Old Town

Old Town is located just below the site of the original Presidio created to protect the Spanish settlers from the Indians.  The town was the first European settlement in San Diego and is now a California State park.

Its adobe structures, built by the first settlers, have been restored to look as they might have in the early 1800s, and the area is a thriving tourist attraction. There are a number of shops that specialize in Mexican imports, decorator items and the arts. Numerous restaurants serve various cuisines. A blacksmith, newspaper office and woodworking shop offer glimpses of early industry in the area.

Old Town became the designation for this part of the City of San Diego when Alonzo Horton succeeded in establishing his "New Town" near the harbor in the 1860s.  For many years the area was neglected and run down, however, the State of California has carefully restored it to its former glory. In addition to shopping and restaurants, there is an active group of costumed renenactors who perform living history programs in the park.  Mexican holidays are celebrated with fiestas and special entertainment.

Homes in this area are often Craftsman bungalows, many with colorful gardens.  Parking can be a problem with the daily influx of tourists.  The area is now on the trolley route and that helps alleviate the congestion.  Residents and tourists alike find Old Town a pleasant destination for a meal and a look at how San Diego lived its earliest days.

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