From Interstate 5, exit Old Town Avenue. Turn left on San Diego Avenue, and head straight for fun! This much loved, colorful neighborhood is the heart of San Diego. Created in 1769, Old Town San Diego was California’s first settlement with only a mission and a fort. Old Town grew and thrived until the building of “New Town,” now downtown San Diego.

In 1969 the City of San Diego celebrated its 200th anniversary and returned Old Town to the public eye. At the heart of the neighborhood is Old Town San Diego, a California State Park . Here you can experience life in the early Mexican-American periods of 1821-1872 through rich living history programs. Watch forms come to life at the blacksmith and woodworker shops, and read a newspaper from the eighteenth or nineteenth century!

Wander through lush gardens or browse at one of the many specialty shops for treasures from around the world. Sip a margarita at one of the myriad international restaurants or dance to the strolling mariachis. Pause to reflect at the fountain in Bazaar del Mundo and plan a day or two to visit the dozens of historic sites. Take a tour of a haunted building and spend a day at one of the many museums. Year round, Old Town is the place for food, folklore, and fun. Visit Old Town, celebrate San Diego’s heritage, and bask in early California ambiance!

Council Representative

James Lawson
Phone: (619) 236-6622
E-mail: jmlawson@sandiego.gov