Brothels, Bites and Booze: A food tour of the Gaslamp Quarter’s questionable past.
Brothels, Bites and Booze: A walking food tour of the Gaslamp Quarter’s questionable past.
Scandalous stories of the Wild West!
The historic Gaslamp Quarter
The historic Gaslamp Quarter is famous for its entertainment, shopping, and nightlife, but most people don’t realize the historic district was once home to one of the most anticipated red light districts in the West. On this guided Gaslamp tour full of cuisine, culture, and curiosities, we’ll take you through the scandalous post-Gold Rush history of the heart of downtown San Diego.
About The Gaslamp Food Tour:
The Brothels, Bites and Booze tour is a fun way for you to explore the Gaslamp Quarter, the historic heart of America’s Finest City. Experience what makes this neighborhood one of the top destinations for dining, entertainment, and nightlife. This San Diego food tour will uncover the district’s intriguing past. On these Gaslamp tours, you will learn the secrets behind the district’s historic buildings, and travel back in time to when thousands arrived in the port town of San Diego. This popular Gaslamp Quarter walking tour will not only satisfy your taste buds, but your curiosity, too!
- A walking history tour of San Diego’s thriving “New Town”
- Indulge your senses and taste original flavors from 4 participating restaurants
- Drink samples at 3 of the 4 locations
- Listen to stories about the scandals of the Stingaree District
- Learn some of the history that they don’t teach you in a classroom
- Enjoy enough delicious food for a light meal
Rates:
Adults (Ages 13+): $88.00
Duration:
2.5 hours
Private Groups:
Do you have a group of 10 or more guests? Contact us to book a private tour.
Book Online Now:
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BROTHELS
In what was once the infamous red-light district of San Diego, your tour guide will give you an in-depth look at what life was like for the women who once ruled the streets, complete with scandalous tales of the most famous brothels and Prohibition-era gangsters!
BITES
Satisfying not just your curiosity, but your hunger too, this Gaslamp walking tour takes you to four popular restaurants for a memorable dining experience full of worldwide cuisine, always brought to you by our favorite locally-owned establishments.
BOOZE
The best match for delicious food and fascinating stories? A satisfying drink. To top off this San Diego tour experience, all of your food samples will be paired with the perfect “spirited” beverage.
Explore + Experience
Our Restaurant Partners
345 Sixth Ave,
San Diego, CA 92101
Meze is known for its tasty Greek-fusion dishes and selection of Greek wines.
702 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Whiskey Girl is a staple in the Gaslamp for fun, American-classic and unique fusion dishes, full bar and great cocktail list, and live music.
1061 La Mirada Ct
Vista, CA 92081
This Downtown location is one of 3 locations, and the decor represents the elements of the West Coast. Their beers represent and are named after the owner and his wife’s favorite places in California.
544 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
They are a family-owned restaurant that wanted to bring the essence of a traditional Irish Pub to San Diego when the founders settled here from Ireland.
903 Island Ave,
San Diego, CA 92101
Housed in a historic home from the 1890s, this brew pub is family owned by a brother and sister duo, and they serve a taster of their house-brewed beer and house-made sausage flatbread.
842 Market St
San Diego, CA 92101
They offer 100 local, domestic and international beers in addition to 20 of their own beers brewed right next door. The food is sourced locally from San Diego farms, and crafted to invoke the comforts of a British pub for a place to come, be welcomed in, and enjoy quality food and drink
425 Market St
San Diego, CA 92101
A local ice cream shop with shops in Downtown and Encinitas. They make all of their ice creams in house, and create fun and unique flavors in addition to seasonal flavors with ingredients they source locally.
411 Market St,
San Diego, CA 92101
A beautiful restaurant that celebrates craft cocktails and rotisserie.
310 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Rockin Baja is a local restaurant that is inspired by the coastal town of Puerto Nuevo, Baja CA, Mexico – about an hour south of the San Diego/Mexico border from Downtown.
