Petco Park tour vs Gaslamp Quarter ghost tour: which is best?

From stadium seats to spooky streets, we compare two very different—but both very memorable– San Diego walking tours.

Published: June 11, 2025
Baseball lying on the field

San Diego’s downtown is layered with legends—some celebrated by the roar of the ballpark crowd, some whispered down haunted Victorian hallways after dark. Two of the city’s most unique tours let you see these sides up close: the Petco Park stadium tour takes you behind the scenes at the home of the San Diego Padres, while spooky walking tours of Gaslamp reveals the neighborhood’s haunted past. Whether you’re a baseball buff, history lover or ghost hunter, these tours promise a deep dive into downtown San Diego’s secrets. Here’s a play-by-play (and ghostly lowdown) with all the details and tips you need to knock your downtown day (or night) out of the park.

The lowdown

 

Petco Park Tour

  • Behind-the-scenes stadium tour of one of Major League Baseball’s newest and most scenic ballparks
  • See the Padres dugout, luxury suites, press box, historic Western Metal Supply Co. building, and the field (when available)
  • Discover quirky history, architecture and Padres legends from the local guides
  • Plenty of photo stops, with panoramic downtown and bay views from the stadium seats
  • Family-friendly, great for sports fans, architecture buffs and San Diego newbies

Gaslamp ghost walking tour

  • Guided walking tour (often after dark) through the Gaslamp Quarter’s most haunted historic hotspots
  • Hear spooky tales and real-life mysteries connected to hotels, theaters, speakeasies and atmospheric alleyways
  • A mix of ghost stories, local folklore, true crime drama and Victorian history, told by costumed guides
  • Visit iconic spots like the Horton Grand Hotel, Davis-Horton House, Chinese Laundry and more
  • Intimate group sizes, plenty of opportunities for photos, and maybe even a spectral photo-bomber or two
  • Best for history lovers, ghost hunters, couples, and night owls looking for a different take on the city

Sounds fab, tell me more...

Gaslamp Quarter at night

Petco Park Tour

Even if you’re not a die-hard Padres fan, the Petco Park tour has the ‘wow’ factor. Friendly guides (many are longtime locals or baseball insiders) lead you through a series of hidden tunnels and VIP areas. Start at the park’s towering entry, wind up to the private luxury suites for skyline views, stroll onto the warning track (photo op alert!), or even sit in the team’s actual dugout. 

The guides punctuate stadium architecture with fun trivia—spot the old brickwork of the historic Western Metal Supply Company, the creative use of local art, and green technologies that set Petco apart. See where game-day legends are made, like the press box and Padres Hall of Fame. Whether you’re a stats geek or not, the stories about old San Diego baseball, Padres superstars and ballpark design are fascinating—and every view brings a city, bay or green diamond photo op. It’s an uplifting, all-ages tour with plenty of time to soak in Petco’s lively park-within-a-city feeling.

Gaslamp Quarter ghost tour

Once night falls, the Gaslamp Quarter comes alive with a different kind of energy. The haunted walking tour begins as your guide (often in Victorian or steampunk attire) leads the group through softly-lit historic streets. The storytelling is the star—hear about the Gaslamp’s boomtown past: madams and gamblers, prohibition tunnels, notorious murders, haunted hotels and mysterious deaths. You'll enter or stand outside locations like the Horton Grand Hotel—famous for ‘Room 309’, where guests have reported disappearing jewelry, slamming doors and shadowy figures. 

Visit the Davis-Horton House (San Diego’s oldest wooden building), where staff have felt cold spots and heard strange footsteps. The tour layers true documented history, lore and local characters, with guides who are just theatrical enough to bring a thrill (no cheap jump-scares, promise). All tours welcome photo-taking—eyes peeled for ghostly orbs—and groups are kept relatively small for a personal feel. While you’re walking the quarter, you’ll also get bonus tidbits on architecture, city landmarks and where to grab a late-night bite or drink afterward.

Ok, but which is more impressive?

