San Diego Gaslamp Ghosts and True Crime Walking Tour

●●●●● 5.0 91+ reviews Horton Plaza Historic Park, 397 Broadway — guide waits at the Broadway Fountain, 4th & Broadway, San Diego 90 minutes Likely to sell out

About this experience

Two tours built into one: explore San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter after dark through ghost sightings and true crime stories, from gambling dens and brothels to unsolved murders and haunted hotels.

With a small group, walk the old Stingaree, San Diego’s red-light district, where gambling halls, brothels, and bought-off cops ran the show. Visit some of the most haunted places in San Diego, including Room 309 at the Horton Grand Hotel, the Balboa Theatre where unexplained movement is reported in the basement, and a block that was once the city morgue.

The night ends at the Davis-Horton House, downtown’s oldest building and the county’s first hospital, where visitors report symptoms of long-gone diseases. It’s widely considered the most haunted building in the Gaslamp.

Perfect for history buffs, paranormal fans, true crime lovers, and anyone looking for a spooky date night in San Diego.

This tour is run by Fable Hospitality, a locally owned San Diego walking tour company.

Why you'll love it

Crime, scandal and ghostsDocumented history from the Stingaree days — not campfire fiction
Room 309The Horton Grand’s most notorious room, and the story behind it
Davis-Horton HouseThe oldest surviving building in downtown San Diego
Professional storytellerA guide who knows the old gambling halls, brothels and the people in them

What's included

Professional storytelling guide
Local recommendations

What to expect

10 min Horton Plaza Park Meet your guide at the Broadway Fountain, 4th & Broadway, and set the scene for the Stingaree.
20 min Balboa Theatre The restored 1924 theatre on Fourth Avenue and the tales attached to it.
20 min Prohibition Lounge A speakeasy below street level that once served as the city morgue.
20 min Horton Grand Hotel Victorian rooms, a resident legend, and the notorious Room 309.
20 min Gaslamp Museum at Davis-Horton House Downtown’s oldest standing structure and the vice that surrounded it.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a ghost tour or a true crime tour?

Both. Each stop starts with documented San Diego history and crime from the Stingaree era, then the ghost lore attached to it. Your guide tells you which is which.

How long is the tour and how big are the groups?

90 minutes, in small groups of up to 25 guests.

Where does the tour meet and end?

At the Broadway Fountain in Horton Plaza Historic Park, 397 Broadway (corner of 4th & Broadway). The tour ends at the Gaslamp Museum in the Davis-Horton House.

How much does it cost?

From $29 per person.

Is the tour OK for kids?

Yes. There’s no minimum age.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The route is wheelchair accessible.

What if it rains?

Tours run rain or shine. We only change plans if severe weather arises.

Can we book a private tour?

Yes. Private tours work well for birthdays, bachelorette parties, families and visiting friends. See our private groups page.

Do you host corporate groups or conference attendees?

Yes. We host team outings and convention groups, and the start point is a short walk from the San Diego Convention Center. See our private groups page.

Where else can I book or read reviews?

Fable Hospitality also offers this tour as the “San Diego Gaslamp Ghosts and True Crime Walking Tour” on Tripadvisor and Viator, and as “San Diego: Gaslamp Ghosts and True Crime Walking Tour” on GetYourGuide, where you can read reviews from past guests.

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What guests say

Real reviews from real guests on Tripadvisor, Viator, GetYourGuide and Google.

a
atingle10
October 28, 2026

Great experience

Jackson did an awesome job. He knew all the history and was great dish answering any questions our group had. He kept it on track and schedule and ended right on time. Definitely money well spent!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
C
Claudia H
October 28, 2026

True Crime/ Ghost Tour

Jackson was fantastic! The tour was very thorough and he is incredibly knowledgable.

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
G
GetYourGuide traveler
October 28, 2026
★★★★★

Enjoyable time. Jack was entertaining. A great way to see the Gas Lamp area.

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on GetYourGuide
S
Sam C
October 27, 2026

Good fun

Well done Jack! Entertaining and informative. Highly recommend!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
M
Marianne
October 27, 2026
★★★★★

Jackson was informative and fun and we enjoyed the tour!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on GetYourGuide
D
Dara B
October 25, 2026

Ghost Walking Tour

Jackson was awesome! Very knowledgeable and great story teller.

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
M
Mimi
October 25, 2026

Easy Fun and Interesting!

Jackson did a great job despite all the street noise. Good job Jackson!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
C
Chass S
October 25, 2026
★★★★★

Jackson was amazing! He fun, knowledgeable, super friendly, and showed us a great time. I would definitely do the tour again!

Fable HospitalityPosted on Google
K
Kay
October 23, 2026

Jackson, the pro!

Our tour guide Jackson was both entertaining and informative. He definitely knows his history, and he was fun to listen to! It was nice to have a small group so you didn’t miss anything. 10/10 recommend Jackson as tour guide!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
R
Rachelle N
October 20, 2026

Jackson was a great tour guide!

Jackson was a great guide! The tour provided history of crime and ghost stories as well as facts about the city.

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
J
Jane R
October 20, 2026

Awesome tour, highly recommended!

Such an interesting tour and a fascinating insight into San Diego’s history! Jackson was incredibly knowledgeable, bringing the buildings, their past and their ghostly stories to life. His storytelling made it easy to imagine being there in the 1800s! A great way to spend an evening in San Diego. Highly recommend!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
G
Guide14020316758
October 20, 2026

Jackson was a great tour guide.

Guide was awesome. Material was fun. Highly recommend.

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
C
Cara S
October 20, 2026

Must do!!

Amazing time!! Jackson was great and a fun!!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
R
Rachelle
October 19, 2026
★★★★★

Jackson was a great tour guide. The tour provided history of crime and ghost stories.

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on GetYourGuide
B
Benjamin L
October 15, 2026

Ghost tour!

Great time!! Jackson was knowledgeable and approachable, great experience.

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
L
Lyndsey B
October 14, 2026

Great!

Jackson was great! This is the first ghost tour I’ve ever been on and it was really cool to explore Gaslamp and hear some history!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
O
Odile
October 13, 2026
★★★★★

balade très sympa dans Gaslamp avec Jackson

History & Architecture WalkPosted on GetYourGuide
A
Alex Y
October 12, 2026

Fun!

Awesome job, great time, thank you!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
s
skulpup
October 12, 2026

Ghost Tour

Jackson was great! From the communication about pick up to the last story, he did a great job.

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
N
Nick S
October 8, 2026

Great experience

Jackson was fantastic and knowledgeable

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
C
Christina P
October 7, 2026

Jackson’s true crime and ghost tour

Jackson was wonderful. Excellent tour!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
H
Heather S
October 5, 2026

Jackson is great

Jackson was fabulous. We had a great time. It was just me and my daughter and we had the best personal Tours.

Gaslamp Food TourPosted on Tripadvisor
T
Tuezdae P
October 5, 2026

San Diego Gaslamp

Jackson was an excellent guide. He was full of wonderful information and made the tour fun. I would highly recommend this tour

History & Architecture WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
A
AT K
October 4, 2026

Fun tour

Jackson was great! Very informative and friendly.

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
J
Joshua G
October 4, 2026

Very fun and informative

Jackson was very friendly and it was very fun to learn more about San Diego for our first time here. Really recommend

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on Tripadvisor
N
Natasha
September 6, 2026
★★★★★

Our tour was great! Jackson was very nice, super knowledgeable and we had a lot of fun on the tour. Would highly recommend!

Ghosts & True Crime WalkPosted on GetYourGuide