Whether a tourist visiting San Diego for the first time, or a born-and-raised local, So Diego enriches its guests with a deeper appreciation for the culinary and historical scene of the city with its 20 distinct walking tours.

The newest among their tours, a three-hour guided walk through La Jolla, will take you through four distinct local eateries and the history of its long-standing vibrant art scene.

Kicking off the tour with a taste of La Jolla Italian, guests are seated in La Dolce Vita Ristorante’s quaint fairy-light strung patio to experience their signature dishes directly in the heart of the Village. Pasta, wine, and bruschetta will set the tone for an experience packed with diverse dishes and drinks.

As the tour moves from one spot to another, the So Diego guide takes participants into the rich history behind the streets they walk. Whether it’s learning about Theodor (Dr. Seuss) Geisel’s residency in La Jolla or of the Village’s first hotel’s involvement in World War II, So Diego hones into parts of the city even lifelong residents may not know.

However, history will always be complemented by food on a So Diego tour. The next stop through the Village takes place in the popular San Diego Mexican chain Puesto. Tour guests taste gourmet tacos and signature margaritas as one of the many features of the food itinerary.

A walk through one of San Diego’s most artistically-rich areas isn’t fulfilled without a visit to an art gallery. As one of the 22 art galleries in the Village, L&G showcases art from emerging, local, and international artists. Tour guests are encouraged to browse through art created directly within La Jolla, all the way to pieces imported from Iran.

After working up an appetite in the art gallery, the tour moves on to the family-owned Mediterranean restaurant Spiro’s for a taste of their iconic spanakopita, dips, and sangria.

If there is still room for dessert, the last stop on the menu takes place at Bobboi for a taste of authentic gelato, brought to the streets of La Jolla by two Italian immigrants.

The tour concludes with a scenic and historical stop at Ellen Browning Scripps Park. While taking in the coastal views of the park, guests learn about the background behind the imported plants right before them. Despite the tour ending there, the popular La Jolla Cove is just a few steps away for those who wish to immerse deeper into the area’s sites and sounds.

A step into La Jolla’s rich culture costs $120 per ticket. Prices vary by selected tour – the brothels and bites of Gaslamp Quarter, pizzas and pasta of Little Italy, and tacos and tombstones of Gaslamp can all be explored for an $80 entry fee.

Founded by Bianca Beale (above) and co-owned by Nicole Cooley, the fully-female-owned and operated company has been hosting tours for the past 14 years. The idea to create So Diego arose from a simple love for San Diego and a desire to give “visitors and locals a more authentic and exciting view of ‘America’s Finest City,’” according to Cooley.

TAKE A TOUR

Visit sodiego.com to explore their offered tours of La Jolla, Little Italy, and Gaslamp.