Old Town San Diego

In the Old Town Market, unique Mexican shops are filled with unique handicrafts and decorative items. These vibrantly colored ornaments create a Coco-esque atmosphere. The skull, a somewhat risqué element, has become a joyous and integral element in Mexican decor. Murals depict Mexicans fighting in battle, holding high the Mexican flag. Enjoying a culturally rich street play amidst this atmosphere is a perfect opportunity. Restaurants along the streets of the Old Town also offer a glimpse into Mexican paper-cutting, a tradition originally used in religious rituals and folk offerings. It's a staple of the Day of the Dead celebrations, often featuring skulls and colorful figures, meant to guide the spirits home.

Old Town San Diego is full of packaged Mexican charm, which, fresh from a trip to Mexico, seemed a bit too refined for me. However, it's also a very comfortable place, filled with Mexican-style restaurants and bars, and the food courts and souvenir shops are worth browsing. While the scene may seem touristy, it's full of nostalgic atmosphere, making it perfect for a date or a delicious meal for couples.

After leaving the "Victory Kiss" Square, we arrived at the pedestrian street of Old Town San Diego. This is a historic old street. The old street was originally ruled by the Spanish colonization. After Mexico's independence, it became the United States after the Mexican-American War. Therefore, the old street still has traces of Spanish colonization. The old street is full of Spanish, Mexican and American houses. There are small shops full of literary and artistic atmosphere on both sides. Because we arrived late, we didn't see some of the museums on the old street.

The old town was originally inhabited by Indians. After the arrival of European colonists, they were driven out of their homes, and the antiques that remained from 1821 to 1872 are imbued with an authentic blend of Mexican and Spanish charm.

Located in the heart of San Diego is a beautiful and fun old town

I actually wanted to visit this place, but our conservative Lu Tianlun saw the car-smashing warning in the parking lot, so we just took a quick look around and left.

This place is really Mexican, with all the tortillas and tacos! There are also a lot of beautiful refrigerator magnets!!!

The first European colonists lived here, making Old Town San Diego the birthplace of the entire California, and also attracting a large number of "nostalgic" locals to visit here.

The old town has a very Spanish style and there are many souvenir shops.

It's a uniquely charming town, reminiscent of the retro town in The Vampire Diaries. The architecture is rich in Spanish style. Inside the old town, there's a small courtyard serving as a museum and a variety of gift shops—super retro and adorable! Seeing an old woman spinning a spinning wheel immediately transported me to the fairy tales I read as a child.

Come to Old Town San Diego! This Mexican-style old town is full of history! It is worth a visit! One of the famous attractions here! Check in one

It happened to be the Day of the Dead, and it was like a scene from Coco, which was very touching.

San Diego's Old Town Park is filled with ancient Spanish buildings, churches, museums, various shops, restaurants, hotels...

It is also a good place for tourists to shop and eat, full of rich Mexican style, and there are many taverns open at night.

For someone like me who has a strong Mexican sentiment, since I have never been to Mexico, I naturally cannot go to a place like this.

At the entrance to the old city is a square market.

It is surrounded by corridors and has various shops selling a wide range of Mexican clothing and handicrafts.

Color is the most distinctive part of Mexican style.

You can see clothes, scarves, hats and various handicrafts in rich colors everywhere.

This small town full of Mexican style has an old town that retains the quaint buildings and quiet life of the 19th century.

Even the painted colors of the bench seats are full of the rich cultural and artistic characteristics of Mexico.

In the middle of the market, there is a large open-air restaurant with a large umbrella awning above it, which looks very much like the snack street square in China in summer.

Next to the many dining seats, there is a particularly down-to-earth performance venue.

There are long wooden benches below, where folk organizations come to dance on weekends.

It is very unique, with Mexican-style restaurants and shops everywhere. If you look around carefully, you can find many exquisite items that are worth buying.

The colors here are very rich, and I feel that they can be compared with Carmel, with a different kind of beauty.

Rich in 🇲🇽 culture. My son said it felt like the town where Coco lived.

Old Town San Diego still retains buildings dating from 1820 to 1870, along with Mexican-style galleries. Papel Picado, a window decoration resembling a traditional Mexican folk art, is a familiar sight in the movie "Coco." These window decorations are often used in festivals and religious ceremonies. El Centro Artesano, a craft shop attracts visitors from all corners of the world. The pottery, wind chimes, and other small souvenirs sold inside and outside the shop embody a distinctly Mexican aesthetic.

Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, Old Town is a beautiful and fascinating historic city. It was the birthplace of California, an early Spanish colony, and the site of the first European settlement. It features over 150 shops and award-winning restaurants, as well as 17 museums and historical sites.

There are still many Mexican immigrants living in the Old Town who speak Spanish, so the Old Town is full of strong Mexican style. There are Mexican shops and Mexican restaurants everywhere. Wandering here seems to slow down time, allowing people to savor the ancient and elegant, classic and leisurely, and the timeless romantic feelings.

When I came to the old town, I was even confused because I couldn't find the entrance to the city. In fact, I came here with Chinese thinking, because this place has only a history of more than 200 years, which cannot be compared with China's 5,000 years of civilization. I believe many people are very disappointed, but when you begin to understand the history and stories here, you will begin to feel that it is meaningful. You must understand the history here so that you can "go back to the past" through these historical buildings and museums, review the history of California, and feel the 18th-century atmosphere of Old Town San Diego.

The Old Town is just a few minutes' walk from the city center. Fountains dot the streets, and unique shops are nestled among floral courtyards. The city hall, post office, restaurants, schools, and churches are all located here. The Old Town's Indian Cultural Village preserves the charm of a 19th-century village, with even the staff dressed in vintage clothing. Every Saturday, the Old Town hosts a market where you can buy handicrafts and authentic local snacks. The Old Town is also home to numerous historical museums.

It's said to be the birthplace of California. The town is filled with European-style goods, colorful walls, tables, and chairs, and even murals of dancing girls, giving it a very Spanish feel.

The old town has a strong commercial atmosphere. You can see Mexican flavors everywhere, which is a sad place for me. I got a parking ticket.

This small and fresh place is cleaner and purer than LA. The old town is very lively on weekends. There are many small shops, old houses of celebrities, museums, and elements of Mexican paper-cut "Coco". If you have time, I recommend staying a few days. It's a very comfortable place.

It feels like there are more Mexicans than Americans. From the moment we got gas, the convenience store guy took the initiative to greet us, but unfortunately, I couldn't understand him. My husband chatted with him for a long time, and he later translated that since they rarely see Chinese people, the guy was curious and asked more questions... That evening, we went to a popular Mexican restaurant for dinner. The portions were huge, and they started with two small baskets of free chips, which were delicious, but the food became even bigger afterwards... After dinner, we wandered around the old town. There were many beautiful little shops, but you couldn't take photos. Some of the staff would initiate conversation, but I would just say I was from China and it was far away... Then, I couldn't understand anything the staff asked... 🤦‍♀️ While walking around, I was surprised to find their cemetery right next to the house...

If you take a closer look at the old town, you can still find the feeling of the American Old West in the movies. Americans are still very serious about preserving their own things! It's quite interesting!

I arrived early in the morning and the old town was full of Mexican style. It was so cute. I loved the huge succulent plants here. As a succulent grower, I was extremely excited. The place is not very big, and it takes an hour to walk around. Because we arrived too early, most shops were closed and we could only take pictures outside. At the last small market, I bought a hand-painted small gourd. Oh, and I also bought an ice cream. The red part is salty and the taste is very unique. 😂

Old Town San Diego, the birthplace of California, was originally an Indian gathering place. It was later occupied by Spain, then belonged to Mexico, and finally was recaptured by the United States. It fully reflects the integration of cultures.

Old Town San Diego, located in the heart of San Diego, is a beautiful and interesting historical city. It is the birthplace of California, an early Spanish colony, and the first European settlement.

There are more than 150 shops, award-winning restaurants, 17 museums and historic sites, as well as free live performances, professional theaters, artisans, galleries, and shops all within walking distance.

The atmosphere here is very good, especially you have to experience their parties and dancing! The atmosphere is very cheerful, and the buildings are all old buildings. It feels very Mexican and the atmosphere is great! ! ! !

There are two very authentic Mexican restaurants in the middle of Old Town Street. This is one of them, and the other one is diagonally across from it. It's great!

We stopped by on the way to Las Vegas. It has a strong Mexican atmosphere. There are not many tourists. It is a free attraction and the parking lot is also free.

It's a great place for young people who want to show off and young women who want to be artistic. It's very unique, but you have to go in the morning, otherwise there will be a lot of people and it won't be fun.

