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Highlights :
Shops & Attractions
: Dining
| Logistics
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Getting There
Highlights
Relive the exciting early days of California
in Old Town San Diego. This charming area minutes from downtown
and Mission Valley is home to the beautiful Bazaar
del Mundo, Old Town State
Historic Park, and a superb shopping and dining district.
Shops
& Attractions
You’ll love the Bazaar del Mundo’s tinkling fountain
and fiesta atmosphere, where unusual shops with treasures from all
over the world surround a flower-scented courtyard. There’s
a great toy store for kids and Mexican imports for adults. The “fun”
shops have stuff kids love — polished rocks and gemstones,
candy, old west souvenirs, and more. Right next door (at San Diego
Avenue and Twiggs Street) is Old Town State Historic Park. This
special complex has the open, “olden-days” feel of San
Diego circa 1821–1872, with five original adobes. A short
stroll away, Old Town proper boasts great restaurants, a general
store, gift shops, antique stores, and more. It’s also the
location of the infamous Whaley
House, a Victorian mansion and historical museum complete with
resident ghosts. For a fun theater experience, visit “The
Theatre in Old Town,” at Juan and Twiggs Streets, where
there’s “not a bad seat in the house.” Lovely
Presidio Park lies a few blocks north of Old Town and features cool
green lawns, shade trees, and spectacular views of the bay and harbor.
Aficionados of California mission architecture will enjoy the historic
Serra Museum.
Dining
With so many fine Mexican restaurants to choose from, it’s
no wonder so many San Diegans dine right here. Locals and shop owners
say Casa De Bandini cooks the best Mexican food in Old Town; you
can savor a sizzling plate of fajitas, fresh tortillas, and a frosty
beer in its south-of-the-border-flavored patio.
Logistics
The Old Town State Historic Park is open
daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free for five museums.
You might want to check out the Robinson-Rose House, which serves
as the visitor center. Parking for the Old Town area is available
in free lots and along streets, but they can fill up fast during
weekends and summers… so why not hop aboard a bright red San
Diego Trolley? The Old Town Station is easy to reach from downtown
or Mission Valley.
Getting There
From I-5, exit at Old Town Avenue, turn
left on San Diego Avenue, right on Twiggs, and left on Juan Street.
From I-8 exit at Taylor Street, follow Taylor, and turn left on
Juan Street.
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