Facebook Pixel

Old Cali and the War for the West: Gaslamp District Experience

Book Now
Location Marker San Diego, CA
Clock Icon 11:00AM
Icon Dollar Sign From $22
 

When the West was Wild

 

Did you know the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego was once known as

Rabbitville? The early days of the settlement saw no success for human

inhabitants, but it made for a perfect rabbit habitat.

 

From Romanesque to Baroque Revival, San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is a treasure

trove of architecture – a collection of distinctive historic buildings known for

diverse entertainment and rollicking nightlife, just as it was when first established.

 

Take a peek behind the ornate facades and hear how these buildings evolved and

how those responsible for their construction lived and worked in what became

San Diego’s most notorious district, when the glow of gas jets illuminated the

guilty pleasures of yesterday.

 

“My husband and I love looking at old buildings, but the stories of these places made the tour a real surprise!”

 

What is the Old Cali and War for the West: Gaslamp District Experience About?

 

The Old Cali and War for the West Experience brings to life the

city’s former red-light district characterized by drinking, gambling, and pleasure of

all kinds. Discover the historic Victorian and Edwardian buildings that once

functioned as saloons, gaming halls, opium dens, and brothels, and take in the

impressive array of architecture with a side of spicy anecdotes during this

walkable tour.

 

What You Will See on This Tour:

 

This fascinating tour will take you on an immersive exploration of the notorious

activities taking place in San Diego’s historical buildings, such as:

 

The bedroom business in the Louis Bank of Commerce

The strange history of the Horton Grand Hotel

The colorful past of Tivoli Bar and Grill

The illegal activity at the Yuma Building

And so much more…

 

Expert local guides will introduce you to architecturally significant structures of

the frontier years when San Diego struggled for a foothold in the story of

California and the tantalizing tales of those, directly and indirectly, responsible for

its success.

 

Join us to explore the eclectic heartbeat of San Diego and the colorful way of life

it enjoyed before it rebranded itself as America’s Finest City.

 

“San Diego is the best city in the world.” – Eric Weddle

Includes



  • Tickets
    Entry ticket

Additional Info

Meeting point address: 199 5th Avenue, San Diego CA

Duration: Approximately 2 hours

Help Icon Parking: We recommend parking near 199 5th Avenue. To see options, click below:
Use parkme.com for more parking locations.

Location:

Loading Loading Map...

Reviews (204):

Jessara Bowenschulte
Verified Customer

Review Star Review Star Review Star Review Star Review Star

March 18th 2024

""

>> Read Full Review

Elizabeth Serna
Verified Customer

Review Star Review Star Review Star Review Star Review Star

March 11th 2024

"Our guide Fernando was fun and informative."

>> Read Full Review

Felicia Sewell
Verified Customer

Review Star Review Star Review Star Review Star Review Star

February 29th 2024

"We had a San Diego Ghost tour in the Gaslamp district lead by Fernando, he was so informative, frien ... "

>> Read Full Review

Important Information

Arrival

Please arrive to the designated meeting location before your tour’s start time, or they may leave without you! Your email confirmation will verify map and meeting location.

Easy E-Check in

No need to print anything out. Just show up, and the tour guide will mark you present! Please save your email confirmation handy on your phone for reference.

Daily Availability

Press “book now” to view current time and date availability.

Private Groups

Looking for a private or large group tour? Contact us for details

Walking Tour

This tour is a walking tour.

Other Experiences Near San Diego

San Diego Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl - Photo

Location Marker San Diego, CA
San Diego Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl
From $35.00 / person
6PM

San Diego Ghosts: Gaslamp Haunted Tour - Photo

Location Marker San Diego, CA
San Diego Ghosts: Gaslamp Haunted Tour
From $25.00 / person
8PM

San Diego: Gas Lamp Food Tour - Photo

Location Marker San Diego, CA
San Diego: Gas Lamp Food Tour
From $70.00 / person
11:00AM

Crimes of Passion Museum Tour - Photo

Location Marker Los Angeles, CA
Crimes of Passion Museum Tour
From $25.00 / person
1:00PM

Junket business solutions

Create, publish, and monetize your experiences.

Get Started

Turn your phone into a tour guide.

" A must have "
  on any tour

- Tech Insider, June 2021

Get Junket on the App Store
Get Junket on Google Play
Experiences at your fingertips