The place is too commercialized, and several museums are a bit shabby.

The scenery is very beautiful and has a Mexican feel. If I had more time, I would like to stay a few more days.

It's called Old Street, but there's no trace of its ancient past left. Bars, bonfires, tourists, and a bustling nightlife are all there, but the feeling of an old street is gone. Only the monument tells you where this place once was.

Today I spent the day strolling around Old Town SAN Diego. In the heart of San Diego, this small place is full of Mexican style. It is the birthplace of California and was originally a Spanish colony. It blends Mexican, Spanish, and American cultures. The rooms show a picture scroll of history!

Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego in the heart of San Diego is a beautiful and interesting historical city, and also a small town full of Mexican style. It is the birthplace of California, an early Spanish colony, and also the first European settlement.

The Old Town preserves quaint 19th-century Spanish architecture and a tranquil atmosphere. It boasts over 150 shops, award-winning restaurants, 17 museums, and historical sites. Free live performances, professional theaters, artisans, galleries, and shops are all within walking distance. Small museums within the Old Town showcase historical events, offering a pleasant stroll through the area. The buildings in this preserved area of the Old Town are kept as close to their original appearance as possible. These houses, reminiscent of a Latino atmosphere, now house small shops and museums.



San Diego's Old Town is now a U.S. National Historic Park. The "State Historic Park" was established in the 1960s to protect the ancient buildings in the old town.



San Diego's Old Town is the historical origin of the city, recording every detail of the city's early stages...

Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, Old Town San Diego is a beautiful and fascinating historic city. It's the birthplace of California, an early Spanish colony, and the site of the first European settlement. It boasts over 150 shops, award-winning restaurants, 17 museums, and historic sites. Free live performances, professional theaters, artisans, galleries, and shops are all within walking distance. Performances include: Old Town San Diego Theater Performances (July 2nd - September 6th); Village Park Cultural Heritage Events; Old Town Saturday Free Market (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.); Old Town Arts Festival.

The main historical attractions in Old Town San Diego are centered around Old Town Historic State Park; nearby attractions include Heritage Park, Presidio Park, and Whaley House.

In 1969, the California State Government designated Old Town as a State Park. The park boasts plazas, exhibits, museums, and demonstrations of life in a bygone era. It boasts 37 historic wooden and mud-brick houses. Don't underestimate each of these structures; they have weathered the test of time. Not only are they charmingly small, but even the staff are professionally dressed in period costumes. The entire Old Town area exudes a distinctly Mexican atmosphere.

Every time my friends come here from China, I will bring them here for a tour. It has preserved the most original Mexican culture. The whole street is full of Mexican restaurants, shops selling small accessories and coffee shops.

Old Town is an open-air attraction, so no entrance fee is required. You can pick up information at the Visitor Center. Must-see attractions include the Central Square, the site of the First California Courthouse, the First California Courthouse Museum, and the Whaley House (a famous haunted house).

California was once part of Mexico, and San Diego, in the far south, is the closest major American city to Mexico, retaining the charm of its Spanish colonial era. If you're looking for a taste of Mexico but can't travel to Mexico, then Old Town San Diego is the perfect choice!

The drive from Los Angeles to San Diego takes about three hours, but traffic can be severe on holidays, so the time might be longer. We usually leave home around 10 AM and arrive in Old Town a little after 1 PM. We find a parking lot on the outskirts, usually marked as offering four hours of free parking, but no one really cares, so we can park as long as we want! Once we get to Old Town, we simply unpack our packed lunches and eat at a picnic table on the central lawn. We usually pack our own lunches when we travel. Mom is such a caring person, preparing all three meals a day, while Dad handles the driving and carrying. It's a different division of labor!

The old town is not big, or rather, very small, about the size of a block. There's a lawn in the center, surrounded by old buildings from the Mexican era, now filled with various specialty shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, hotels, and museums. After dinner, we started to wander around.

A restaurant in the courtyard features a large skull logo. This isn't a Mafia or gang symbol, but rather the renowned Mexican skull culture. No other country in the world has such a love for skull decoration, fostering a culture of skulls. Naturally, the Mexicans, with their love of life, have imbued skulls with a humorous and playful personality. This unique culture instills in every Mexican a deep sense of duty, even in the face of doomsday, to remain the happiest skull in the world.