935 J St,
San Diego, CA 92101
A tequila and mezcal bar and restaurant brought to you by Octavio Tequila. Enjoy upscale Mexican fare and you sip on a mezcal margarita or a bloody Maria.
751 Fourth Ave,
San Diego, CA 92101
Family-owned BBQ restaurant smoking meats low and slow. Enjoy one of the pulled pork slider’s and their very own Smokin’ J’s lager.
Brothels, Bites and Booze FAQS
Join Us In
the Heart of Downtown San Diego
BOOK YOUR TOUR
Whether you’re with a corporate group or looking for a unique birthday celebration, all it takes is a few simple steps in order to explore San Diego the right way.
Meet Your Tour Guide
Meet us at the Gaslamp Quarter Sign near the Hard Rock Hotel and get ready for hours of food, fascination, and a whole lot of fun in America’s finest city. (Tip: park at the 6th and K Parkade).
Discover The Secrets
On this Gaslamp Quarter food tour, explore historic buildings and uncover the history you won’t learn about during your average San Diego tour!
Enjoy!
When we’re not discussing the secrets and scandals of the Gaslamp Quarter’s past, we’ll be indulging in local flavors for a one-of-a-kind San Diego experience.
Join Us In
the Heart of Downtown San Diego
BOOK YOUR TOUR
Whether you’re with a corporate group or looking for a unique birthday celebration, all it takes is a few simple steps in order to explore San Diego the right way.
Meet Your Tour Guide
Meet us at the Gaslamp Quarter Sign near the Hard Rock Hotel and get ready for hours of food, fascination, and a whole lot of fun. (Tip: park at the 6th and K Parkade).
Discover The Secrets
On this Gaslamp Quarter tour, explore historic buildings and uncover the history you won’t learn about during your average San Diego tour!
Enjoy!
When we’re not discussing the secrets and scandals of the Gaslamp Quarter’s past, we’ll be indulging in local flavors for a one-of-a-kind San Diego experience.
YOU LOVE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES
Sure, we could take you through the same-old history you’ll hear about on other city tours, but we prefer the more adventurous side of life. That’s why we centered our Gaslamp District walking tour around the questionable yet oh-so-interesting parts of San Diego’s history, perfect for any curious San Diegan and tourist alike.
YOU WANT TO DO MORE THAN JUST SEE THE SIGHTS
We love sightseeing as much as anyone, but for a fully immersive experience, you need to indulge more than just your sense of sight. This San Diego food tour is the best way to indulge in remarkable food tastings while unfolding the city’s rich history. Luckily, we combine scandalous story-telling and historic explorations with booze and bites that are always local—and always delicious.
YOU’RE HUNGRY FOR LOCAL FLAVORS
The Gaslamp District is famous for its dining, so to make sure you really get the most out of your time in the historic heart of San Diego, we’ve partnered with restaurants that serve up local dishes inspired by worldwide cuisines for a Gaslamp food tour you won’t find anywhere else. And to complete the dining experience, our Brothels, Bites, and Booze tour pairs all of your food samples with a taste of local beers and cocktails.
You’re traveling in a group! You can amp up the excitement on any of our tours by booking a private tour with 10 or more guests!
Large groups can book private tours whenever they want, as long as there’s availability, and can get an even more indulgent downtown experience with add-on stops, full drink options, or a speakeasy of choice to end up in. If you’re looking for an experience outside of Gaslamp quarter, our other daily food tours explore the rich history and delicious bites of Little Italy, La Jolla, and Old Town San Diego.
Food Tour Photo Gallery
Our San Diego Tour Guides
Our San Diego Tour Guides
Kaylee 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.
Kaylee Killebrew
Kaylee Killebrew - Tour Guide
Read BioMagdalene 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.
Magdalene Medofer
Tour Guide
Read BioAparna 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
Aparna Thakur
Tour Guide
Read BioRaul 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.
Raul Torres Valadez
Tour Guide
Read BioBen Schorr - 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.
Ben Schorr
Tour Guide
Read BioBleu 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.
Bleu Ford
Tour Guide
Read Bio