Great spot to break out the camera phone. The people watching is excellent and you can catch folks in classic, frontier garb. The abundant cactus planters make for interesting close-up compositions.
Worth a quick stop for a historic walk if you happened to be in town. Don't forge to check out the first court house in San Diego right by the Wells Fargo bank built in 1847.
Easy to spend 3-4 hours here, especially if you incorporate adjacent Presidio Park into a walking tour. For a West Coast spot, a lotta history packed into a small area. Avoid the weekends if possible.
CHL830 marker @ Barra Barra - Settled by pensioned soldiers from the presidio and their families in the early 1800s. Stars & Stripes 1st raised over plaza in 1846 by Marines from the U.S.S. Cyane.
San Diego Old Town is one of the greatest places to visit and hav some rest. Try enormous Mexican restaurants, bars and shops. Burritos, mexican beer, tequila is all there!
Check out Old TownMarket for unique souvenirs. Explore the park for loads of history about San Diego. There are a number of museums and historic buildings ready to explore!
One of my favorite places in San Diego...the first "downtown" in San Diego. Great history. Check out the "happy hours" at the various bars and restaurants on San Diego Ave.
Journey into the past as the western frontier town of San Diego comes to life. Explore historical buildings, grab a cigar at the cigar shop, hunt ghosts at Whaley House, enjoy Mexican cuisine.
A surprising amount of old buildings to explore. Some of the area is really touristy, but great for kids (if you overlook the people smoking meth in the parking lot).
This place is full with culture. Great food, great places to look around and shop, souvenirs are cheaper here but you just can't take pictures of merchandise at certain places
Did you know? Old Town is the birthplace of San Diego. The original mission and presidio were nearby & the town developed below as retired soldiers & settlers built homes. Click to see Old Town c.1867 Read more
The kids love posing for pictures in the stagecoach, & visiting Steeley Stables. It's fun to go to Cousin's Candy Shop & watch taffy be made. Cousins also sells some really cool large chocolate coins.
The park preserves & recreates the old town from shortly after the Mexican War of Independence through the Bear Flag Revolt. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
The first European exploration of the West Coast was by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese navigator sailing for Spain, who landed in San Diego on September 28, 1542.