How to Spend an Afternoon in San Diego's Old Town

Old Town San Diego

San Diego’s Old Town is not just the birthplace of San Diego, it is the birthplace of California. The first Spanish settlement and the first Mission in California were both located in Old Town San Diego. Old Town gives visitors a glimpse of San Diego’s history, and the 150 shops and restaurants ensure that there is plenty to do for anyone spending an afternoon in Old Town.

Instructions

1. Arrive in the Old Town area a little before noon. Although you can drive there, it is recommended that you take the San Diego Trolley. The trolley has a stop at Old Town, which saves you the hassle of traffic and avoids the headache of trying to find parking on Old Town’s crowded streets. There are also hotels and bed-and-breakfast locations within walking distance of Old Town for travelers visiting from out of town.

2. Take a casual stroll through the Old Town Square. Whether you arrive on foot, by car or on a trolley, you will begin at south end of the Square. Take a casual stroll around the Square, taking a moment to look in on shops of interest. There are old-fashioned candy stores, cigar stores and a number of businesses that fit in well with the pioneer streets.

3. Head over to Café Coyote for an authentic Mexican lunch. There are a large number of restaurants in Old Town, so if Café Coyote looks too crowded, or if you aren’t in the mood for Mexican food, there are plenty of alternatives available.

4. Take a ride on the Old Town Trolley. Unlike the San Diego Trolley, which is designed for speedy transportation, the Old Town Trolley is a guided tour that enlightens you about California’s historic past. The Old Town Trolley winds not just through Old Town but also through downtown’s Gaslamp District and through Balboa Park. You are free to get on and off the trolley at various trolley stops, allowing you to get a closer look at places of interest.

5. As the Old Town Trolley arrives back in Old Town, ask the driver if he can show you the stop closest to the Whaley House. The Whaley House served as San Diego’s courthouse during the pioneer era. Today it is a museum, showing the original courtroom, the judge’s family living quarters, and even the location for the public executions. Audio recordings bring the courtroom to life. The Whaley House is widely believed to be haunted, making it a popular tourist destination.

6. Stop by the San Diego Sheriff’s Museum. This unique museum gives you a look at what it was like to maintain law and order in the pioneer settlement.

7. Take a stroll just down from the Sheriff’s Museum to the McKinstry Dentist Office. You cannot actually enter the dentist office; rather, it is more of a look-through-the-window type of museum, but it does give you a good view of how primitive dental health was in the Old Town San Diego settlement. It certainly leaves you with a strong appreciation for how far dentistry has come.

8. Make a stop by the Mason Street School to look at an authentic pioneer schoolhouse. This is an open museum that you can walk into and explore.

9. Down the street from the school is the Blacksmith/Livery. Not only can you can a look at a real, working smith shop, you can also see a large number of carriages and wagons.

10. End your afternoon with a nice meal. The northeast corner of the Square has a truly authentic Mexican restaurant with margaritas the size of a small lake--the perfect end to a busy day.

Tips & Warnings

• Following these steps will give you a full, busy, active day, but you will not cover even half of what there is to see and do in Old Town. Take time to make note of the places you didn't have time to see, and plan a second trip back to the area.