We all need to get off the beaten path sometimes. San Diego is known for beautiful beaches and great museums, but this city of almost 1.5 million people in Southern California has a lot going on beneath the surface as well. We collected the 13 best secret things to do so you can get a truly and uniquely San Diego experience while you’re here. No matter how long you plan to stay in the city, these 13 secret things to do in San Diego are a great addition to any traveler’s itinerary! Pool Days Most people don’t know that many pools in San Diego are accessible with a day pass. If you don’t have the funds to stay at a fancy hotel you can still enjoy their swim up bars, lazy rivers, and oceanfront properties for a fee. Passes generally run between $15 and $40 each and you can start planning with this list of ten pools that allow guests and non-guests alike to use their facilities. ‘Top Gun’ Film Locations Much of this famous 80’s movie was filmed in San Diego and you can still visit some of the sites today. Spend a few hours snapping photos outside Charlie’s House or grabbing a bite to eat Kansas City Barbeque, where Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards rocked out on the piano. If you’re a die-hard fan, challenge yourself to track down all eight locations around the city. Border Field State Park This is certainly one of the most unique secret things to do in San Diego. Border Field State Park is 15 miles south of San Diego and, as the name suggests, sits right on the border with Tijuana, Mexico. The park is known for salt marshes and sand dunes, but the massive walls and ever-watching cameras are interesting as…

San Diego is an exceptional vacation destination. From the food to the beaches and everything in between, there’s something here to please every traveler. However, if you’ve already seen the famous sites like the USS Midway Museum, La Jolla Cove, and the San Diego Zoo, we have just the list for you. These 11 unconventional places to visit in San Diego are even broken down into easy itineraries to make planning your offbeat trip a breeze. Are you ready to see a whole new side of the city? Check out these 10 unconventional places to visit in San Diego! Unconventional San Diego Day Trip #1 This day trip combines two of the most unconventional places to visit in San Diego. First, jump in your car and drive to the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala in the quiet suburb of Grantville. This small church also has a small claim to fame: it’s the first mission in California. The Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala was founded in 1769, so in 2019 the church will be celebrating a jubilee year – their 250th birthday! Visit Monday through Friday to take a tour and spend some time in the gift shop and outdoor grounds as well. Just remember that it’s still an active church, so be respectful of the services and parish members when you go. After your stop at the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, drive 80 miles east to to see the Ricardo Breceda Sculptures in the tiny town of Borrego Springs. Along Borrego Springs Road in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, 130 hulking statues depict animals that may have lived there millions of years ago, like dinosaurs, a saber-toothed tiger, giant tortoises, and even a 350-foot serpent. The sculptures were commissioned by Dennis Avery in 2008 and are…

If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, a stop in Porto is a must. Luckily, it’s only 313 kilometers (about 195 miles) from Lisbon and easy to reach from the capital city. Downtown Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a historic center and colorful houses. It’s also the birthplace of port wine and home to plenty of wineries where you can sip the sweet drink. If that’s not tempting enough, a few days in Porto could also include seafood, beaches, bike rides, hiking, or even a boat cruise in the lush Douro Valley. So, what’s the best way to get there? There are six popular options for transportation between Lisbon and Porto, and we’ve gathered all the details in one place. Use this guide to decide which one works best for you! How to get from Lisbon to Porto by Bus Price: 19 euros Time: 3.5 hours Stations: Lisboa Sete Rios or Lisboa Oriente Reservation needed? Yes Best for: Budget travelers The most popular bus service from Lisbon to Porto is Rede Expressos. Buses leave once or twice an hour between 6:15 in the morning and 12:30 at night, and you can find the complete Rede Expressos bus schedule here. The bus is a convenient transport option because they leave from both the Sete Rios bus station in the northwest of the city and the Oriente station in the northeast. Both are connected to central Lisbon by public transport. The time of the trip varies based on which station you leave from, but it’s about 3.5 hours to get from Lisbon to Porto by bus and the cost per ticket is 19 euros. The route is direct and although there are stops along the way, you won’t have to disembark or change buses. Just remember this is a…

