Old Town Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones: Taste the Flavors of California’s First Town
Old Town Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones: Taste the Flavors of California’s First Town
Authentic cuisine
with a side of the supernatural
On our Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones guided tour, we take you back in time to Old Town San Diego—also known as the Birthplace of California. Together with one of our expert tour guides, you’ll discover the events and learn about the individuals that led to Old Town’s current popularity as a cultural hotspot.
But don’t worry, we don’t believe in following the usual tourist paths when it comes to exploring a town so rich in history and culture. On our Old Town food tour, you’ll get authentic food tastings, elevated cocktail sampling, and a haunted location or two for an unforgettable historic Old Town experience.
About:
If you’re a fan of delicious tacos, then you won’t want to miss this San Diego taco tour! Our Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones walking tour combines food and history into a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience. We’ll go to a favorite local taco shop and several other local businesses for a drink and food tasting experience that you won’t forget. Travel back in time with us as we explore the Birthplace of California and the events and people who have transformed Old Town San Diego into the cultural destination it is today. Come with us on one of the most in-depth tours of Old Town as your knowledgeable tour guide takes you on a journey through the historical eras, from the early Spanish settlements to the establishment of Mexican Independence to the California Gold Rush. Join us for a night of authentic food tastings, traditional cocktail samplings, and fun!
- Old Town is known as the “Birthplace of California”
- Learn about the early Spanish missionaries
- Eat some amazing Mexican food at 4 local restaurants
- Margarita and/or tequila samples at 2 locations
- Enjoy haunted tales, mariachi music, lots of delicious bites, and fun!
- Get your Fiesta on!
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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TEQUILA
Old Town is steeped in Mexican culture and tradition, so of course, we had to make this a tequila tour. While we won’t be drinking shots, you’ll get a taste of customary cocktails made with different types of specialty tequila.
TACOS
Home to the establishment voted Best Mexican Restaurant for over 7 years, Old Town San Diego is an authentic Mexican cuisine-lovers paradise, complete with the mouth-watering flavors of fresh homemade tortillas and delicious tacos. Whether you enjoy carne asada, adobada, or fish tacos, Old Town is where you need to be for the best San Diego taco tour experience.
TOMBSTONES
No San Diego Old Town tour would be complete without some haunted houses and spooky stories to go with them. This tour takes you on a visit to the city’s oldest graveyard and what’s famed as the most haunted house in America: the Whaley House.
Explore + Experience
Our Restaurant Partners
2461 San Diego Ave
San Diego, CA 92110
Cafe Coyote is a staple restaurant in Old Town, and one of the oldest standing restaurants in the area with over 30 years in business.
2470 San Diego Ave
San Diego, CA 92110
Fred’s is known as a “funky and festive” Mexican restaurant with an American twist. They represent the melding of the two cultures with traditional Mexican flavors infused with a “northern” flare.
2467 Juan St
San Diego, CA 92110
The OT Tequila Factory is the highest restaurant in Old Town, offering guests the best views of the area.
2611 San Diego Ave
San Diego, CA 92110
A nice place to cool down during a hot day on the quaint, dusty streets of Old Town San Diego. At Old Town Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt shop, you can choose from a variety of different flavors to satisfy your craving.
2548 Congress St
San Diego, CA 92110
Elote offers one of Mexico’s favorite snacks, street corn. They are typically sold in little carts on the street.
Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones FAQS
Experiencing Old Town
has never been simpler (or more exciting).
BOOK YOUR TOUR
Who wouldn’t want a day full of cocktail samplings and tacos? All you need to do is book your Old Town San Diego walking tour date and we’ll handle the rest!
Travel in time
Head back in time as one of our tour guides recounts the rich history of Old Town San Diego, from the early Spanish missionaries to the California Gold Rush.
Indulge your senses
When you’re not absorbing the history, you’ll be indulging in the food and drinks provided by four local Old Town restaurants.
Get your Fiesta on!
Get ready for hours of delicious food, decadent cocktails, mariachi music, ghost stories, and so much more!
Experiencing Old Town
has never been simpler (or more exciting).
BOOK YOUR TOUR
Who wouldn’t want a day full of cocktail samplings and tacos? All you need to do is book your tour date, we’ll handle the rest!
Travel in time
Head back in time as one of our tour guides recounts the rich history of Old Town San Diego, from the early Spanish missionaries to the California Gold Rush.
Indulge your senses
When you’re not absorbing the history, you’ll be indulging in the food and drinks provided by four local Old Town restaurants.
Get your Fiesta on!
Get ready for hours of delicious food, decadent cocktails, mariachi music, ghost stories, and so much more!
San Diego history—with a twist
It wouldn’t be an Old Town tour without learning about the history behind this cultural destination. Our tour guides give you an in-depth look at the importance of this historic southern California town, complete with haunted tales of the ghosts that are said to still be roaming about.
Authentic cultural experiences
Old Town might be one of San Diego’s most popular destinations, but we’re not here to take you along the usual tourist routes. When you join us in Old Town, you get a deeper look at San Diego’s rich history, cultures, and cuisines, making the perfect experience for any curious San Diegan and tourist alike.
Food, fun, and just a bit of fear
With tequila, tacos, and some thrills, this tour is built for you to have a good time in America’s finest city. But we make it even better. Our San Diego-obsessed tour guides are here to make sure you immerse yourself in Old Town’s history—and have loads of fun along the way.
Private booking for an enhanced Old Town experience!
Perfect for corporate events, birthday parties, or any other special occasion, groups of 10 or more people can book a private tour at any day and time and add on even more sightseeing stops or food and drink options! We consider ourselves a boutique destination management company, which means we have the capacity to coordinate for groups no larger than 100 guests. If you have a large group and will be traveling from outside of San Diego, our team of industry professionals will facilitate transfers, itinerary outlines, offsite reservations and activities, staffing, logistics, and any needs at your hotel.
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