The 4 Best San Diego Audio Tours

1.A Local’s Guide to San Diego’s Sights: A GPS Self-Guided Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 31 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) Our pick

Use the VoiceMap app to guide your private group from Mission Bay through Old Town, Balboa Park, Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and Mount Soledad. You get English audio, offline maps, lifetime access, and freedom to stop along the way.

“The directions are late. Sometimes you are at the intersection when she tells you to turn. And even though, in the beginning, she tell you if you get off course she will let you know she never does. Also when she starts to talk it cuts off half the first word, instead of saying right turn all you hear is "ght" or left is "ft". It can get very confusing when your trying to navigate through traffic. I wouldn't recommend this app.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.1 Hour GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $92Top rated

Ride an electric scooter with GPS guidance through Little Italy, the harbor, downtown, Balboa Park, Old Town, and past major sights. You receive an orientation, helmet, and private route for your party. Staff members such as Kelvin and Billy are noted for patient, helpful setup.

“This was such a fun sightseeing experience. First off the person who helped me, his name was Kelvin, he was patient and very nice, super helpful and explained everything in great detail. I was starting to feel like I wouldn’t be able to follow the instructions cause it seemed a bit overwhelming, he reassured me I would be ok, and if not I can return the go cart and not have to finish the tour. I really enjoyed this and will definitely do it again, I’m thinking I’ll upgrade to the electric go car. And I will definitely recommend this to all my friends and family.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.2-Hour Downtown and Balboa Tour in GPS Guided Polaris GoCar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Drive a two-hour Polaris GoCar route through Little Italy, the harbor, Seaport Village, Petco Park, Balboa Park, and the San Diego Zoo. Your private car is air-conditioned and GPS guided, with a safety orientation, map, fuel, and English commentary. Bring patience if the GPS system misbehaves.

“This is a a unique way to see the city. The staff were super helpful. However the GPS instructions and commentary that was installed in the car rarely worked and would repeat itself. Thankfully we had been provided maps and an overview of the route. This made it fairly easy to find the right road to get back onto. As far as learning about the city- that part just wasn’t working at all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $14Best value

Use your phone as an audio guide on this flexible drive from Escondido to Julian and back toward San Diego. The route covers Queen Califia’s sculpture garden, Palomar Observatory, mountain overlooks, Anza-Borrego, Borrego Springs sculptures, and historic Julian. Access lasts 30 days, so you can split the trip into smaller outings.

“We had never tried a trip like this before. We had a great time. The app worked perfectly. The sculptures at Barrago Springs are amazing and we would not have seen them if not this trip. The app worked well, we loved the history and appreciated the advance warning if the road was windy or not.”

Check availability →Read our full review