Old Town Tequila & Tortillas

Highlights / General details

Sample fresh, handmade tortillas from authentic tortilla makers; Choose from thousands of tequilas at an authentic tequileria and get the chance to taste some of the world’s best tequilas; Walk the Old Presidio Historic Trail to the “Birthplace of California”; Explore the most historic neighborhood of San Diego and gain unique insight into the region’s culture and Mexican influence.

Inclusion

Local English-speaking guide; 5 handmade tortillas; Shot of tequila (or a margarita, beer, or soda of your choice).

Exclusion

Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Additional food and beverages; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature; Gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation

Available Tuesday through Saturday departing at 1:00pm.

Duration

Approximately 2 hours.

Location

Tour departs from 2660 Calhoun Street. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in the town square; and tour ends at Old Town Mexican Café, 2489 San Diego Ave.

Itinerary

Go beyond the typical trolley, boat, or waking tour and experience the nature, history, food, and drink of Old Town San Diego!

We’ll start our San Diego tour in the town center, then, weather permitting, begin our hike up the Old Presidio Historic Trail to the site of the first-placed cross in the state, marking the “Birthplace of California.” Experience panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean, with your guide pointing out features of the natural landscape and historical highlights along the trail. This trail is an adventure that many locals don’t even experience, so you’re going to be a true San Diego insider!

Back down the hill and no doubt hungry from all that hiking, you’ll be treated to your first handmade tortilla. And what goes best with tortillas? Tequila, of course! You’ll have the opportunity to sample from a large selection of tequilas available at a unique outdoor bar. Learn about the wide variety of tequilas, and find out how to make your first tequila choice of the tour a great one.

We’ll continue on to view one of the oldest haciendas in California, and then on to a stable and barn that houses some of the first stage coaches used in California. With your guide, you’ll wander through an open-air mercado loaded with local and imported crafts and artwork. Best of all, your guide will be able to help you differentiate the authentic from the imitation — no bad souvenirs on this tour!

After your short shopping detour, you’ll take in more history, checking out the site of the first printing press in San Diego, and then, if it’s open, heading inside the oldest church in San Diego. You’ll also get a chance to view the city’s oldest brick building followed by a stroll through a landmark cemetery with graves dating back to the 1850s.

Hungry again? Good, because we’ve got you covered with our next stop at a street-side tortilla stand. You’ll get to compare the corn tortilla to the flour — and we’ll leave it to you to debate which is best.

Then, we’ll take a brief walk over to a local tequileria boasting a collection of thousands of bottles. Here, you will be treated to a taste of one of the best tequilas in the world. (This sample is included as part of your tour price, but if tequila scares you, you may instead choose a margarita, beer, or another beverage of your choice.)

Lastly, we’ll stroll back through the historic neighborhood to our final stop, one of San Diego’s landmark and best known Mexican restaurants. Here you will enjoy your fourth, and yes, fifth (are we full yet?!) tortilla tasting and, best of all, we’ll arrive just in time for happy hour!

We’ll bid adios here, but feel free to linger and check out the huge collection of tequilas, enjoy a delicious margarita, and dig into some great Mexican food. Or, if you want to keep moving, you can continue shopping and exploring this great San Diego neighborhood.

Additional Information

Please wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather forecast, as well as comfortable footwear for uneven and rocky trails.

Participant restrictions

Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.

Policies

Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.

Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**