 

For spectacle, insider access and wow-factor views, the Petco Park Tour strikes out the ghosts. Stepping onto a sunlit field, sitting in the dugout, or gazing out over a Major League stadium with the San Diego skyline and marina glowing beyond is hard to match. Not only are you inside a modern architectural wonder, but you’re also touching the city’s sports heart—where every home run, concert and Gold Glove moment plays out. The Western Metal Supply Co. building’s blend of old and new is particularly jaw-dropping. Whether you care about baseball or not, the sheer size, detail and open-air design of Petco Park is as impressive as stadiums get. You’ll leave feeling like a VIP—and the photos are next-level.

Which one is more fun?

 

Tricky to choose, as these tours are so very different. On the one hand, Petco Park tours offer a ton of excitement: you’ll laugh at wild game-day stories, get hands-on with dugouts and even practice your sportscaster voice in the press box.

The Gaslamp ghost tour, however, is pure entertainment. Guides are theatrical, the stories are spine-tingling, and there’s something thrilling about creeping down mysterious alleys and into haunted hotels by lantern-light. The mix of humor and chills, plus ‘is this place really haunted?’ debates, make the ghost tour ideal for couples, curious explorers, and groups looking for a memorable night out. For daytime energy, Petco prevails; for after-dark thrills, the Gaslamp ghost tour is your ticket.

How do I get there?

Petco Park stadium in San Diego

Petco Park 

Conveniently located on Tony Gwynn Drive between J Street and Park Boulevard in East Village, Petco Park is right in the middle of downtown San Diego. It’s extremely accessible by public transit—ride any Trolley line to the Gaslamp Quarter or Park & Market stations (just steps from the ballpark). If you’re driving, parking is available in surface lots or parking garages nearby, with easy-to-find spots on weekends and non-game days. Cyclists can lock up along the park perimeter, and rideshare zones operate all around the neighborhood. The stadium’s main gate is well-marked, and staff will guide you to the tour check-in desk near the home plate entrance.

Gaslamp Quarter

Tours typically meet near the historic Horton Grand Hotel or another easily reached Gaslamp landmark (confirm at booking). The Gaslamp Quarter is a central, walkable district, also on the Green and Orange Trolley lines (exit at Gaslamp Quarter Station) and served by numerous bus routes. There are several public parking lots and garages nearby, though weekends can get busy—taking public transit or rideshare is smart, especially if you plan to stay for drinks afterward. The entire area is pedestrian-friendly and filled with historic sites, bars and eateries, making it easy to pair your tour with dinner or a nightcap.

Best choice for families, couples or friends

 

  • For families: the Petco Park Tour is a clear winner for most families. It’s packed with interactive, all-ages fun—kids can imagine themselves on the field, crawl around the dugout and peek into locker rooms. The tour is on foot but not strenuous, and guides know how to bring the ballpark’s history to life for kids and adults alike. The route is stroller-friendly, and there’s plenty of space for everyone to run and play between stops. The Gaslamp walking tour is geared more towards families with older kids or teens who love spooky tales and history. Some stories involve real-life tragedies or mature topics, but the guides share tales with humor and sensitivity.
  • For couples: the ghost tour is tailor-made for date night, with its twilight setting, mysterious mood and slow stroll through beautifully lit historic streets. It’s romantic, surprising, and perfect for sharing post-tour cocktails and stories. Petco Park is also a fun option for sporty couples—especially if you’re baseball fans or just love behind-the-scenes experiences.
  • For friends: both tours work for groups, but if your crew loves lively banter, photo opps and a memorable ‘only in San Diego’ adventure, Petco Park will entertain everyone, regardless of their sports knowledge. If your group thrives on the dramatic, the macabre, or just urban exploring, Gaslamp’s haunted tour offers laughs, chills, and a closer look at the city's wilder side.

Which tour is better for fidgety kids?

 

Petco Park tour guides are fantastic at engaging energetic kids—let them sit where their favorite players sit, play-act in the press box, or stretch out on the grass in the Park at the Park. There’s room to move, facts to discover and more to see than most ballparks.

What’s the accessibility like?

 

Petco Park Tour

Petco Park is very accessible, with ramps, elevators and wide concourses throughout the stadium. Wheelchair-accessible seating, restrooms and clear signage are standard. If you or someone in your group requires extra accommodations, simply let staff know when booking—they’re used to hosting guests with various mobility or sensory needs.

