Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
At intersection of Hwys. 5 & 8. Located within the six blocks bounded by Taylor, Juan, Twiggs, and Congress sts. Free admission. Hours vary for shops and restaurants. Free parking.
Considered the “birthplace” of California and the site of the first permanent European settlement on the West Coast, the 12-acre Old Town San Diego State historic Park was the center of town in the mid-1800s. Kit Carson was among the first pioneers to raise the American flag here in 1846. The park now houses a pleasant mixture of museum displays, shops (including a working blacksmith shop), and Mexican restaurants, plus five original adobes and a collection of 19th-century homes and businesses give visitors a glimpse into colonial life in San Diego.
Considered the “birthplace” of California and the site of the first permanent European settlement on the West Coast, the 12-acre Old Town San Diego State historic Park was the center of town in the mid-1800s. Kit Carson was among the first pioneers to raise the American flag here in 1846. The park now houses a pleasant mixture of museum displays, shops (including a working blacksmith shop), and Mexican restaurants, plus five original adobes and a collection of 19th-century homes and businesses give visitors a glimpse into colonial life in San Diego.
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| entrance sign to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in San Diego, California |
●Visitor Information Center and museum
4002 Wallace St., (619) 220-5422. Daily 10am-4pm. One-hour ranger-guided tours daily at 11am and 2pm. Free. Park information and interesting exhibits are located in the circa 1853 Robinson-Rose House adobe.
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| The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in San Diego, California |
●The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception
2540 San Diego Ave., (619) 295-4148. This still-active church was dedicated in 1919. Near here, Father Junipero Serra celebrated the first Holy Mass in California on July 2, 1769. The first parish church was established here in 1849 and is now known as the Old Adobe Chapel (at 3963 Conde Street).
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| The Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park |
●The Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel
2660 Calhoun St., (619)
297-1874. 10 rooms. Restaurant. Dating
back to 1827, when it was constructed as a home for San Diego pioneer
Juan Bandini, this historically significant building retains many of its
original features, including original adobe brick walls, a wood
exterior dating back to 1869, and a wrap-around balcony that once served
as the perfect place to watch local bullfights. It is the only hotel
located within the park. Guest rooms are on the second floor, and each
is uniquely furnished with antique furniture matching that in the
original 1869 manifests.
A popular restaurant and saloon operates on the first floor and features antique and reproduction period furniture, period art, and chandeliers. The menu features grilled meats, seafood, and Mexican items served al fresco on a beautiful patio or indoorx in the sala. Drinks are available at San Diego’s oldest saloon bar. Kids eat free (one per adult).
A popular restaurant and saloon operates on the first floor and features antique and reproduction period furniture, period art, and chandeliers. The menu features grilled meats, seafood, and Mexican items served al fresco on a beautiful patio or indoorx in the sala. Drinks are available at San Diego’s oldest saloon bar. Kids eat free (one per adult).
●Mason Street School
3966 Mason St., (916) 653-6995. Daily 10-4. Free. In San Diego’s first schoolhouse, dating from 1865, kids can see what it feels like sitting in an old-time wooden desk.
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| The Thomas Whaley House in San Diego State Historic Park |
●Thomas Whaley House Museum
2476 San Diego Ave., (619) 297-9327. June-Labor Day, daily 10am-9:30pm; rest of year, Sun-Tu 10am-5pm, Thur-Sat 10am-9:3 pm. $6, 65+ $5, 3-12 $4; after 5 pm tours are available, adults $10, children $5; after 10pm, private tours are available by reservation for an additional fee. Constructed in 1857, this very small, classic Greek Revival house was built on a former gallows site and was the first 2-story brick building in San Diego. Owner Thomas Whaley made the bricks in his own brickyard. Over the years it has been a granary, the County Court House, San Diego’s first commercial theater, a general store, a ballroom, a billiard hall, a school, and a polling place. It is one of two officially designated haunted houses in California--the other is the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose--and reputedly hosts seven ghosts.
●Wells Fargo History Museum
2733 San Diego Ave., (619) 238-3929. Daily 10am-5pm. Free. Kids especially enjoy the seeing a stagecoach and telegraph.
More things to do in San Diego.
More information about San Diego.
Things to do in nearby La Jolla.
images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
More things to do in San Diego.
More information about San Diego.
Things to do in nearby La Jolla.
More
ideas for exploring the U.S.
images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Fun attraction! Something to do instead of the Zoo! The hotel looks fascinating.
ReplyDeleteNice site, shame your photos are so small! (Is that a restriction of blogspot or your choice?)
ReplyDeleteMy choice for now.
DeleteI'm long overdue for a trip to San Diego. Lots of great restaurants, too.
ReplyDeleteNever knew about the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, we'll have to visit next time we are in San Diego.
ReplyDeleteSo much to see. I will certainly visit the next time I am in San Diego!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place to take kids or grandkids!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely THE place to take kids!
DeleteWould love to visit San Diego, especially now you've highlighted the historical aspects.
ReplyDeleteI have a conference in San Diego in December and am sorry I didn't allow myself more time to explore this area and Little Italy that you told us about earlier. You do make it look most interesting!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear I've introduced you to wonderful places you didn't know about. You'll have to plan a return visit so you can just have some fun--or extend your conference visit.
ReplyDeleteIt's been years since we've been to San Diego... Gotta be time to return :-)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great place to visit. I love places that give a glimpse into the past. I'm hoping to get to San Diego this winter and will add this to my list.
ReplyDeleteI have been to San Diego countless time, but never stayed at a hotel like the one showed us. Thank you for telling me about other things to do in San Diego than visit the beach or fancy restaurants. I'd love to learn about the city's history.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting place to visit and learn a little about San Diego's history. The Thomas Whaley could be a fun place for a Halloween party, too!
ReplyDeleteWe visited Old Town San Diego back in 2007. We enjoyed looking at the buildings, especially the church but for us it was a little too busy with tourists but we were happy for the fact that it was free. I think we might have been a little disappointed with it if we would have had to pay and entrance fee.
ReplyDeletewww.travelwithkevinandruth.com
This is one of my favorite places! I used to live in San Diego and I came here every weekend. Some of the best Mexican food too. I actually recently wrote a post about my interesting experience at the haunted Whaley House. You can read it here :) http://www.thepassportlifestyle.com/?s=whaley+house
ReplyDeleteLoved your story about the ghost tour of Whaley House! Thanks for sharing.
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