Unspecified/General

In the historic Old Town district of San Diego, GoCar offers one of the most unusual ways to explore the city, a fleet of brightly coloured, three-wheeled, two-seater vehicles equipped with talking GPS tour guides that lead drivers along carefully chosen scenic and historic routes. The company first opened in San Francisco in 2004 with a small fleet of European-made motorised "Carvers" and later branched into San Diego and several other tourist destinations, including Lisbon, Miami and Barcelona. The cars themselves are open-topped, weatherproof and require only a regular driving licence to operate, with the maximum speed limited to roughly thirty-five miles per hour to allow drivers to take in the surroundings safely. Each vehicle has its own GPS-driven audio guide voiced by an upbeat narrator who provides commentary at every key landmark along the route, pointing out historic facts, photo opportunities and recommended places to stop along the way. Several different tour routes radiate from the Old Town departure point. The most popular includes the historic Old Town State Historic Park itself, the bayside Embarcadero, the colourful Gaslamp Quarter, the elegant Balboa Park with its museums and gardens, and a loop through the green slopes of Mission Hills. Longer tours add Coronado Island via the famous bridge, the bohemian Ocean Beach neighbourhood and the scenic cliffs of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Tours typically last from one to five hours, with rental rates billed by the hour and discounts available for longer rentals. The format is particularly popular with couples, small families and groups of friends looking for a fun, self-paced alternative to a conventional bus tour. Bookings are recommended online, particularly during the busiest summer season. For visitors seeking a memorable, slightly quirky way to see the city, GoCar San Diego offers one of the most enjoyable sightseeing options available. A short safety briefing covers the controls before each rental, and the GPS guide automatically adjusts the route based on the driver's pace and any pauses taken along the way. The cars include a small storage compartment for personal belongings, and helmets are provided for all drivers and passengers. For visitors with particular destinations in mind, the GPS unit can be paused and resumed at any time, allowing diners and shoppers to break for lunch or a longer browse before continuing the tour. The fleet operates rain or shine, with weather-appropriate gear provided as needed.

Type: Activity

Address: 3918 Mason Street, San Diego, CA, United States

Telephone: 619-260-6809

Website: gocartours.com/san-diego

Opening Date: 01/01/2008