Old Town San Diego: Exploring California’s First European Settlement

Wraparound

• Old Town San Diego is a beautiful and historic neighborhood with museums, ancient architecture, and vibrant food scenes.
• The best time to visit Old Town Santiago is on weekdays in September, so you can avoid the crowds and enjoy the pleasant weather.
• Explore the original buildings of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, take part in a free walking tour, shop at unique shops, and dine at delicious restaurants, especially authentic Mexican cuisine.

Old Town San Diego is considered the birthplace of California and is one of the most beautiful historical places in the United States. It has a rich heritage that vacationers can explore in its stunning museums as well as history and heritage tours. It’s the oldest settled area in the charming city of San Diego, but offers more than just history.

Old Town San Diego has an incredible food scene, with multiple vibrant restaurants serving authentic Mexican cuisine. Here’s a guide to help visitors explore Old Town San Diego, the Golden State’s first European settlement, and what to do in California.

Overview of Old Town Santiago

Old Town San Diego is one of the best neighborhoods in San Diego, located about three and a half miles northwest of downtown.

The best way to explore this historic district is by car, as it’s conveniently located on Interstate 8 to the north and Interstate 5 to the west. People can also take trolleybuses, buses, and the regional Amtrak to explore the neighborhood, all of which connect in the Old Town Transit Center.

Is Old Town San Diego Worth Visiting?

The main attractions that visitors see in Old Town San Diego include museums and ancient buildings. One of the best sights in the historic district is Old Town State Historic Park, home to a large number of 19th-century historic buildings. These ancient buildings offer the opportunity to learn about life in San Diego’s past.

Other places worth seeing include Presidio Park and Camp Mormon Historical Park, which honors Mormons who played a vital role in the Mexican-American War as part of the military.

However, no visit to California’s first European settlement is complete without exploring the region’s vibrant food, art, and shopping scene.

Best Time to Visit Old Town Santiago

Old Town San Diego has some of the oldest streets in the United States, and there’s nothing more interesting than strolling through those streets as they are filled with the history of the city’s oldest traditions. But when is the best time to explore this part of California?

In general, summer is considered the best time to visit Santiago because there are many fun activities during the hot season. However, for the best weather, it is best to plan a trip to the city in September. The hot temperatures this month have cooled and the crowds have become sparse.

More specifically, the weekday is the best time to wander the charming streets of Old Town San Diego. Weekends can be very crowded, so it’s not so pleasant for holidaymakers who want to enjoy time on the almost empty streets.

• Best month to visit Old Town Santiago: September
• Best time to explore the historic district: weekdays
• When to avoid visiting Old Town (if planning a vacation in Old San Diego): During major public holidays, such as Labor Day

History of Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the United States with a long and fascinating history. Long before Europeans settled in the area, it was inhabited by the Kumeyaay, a Youman-speaking community who had lived here for more than 10,000 years.

Many of the early inhabitants were hunter-gatherers, and some worked in gardening. Europeans arrived here for the first time in 1592, changing the boundaries of the lands owned by the people.

From the Spanish invasion of these places in 1769 until 1848, many of the ancestral lands of the indigenous people were taken away.

The first mission in Old Town San Diego (the first European settlement in California) was built in 1769. The Old Town experienced growth in the 1800s, but then ran into serious problems that led to a slowdown in growth. When California became part of the United States in 1850, the population of the place was only 650 people.

It was the center of San Diego until the city’s downtown area was developed, and is now one of the most beautiful downtown districts in the United States.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park became a California Historic Landmark in 1969 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

• First inhabitants of Old Town Santiago: Kumeyaay (Uman-speaking community)
• The year Europeans first arrived in the region: 1592
• Year Old Town San Diego State Historic Park was incorporated into the NRHP: 1971

What to Do in Old Town San Diego

Exploring Old Town San Diego includes walking, eating out, and delving into the area’s history.

Discover the first original buildings of Old Town Santiago

No tour of Old Town San Diego is complete without exploring some of the most iconic historical landmarks. The first five buildings belonged to the Ruiz, Ybanes, Serrano, Corrillo and Marron families.

These buildings are considered the core of the neighborhood and therefore have an important place in San Diego’s history. Located within Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, they are now home to some of the city’s tastiest restaurants, pretty shops, and museums, where vacationers can get an insight into the city’s first residents.

Open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Restrooms are open from 10:00 a.m. to dusk. The park’s museum remains closed during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The first buildings in Old Town Santiago:

• La Casa de Estudillo: Built between 1827 and 1829, it has 12 rooms, including a living room, dining room and bedroom. In the Mexican and early American period, the building became the social and religious center of the city.
• La Casa de Bandini: This building dates back to 1827 and was originally the home of Don Juan Bandini. It was home to the famous Casa de Bandini Mexican restaurant in the second half of the 20th century, now the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant (the hotel is open, but the restaurant is currently closed until further notice).
• La Casa de Altamirano Pedrorena: This building dates back to 1869 and is the last Adobe building in Old Town San Diego.
• Mason Street School: Built in 1865, this is the first public school in San Diego County

The buildings are built of adobe bricks, and visitors can explore them while visiting Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

• Tour start time: Usually starts at 11:00 AM
• Duration: One hour

Explore the Shopping Scene of Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego is one of the best shopping destinations one can think of in the city. In this historic area, vacationers can enjoy more than 100 shops and numerous dining and entertainment options just a short walk from the hotel.

Shopping options include quirky boutiques, individual stores, Latin American gift shops, and plenty of art galleries to explore.

One of the must-see places is Old Town Market, a shopping mall on a historic site that was restored about 20 years ago. Whatever people are looking for, they can find them in 40 stores spread throughout the building.

Bazaar Del Mundo, Toby’s Candle & Soap Shop, Johnson House, and Cousin’s Candy Shop are all top shopping destinations in Old Town San Diego not to be missed.

Dine in Old Town San Diego: Try Some of the Most Delicious Restaurants Nearby

The Old Town is home to more than 30 unique dining options, some of which are the oldest restaurants in the United States. Vacationers can try different cuisines at these restaurants, with Mexican cuisine being the most popular.

Fancy a gastronomic adventure with San Diego’s diverse food culture? Some of the best restaurants to try include Café Coyote, Old Town Urban Market, Old Town Mexican Café and Casa Guadalajara.

• Most popular cuisines: Mexican and American