Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off San Diego Bus Tours: Prices, Routes & FAQs
By Absolutely! šš San Diego is one of Californiaās most scenic and diverse cities ā and Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) bus tours are a laid-back, fun way to explore from the historic Gaslamp Quarter to beachy La Jolla, Balboa Park, and beyond.
Hereās your full guide to the Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in San Diego, including prices, routes, and helpful FAQs.
š Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off San Diego Bus Tours
1. Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego (Most Popular)
- Price: ~$52 (Adult), ~$32 (Child 4ā12), FREE under 4
- Route: 12 stops
- Highlights: Old Town, Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Coronado, Little Italy
- Map: Trolley Map
- Extras: Live guide narration, unlimited hop-on hop-off for the day
- Best For: First-time visitors who want to see it all in a day
2. Old Town Trolley + USS Midway Combo
- Price: ~$78
- Includes: 1-Day Trolley Pass + entry to the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
- Best For: Military buffs & museum lovers š¢
3. Old Town Trolley + San Diego Zoo Combo
- Price: ~$105
- Includes: HOHO ticket + zoo admission (Stop #6)
- Best For: Families and animal lovers š¼
4. Trolley + Maritime Museum Combo
- Price: ~$70
- Includes: Access to historic ships + HOHO pass
- Highlights: Star of India, submarine exhibits
- Great For: History fans & kids
5. Trolley + Harbor Cruise Combo
- Price: ~$85
- Includes: 1-Day Trolley + 1 or 2-hour San Diego Bay cruise
- Best For: Water + land sightseeing in one day ā“ļø
6. Ghosts & Gravestones Haunted Trolley Tour (Evening Tour)
- Price: ~$45
- Not HOHO: Themed haunted tour of Whaley House & Old Town cemetery
- Duration: ~1.5 hours
- Best For: Spooky stories, history, and ghost hunters š»
7. GetYourGuide: 1-Day San Diego HOHO Ticket
- Price: ~$52
- Route: Same as Old Town Trolley
- Best For: Easy booking with mobile tickets and free cancelation
8. Go City San Diego Pass (Includes HOHO)
- Price: ~$119 (1-Day), ~$159 (2-Day)
- Includes: HOHO Trolley + 50+ attractions like Zoo, SeaWorld, and museums
- Best For: All-in-one value seekers
9. Tiqets Combo: HOHO Trolley + Birch Aquarium
- Price: ~$85
- Includes: Trolley Pass + Aquarium entry (requires transfer from HOHO to shuttle or Lyft)
- Best For: Marine life enthusiasts
10. HOHO + SEAL Tour (Land + Water Amphibious Ride)
- Price: ~$100
- Includes: 1-Day HOHO Trolley + SEAL Tour (Old Town to Harbor + splash!)
- Great For: Unique āamphibiousā adventure
šŗļø Main HOHO Trolley Stops in San Diego
| Stop | Nearby Attractions |
|---|---|
| Old Town San Diego | State Historic Park, shops, museums |
| Embarcadero / Cruise Terminal | USS Midway, Maritime Museum, bayfront |
| Seaport Village | Waterfront shopping, dining, carousel |
| Gaslamp Quarter | Nightlife, dining, historic architecture |
| Balboa Park | 17 museums, gardens, San Diego Zoo |
| San Diego Zoo | One of the worldās top zoos |
| Coronado (via ferry) | Hotel del Coronado, beach, boutique shops |
| Little Italy | CafĆ©s, gelato, weekend farmerās market |
| Harbor Drive | Harbor Island views, skyline photo ops |
āFAQs ā Hop-On Hop-Off San Diego
ā Is a HOHO tour worth it in San Diego?
Absolutely! San Diego is large and spread out, and the HOHO trolley is the easiest, most scenic way to connect the cityās best attractions without a car or parking hassles.
š How long is the full loop?
- About 2 hours (no stops)
- Buses come every 20ā30 minutes
š Where should I start?
Most riders begin at Old Town San Diego (Stop #1), but you can hop on at any stop.
š£ļø Are there live guides?
Yes! All trolleys have live narrators giving local history, culture, and fun stories ā very entertaining!
š When do they operate?
- 9:00 AM ā 5:00 PM daily
- Last loop boards around 3:30ā4:00 PM
šļø Are tickets good all day?
Yes! You can hop on and off as much as you like until closing on the day of your ticket.
āæ Are the trolleys accessible?
Yes, ADA-compliant trolleys are available ā call ahead to confirm which departure works best for you.
Would you like help crafting a perfect San Diego day using the HOHO route ā with lunch, museums, and beach stops built in? āļøš®
Or I can make you a custom Google Map with all the trolley stops and top attractions. Just say the word!
