San Diego: Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour

San Diego’s Old Town is a vibrant hub of history, culture, and culinary delights. The Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour offers visitors a chance to enjoy this dynamic neighborhood. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour takes participants on a 2.5-hour exploration of the area’s rich heritage, from the iconic Whaley House to the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel. Along the way, guests savor authentic Mexican cuisine, including renowned tacos, and sample locally distilled tequila and mezcal. With a focus on the region’s unique flavors and traditions, this tour promises an engaging and unforgettable experience for those eager to discover the essence of Old Town San Diego.

This experience made our list of the 20 Best Walking Tours In San Diego.

Key Points

• Immersive 2.5-hour walking tour of Old Town San Diego, showcasing the birthplace of California with food and alcoholic beverage tastings.
• Highlights include exploring historic adobe buildings, visiting the iconic Whaley House, and savoring authentic Mexican cuisine at renowned Café Coyote.
• Tour provides tastings of locally distilled tequila and mezcal, along with insights into the cultural significance of Mexican spirits.
• Includes food samples from three local restaurants, offering a well-rounded experience of the vibrant culinary scene in Old Town.
• Tour concludes with a visit to the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant, where participants can enjoy a final Mexican dessert treat and refreshing alcoholic beverage.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Overview of the Tour

The San Diego Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour provides an immersive exploration of the history and cuisine of Old Town San Diego.

Lasting 2.5 hours, this highly-rated tour is led by a knowledgeable live guide and showcases the birthplace of California.

Participants can expect to sample food from local restaurants, including the renowned Café Coyote, and enjoy some alcoholic beverage tastings.

This tour is wheelchair accessible and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, making it a convenient and flexible option for visitors.

Given its popularity, it’s recommended to reserve your spot in advance to secure your place on this unique culinary and historical excursion.

Tour Highlights

Participants on the San Diego Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour can expect to sample food from local restaurants, including the renowned Café Coyote, while learning about the Birthplace of California and its history. The tour also includes a stop at the Whaley House, considered America’s most haunted house. To enhance the experience, the tour provides:

Tour Highlights
Sample food from local restaurants	View the Whaley House
Learn about the Birthplace of California	Taste food from Café Coyote
Explore the historic Old Town San Diego	Enjoy some alcoholic beverage samples

This walking food tour offers a unique opportunity to take in the rich cultural and culinary heritage of San Diego’s Old Town.

Exploring Old Town San Diego

As visitors set out on the San Diego Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour, they’ll explore the historic district of Old Town San Diego, known as the ‘Birthplace of California.’ This guided tour offers a glimpse into the area’s rich history and culture.

Highlights include:

• Strolling through the charming adobe buildings and plazas that reflect the region’s Spanish colonial heritage.
• Viewing the iconic Whaley House, considered one of the most haunted houses in America.
• Learning about the area’s significance as the site of the first European settlement in California.
• Savoring authentic Mexican cuisine and tequila samples at local restaurants, including the award-winning Café Coyote.

Throughout the tour, the live guide provides engaging commentary, bringing the past to life and offering a delightful immersion in San Diego’s Old Town.

Café Coyote: Taste of Mexico

Anchoring the San Diego Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour, Café Coyote offers visitors an authentic taste of Mexico, having been voted the Best Mexican Restaurant in the area since 2005.

As the starting point of the tour, Café Coyote serves up a sampling of its signature dishes, including its renowned tacos. Guests can expect to indulge in flavors that transport them to the heart of Mexico, from the zesty salsa to the perfectly seasoned meats.

With its vibrant décor and lively atmosphere, Café Coyote sets the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey through San Diego’s historic Old Town, whetting the appetite for the delectable treats that await at the tour’s subsequent stops.

More Great Tours Nearby

Spirits and Guided Tour

From Café Coyote, the tour winds its way through Old Town San Diego, where participants embark on a guided exploration of the neighborhood’s storied past while sampling spirits from local establishments.

The guide brings the area’s history to life, regaling visitors with tales of the Whaley House, considered America’s most haunted house.

Along the way, guests have the opportunity to:

1. Taste locally distilled tequila and mezcal
2. Learn about the cultural significance of these Mexican spirits
3. Discover the role Old Town played in the birthplace of California
4. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant.

This immersive experience allows participants to savor the flavors and uncover the intriguing legacy of Old Town San Diego.

Food Tastings at Local Restaurants

The tour’s food tastings at local restaurants showcase the vibrant culinary scene of San Diego’s Old Town. Participants savor dishes from Café Coyote, voted the Best Mexican Restaurant since 2005, and enjoy a Mexican treat for dessert.

These tastings provide an opportunity to sample the authentic flavors that have made Old Town a renowned gastronomic destination. The tour also includes tastings at two other local restaurants, allowing visitors to experience the diverse and delicious offerings that have made this neighborhood a beloved destination for food lovers.

With knowledgeable guides providing insights into the history and culture of the area, the food tastings offer a well-rounded and immersive experience.

Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant

After exploring the vibrant food scene in Old Town, the tour culminates at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant, a historic landmark that adds depth and richness to the experience.

Guests will have the opportunity to:

• Admire the hotel’s classic Spanish Colonial architecture, which has been meticulously preserved over the decades.
• Savor a final Mexican dessert treat, a perfect way to cap off the culinary journey.
• Learn about the Cosmopolitan’s storied past, including its role in shaping the history of Old Town San Diego.
• Enjoy a refreshing alcoholic beverage sample, providing a fitting conclusion to the tequila and tacos adventure.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant serves as a delightful finale, blending history, culture, and local flavors for a truly memorable tour experience.

Meeting Point and Directions

The tour convenes at Café Coyote Restaurant, located at 2461 San Diego Avenue in the heart of Old Town San Diego. This is the starting point for the San Diego Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour.

Visitors should arrive at the restaurant a few minutes before the scheduled start time to check-in with the tour guide. The location is easily accessible and has ample parking nearby.

Once the group is assembled, the guide will provide an overview of the day’s activities and lead the participants on a journey through the historic Old Town district, making stops at various local eateries to sample traditional Mexican cuisine and beverages.

Recap

The Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour offers an immersive experience that showcases the rich history, architecture, and culinary delights of San Diego’s Old Town.

Visitors can sample authentic Mexican cuisine, locally distilled spirits, and explore iconic landmarks like the Whaley House and Cosmopolitan Hotel.

It’s a well-rounded tour that provides a deeper understanding of this historic California destination.

You can check availability for your dates here: