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11 Must-Try Food Tours in San Diego

If you’re looking for a fun way to explore America’s Finest City, learn more about its rich history, and try out some delicious bites, you should consider food tours in San Diego, CA. This area loves to boast it’s scrumptious foods. Whether savoring fresh fish on a boat tour, or participating one of these must-try food tours in San Diego – you are bound to have a fabulous (and yummy) time.

Satisfy Your Tastebuds With These San Diego Food Tours

Whether you’d like to explore downtown or you’re looking for a beachier food tour in the surf city of Encinitas, here are some of the food tours in San Diego.

Visiting America’s Finest City? Be sure that you complement your food walking tours in San Diego with a hotel stay. Luckily, it’s not hard to find great deals on San Diego Hotels.

Brothels, Bites, And Booze San Diego Food Tour

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San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is a historic district located in the heart of the city known for nightlife and good food. The Brothels, Bites, And Booze is among the best walking food tours in the Gaslamp District in San Diego and allow you to try out the area’s best cuisine.

This innovative tour will feature stories about the area’s history, including the scandals of the Stingaree District. You’ll also get to try delicious food from four popular restaurants in the area, such as Knotty Barrel and Half Door Brewing. Of course, you’ll also finish off your tour with a sample-sized brew or cocktail.

The Brothels, Bites, And Booze food tour is fun and informative, and costs $75 per person. Get more information about this food tour here.

Tequila, Tacos, and Tombstones San Diego Food Tours

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The Tequila, Tacos, and Tombstone tour, offered by San Diego Food Tours, takes you on a culinary journey through Old Town San Diego — which is known as the “birthplace of California.” It’s one of the coolest food tours in San Diego.

You’ll learn about early Spanish efforts to colonize the area, enjoy haunted tales and mariachi music, and sample tasty tequila offerings and Mexican cuisine at four different local restaurants.

The tour, which is described as casual and authentic, costs $75 per person. Find out more about the Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones tour here.

Taste of Little Italy San Diego Food Tour

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Little Italy is a chic neighborhood in San Diego that’s widely known for having some of the best food and restaurants in the area. Expect trendy bars and restaurants — and, yes, plenty of excellent Italian food.

This 3.5-hour tour includes samplings and specially created dishes at locally-owned restaurants in the area. You’ll also learn more about the rich history and culture of Little Italy itself, which was founded by the Italian fishing community in the early 1900s.

Each food tour costs $79. Check out more about the Taste of Little Italy food tour here.

North Park San Diego Food Tour

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North Park is one of the hippest neighborhoods in California and is a haven for foodie-loved dining and boutique shopping. It’s a historic area that’s now populated by many progressive and locally-owned restaurants.

Expect to learn more about the rich history of North Park while you sample handmade pretzels, Neapolitan pizza, artisan cheeses, and more. You’ll also be able to try out the most popular wine bar and lounge in the area, and you’ll end the night with a sweet treat.

The tour itself, which takes place each Sunday at 2 p.m., lasts four hours and covers about 1.5 to 2 miles. It costs $47 a person with five or more restaurant stops. Find additional details about the North Park food tour here.

Liberty Station San Diego Walking Food Tour

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Liberty Station is located in a naval area that’s famous for being the backdrop of scenes from Top Gun, Battle Cry, and other military films. It also happens to be one of the most popular places in San Diego for restaurants, art studios, and more.

During this 3.5-hour tour, you’ll have the opportunity to sample delicious burgers, fine cheeses, cold-pressed juice, and Southern Italian treats. You can also expect fine crepes made with flour shipped from France, as well as loose leaf teas from around the world.

The tour covers 1.5 to 2 miles and includes five or more restaurant stops. It occurs at 2 p.m. each Saturday and costs $47 a person. You can learn more about this walking food tour at Liberty Station here.

Downtown San Diego Food Tour

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The Downtown San Diego Food Tour includes stops in both the historic Gaslamp District, which is known for its nightlife, and Little Italy, which is well-regarded as the best place to get Italian cuisine in the city.

Hear about interesting stories as you stroll along San Diego’s former Red Light District and end up in a community founded by Italian fishermen. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to feast on Chicago-style pizza, gourmet Indian food, and handmade desserts.

This tour, which costs $47 a person, lasts 3 to 4 hours and covers a 2-mile route with five or more restaurant stops. It takes place Fridays and Saturdays at noon, though only the Friday tours include the Little Italy stop. For full details you can refer to the Downtown San Diego food tour website.

Coronado San Diego Food Tour

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Coronado Island, which is technically a peninsula, is a resort town in San Diego Bay. It offers beautiful views of the bay, as well as the San Diego skyline, and a wealth of history and culture.

The Coronado San Diego Food Tour starts on the bay and guides attendees toward the world-famous Hotel Del Coronado. During the tour, you’ll learn about how Coronado influenced movies and became a hip spot for celebrities while sampling lobster rolls, seasonal menus, and the locals’ favorite pizza spot. 

This 3.5-hour tour covers a 2-mile route and stops at five or more restaurants. It costs $47 per person and takes place each Saturday at 2 p.m. You can find out more here.

La Jolla San Diego Walking Food Tour

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Explore the “jewel” of San Diego with these walking tours in La Jolla, California. It’s one of San Diego’s best neighborhoods for local eats and also features beautiful views and a swanky atmosphere.

As you journey through this exclusive neighborhood, you’ll sample Hawaiian-inspired treats, fish tacos, apple pancakes, Kobe beef sliders, and more. You’ll also get the opportunity to try out the largest tasting selection of California balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

The La Jolla Tour lasts 4.5 hours and covers a 1.5- to 2-mile route with five restaurant stops. It costs $47 a person and takes place Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Check out their website for more details.

Encinitas San Diego Food Tours

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The Encinitas Food Tour takes attendees on a guided walking journey through the surf capital of the world — Encinitas even inspired the Beach Boys song “Surfin’ USA.” Beyond surfing, this laid-back community to the north of San Diego also has some of the best restaurants in the region.

You’ll explore relaxing spots like the Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens and famous Encinitas boathouses. Food samplings include a local favorite breakfast joint, an area vegan cafe, and a fresh seafood bite from the coasts of Maine.

This tour lasts 3.5 hours and covers a 1.5-mile route through Encinitas. It takes place Saturdays at 2 p.m. and costs $47 per person. Find out more about the Encinitas Food Tour here.

San Diego Dim Sum Food Tours

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This all-inclusive food tour features food, shopping, and cultural and historical insight for one fee. The San Diego Dim Sum Tour takes you on a mission through the area’s hotspot for Chinese and Asian cuisine.

During the tour, you’ll learn more about and sample Cantonese-style dim sum — which are small plate food dumplings steamed in bamboo baskets. You’ll also try out flavorful teas and end at a popular Asian market for a chance to shop.

This tour lasts 2.5 hours and has a total distance of 1.5 to 2 miles. It costs $69 a person and takes place Sundays at 10 a.m. Check out more information at Wild Foodie Tours here.

San Diego International Food Tour

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Savor some of the diversity and rich cuisine of San Diego with this International Food Tour that includes some of the city’s best Chinese, Filipino and Mexican food in National City.

Attendees will sample delicious bites from five local neighborhood eateries, including dessert. In between, you’ll also explore the National City suburb and learn more about both the food and the neighborhood.

This all-inclusive tour lasts 2.5 to 3 hours and has a distance of under one mile. It takes place Thursdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and costs $69 per person. You can get more details on this website.

Food Tours are a Great Way to Satisfy Your Tastebuds — and Mind

Sure, food tours are often focused on the tasty bites that you’ll try along the way, but they’re also a great way to get some activity and learn more about the rich cultural history of the areas around San Diego. So no matter if your taste leans towards savory steak bites, or sweet ice cream in San Diego – owe it to yourself to try out these amazing foodie tours.

Visitors to San Diego will benefit from fun facts and interesting details about California’s oldest city. Even if you live here, you might just learn something about the place that you call home. 

So, whether you’re a visitor or a local, we recommend taking advantage of some of these food tours in San Diego. If you’re just visiting, it’s helpful to be able to find great deals on San Diego hotels, too.