San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour in San Diego
San Diego, United States

San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour

Outty Ranking 60 4.3 · 15 traveler reviews1 hoursFrom $23

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$23
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Outty Ranking

60/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour worth booking?

San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour is a 1-hour experience in San Diego, United States, from $23 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
60 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (15)
Duration
1 hours
From
$23 per person

Experience the darker side of San Diego on this Murder n' Mayhem walking tour of the downtown waterfront with tales of ghostly history and haunted ships. During this 1 hour walking tour, you will visit several of the Emb

What you get

    About this experience

    Experience the darker side of San Diego on this Murder n' Mayhem walking tour of the downtown waterfront with tales of ghostly history and haunted ships. During this 1 hour walking tour, you will visit several of the Embarcadero’s most popular haunted locations while learning of spooky spirits, disease, death and espionage. With many infamous ghosts & ships there are several notable occurrences of haunting at the downtown San Diego Embarcadero along the waterfront. You will hear the thrilling stories of the spirits and have an opportunity to ghost hunt outdoors with detection tools in several areas along the way. Tools are provided at no charge. * Tour Rating: PG13. Please note due to the type of information shared we advise children to be at least 13 years of age. This experience includes discussion of death that some may find offensive. Children under the age 13 are allowed to attend with parental supervision. Private tours available upon request.

    What's included

    Included

    • Ghost Detecting Tools
    • Guided Tour

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Parking fees

    What you'll see and do

    1. The Headquarters at Seaport

      Learn about the historic Old Police Headquarters. You will also visit the onsite Jail cells and the tragic location of Dead Men's Point.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. USS Midway Museum

      Learn about the history and hauntings of this iconic military ship. Be sure to let us know if you witness the mannequins moving! (Please note we do not go aboard the ship.)

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Maritime Museum of San Diego

      You will view the Star of India and Berkley Steamboat Ferry while listening to tales of their haunting. Both ships are said to have lots of paranormal activity. (Please note we do not go aboard the ships.)

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    San Diego

    Look for the detective standing near the Starbucks on the backside of The Headquarters near valet parking.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    We end in front of the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Murder n' Mayhem

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Wheelchair accessible

    Photos

    San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour in San Diego, photo 2San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour in San Diego, photo 3San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour in San Diego, photo 4San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour in San Diego, photo 5San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour in San Diego, photo 6San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour in San Diego, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    15 verified traveler reviews for San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    11
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Culture53920433997 · July 2026

    Would not recommend

    Tour guide was late, was not very sure about her facts, and was not super engaging. I tried to get into it and give it the benefit of the doubt. Would not recommend. You’d be better off walking along the harbor and googling facts.

    via Tripadvisor

    652debrah · May 2026

    Sadly disappointed

    Our trip was damn cancelled because was only two of us and it said nothing when we booked the trip about having to have a certain number of people!!! We are only here for a short time and very angry and disappointed!!

    Response from the operator: Hi Debra, I am so confused by this review. I spoke with you on the phone yesterday when we were working on setting up a private tour for you and your guest. During our conversation you mentioned a few things that were not correct regarding our tour, upon clarifying that our tour is not a 90 minute tour aboard the Star of India you stated you no longer wanted to go on the tour. I am so sorry you are angry and disappointed. We never want that. We try to go the extra mile for our guests, and we even offered alternative solutions for you. If you have changed your mind and would like to book the tour, we'd love the chance to show you what our tour is really all about. We hope you were still able to enjoy your time in San Diego. Best, Rae

    via Tripadvisor

    Krista_P · February 2026

    So much fun!! Lelia was...

    So much fun!! Lelia was very funny and knowledgeable! She had lots of stories to share along the way!

    via Viator

    Lynsey_B · October 2025

    What a blast!

    What a fun experience. As a San Diego native, I love hearing about our local history. Leila made that a ton of fun! She's a sweetheart and a sassy, excellent storyteller. The waterfront is beautiful at night, and it was a blast to be by the water and hear the spooky and gruesome stories of San Diego's early days. Fun for locals and visitors alike!

    via Viator

    Erica_G · March 2025

    Great tour guide, but didn't get what we paid for!

    Our tour guide, Leila, was awesome. She was friendly, sweet, very nice, and very knowledgeable, she did a great job. However, the ad that the company ran about this tour, was very misleading, we did not get to do a ghost hunt like the ad stated or use ghost hunting tools, like the ad stated, which my kids were super excited for and then let down. I feel like we definitely did not get what we paid for, that part we are disappointed in.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Fri, Sat, Sun
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    5
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 60

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)66
    Review evidence (18% weight)37
    Booking momentum (14% weight)28
    Value for money (12% weight)92
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)29
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Diego.

    How much does San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $23 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Diego usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Diego is not rushed.

    Is San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in San Diego, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour?

    +

    Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Diego can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Diego and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Diego within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in San Diego?

    +

    San Diego is an outdoor-first city: whale watching from December through April, La Jolla kayak and snorkel runs year round, harbour cruises and the USS Midway, plus Balboa Park museums when the marine layer sits low. We rank water operators on group ratios and gear quality, which is where the cheap La Jolla trips fall down. On Outty we rank every San Diego experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date, Taste of Little Italy in San Diego, San Diego Whale Watching Cruise. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit San Diego?

    +

    March to May and September to November, either side of the June overcast. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in San Diego?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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