Gaslamp Quarter ghost tour

Walking tours traverse city sidewalks, some with uneven pavement or slight slopes, but routes are generally manageable for most guests. Let the company know before booking if you have accessibility needs—guides will do their best to adjust the pace and stops. Some historic sites visited (like old basements) may not be ADA accessible.

Best lunch spots nearby?

Tacos

Near Petco Park

  • The Mission (East Village): classic breakfast and brunch with hearty plates, strong coffee and a family-friendly vibe.
  • Lolita’s Mexican Food: the go-to for quick, satisfying California burritos, nachos and street tacos—popular on game days.
  • Basic Bar & Pizza: an industrial-chic pizza joint with unbeatable thin crust and a bar, just steps from the stadium.
  • Water Grill: for a seafood splurge before or after your tour, walk just down J Street to this upscale spot with fresh oysters and a sleek menu.

Near Gaslamp Quarter

  • Cafe 21: delicious farm-to-table dishes with creative cocktails—perfect for a pre-tour dinner or drinks afterwards.
  • Barleymash: lively, with loaded fries, fun sandwiches, craft beers and late-night energy.
  • Gaslamp Fish House: seafood lovers can’t go wrong, and the patio seating is prime people-watching territory.
  • The Field Irish Pub: authentic pub food in a cozy setting—think shepherd’s pie and Guinness by the fire.

Where will I find the best photo ops?

 

Petco Park tour

Stand on the field for a legendary shot under stadium lights. Snap skyline selfies from the top deck, or catch a group photo with the Western Metal Supply Co. sign in the background. The views of San Diego Bay from the private suites are iconic, and the Hall of Fame area tells the Padres story in Instagram-perfect displays.

Gaslamp Quarter tour

The ornate Horton Grand Hotel lobby is a must, as are moody nighttime shots outside Victorian mansions or at the glowing lamplit corners of 5th Avenue. Photos with your guide (possibly decked out in top hat and cape) are always fun—don’t forget to capture the group in front of haunted alleyways or vintage speakeasies. Keep an eye out: your next shot might include an, um, uninvited photo-bomber or two.

We’re done and we’d like a drink – any good bars nearby?

 

Near Petco Park

  • Half Door Brewing Co.: housed in a Victorian duplex, this brewery is known for creative pints and cozy, homey vibes.
  • Noble Experiment: for a real speakeasy, follow the secret door inside Neighborhood Bar for craft cocktails mixed with serious flair.
  • Altitude Sky Lounge: rooftop bar atop the Marriott, with stunning views of the city, Coronado Bridge, and the ballpark itself.

In the Gaslamp Quarter

  • The Tipsy Crow: classic Gaslamp energy across three floors, with a legendary rotating drink ‘stock market’.
  • Prohibition Lounge: another cool speakeasy with roaring ‘20s décor, live jazz and expertly mixed classics.
  • Barleymash: a Gaslamp staple with creative cocktails, craft beers and a boisterous nighttime crowd—perfect for celebrating (or calming nerves post-ghost story!).

Any other good stuff nearby?

Baseball on the field

Petco Park

  • Park at the Park: a green space inside the stadium for picnics and play, open on game days and non-game days.
  • The Padres Team Store: perfect for snapping up local memorabilia.
  • Library Tower: San Diego’s main library, just next door, boasts panoramic city views from its dome.

Gaslamp Quarter

  • Sparks Gallery: local contemporary art in a historic space—open late for pre- or post-tour browsing.
  • Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House: visit during the day for history (or to scout it out before returning for the nighttime chills).
  • The Shout! House: duelling piano bar with wild, crowd-pleasing shows and late-night fun.

In summary…

Ghostly face

Whether you dream of Major Leagues glory or the shiver of a spine-tingling city legend, downtown San Diego delivers. The Petco Park tour is all access, big views and rich history—a true VIP experience in the heart of baseball country with skyline backdrops you won’t find anywhere else. The Gaslamp Quarter ghost tour is pure atmospheric adventure: storied streets, chills, laughs and a new way to see the city’s oldest corners. With Go City®, you can experience both tours—and discover even more of San Diego’s top attractions, saving as you go. Whichever tour you pick, you’re sure to leave with stories worth sharing.

Looking for more things to do in and around San Diego? Check out our guide to the Museum of Making Music vs the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, and discover more great San Diego tours.

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