This courtyard boasts a restaurant, a bar, a toy store, and even more unique shops. They sell items we've never seen before—all authentic Mexican handicrafts. In an era when Yiwu's small commodities are sold all over the world, seeing so many products that aren't made in China was quite exciting. Later, I brought Tuanzi's grandparents and my aunt's grandparents back again, and they were all raving about it. So, if you're visiting Southern California, Old Town San Diego is highly recommended! Leaving the courtyard, you'll find many historic buildings. The buildings themselves aren't anything special; they're typical Western American houses, mostly one-story, with the occasional two-story, and no more than a century old. What's commendable is the preservation of the original. The roads are all dirt, not paved concrete, asphalt, or cobblestone like in more typical tourist areas, giving them a distinct sense of history. Of course, you can't just copy them. Southern California only gets a few rains a year, while in China, the roads would likely turn to mud! There are several small museums, including one showcasing life in the West, a compound where wealthy locals lived, the old city hall (the kind with a detention center), a post office, and the old Wells Fargo office. Wells Fargo got its start in the West, initially helping gold miners transport gold nuggets back east, and eventually grew to become one of the top three banks in the United States.

This place used to be the territory of Mexico, and later the Spaniards colonized it. It is full of cultural atmosphere, with American, Spanish and Mexican cultures intertwined.



In fact, when you arrive here, you will feel a sense of déjà vu. I found that "ancient cities" around the world are similar. There are many small shops selling souvenirs, just like our Lijiang "ancient city". Of course, what they sell here are Mexican-style souvenirs, pendants, clothes, etc.



About parking: There is a tourist parking lot in the old town, and you can also park on the roadside. We parked on the roadside without paying, but the parking lot is charged. When parking on the roadside, you must park on the curb where it is painted white, and not on the curb where it is painted red, as red means no parking.



There is really no special guide for visiting the old town. Just wander around, take a break when you are tired, and there are Mexican restaurants when you are hungry. There is actually nothing special to say.

It feels like being in Mexico here, with cacti everywhere, very tall. The streets are full of Mexican-style shops and restaurants.

Both the architecture and handicrafts are very Mexican, unlike the little Italy which has no feeling at all.

The small shops inside are worth visiting. The owner is very enthusiastic and talkative. I recommend going to the leather shop (I don’t remember the name, but it seems there is only one).

There is a small market with all kinds of gadgets, dream catchers of different sizes and colors, flat and three-dimensional. You can try the bug in Figure 5 (I dare not eat it)

I don't understand why there are so many skull ornaments?

You can go to the Carriage Museum (named by yourself)

It's worth visiting. The aircraft carrier museum and the Blue Waters restaurant are highly recommended, but be aware that the queues are long. The food is delicious!!! Absolutely delicious.

There is an old town sightseeing bus. We stayed at the old town hotel, which was very beautiful. There were many restaurants and bars at the door.

The beauty of an exotic place. Old Town San Diego was not on our plan, but it turned out to be surprisingly nice.

Originally a gathering place for Native Americans, it was later occupied by the Spanish and then ceded to Mexico, not regaining its territory until after the American Revolutionary War. As a result, San Diego boasts a blend of Mexican and Spanish culture, and Old Town is the perfect example of this.

Classical and exquisite buildings, sturdy and vicissitudes of life trees, as well as colorfully decorated restaurants, food, galleries, shops...

This is basically a preserved part of the old town, but there are no real residents anymore. If you are on your way, you can take a look.

There is no entrance fee to the small town. Apart from a few small museums, there are some small shops.

It's a famous tourist attraction with a lot of people and a bit commercialized. But if you are interested in American history, you can go and see it.

In Old Town San Diego, you can vaguely feel what San Diego was like a hundred years ago. You can browse the small trinket shops on the street and enjoy Mexican food while listening to live music at night. It’s great!

The old town is said to be the birthplace of California. There are many small museums and shops. The restaurants also have a unique Mexican atmosphere.

I like this place, it's small and exquisite, and the colorful buildings will make you feel better. I went shopping in the small shops to buy souvenirs, the things are quite unique, but they are relatively expensive.

This small street, with Mexican architectural style, sells various handicrafts and souvenirs, and also has unique restaurants to enjoy. Although I personally think the items there are a bit expensive, it is still great to be able to find the souvenirs you like!

It was nice to go for a walk, but there wasn't much sentiment in it, and I didn't learn much about world history.

