"Old Town San Diego State Historic Park" Old Town San Diego State Historical Park by lmkluque

Old Town San Diego State Historical Park Travel Guide: 61 reviews and 146 photos

The original town square of San Diego de Alcala

UNDER CONSTRUCTION AGAIN!

Welcome to my Old Town State Historical Park page,

Old Town is a community of the city of San Diego and there is a page for Old Town San Diego which I am in the process of building. There also is this page; Old Town San Diego State Historical Park. This state park is the hub of "Old Town," and the importance of this section of our city is the historical events that took place here.

On this page I will tell you about The Presidio, San Diego Mission de Alcala, Old Town and the newest effort to preserve the history of San Diego, Heritage Park, where you can see some of the older homes and buildings that were saved from demolition. Great effort was made to collect enough money to have these graceful structures moved up the hill, a block east of Old Town.

Today, visitors flock here and what they see, happens to be mostly a recreation of an old town.

The quaint adobe buildings are filled with shops, selling items that tourists like to buy, or restaurants and bars, to provide refreshment for travelers as well as the residents, and of course there are plenty hotels to choose from.

There are some sites of historical significence, the old court house, the first newspaper office are just a few to see as you wander past the town square. Oh, don't forget, there is a real ghost house to tour.

In 1857 Alonzo Horton--remember Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego?--came into town and with great insight, began to build up the area south of Old Town, near the bay. This area is known today as downtown San Diego. It was the 1872 fire, which burned down most of the buildings in Old Town, that caused the big move to the bay area.

I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me start at the beginning.

I hope you enjoy your visit,
Linda

The Presidio (Garrison)

On a Hill Overlooking Old Town

It all started one day in1542 when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portugese explorer sailing under the flag of Spain, leaves Navidad, Mexico.

On September 28th, after three months of sailing, he enters into the Bay of San Diego--wasn't called San Diego then--Cabrillo named it San Miguel. If interested, you can read more about Cabrillo on my Cabrillo National Monument page

Sixty years later, in 1602 Spain sends out another expedition and the leader was Sebastian Vizcaino, who changed our name to San Diego de Alcala.

During the next 167 years Spain's interests in this area were protected by the brave souls who manned the Presidio in this far away, isolated land.

Naturally, those brave souls were not always so kind to the people who lived here originally. It seems that throughout all history, one man's sense of superiority over another man can be found in every society, even here in the peaceful little town of San Diego de Alcala.

The Presidio was built on a hill which would overlook the town once it was built. In July of 1769 the first permanent Spanish settlement at the Presidio--also know as Plymouth Rock West--was established and 16 July, was the date celebrated as the birthday of San Diego.

Each year there is a re-enactment at the Presidio that shows the relationship between the soldiers, the priests and the Indians who were being converted.

If you happen to be in San Diego on a day that doesn't celebrate this re-enactment, visit the Presidio anyway, it's quite interesting to see.

(Not Monday. It's closed on Mondays.)

Mission San Diego de Alcala (1769)

San Diego Mission de Alcala

The Roman Catholic Church's interests were protected by an adventurous Franciscan named Junipero Serra who has been credited with establishing twenty-one Franciscan Missions along the coast of California. San Diego Mission de Alcala was the first.

In 1775 the Mission was move about six miles up the San Diego River Valley where it still stands as a witness to events long past.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Full of history. Festive. Fun.
Cons:Parking is a pain!
In a nutshell:Take the Trolley, but see it for yourself.

Last visit to Old Town San Diego State Historical Park: Feb 2012
Intro Updated May 1, 2012
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (28)

Last Adobe built in Old Town - Old Town San Diego State Historical Park

Gems, Rocks and Fossils! Shopping (3)

Miner's Gems and Minerals is housed in the historic home of Don Miguel de Pedrorena (Junior) built in 1869. Now it is... more travel advice

Colorful Kiosk - Old Town San Diego State Historical Park

A bit of Color! Things to Do (10)

Either this is something new or it had just blended in with the Bazar del Mundo look so, I hadn't noticed it before. At... more travel advice

Bazar Del Mundo Has Moved! - Old Town San Diego State Historical Park

Plaza Del Pasado Things to Do (10)

Bazaar del Mundo has been replaced by Plaza del Pasado and I went there to see the changes. The difference was so... more travel advice

Casa De Reyes - Old Town San Diego State Historical Park

This Has Replaced Casa De Pico Restaurants (3)

Though Casa de Reyes occupied the same space that Casa de Pico had, the difference was immediately noticable. The... more travel advice

Local Customs (1)
Vacation All Year Round
Transportation (4)
See All Old Town Trolley Tours
Nightlife (4)
See All Only at the Restaurants!

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (13)

Reply
- Report abuse
Nemorino Apr 30, 2012 at 2:39 PM

That’s actually a rather amazing story of Mr. Light and his freedom papers. Assuming he was freed sometime in the 1840s, his freedom papers must have remained untouched under that old window sill until about 130 years later, when they were found by construction workers.
Reply
- Report abuse
Anon543 Aug 13, 2006 at 11:45 PM

Don’t spend a dime here. The carne asada was dry, tough, and scant. The margarita did not do justice for its price. Tourist trap. Will never see me there unless I’ve died and gone to Mexican hell. Don’t confuse with Casa De Pico (which is very good).
Reply
- Report abuse
Pawtuxet Jun 6, 2005 at 3:27 AM

Loved that little historic restaurant. How ya doin? Hope the new computer is giving you hours of fun.
Reply
- Report abuse
keida84 Mar 10, 2005 at 10:06 AM

Wow, I am saddened to read this restaurant is closing. I enjoy Old Towne and this was one of the reasons why. Kat
Reply
- Report abuse
Trekki Oct 17, 2004 at 9:45 AM

What a wonderful historical park - and so much to see and enjoy ! Great page, and lovely pics. Thanks for sharing, Linda :-))
Reply
- Report abuse
Waalewiener Jul 15, 2004 at 9:49 PM

I knew that San diego was known for its famous Zoo ,I never knew about this great Park Linda Thank you for showing it to us. Linda Lori & Hansi are looking forward a lot to meeting you in L A soon
Reply
- Report abuse
gosiaPL May 15, 2004 at 4:09 PM

Nice idea for a park, and your page really explains what it is about, nice job! BTW, I'd love to poke around in those Bazaar shops! :-)
Reply
- Report abuse
matcrazy1 Apr 11, 2004 at 10:46 PM

Great page and one more reason to come back to San Diego!
Reply
- Report abuse
Jane_The_Obscure Oct 8, 2003 at 12:28 PM

The Sherman-Gilbert house is fabulous! I'm sorry I didn't know about it when I visited!
Reply
- Report abuse
zrim Oct 8, 2003 at 11:50 AM

I agree, Old Town is a very pleasant spot to hang out for an afternoon.