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Highlights :
Shops & Attractions
: Dining
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Getting There
Highlights
Relive the exciting early days of California
in Old Town San Diego. This charming area minutes from downtown
and Mission Valley is home to the beautiful Plaza Del Pasado, Old Town State
Historic Park, and a superb shopping and dining district. Old Town San Diego hotels provide close and easy access to all the dining, shopping and nightlife Old Town has to offer.
Shops
& Attractions
You’ll love the Plaza Del Pasado’s tinkling fountain
and fiesta atmosphere, where unusual shops with treasures from all
over the world surround a flower-scented courtyard. Look for strolling storytellers and roving live-mariachis dressed in period costumes that take you back to San Diego's historical past. Local artisans can be seen demonstrating glass blowing and other art and craft making.
Plaza Del Pasado also has shopping and restaurants inspired by 19th century San Diego life--making the experience
unique to both tourists and locals who visit the park. Plaza Del Pasado translates to “Plaza of the Past” in Spanish. Plaza Del Pasado's mission is to connect
visitors with a better understanding and appreciation of life and commerce in San Diego as it was from 1821 to 1872.
Plaza Del Pasado is located at
Juan and Calhoun streets inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, a one-block stroll from the Old Town Trolley Station. For more info call 619-297-3100.
Right next door (at San Diego
Avenue and Twiggs Street) is Old Town State Historic Park. This
special complex has the open, “olden-days” feel of San
Diego circa 1821–1872, with five original adobes. A short
stroll away, Old Town proper boasts great restaurants, a general
store, gift shops, antique stores, and more. It’s also the
location of the infamous Whaley
House, a Victorian mansion and historical museum complete with
resident ghosts.
For a fun theater experience, visit “The
Theatre in Old Town,” at Juan and Twiggs Streets, where
there’s “not a bad seat in the house.” Lovely
Presidio Park lies a few blocks north of Old Town and features cool
green lawns, shade trees, and spectacular views of the bay and harbor.
Aficionados of California mission architecture will enjoy the historic
Serra Museum.
Just up the hill is San Diego's Heritage Park, a collection of restored Victorian Era homes that once housed San Diego's elite citizenry.
Dining
With so many fine Mexican restaurants to choose from, it’s
no wonder so many San Diegans dine right here. You
can savor a sizzling plate of fajitas, fresh tortillas, and a frosty
beer in one of Old Town San Diego's south-of-the-border-flavored patios.
The Old Town State Historic Park is open
daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free for five museums. Plaza Del Pasado and other restaurants and shops are open late for shopping and dining.
You might want to check out the Robinson-Rose House, which serves
as the visitor center. Parking for the Old Town area is available
in free lots and along streets, but they can fill up fast during
weekends and summers… so why not hop aboard a bright red San
Diego Trolley? The Old Town Station is easy to reach from downtown
or Mission Valley.
Getting There
From I-5, exit at Old Town Avenue, turn
left on San Diego Avenue, right on Twiggs, and left on Juan Street.
From I-8 exit at Taylor Street, follow Taylor, and turn left on
Juan Street.
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