One local company hopes to make it easy for locals and visitors alike to explore San Diego’s restaurants and bars. So Diego Tours, founded by Bianca Jaime and Dawn Ortiz, has introduced many to restaurant tours in the Gaslamp Quarter, and they are growing in popularity among the locals for private parties, family outings or innovative nights out. On a typical Restaurant Hop, guests walk to three different restaurants. The So Diego host shows them to a private section in each restaurant where guests are served food samples and a beverage of choice. The tour gives guests the opportunity to experience different restaurants with different people, making it a fun night out of food, drink, networking and entertainment. The last stop on the tour always includes live entertainment — anything from a band to a guitarist or a show. So Diego Tours has other events in addition to its Restaurant Hops. Some of its tours include Temecula Wine Tasting Tours, Yacht Spa Tours, Big Bear Excursions, Julian Pie Baking Tours and San Diego Insider Sightseeing Tours. Restaurant Hops are every Wednesday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for $60 each at www.sodiegotours.com or by calling (619) 233-8687. Groups of 10 or more can be accommodated any day of the week with advanced notice. The So Diego launch party is being planned for February. To get invited, sign up for the e-mail list on the company’s website, or call the owners themselves.