It’s no surprise that San Diego is one of the best food destinations in the country. It was ranked #1 on the Conde Nast list of Best American Cities for Foodies and came in at #9 on the 2018 WalletHub roundup of the Best Foodie Cities in America. You already know it’s time to plan your next trip here. But, where should you eat when you arrive? In a city of 1.4 million people, the options are truly endless. So, we’ve curated the can’t-miss list of 10 trendy restaurants in San Diego that every visitor needs to try. Mister A’s Best for: the view Location: 2550 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Menu Mister A’s boasts one of the best views in San Diego from their 12th floor restaurant. The restaurant welcomes foodies but photography buffs will also enjoy the expansive vista of the San Diego skyline and the Pacific Ocean. Whether you eat outside on the rooftop or indoors, make sure you dress to impress because a dress code is enforced. With the ever changing scenery beneath your feet, you may just be tempted to stay all day long! C Level Lounge Best for: a waterfront experience Location: 880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 Menu This eatery quickly cemented itself as one of the most trendy restaurants in San Diego because they pair well-cooked food with iconic harbor views. C Level Lounge sits on stilts over the San Diego Bay and offers relaxing views of the skyline and Coronado. Seafood dominates the menu here and the extensive wine and cocktail lists round out a perfect night at this popular spot in San Diego. Buona Forchetta Best for: good food Location: 3001 Beech St., San Diego, CA 92102 Menu No visit to the city is complete without a…

Whether you’ve been to San Francisco many times or are just planning your first trip, there’s a lot to take in. One of the most famous sightseeing options are the Seven Painted Ladies. Read on to learn five fun facts about these famous homes. Then contact GoCar Tour to find out how you can plan a truly unique San Francisco touring experience. 1. They only began being called the Seven Painted Ladies in recent years Though it’s often assumed that they’ve always been referred to as the Seven Painted ladies, this name actually only took hold in 1978 when authors Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen wrote a book about the homes. In fact, Painted Ladies doesn’t refer to these home in particular, but to any set of homes made in either the Victorian or Edwardian architectural style that has at least colors or more.   2. Painted Ladies can be found in many other cities You can find Painted Ladies all over the country. Some of the most famous examples include those in Cap May, New Jersey, Baltimore, Maryland, St. Louis, Missouri, and Cincinnati and Toledo Ohio. 3. One of the Seven Painted Ladies has a tiny museum The second to last home on the row has a very small museum on its top floor. There visitors can check out a ticket from the day the Golden Gate Bridge opened, a picture of people in Alamo Square Park when the city burned during the 1906 earthquake, wedding cake tops that are more than 100 years old, and clothing from the 1800s. 4. They have a unique symbolism Have you ever wondered what exactly the Painted Ladies mean? They’re symbolic of the famous California Gold Rush. With so much money coming into the city, San Francisco builders wanted to show off…

The Golden Gate Bridge first opened to the public in 1937. Since then it’s become one of the most recognized bridges in the world. At GoCar Tours, we love the fun facts that can be learned on our storytelling tours, but today we wanted to share five fun facts about the Golden Gate Bridge to get you ready for your one-of-a-kind tour. 1. It took four years to build Construction on the bridge began in January of 1933, right in the middle of the Great Depression. It finished under budget and ahead of schedule in 1937. Before it was completed, the only way to get from San Francisco to Marin County was via boat. 2. It was named after a strait One of the fun facts about the Golden Gate Bridge that often surprises people is the fact that it was named after the Golden Gate Strait, which was the way to enter San Francisco Bay via the Pacific Ocean. Back in 1846, that strait got its name thanks to an American topographer who felt that it reminded him of a Byzantium harbor known as “Golden Horn.” 3. Building the bridge was a deadly proposition Steps were taken to keep the workers safe, but nothing could prevent all accidents. There was a safety net that was suspended under the bridge to catch workers who fell. It saved 19 of them, but 11 men weren’t so lucky and lost their lives during the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. 4. The Golden Gate Bridge was once the longest suspension bridge in the world When it was built, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world with a total suspension span of 4,200 feet. In 1964, it was surpassed by a bridge in New York. Today it’s the ninth longest suspension…

There’s so much to do in California that it can be intimidating. Whether you’re spending the entire two weeks visiting San Francisco, or you’re driving all over the state, you’ll need quite the list of items to bring with you. Read on to learn about the ten most important things to bring and then book your tour with Go Car Tours. Basic items you’ll need Before we get into the specifics, let’s cover the basic items you want to make sure you bring: Clothing, camera, bathing suit, maps and travel guides, hiking / running shoes, passport / visa if needed, items to keep you safe from the sun, toiletries, first-aid kit, and a carry-on pouch. 10 steps to packing like a pro As you take off on your incredible two-week California vacation, follow these ten tips to pack everything you’ll need. Check the weather forecast in the week before your trip to decide what clothing you’ll need. Pack some extra underwear and socks but otherwise only pack clothing for three to four days. Skip clothes that wrinkle. Stay in a hotel that has laundry facilities, or find a nearby laundromat. Bring a bathing suit and towel. Even if you don’t think you’ll be swimming it’s better to be prepared. Keep an eye out for dress codes when making reservations. If you’re eating at a posh restaurant, a simple dress or nice pair of pant should suffice. Bring the right shoes. If you’ll be hiking, bring hiking shoes. If you’re going to be simply taking in the sites at your leisure, you’ll want cozy walking shoes. Protect yourself from the sun by bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Bring a small pouch you can wear for your valuables. Bring both a toiletry bag and a first-aid kit. Make both of them…

