California’s first European settlement began in today’s Old Town San Diego in 1769. These days, the 230-acre neighborhood offers an immersive trip back in time to explore the area’s Spanish, Mexican, and early American influences.
From the haunted Whaley House and historic adobes to the live mariachi performances and bustling open-air marketplaces, Old Town San Diego is packed with fascinating ways to connect with early Californian history.
You can reach Old Town San Diego in about 2 hours by car from Los Angeles, or just under 3 hours via Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train.
Keep reading for a quick guide to help you make the most of Old Town San Diego.
History of Old Town San Diego
Indigenous history and Spanish colonization
Long before European settlement, this area of California was home to the Indigenous Kumeyaay people, who lived here for over 10,000 years and were experts at managing the diverse landscape.
The Spanish first arrived in the area in 1542, but it wasn’t until 1769 that they established the first permanent settlement in California, which included the Presidio of San Diego and Mission San Diego de Alcalá near the San Diego River.
They used the Presidio and the Mission to colonize the Indigenous people, decimating their populations further with smallpox and measles.
Mexican period
Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, at which point San Diego became a Mexican pueblo with a civilian government.
Wealthy Californio families built adobe homes that endure today around the central Plaza, and commerce expanded. The remaining Kumenaay tribes continued to resist and raid Mexican settlers during this time.
American period
California became part of the United States in 1850 after the Mexican-American War, and San Diego was incorporated as a city. American settlers and 49ers arrived, and new “frontier Victorians” and wooden buildings began to mix with the Mexican adobes. San Diego’s city center shifted to the newly established “New Town,” or present-day Downtown San Diego.
The Kumeyaay were left nearly landless as the U.S. seized and divided their lands. Surviving members of the Kumeyaay have managed to preserve their culture to this day on a handful of reservations.
Thanks to the preservation efforts of the 1900s, Old Town’s adobes and historic buildings still stand. The area is now Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, a tourist and heritage site where you can experience the area’s history today.
Things to do in Old Town San Diego
Visiting Old Town San Diego is like stepping into a living museum with year-round entertainment and activities to help you connect with the region’s history. Explore a blend of restored adobe buildings set on historic 19th-century streets, rendered into today’s reality with the help of bustling marketplaces and costumed performers.
Historic and cultural experiences
- Old Town San Diego State Historic Park – The state park comprises a collection of five preserved adobes, which now house museums, restaurants, and shops. It offers a glimpse into the Mexican era from 1821-1872, with some exhibits and information about the Kumeyaay.
- Whaley House – Dating back to 1857, the Whaley House is considered one of America’s most haunted buildings. Members of the Whaley family lived and died in the house, and people say you can still feel their spirits.
- Heritage Park Row – This picturesque street is home to beautifully preserved Victorians and San Diego’s first synagogue.
- Cultural performances – Old Town regularly hosts historical reenactments, mariachi performances, and folklórico dancing in the historic plaza.
- Annual events – Connect with the area’s Mexican history at seasonal events including Día de Los Muertos and Fiestas Patrias.
Shopping, art, and food
Skilled artisans line the stalls at Bazaar del Mundo, a colorful outdoor market, selling a huge variety of Mexican and Latin American folk art, ornaments, crafts, jewelry, and more. Visitors can browse eclectic boutiques and galleries throughout the district for fun keepsakes.
Don’t forget to stop for a margarita or a nourishing meal at one of Old Town’s many Mexican and Latin American restaurants. Some of the most popular spots include Casa Guadalajara, Casa de Reyes, Old Town Mexican Cafe, and Cafe Coyote.