and watch the lowrider car clubs cruise the neighborhood and visit the shops.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Artifact at the Mingei in Balboa Park. Any dish off their international food menu will blow your mind. They also host monthly themed dinners that highlight a particular cuisine and region.
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Go for a hike at Cuyamaca State Park and swim at Green Valley Falls.
Ben Schorr
Tour GuideBen Schorr - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: Three years and counting.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Getting to meet and guide people when they’re at their best: when they’re exploring, when they’re with family, friends and fellow travelers, and when they’re enjoying food, drinks, and history.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: North Park. It’s cool, fun and walkable. Plus I live there!
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Kindred in South Park. Fantastic food and drinks in a unique setting.
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Explore Balboa Park, ride my bike, and/or enjoy the city with the wonderful people I’ve connected with here!
Bleu Ford
Tour GuideBleu Ford - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: A long time! I moved to San Diego in 1986 so I have lived here for most of my life. I consider it my adopted home town.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: I love both meeting new people and sharing knowledge about this beautiful city. After retiring from USPS I wanted to do work that brings me joy and I have found that being a guide. I love getting a laugh from a group or seeing the spark of excitement when I share a bit of San Diego’s colorful history.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: I am partial to my own hood, North Park. I love living here! We lost so many great places due to Covid but it warms my heart to see that this neighborhood is returning to being a vibrant and fun place. It always seems like there is something new or some fun event happening.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: A few of my go-to favs are Buona Forchetta in South Park for relaxed patio dining with great food Jimmy Carter’s in Hillcrest for the comfortable and colorful ambiance and great Mexican comfort food and Shwarma Guys food truck (which parks regularly at 30th and Grape in South Park). It is my go-to “I’m super hungry and too tired to cook” take home. It always hits the spot.
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: I recently got an e-bike and my new love is re-discovering the uptown area on two wheels. It is pretty amazing how differently you see the city on a bike. I love strolling through Balboa Park with my wife. We are so lucky to have this awesome park with such a rich history so close to our home. Finally, you can’t beat an early morning walk along the harbor. The waterfront is beautiful in the morning quiet with a bit of fog hanging in the air.
Melissa Graham
Tour GuideMelissa Graham - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: 15 years. I bought a one-way plane ticket from Kansas City on September 1, 2009 and I never looked back.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Getting to work in, learn about, and explore all the best neighborhoods in San Diego!
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Coronado. The beautiful homes, the gorgeous views and the historic Hotel Del Coronado- it’s just perfect. I love to have a drink at the Del at during sunset with my toes in the sand.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Alforon. It’s a locally owned Lebanese restaurant in the College Area neighborhood with the most delicious food. I get the same order every time: fattoush salad, lahm bajeen and aaysh essaraya for dessert. Just go!
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: To go for a boat ride with my family. I love seeing our city sparkle and glisten from the water.
Aleezah Davenport
BloggerAleezah Davenport - Blogger
I’ve lived in San Diego for: That’s a complicated question… I’ve moved around a bunch, but was born here and am a second generation PLHS alumna. Moving home and planting roots was a must as I am a San Diego native to the core!
My favorite thing about being a blogger is: When asked, I’ve always loved sharing my passions with those around me; my recommendations tend to be very well received. Writing allows me to reach a larger audience to help others appreciate the city I’m so incredibly happy to call my home.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: This is too difficult considering the uniqueness of each neighborhood. However, I’d have to go with my home neighborhood of Point Loma. Between water sports on the inlet, to the rejuvenation of NTC into the bustling piazza that is now Liberty Station, or even the old Point Loma Lighthouse, there’s plenty of history, tasty eats, and craft brews for everyone.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Again, it’s hard to pick just one, but the first that came to mind is a regular spot of mine, Ototo Sushi in Liberty Station. Previously part of the Sushiya chain, the crew that runs this place branched out on their own to continue providing innovative rolls with some of the freshest fish. Sit outside on the patio for a mellow vibe and take a stroll by the water afterward. I’ve been going here for roughly two decades!
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: I love taking my girls out for dinner beach picnics at Sunset Cliffs every week! We either order for pick up at a local restaurant or, with my culinary ingenuity, I’ll whip something up. After dinner, the girls get to run around while I settle into my beach chair, breath in that crisp ocean air, and enjoy the sunset.
Aparna Thakur
Tour GuideAparna Thakur - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: 1 ½ years!
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting new people, showing them around and telling stories and history of the city.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: La Jolla because of its beautiful beaches, great restaurants and shopping as well as abundance of sea life.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Brigantine
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Watching sunset in point loma Ocean Beach
Benedict Heaps
BloggerBenedict Heaps - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: 6 months! It’s been a long-time goal to live here though!
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: meeting many varied people but sharing the same interests with each.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is:Normal Heights!
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: La Dolce Vita Ristorante, in La Jolla
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: hang out near the sea lions at sunset by La Jolla Cove, having eaten slightly too much Italian food.
Blerta Dauti
Tour GuideBlerta Dauti - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: 25 years! I immigrated from Albania when I was 5 years old and have lived in almost every neighborhood in metro San Diego.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: getting to meet and tell so many new people about America’s finest city! I’m a huge San Diego fan and love learning it’s history – so much so I give friends and family my own little “local’s tour” when they come to visit.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: La Mesa! So many fun restaurants, breweries and hiking spots within walking distance of one another. Nothing like a slice of pizza, beer and a trip up the secret stairs to walk it all off!
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Il Fornaio in Coronado. It’s been my go-to pizza place for thin, Neapolitan style pizza since I was a kid!
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Hike mission trails or spend the day down at south mission beach by the jeti. I love being outside and in nature, and those two spots are my stomping grounds.
Raul Torres Valadez
Tour GuideRaul Torres Valadez - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: One year recently and also when I was a teenager.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting new people.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Pacific Beach and Coronado.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Oscar’s Mexican seafood and Birrieria la Huasteca.
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Hike in the canyons.
Do you love San Diego as much as we do?
We are constantly looking for amazing guides who love to meet new people, and share the insights of our city on our tours of San Diego. If you’re interested in becoming a tour guide, we’d love to chat with you! No experience necessary. We will train you!
NEVER BASIC. ALWAYS ADVENTUROUS. THAT’S SO DIEGO.
Connect with us today to learn more about how we create unforgettable experiences in San Diego.
CONTACT SO DIEGO!
CONTACT SO DIEGO!
