Team vs team
Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
City exploration game
San Diego - Gaslamp Highlights
4.44Player rating
A DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 124 min 2 km San Diego App-guided
Play in
EnglishSpanish
The experience
About this quest
Play a city exploration game and stroll through the historic Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, experiencing what was once home to sailors, working girls, and bustling industry. Crack codes and solve riddles to learn stories about the history of this colourful district.
Are you ready to discover San Diego?
Are you ready to discover San Diego?
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Please note that this game ends in a different place than it starts.
Starting point: Gaslamp Historical Sign
Endpoint: Balboa Theatre
Please note that this game ends in a different place than it starts.
Starting point: Gaslamp Historical Sign
Endpoint: Balboa Theatre
Is this for you?
Who it's for
Couples and families staying downtown get the Gaslamp Quarter's past of sailors, working girls and busy industry, told on the street in front of its Victorian buildings. In about 1.5 hours and 2 km you walk from the Gaslamp Historical Sign to the Balboa Theatre, cracking codes and solving riddles along the way. Anyone hoping to go inside the buildings or ask a live guide questions should pick something else.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
Wander through the same streets that housed notorious brothels, gambling halls, and a little bit of mischief.
Take a ride with the ghosts to room 309 in one of San Diego’s oldest hotels.
Smell the sweet flavors of historical pie as you imagine a much simpler time.
Meet a fortune teller that only wants the best for her girls.
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.44 / 5
152 player ratings
Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.
Most relevant starts with detailed five-star reviews. All ratings remain available.
From your phone to the streets
A walk that turns into an adventure.
- 1
Open the app. You’re on your way.
Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.
- 2
Get outside. Follow your curiosity.
Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.
- 3
Crack a clue. Share a little victory.
Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.
CHOOSE YOUR PASS
How many are playing?
Get this questNo booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing
BRING YOUR WHOLE GROUP
One city. Rival teams. Great stories together.
A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.
Everyone for themselves
One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.
Can a team share one phone?
Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.
Your walk, at a glance
San Diego
A · Start
501 L St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
B · Finish
868 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
The people behind the adventure
Created by Sophia Krauer.
A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.
Made by Sophia Krauer
WHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT
Your adventure, with a playful twist.
1 / 4
Experience
- This quest
- Discover places through stories and clues in the app
- Guided walking tour
- Hear stories and ask a guide questions
2 / 4
Pace
- This quest
- Pause for a photo, a café or a longer look
- Guided walking tour
- Usually follows the guide’s schedule
3 / 4
Company
- This quest
- Explore with your own people or on your own
- Guided walking tour
- Private and shared group tours are available
4 / 4
Guidance
- This quest
- Directions and challenges in the Questo app
- Guided walking tour
- Live interpretation from a guide
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
Good to know before you play
- Best during the day
- Best for couples
- Recommended activity for families
- Don’t enter the places, not part of the experience
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Gaslamp Quarter walking tour that starts near the hotels?
This self-guided walk starts at the Gaslamp Historical Sign, a short walk from downtown hotels, and passes the Horton Grand Hotel and The Keating Hotel on its route. There is no set departure, so you can begin whenever you like by opening the game on your phone.
Where does the Gaslamp walk start and finish?
It starts at the Gaslamp Historical Sign and ends at the Balboa Theatre, so it does not return to the start. In between you pass J St, the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum/Mission, the Davis-Horton House, Royal Pie Bakery, Market St and the Louis Bank of Commerce.
How long does it take?
Most players take about an hour and a half, including the walking and the puzzles, over roughly 2 km. You can pause the game and continue later if you want to stop for food or coffee along the way.
Can we play as a group, and do we need to book a time?
Yes, one ticket covers the whole group playing together on the route. There is no time slot to book and no group to join: start whenever suits you, ideally during the day, and follow the app from stop to stop.
Is it good for kids?
It is recommended for families and works best in daylight. Children who enjoy codes and riddles can help find answers in the buildings and streets around them. You stay outside the whole time, as entering the places is not part of the game.
Is San Diego - Gaslamp Highlights self-guided?
Yes. The Questo app guides you between locations without a tour guide or fixed departure. Start when it suits you and pause if needed.
Where does San Diego - Gaslamp Highlights start and finish?
It starts at Gaslamp Historical Sign, 501 L St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA and finishes at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA. The route is approximately 2 km and includes 10 location-based puzzles.
How many accesses does our group need?
This classic quest sells access per device and player. Each person who wants to solve clues on their own phone needs their own access.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
Explore the annual passGive them a story
A day out, gifted.
Explore Questo giftsKeep exploring San Diego
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HISTORY AND CULTURE IN SAN DIEGO
A history-led way to explore San Diego
San Diego - Gaslamp Highlights is for visitors who want more context than a casual walk, but more freedom than a scheduled guided tour. The quest uses a route through San Diego to connect clues, places and stories.
The route starts at Gaslamp Historical Sign and finishes at Balboa Theatre over 2 km, with 10 challenge locations. Typical duration: 124 min; 2 km walking route; 10 challenge locations
Choose this for active, private discovery at your pace. Choose a guided historical tour or museum when expert live interpretation or curated exhibits matter more. Playable languages: English, Spanish.
