Tequila Tour FAQs

Five full pours of premium additive-free tequila (blanco, reposado and añejo), one huge street taco (chicken or vegetarian available), chips with dip and salsa, a guided walk through historic Old Town, tequila education from an expert host, and a professional Google Photos link emailed after the tour. See the full tour details.

Go to Explore Tours, pick a tour, choose a date on the calendar, select your time and number of guests, then check out. You'll get a confirmation email with the meeting point right away.

You can cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before your tour time for a full refund. Cancellations inside 24 hours aren't refundable, but we may issue a gift certificate for a future tour at our discretion. Full terms are on our Refund and Returns Policy page.

Yes. Every guest must be 21 or older and bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Alcohol is served at every stop, so there are no exceptions, including for non-drinking guests.

No. All of our tastings are 21+ only. If you're visiting with family, our Getting to Old Town guide lists family-friendly things to do nearby while the adults taste.

Guests think so: we hold a 5.0 rating from more than 350 Google reviews, and we've hosted over 1,500 groups since 2018. Unlike Old Town food tours that pour one drink or a cocktail, you get five full pours of additive-free tequila with real education behind each one. Read our guest reviews.

Yes. E-gift cards are delivered by email in seconds with your personal message. You can check a balance any time on the gift card balance page.

Call or text (619) 876-0352, email [email protected], or use our contact form.

Every day at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., plus noon tours on Saturday and Sunday. Open dates are on each tour's booking calendar.

Five full pours of premium, additive-free tequila spread across 2.5 hours and four stops, covering blanco, reposado and añejo. Food is served along the way, and water is always available.

Four stops: Rockin' Baja Lobster, Casa de Maria in the heart of Old Town Square (live music and dancing on weekends), a walk past the historic Whaley House, and El Agave restaurant and tequila museum.

Public tours are capped at 20 guests so everyone can talk to the host. Groups of 20 or more can book a private tasting.

Moderate walking at a relaxed pace between venues in Old Town, with seated tastings at the stops. Wear comfortable shoes.

Comfortable walking shoes and casual clothes. Bring a light layer for the 6:00 p.m. tour since Old Town evenings cool off, and sunglasses for afternoon tours.

The street taco, chips, dip and salsa make a solid snack, not a full dinner. If you want a full meal, add the Post-Tour Dinner Experience, a three-course Mexican dinner for groups of 6 to 20.

Yes. Chicken and vegetarian street tacos are available. Tell us about any allergies or dietary needs when you book so the venues can plan for you.

Yes. Our host Nate goes deep on agave, cooking, distillation, barrel aging and additives. Self-described tequila fans regularly tell us they learned something new.

Most people who say they don't like tequila have only had mixto shots. Tasting 100% agave, additive-free tequila slowly, with food, changes minds. Non-alcoholic options are also available. Our guide Not Sure What Tequila You Like? explains how.

Absolutely. Solo travelers book a single seat on a public tour and are seated with the group. It's an easy way to meet people in San Diego.

Yes. Every guest is emailed a professional Google Photos link after the tour.

Yes. El Agave, the final stop, carries more than 2,000 tequilas, so you can take home the bottles you liked best.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 p.m. in Old Town San Diego, for 2 to 20 guests.

Tequila is made only from blue Weber agave in designated regions, mainly Jalisco. Mezcal can be made from many agave species, and its hearts are traditionally roasted in earthen pits, which gives it a smoky, earthy flavor. Every tequila is technically a mezcal, but not every mezcal is a tequila. Learn more in What Is Tequila?.

Not with a host guiding you. The flight moves from a bright joven to aged expressions, and the taco pairings soften the smoke. Many guests discover they prefer it to tequila.

No. It's held at a single venue and you stay seated the whole time, which makes it a good fit for anyone who'd rather skip the walking tour.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in Old Town San Diego, for 2 to 20 guests.

Book the Express if you have about an hour, want to stay seated, or are fitting a tasting around a convention or a flight. Book the signature walking tour if you want the full Old Town experience: five pours, four stops and the history along the way.

Yes. It's built for convention breaks and small work groups. For a team of 20 or more, see our corporate team building options.

Our private rooftop venue holds up to 250 guests, with views south to Baja California, west to the Pacific and east to the mountains. See the large group options.

Yes. For private events we can host the tasting at your venue, office or rental. Contact us with the address and headcount for a quote.

It's one of our most-booked groups. It's more memorable than a bar crawl, food keeps the pace in check, and there's a built-in story for the groom. See bachelor party tequila tastings and our San Diego bachelor party itinerary.

Yes. Brides and their crews love the toasts, the photos and a host who makes the bride the star. See bachelorette party tequila tastings and 10 bachelorette party ideas in San Diego.

Of course. Mention the birthday when you book and we'll make sure the guest of honor gets a proper toast. See birthday party tequila tastings.

Yes. Guided tastings make an easy, social team event that everyone actually remembers. See corporate team building and holiday parties.

Yes. A guided tequila tasting is a popular wedding reception and rehearsal dinner activity, on our rooftop or at your venue. Start with a group quote.

As early as you can, especially for Friday and Saturday dates and the November-December holiday season. Small groups can book online; larger groups should request a quote first.

Old Town has free lots, street parking and nearby paid garages. Weekend afternoons fill up, so arrive 15 minutes early or use rideshare. Parking tips are on the Getting to Old Town page.

Yes. The Old Town Transit Center, served by the Trolley, the COASTER and Amtrak, is a short walk from the meeting point. Routes and rideshare times are on our Getting to Old Town page.

No. We recommend rideshare if you plan to enjoy all five pours, or a designated driver, who can enjoy our non-alcoholic options.

The walking tour covers moderate distances on Old Town sidewalks and paths. If anyone in your group uses a wheelchair or has limited mobility, contact us before booking and we'll talk through the route. The seated Mezcal and Express tastings need no walking between venues.

Old Town is central: roughly 10 to 15 minutes by car from Downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Mission Valley, Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. Times from each area are on our Getting to Old Town page.

Mexican rules let producers add small amounts of caramel color, glycerin, oak extract and sweeteners without listing them. Additive-free tequila has none, so you taste the agave and the barrel, not flavoring. Read Regular vs Additive-Free Tequila.

Look for 100% blue Weber agave on the label, traditional cooking and fermentation, and no additives. Our guide What Makes a Good Tequila? covers what to look for.

Highland (Los Altos) agave grows in red clay and tends toward fruity, floral, sweeter tequila. Lowland (Valle) agave grows in volcanic soil and leans earthy, peppery and herbal. See Highland vs Lowland Jalisco Tequila.

Not all of it. Cuervo Especial is a mixto, so up to 49% of its sugars can come from non-agave sources. Cuervo's Reserva de la Familia and Tradicional lines are 100% agave. More in our Jose Cuervo guide.

Old Town is the city's tequila hub, and the tour visits two of its best spots. For more, see Best Tequila Places in San Diego.

Yes. Start with our tequila tasting party tips, or have us host it for 20 or more guests through a private tasting.

It's one of the most-loved experience gifts in San Diego: it's social, memorable and nothing to unwrap. Send an e-gift card or read Tequila Tour Gift Cards.

Choose an amount, enter the recipient's email and a message, and it lands in their inbox instantly. They apply it at checkout when they book. Check a balance on the gift card balance page.

Yes: tour T-shirts, shot glasses and tequila tees in our shop.

Yes. Hotels, concierges, planners and creators can earn commission on bookings they refer. See the affiliate program.