With protests around Catalonia throughout the last few months, many people are starting to wonder if it’s safe to travel to Barcelona. First it’s important to understand what’s actually going on there. Then we’ll talk about your safety. Know that those of us at GoCar Tours want every client of ours to be as safe as possible. What exactly is going on in Catalonia? A pro-independence majority government in Catalonia had a referendum to separate from Spain. However, Spain’s constitutional court says that this vote was illegal and that they won’t recognize it. The result is that there have been protests within Catalonia. What about Barcelona – is it safe? There was a lot of chaos and confusion in Barcelona right after the referendum and the resulting announcement from Spain. Public transportation was limited, schools were closed, and there were many protests. However, they have ended. At the moment, Barcelona is perfectly safe for visitors. What do the experts say about safety? Travel consumer rights commentators have been clear that they believe tourists should still visit Spain and Barcelona in particular. They remind visitors that Catalonians in general are supportive of the tourist industry and that it makes up a large part of their economy. As a result, they are finding ways to ensure the safety of travelers. It would, of course, be wise to keep an eye on what’s happening but as of today, there aren’t any specific threats that are making the experts worry. The Foreign Office has issued a statement According to the Foreign Office, it’s true that there are protests ongoing. They’re suggesting that travelers be aware of the situation but that there’s no reason to believe that violence is on its way. They recommend that travelers be aware of the potential for upsets in traffic…

Those of us at the GoCar Tours offices were treated to something amazing this week when the Formula 1 Red Bull team came to San Francisco to shoot a promotional video. It was quite a scene to see an F1 car driving up and down San Francisco’s famed Hyde Street. Of course, in the City by the Bay, there are awe-inspiring things like this to view every day. Enrico Fulgenzi didn’t disappoint As if it weren’t enough to see a Formula 1 car driving up and down Hyde Street, Enrico Fulgenzi was at the wheel of the 2015 Red Bull car. If you’re not up to date on your Italian Formula 1 drivers, just know that Fulgenzi has been racing for ten years. His first year racing he won three podiums and one podium, which gave him 5138 points – enough to win runner-up of the series in his first series. Since then, he’s done it all: He’s been in the Porsche Cayman Cup, he was the 2013 champion of the Italian Porsche Carrera Cup, he’s been in the Abarth 500 Europe Trophy, the Porsche Carrera World Cup, the Porsche Supercup, and now a promotional video driving up and down one of the most famous streets in the world. What are you going to see on your visit to San Francisco? It’s too late to get out there and see this for yourself, but the GoCar Tour experience allows anyone to see this city like they wouldn’t otherwise be able to. Hop in one of our storytelling cars, which are much smaller than your average Formula 1 car, and much slower, too – but just like an F1 car, they’ll take you somewhere you’ve never been before. There’s no telling where Red Bull’s Formula 1 car is going to show…

There’s a lot to love about San Diego – including having some of the best beaches in the country. No visit to San Diego would be quite complete without a trip to the beach. There are beaches you can swim at, beaches you can sun at, and beaches with unique wildlife. Check out our five top picks for San Diego beaches. 1. La Jolla Cove La Jolla Cove may be a tiny beach, but it’s truly gorgeous. Sandwiched between sandstone cliffs, visitors are treated to blue-green bay views, snorkelers have plenty to explore, and scuba divers can check out some of the most unique sea creatures in California. This area is part of the La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve and has unique fish such as the Garibaldi. 2. La Jolla Shores You’ve only got to head north about a mile from La Jolla Cove to get to La Jolla Shores. This is a several mile long beach that’s beloved for having a gentle surf. As a result, it’s a top choice for people who are just learning to surf, people who enjoy stand up paddle boarding, and parents with young kids. It’s also the only beach within the limits of San Diego that has a boat launch. 3. Swami’s Beach Located south of Encinitas, about 25 miles from San Diego, Swami’s Beach is a top spot for surfers. For those who aren’t quite ready to brave the waves, people watching is prime from the bluff-top park. Sit there and take in some of the scenery Southern California has on offer. 4. Carlsbad State Beach For those who want nothing more than to take in a stunning California sunset, GoCar Tours has you covered. Head out to Carlsbad Beach to see the sun slide into the Pacific Ocean. This is…