Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
California's 'birthplace' — preserved and reconstructed 1800s buildings, living-history museums and Mexican restaurants. Free to wander.
Attraction
Things to do
Things to do in Old Town
The original settlement, now a state park and a tourist corridor, with the county archives and some genuinely good Mexican food.
Things to do
Casa de EstudilloMuseum
An 1827 adobe built around a central courtyard, furnished to show how an elite Californio family lived.
Mason Street SchoolMuseum
San Diego's first public schoolhouse, a one-room wooden building preserved inside the state park.
First San Diego Courthouse and Seeley StablesMuseum
Two state park museums covering early civil government and the stagecoach and wagon era.
Heritage County ParkLandmark
A cluster of Victorian houses moved here to save them from demolition, along with the Temple Beth Israel synagogue building.
Presidio Park and Junipero Serra MuseumPark
The hill above Old Town where the 1769 presidio and mission were founded, with trails, lawns and the Serra Museum's tower view.
Fiesta de ReyesShopping
The courtyard of shops, fountains and restaurants inside the state park, operated by Old Town Family Hospitality Corporation.
Bazaar del Mundo ShopsShopping
A courtyard of folk art, textile and home goods shops near the park's northern edge.
San Diego's First People outdoor exhibitArts
An outdoor exhibit within the state park that acknowledges the Kumeyaay and their village of Kosa'aay near the river mouth.
Attractions
Eat & drink
Old Town Mexican CafeMexican restaurant
Open from breakfast until late on San Diego Avenue, with mariachi nights, tequila dinners and a bar open until 2 a.m..
Casa GuadalajaraMexican restaurant
Known for its patios, birdbath-size margaritas and the Cielito Lindo mariachi band, which has played there since 1996.
Cafe CoyoteMexican restaurant
A long-running San Diego Avenue restaurant featured by the Old Town merchants' association.
Cosmopolitan RestaurantCalifornia-Mexican restaurant and hotel
Occupies the restored 1870 Cosmopolitan Hotel, also known as La Casa de Bandini, which still takes overnight guests.
Tequila FactoryTequila tasting and shop
A stop for tequila tastings in the heart of the Old Town visitor district.
Annual events
Taste & TequilaOctober
A tasting walk through Old Town restaurants promoted by the neighborhood's merchants.
Old Town Art FestivalOctober
An outdoor fine-art show held in the historic district.
Dia de los MuertosEarly November
Altars, processions and cemetery vigils around the state park and El Campo Santo.
Fiesta NavidadDecember
Holiday celebrations and candlelit programs in the historic park.