{"id":33319,"date":"2024-07-18T18:04:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-18T18:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=33319"},"modified":"2024-12-02T23:33:35","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T23:33:35","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-san-diegos-old-town","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-san-diegos-old-town\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need To Know About San Diego\u2019s Old Town"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At first glance San Diego\u2019s Old Town appears to be a collection of rustic shops and festive restaurants, the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it really is a great destination to enjoy a good meal and purchase a souvenir or two. But this is also the birthplace of California. Scattered throughout Old Town are historic buildings, tiny museums, and even a cemetery, all giving you a glimpse of life in the early 1800s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Old Town?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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At the heart of Old Town is the state historic park<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here you\u2019ll find structures dating back to the early 1800s combined with reconstructed buildings, all well documented with signage about the residents of these homes and owners of the businesses. The park walks you through layers of history of how the region began as Spain, transitioned to Mexico, and finally joined the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surrounding the state historic park are loads of restaurants, shops, parks, and attractions. You can pop in for an authentic Mexican meal or spend an entire day exploring all the area has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll share tips on everything to see and do, but first here\u2019s a little history on this fascinating corner of San Diego.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The history of Old Town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Courtyard
Credit: Wendy Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1769, Father Jun\u00edpero Serra arrived in the area now known as San Diego to establish the first permanent European settlement in California. He built the first of 21 missions next to the Presidio, a Spanish fort perched high on a hill overlooking the river below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, the fort was abandoned and a new community was established at the base of the hill. Over time this modest village grew to add large adobe homes, shops, a school, and a courthouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1848, California became part of the United States, and this village thrived for another 19 years. However, when Alonzo Horton bought 900 acres of land by the ocean, the center of commerce moved and eventually took on the name, San Diego.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get to and around Old Town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Historic
Credit: Wendy Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Located in the heart of San Diego, Old Town is easily accessible by both car and public transportation. The nearby transit center is a hub for Amtrak trains, the San Diego Trolley, and several bus lines. There are many parking lots \u2014 both free and paid \u2014 throughout the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve arrived, Old Town is very walkable and mostly flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to see in and around Old Town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Old<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can spend days seeing all the historic sites located in Old Town, but here are few sights to consider for your first visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robinson-Rose Visitor Information Center<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of the Old Town State Historic Park is the Robinson-Rose Visitor Information Center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the original Robinson-Rose home was demolished around 1900, the park service reconstructed it 1989 to serve as the visitor center. Here you\u2019ll find a large diorama of Old Town as it would likely have looked in the late 1800s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Park staff are available to answer questions and a bookshop offers a selection of literature about California\u2019s early history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Casa de Estudillo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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