Old Town San Diego
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One of our favorite places in all of SoCal is Old Town San Diego. Centered on the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Old Town is a collection of restaurants, shopping, and historical sites.
Riding the Pacific Surfliner To San Diego
Our last visit to old town was combined with a trip on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. While not the fastest way to get to San Diego, the journey is the attraction. The train hugs the Pacific Coast, at times literally on the beach, between the cities. The first San Diego stop lets you out across the street from the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
Old Town San Diego Map
The area around Old Town San Diego is easy to navigate with lots of helpful signs and plenty of helpful workers around to guide you if you need it. To be sure you don’t miss anything, it’s useful to have a good map of the area.
Official Map: Old Town San Diego (PDF)
Map: Google Maps
What To See in Old Town San Diego
The park is a large outdoor museum that preserves buildings from the 19th century. Buildings include the first public schoolhouse in San Diego, A restored 1870s hotel, a courthouse, and a blacksmith. There are also a number of buildings from the time period that showcase the unique Adobe style of construction.
Slightly outside the official historical park is the Immaculate Conception Church, built over 100 years ago on the same site that claims to have held the first catholic mass in California. The bell tower holds one of the original bells from the San Diego Mission.
A little further down the road is the Whaley House, "the most haunted house in America,” according to LIFE Magazine. Seasonal tours are offered at the museum for a haunting $13.
The Old Town Model Railroad Depot is a fun little stop. For an optional suggested donation, you can check out the large model railroad. Nearby is the cheesy Sheriff’s Museum where you can scare your children (or someone else’s children) by locking them in a jail cell.
Finding a great place to dine along San Diego Avenue is very easy if you like Mexican and Mexican-inspired food. Cafe Coyote is a great choice, even if it’s just for the handmade tortillas served fresh street-side; three for $1.
Inside the Old Town park, you’ll find Casa de Reyes another great place to dine. In the adjacent courtyard, there is a near-constant Mariachi performance. The lively atmosphere is a perfect place to enjoy a memorable meal
The area has lots of unique shopping. Some of my favorites are Geppetto's Toys with a mixture of old and new toys, Tinsmith where you can find reasonably priced tin crafts, Cousin's Candy Shop a candy store that fits the old town vibe, and the Old Town Market a huge indoor and outdoor craft market.
Most of the buildings in the park close around 5 pm so I suggest getting there early and seeing that area first. Almost every time I’ve been there I’ve run out of time exploring Old Town by the time 5 pm hit. Nearly everything in the Historic Park area is completely free.
Parking in Old Town San Diego
Parking is free after 5 pm and on weekends in the Caltrans lot a short walk from the park. On weekdays you can find free street parking, or you may have to pony up a few for the lot.
Things To See and Do in Old Town San Diego:
Immaculate Conception Church
Whaley House
Old Town Model Railroad Depot
Sheriff’s Museum
Dining options along San Diego Avenue (e.g., Cafe Coyote, Casa de Reyes)
Shopping options (e.g., Geppetto's Toys, Tinsmith, Cousin's Candy Shop, Old Town Market)
For more Southern California, check out our 10 Things to Love in SoCal.
