History of Old Town San Diego

The story begins on September 28, 1542, Portuguese navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and his crew of Spanish sailors discovered San Diego's beautiful harbor. Cabrillo recorded the position of the port he called San Miguel in his log and then set sail, never to return. November 10, 1602 another European explorer settled into San Diego.  Don Sebastian Vizcaino and a small armada sailed into the harbor. Naming the port San Diego, he described it being "adequate for all drafts of ships and plentiful in fish and game". Finally in 1769, 150 years later, New Spain directed Don Gasper Portola and Father Junipero Serra to proceed northward from Loreto, mission in San Diego. Three ships were sent to San Diego while Father Serra and Portola and their men proceeded overland. On July 26, 1769 Father Junipero Serra founded the first of 21 missions in California, the Mission of San Diego Alcala. The remains of that first mission can be seen in excavations in Presidio Park above Old Town.

San Diego's Old Town Historic Park coveys an authentic re-creation of the city's glorious history between 1821 and 1872. Restored adobe homes, museums, landmarks, commercial shops, restaurants, park rangers and volunteers all bring the  flavor of the past back to life. It is truly one of the most worthwhile attractions in all of California!

The best way to begin your our Old Town tour is to take the one-hour walking tour, which departs from the Old Town Visitor Center (619) 220-5422 located at the Robinson-Rose Building on San Diego Ave. and South of Taylor St. Daily tours are from 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Restaurants

Barra Barra Restaurant - 619-291-3200 At 2654 Calhoun St. in the new Fiesta De Reyes area. Comfortable and inviting patio or step into one of the indoor dining rooms. On a cold day you can relax near the cozy fireplace. The food is equally inviting. The best margarita's for only $5.00.

Cafe Coyote and Cantina 619-291-4696  Situated in Old Town Esplanade. Winner of the San Diego Restaurant Association's 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 Gold Medallion Award for "Best Mexican Restaurant" need I say more?

Casa Guadalajara Restaurant - 619-295-5111 Great Weekend Breakfast and Brunch. Two outdoor patios to enjoy some of their mouthwatering dishes. A very popular eatery.

Fred's Mexican Cafe Known for their spectacular tasty taco's! A must try are the grilled Mahi Mahi tacos, Baha Fish taco's, carne asada tacos and you can't go wrong with with the Cajun shrimp tacos. They won the Lamplighter Award for "San Diego's Best Mexican Restaurant three years in a row.

Harney Sushi 619-295-3272 Trendy Japanese Restaurant playing hip music, stylish decor and features more than 40 sakes, 50 award winning wines and 35 gourmet specialty rolls.

Jack & Giulio's Italian Restaurant 48 Years of excellence! Ask about their daily and seasonal specials. Homemade pastas, sauces and soups are only the beginning. Delicious filet mignon with a savory cognac sauce or try the scampi Giulio.

La Pinata Restaurant 619-297-1631 Live mariachi music daily. This popular restaurant is celebrating 80 years in business as the oldest operating restaurant in Old Town. A romantic patio with its fireplace and a bubbling fountain in a lush garden setting. The upstairs dining has a golf course view.

Old Town Mexican Cafe 619-297-4330

Casa de Reyes Restaurant - 619-220-5040 In the Fiesta De Reyes area on Calhoun St. Reasonable prices. The atmosphere is warm and festive. Live Mexican music while you dine. Be sure to try one of their famous margaritas with your delicious Mexican entrees.

Diane Powers Casa Guadalajara Mexican Restarant & Cantina 619-295-5111 Festival invironment and outstanding mexican food. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A lively cantina bar with a complimentary appetizer buffet during happy hour. Mon-Thurs 4pm-7pm.

Shopping and Museums

Bazaar Del Mundo Shops - 619-296-3161 A supurb selection of Latin American folk art, gifts, jewelery and home decor.

Four Winds Trading Co. 619-692-0466 Arts and crafts of Native Americans. Exquisite pottery, colorful kachina dolls, beautiful paintings by Native American artists. Hand-woven rugs and handcrafted jewelry by award-winning siversmiths from various reservations.

Covered Wagon 619-688-1100 2525 - San Diego Ave. The best southwestern gift shop.

Tin-smith This delightful shop features dazzling mirrors, lamps, ornaments and home decor all beautifully crafted in brilliant tin.

Del Sol Shop 619-299-6965 Everything sold here instantly changes colors in the sunlight. Also includes, apparel, golf shirts, tote bags and accessories.

Fiesta De Reyes at 2654 Calhoun St. 619-297-3100 This new attraction in historic Old Town San Diego Historic Park is filled with the sparkle that makes visiting Old Town so special. Dining and shopping here is a must!

Hacienda de las Rosas and Winery - 619-840-5579 A wonderful winery and  delightful little shops. The tasting room is open  Mon-Thurs 11am-8pm and Fri-Sat till 9pm. Part of the new Fiesta De Reyes experience.

MCRD Command Museum - Less than a mile from Old Town off Old Town Ave and Washington Street. 619-524-4426. Dedicated to preserving the history of the United States Marine Corps. Admission is free. Mon-Sat. 8am-4pm.

Morman Battalion Historic Museum - 619-298-3317 Grand re-opening January 2010. Guided tours will take you through the museum as a member of the Battalion. Hands on activities for the family.

Old Town Esplanade A two-level shopping and dining destination located on the corner of San Diego Ave. and Conde Street.

Old Town Theatre - 619-337-1525 Not a bad seat in the house. This cozy theatre hosts an ecclectic mix of classic and contemporary plays by the award winning Cygnet trademark.

San Diego Union Museum The oldest daily newspaper in Southern California that is still in print. Today it is called The San Diego Union-Tribune. Built in 1851, this structure was among the  first prefabricated buildings in Southern California.

San Diego Sheriff's Museum 619-260-1850 An interactive museum fun for the family. Listen to live police calls, hop on a sherrifs motercycle and turn on the sirens and lights.  See the true reality behind bars. It will make you think twice about breaking the law. Admission is free. Open Tues-Sat. 10am-4pm and closed Sun. and Mon.

Old Town Plaza - (or Washington Square) is bordered by San Diego Ave. Mason, Calhoun and Wallace streets. Discovered in the 1800s, the plaza is a must see for the history buffs. Many delightful shops and stores. Also, a replica of San Diego's first courthouse, Mason Street School, San Diego's first public school built in 1865, it has been moved serval times and now occupies a site close to it's original location. Behind the schoolhouse is the Casa de Machado-Stewart, a modest two room adobe house. This must see house now serves as a living history museum.

La Casa de Estudillo - The house, which was the home of Jose Antonio Estudillo, is an excellent example of an early Mexican home with its picturesque red-tiled roof and massive white adobe walls. Built on the plaza in 1827, this large hacienda is a wonderful example of how wealthy, early Californians lived.

Junipero Serra Museum - 619-297-3258 This mission-style building sits 160 feet above Old Town on Presidio Hill. It was built by George Marston, a local civic leader in 1929 as a tribute to Father Junipero Serra. It is surrounded by Presidio Park. A serene setting with more than 120 acres of green grass and trees. From here you can get a panoramic view of Mission Bay and Mission Valley. Ideal for a Sunday picnic or outdoor wedding location.

Metropolitan Transit System Trolley -Just outside of Old Town Market on Twiggs Street. A great way to learn and see San Diego history.