Excursion Old town & ‘haunted’ house tour at San Diego

Experience the ‘Birthplace of California’ and a ‘haunted’ house during this self-guided sightseeing excursion to Old Town State Park via trolley.

San Diego, Old Town State Park, Historical Buildings, Shopping, Restaurants

Depart the pier aboard the ‘Old Town Trolley’ for a short ride to nearby Old Town State Park, a thriving historical, cultural, and commercial district. Known as the ‘Birthplace of California’, San Diego’s Old Town State Park is the ancestral land of the first people, the Kuymeyaay, who lived in this area for 12,000 years. Your self-guided, at-leisure experience begins here where you can connect to the region’s past whilst exploring a slew of cultural destinations, including 27 historic buildings, shopping, and over 30 dining experiences, many of them Mexican-themed.

‘Haunted’ Whaley House, Self-Guided Tour

After exploring and browsing Old Town State Park, a short walk brings you to the Whaley House, known as America’s most haunted home. Following a brief introduction about the house and Whaley family, proceed at your own pace whilst learning about this fascinating landmark and its macabre history. A hub for the San Diego community from 1857 to early-20th century, the house was thought to be haunted due to its construction on the site of a former gallows, and the untimely death of toddler Thomas Whaley, Jr. Visitor reports include seeing images of six of the Whaley family members, and hearing baby Thomas crying. Afterward, walk back a few blocks to the Old Town Trolley and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 200 yards (about 182 metres), at times over uneven surfaces, with four steps to negotiate to get on/off the open-air, trolley-style bus. Walking at the Old Town State Park and Whaley House is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilize a wheelchair; however, the maximum combined weight of the guest and wheelchair cannot exceed 800 pounds (about 362 kilograms). Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers, and bring sun protection, a sweater or light jacket, bottled water, and US Dollars or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. This tour is ‘at-leisure’; the minimum time for the trolley to complete one loop is approximately two hours, but guests can hop off, and back on, all day with unlimited re-boarding. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. This tour operates in the daytime only. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.