The old town lacks the bustling atmosphere of the evening, when it's bustling with Mexican restaurants, bars, and small shops. The morning brings a sense of tranquility and comfort, a bright sun and a quiet town. The old town is dotted with small Mexican-style houses, each housing a shop or restaurant. Since it was only 9 a.m. when we arrived, the shops were still closed and the crowds were minimal. If you're looking for Mexican food and a taste of Mexican culture, this is the place to go.

The park is dotted with old Spanish buildings, churches, museums, shops, restaurants, and hotels. It's also adjacent to San Diego's transportation hub, where various bus routes depart, the light rail interchange, and the Los Angeles-bound Amtrack train also passes through. We had a Mexican meal in Old Town.

I wandered aimlessly through the old town, the Harbor City, Fisherman's Wharf, Century Kiss, Mexican restaurants—everywhere was filled with warmth and enthusiasm. What was particularly memorable was stumbling upon a vast expanse of uninhabited old buildings. I was captivated by their vibrant colors and diverse styles. I continued up the path until I reached an upscale residential area. I spoke with the owner of a house busy planting flowers on the roadside and learned that the buildings I had just seen were ancient structures preserved by the government. Unfortunately, we didn't know their history. It was an unexpected reward.

If you have never been to Mexico, go to the old town and eat Mexican food and tortillas.

Experience the slow pace of American life

Fresh air, bright eyes

A very charming old town with beautiful buildings, sunshine and sea breeze.

Chinese homonym: San Diego/San Diego

San Diego was first settled by the Spanish when they arrived. Later, after Mexico defeated Spain, it became part of Mexico. After the Mexican-American War in 1848, it was annexed by the United States and incorporated into the city of California. Old Town is the birthplace of California, an early Spanish colony and the site of the first European settlements. Therefore, it combines Spanish-style architecture with a vibrant array of traditional Mexican restaurants.

A Pacific coastal city in California, located in the extreme southwest corner of the continental United States, famous for its warm climate and many beaches. It is very suitable for vacation and living. I like it here.

The Old Town is a very unique place in San Diego. Everything from the food there is 18th century style. The performances, shopping and food are all full of the mark of history.

It feels like an ancient town. Maybe time is tight and there is no time to visit carefully, but the villas inside are very nice.

It is said to be the oldest city center in San Diego. Now there are many small shops in it where you can walk around and browse. There are also many local small things to buy. It is a stop not to be missed.

San Diego is different from the hustle and bustle of LA. The old town is very literary, quiet and beautiful.

I passed by this small town on the way to the naval port. I didn't think it was anything special at first, but after a walk around, I found that there were many good things there. They were all pure Mexican-style specialties. The cigars here are great! Highly recommended

It was an Indian gathering place, and was later occupied by the Spanish, and then belonged to Mexico. It was not until after the American Revolutionary War that the territory was regained. Because of this, San Diego has a culture that blends Mexican and Spanish, and the old town is the best interpretation of it.

It’s best to go in the morning. Many shops are closed after 5 o’clock.

I didn't feel anything, just took some photos and checked in.

I think Old Town San Diego is a must-see in downtown San Diego. It's like a giant tourist area, filled with historical sites and beautiful houses—perfect for photo ops! There are also small museums, Mexican-style architecture, restaurants, and local art—it's definitely worth a visit. It's also very easily accessible, with tour buses available. I had brunch there, which was excellent, and the ice cream was delicious too! There's also a candle shop with a wide selection of colorful, artistic candles—a must-see for women!

The parking lot outside the main street of Old Town costs $5 per car, and you can walk in. The street is clean and filled with small shops and restaurants, and their restaurant is actually a cafe. We had Mexican food at Fred's Mexican Cafe, which required a bit of a wait, but we decided that Coyote Cafe across the street was more authentic, as their line was longer. So after dinner, we wandered over there. Seeing everyone was buying their ice cream, we bought a few for the kids, too. They were just over $3 each, and honestly, they were as good as Godiva!

The first stop on the Coast Train is Old Town San Diego. This area is the birthplace of California, an early Spanish colony, and the site of the first European settlements. With its Spanish-style architecture and a variety of traditional Mexican restaurants, it reflects the vicissitudes of life in Old Town and its rich historical and cultural heritage.

It's a small area with some unique small shops. I think it's worth a quick look.

The old town is a cross-shaped street with Mexican-style restaurants, cafes, and handicraft shops on both sides.