Old Town is the earliest settled area in San Diego where the first European settlement occurred. The town has that old charm and history of the life of the past, during the early days of Old Town. Museums, monuments, buildings and the blossoming tourism of Old Town is reflective of how far the town has come and how tourism has improved over the years. From the Old Town Historic Park where culture is best experienced, historic fine dining at Cosmopolitan Hotel, a gastronomical experience at the best Mexican restaurants, to Victorian-inspired houses, tourists will definitely experience a unique and unforgettable trip down memory lane and through the rich history of Old Town. Read on to know more about the things to do in San Diego’s Old Town, California.
1. Experience history and culture at Old Town San Diego Historic Park
Old Town San Diego Historic Park gives the tourists the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of old San Diego. It is a protected historical park which has shops, restaurants, and museums. The park features the first newspaper office in San Diego, the first public school, a blacksmith shop, horse stables, and carriages. The park also displays the works of local artisans, demonstrating their craftsmanship. Plus, the park offers bus and coasters for a convenient strolling around the entire park.
Old Town San Diego Historic Park
Address: 4002 Wallace St., San Diego, California
Website: Old Town San Diego Historic Park
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
2. Participate on an evening ghost hunt at Old Town
ghost tours in old town
Posted by Tonia DeWeese Revay on Sunday, 19 September 2010
Be in the presence of those ‘not like ours’ on an unforgettable evening full of suspense. Listen to personal ghost stories and adventures from ghost guides. They will take you to places and spots that are full of historical stories and unique energy above ground. Observe paranormal activities, haunting stories, and visit former offices turned into doll shops and churches being haunted by ghosts. It’s a unique evening with a chance to encounter ghosts–definitely one for the books!
Ghost hunting at Old Town
Address: 2754 Calhoun St., San Diego, California
Website: Ghost hunting at Old Town
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 10pm; Thu - Sun: 9pm
Price: 35 USD
3. Enjoy historical lodging at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
The Cosmopolitan was converted from a residence to a stagecoach hotel in the 1850s by Albert Seeley. What you may not...
Posted by Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant on Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Go back to the 1800s at the Cosmopolitan Hotel which offers fine dining and historical lodging for guests. The hotel’s interior designs and decorations are vintage and old-fashioned, and it remains timeless and elegant up to this day. For guests who enjoy immersing themselves in true 1800’s fashion, this is the perfect, comfortable place. The hotel also offers impeccable dining experience and live entertainment to end the historical night!
Cosmopolitan Hotel
Address: 2660 Calhoun Street, San Diego, California
Website: Cosmopolitan Hotel
Price: 11 - 20 USD
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4. Try the best Mexican cuisine at Cafe Coyote
Cafe Coyote has been an established Mexican restaurant for over 29 years now. They have stayed true to traditional Mexican ingredients, spices, and styles of cooking which invites customers to dine over and over. Experience lively and decorative ambiance in their colorful and welcoming restaurant. Watch the restaurant’s skilled lady chefs create tortillas by hand and try over 100 kinds of tequila. It surely is a fiesta everyday!
Cafe Coyote
Address: 2461 San Diego Avenue, San Diego, California
Website: Cafe Coyote
Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 11 - 30 USD
5. Explore unique Mexican drinks at El Agave Tequileria
If it's been a long week already, come join us for #TacoTuesday and a margarita. | #ElAgaveRestaurant #OldTownSanDiego #MexicanCuisine |
Posted by EL AGAVE RESTAURANT & TEQUILERIA on Tuesday, 11 June 2019
El Agave Tequileria serves authentic Mexican dishes in their elegant and welcoming restaurant. It is a great place for a business meeting, fun get-togethers with friends and family, or a date with that special someone.Their restaurant also features a Tequila Museum that houses over 2,000 kinds of Tequila bottles, including their very own brand called, “Tequila Agave Artesanal”. El Agave has also won awards for its exceptional Mexican cuisine and true Mexican flavors.
El Agave Tequileria
Address: 2304 San Diego Ave., Old Town, California
Website: El Agave Tequileria
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 11 - 30 USD
6. Discover artifacts from the Army of the West at Mormon Battalion Site
Posted by Mormon Battalion Historic Site on Monday, 1 January 2018
Mormon Battalion Site commemorates the historic journey of Latter-day Saints who joined the United States Army during the Mexican-American war. The group marched over 2,000 miles (3,219 km) across Southwestern United States and made significant contributions such as improving the trails as they moved west, helping build the Fort Moore, and discovering gold. The site is interactive, with a video tour, historical artifacts, and a whole lot more!
Mormon Battalion Site
Address: 2510 Juan St., San Diego, California
Website: Mormon Battalion Site
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 1pm - 9pm
7. Visit the vibrant Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception is a historic site that tourists from all over the world love to visit. It is near this church in Old Town that Saint Junípero Serra celebrated his First Holy Mass. The structure and design of the church is simple and vibrant, welcoming church-goers with a peaceful and silent praying time. The church celebrates the mass everyday, holds confessions on Saturdays, and welcomes donations for the maintenance of the church.
Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
Address: 2540 San Diego Ave ,San Diego, Califronia
Website: Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
Opening hours: Sat: 8am, 5:15pm; Sun: 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am, 5:15pm; Mon - Fri: 8am
8. Join in on the fun at Stagecoach Days celebration
Celebrating the West on the Move throughout July and August with 6 days of fun.
Posted by Old Town San Diego State Historic Park on Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Stagecoach Days celebration is an annual event that takes visitors to the early days of Old Town, San Diego and helps them appreciate transportation of the past and a glimpse of the daily life. This annual celebration mainly focuses on the Wild West side of San Diego. It goes on for six Saturdays of the months of July and August with each Saturday having a different theme such as Women of the West and Taste of the Past. It’s open for all, children and adults of all ages, for free!
Stagecoach Days celebration
Address: Old Town State Historic Park, Old Town, San Diego, California
Website: Stagecoach Days celebration
9. Feast your eyes on the Victorian-style homes in Heritage Park
Posted by Heritage Park San Diego on Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Heritage Park is a county park of San Diego expanding at 8 hectares (20 acres) and features beautifully built houses with exceptional architecture dating back between 1887 and 1910. One of the houses is called Senlis Cottage which is a 19th-century working class cottage and is open for public viewing. This park truly preserves these Victorian-inspired houses for future generations to enjoy.
Heritage Park
Address: 2460 Heritage Park Row, San Diego, California
Website: Heritage Park
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
10. Indulge in a Mexican culinary sampling tour in Old Town (from USD 73.0)
Tacos, tequila, and tortillas are definitely Mexican staple foods. Indulge in Mexican goodness in this two-and-a-half-hour sampling tour in Old Town. Experience San Diego in a unique way with every bite of taco and tortilla and in every shot of tequila. Now, that’s one exciting way to get to know its Mexican heritage. Also visit historical landmarks and go souvenir shopping at their local markets.
San Diego Old Town Tequila and Tortillas Small-Group Tour
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Rich in history and culture in Old Town
The small, vibrant town of Old Town, San Diego truly welcomes tourists with an unforgettable experience of culture and history which gives them a taste of the other side of San Diego. Come visit and try it for yourself.
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