The main attraction is Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, which offers insight into life in early San Diego. Stop by an old schoolhouse and Casa de Estudillo, a restored adobe home filled with period furniture. Other diversions include Mexican restaurants and live mariachi performances. Don't miss the Bazaar del Mundo, an open-air market full of shops selling jewelry, pottery, and other goods.
Old Town San Diego tours are great if you want an insider's take on this historic part of town, and some combine food and drink tastings with visits to historic buildings and spots such as El Campo Santo Cemetery. Many city tours of San Diego stop in Old Town, including hop-on hop-off trolleys, food tours, and ghost tours.
Old Town is a must for history buffs and first-time visitors to San Diego.
There's a visitor center in the main plaza where you can ask questions and pick up brochures.
Public parking lots and street parking are available.
Old Town is northwest of downtown San Diego, about a 10-minute drive from Balboa Park. A good place to start your visit is at the Old Town State Historic Park, at the intersection of San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street. The Old Town transit center on Taylor Street serves San Diego trolleys and buses.
Go during the day to see the historical sites of the park, or arrive around dinnertime to enjoy the area's lively evening atmosphere. Cinco de Mayo festivities take place every year; and for live entertainment such as folk dancing, head to the Fiesta de Reyes Stage.
Many people consider Old Town's Whaley House Museum one of the most haunted houses in the city, making it a popular visitor attraction, especially on ghost tours (most of which also stop at the allegedly haunted Hotel del Coronado). More recently it's been featured on TV and in books for paranormal activity.
