San Diego is a true gem of Southern California, with perfect weather, badass beaches, stuff to do on a budget, and a unique Latin influence.
The rich history, food, and architecture of the Old Town area remind us that San Diego is more than just a sunny beach town. This neighborhood is where you’ll find the best Mexican restaurants, family-owned pottery shops, the birthplace of California, and everything Día de los Muertos.
Here’s your guide to Old Town-
What is Old Town in San Diego?
Did you know that California was born in San Diego? Established by the Spanish in 1829, Old Town is packed with state history, Latin food, and ancient adobes.
Spanish Missions
Father Junípero Serra founded the first California Spanish mission in 1769 in Presidio Park. All of San Diego County sits on the ancestral land of the First People, the Kumeyaay.
Día de los Muertos
The Day of the Dead is a beautiful celebration of ancestors, honoring their memory. The famous Día de los Muertos annual festival occurs during the last weekend of October, ending Nov 2nd (my dad’s birthday!). Even though this is Halloween/Samhain season, the skulls and painted faces are not Halloween-esque.
Where to Stay in San Diego Old Town
If you plan to stay in Old Town, you’ve got a few options. Choosing between the most popular hotels, like San Diego Old Town Best Western or San Diego Old Town Marriott, can be challenging. Here’s a quick breakdown-
Luxury
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town is a fantastic choice with on-site parking and a hot breakfast, but the best part is its location. The Hilton is across the street from Old Town and a short walk from the Old Town Transit Station, a hub for trolley lines and bus routes. The hotel is also pet-friendly!
Mid-Range
A good mid-range hotel is the San Diego Old Town Courtyard Marriott. This Marriott has a 24/7 fitness center to burn all those taco calories, soundproof rooms, Starbucks coffee, and a decent breakfast.
Budget
The San Diego Old Town Best Western (Hacienda Hotel) is your best bet if you’re on a budget. This Best Western has on-site parking, a private balcony, and a hot buffet breakfast from Old Town Tequila Factory (yum!).
Note: Paid on-site parking is a dream in Old Town, where space is hard to find.
Other places to stay in San Diego–
San Diego Beach Hotels for Every Budget
Best Luxury Hotels in San Diego
Where to Stay in Downtown San Diego
The Best Cheap Hotels in San Diego
Where to Eat in Old Town
Let’s be real: food is one of the best parts of traveling. When in San Diego, do as the San Diegans do and eat authentic Mexican (and Cali-Mex) food. Here’s my list of the best restaurants in Old Town San Diego-
Old Town Mexican Cafe
The oldest Mexican restaurant in San Diego’s Old Town is an iconic place to fuel up for your sightseeing tour. Old Town Mexican Cafe probably started the tradition of serving hand-made tortillas that all the restaurants in the area now follow. If you ask the staff, they’ll tell you they make the best tortillas in the world.
What to order: The Cafe’s signature dish is the molcajete, made in a 3-legged stone dish. The molcajete is yummy with grilled meat, cactus, spices, and house-made salsa. Also, order the shrimp and octopus cocktail!
Casa De Reyes
One of the most popular Mexican restaurants in Old Town, Casa de Reyes is best experienced seated outdoors, enjoying the garden and people-watching. This is a true Cali-Mex cantina, so expect traditional Mexican dishes, plus some SoCal classics and performances from Mariachi bands.
What to order: If you like a sweet and spicy, the mangoneada margarita is on point, complete with a tajin rim! Shrimp ceviche is another classic Mexican dish popular in Old Town, and Casa De Reyes serves some of the best.
Cafe Coyote
Cafe Coyote is a rustic, two-story joint with a courtyard plaza, strolling mariachis, and plenty of outdoor seating. The vibe is a bit touristy, but the views and food make up for it.
What to order: The carne asada and potato tacos are incredible. Cafe Coyote also makes chamango margaritas, a Mexican flavor that combines chamoy (savory fruit sauce) and mango.
Cafe Guadalajara
Casa Guadalajara is another of the best Mexican restaurants in Old Town San Diego for margaritas. Down-to-earth wooden tables, colorful decor, tile art, and authentic food make this cafe laid-back vibes. The restaurant sits at the entrance to Old Town, and it has a beautiful tree smack-dab in the middle of its patio seating.
What to order: Fish tacos or chicken mole enchiladas. Rice comes in a red tostada bowl!
Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina
If your goal is rooftop dining and dramatic views of San Diego, Old Town Tequila Factory is a can’t-miss. Also, unlike most other restaurants in the area, the Tequila Factory has a private parking lot.
What to order: Go for the weekend buffet that includes mimosas. The buffet is a great way to try Mexican dishes like menudo (tripe soup), fish tacos, plenty of vegetarian options, and my favorite, churros!
Where to Shop in Old Town San Diego
Once you’ve recovered from your feast, check out the hidden gem of Old Town: its unique list of shops and markets outside the central plaza. Remember, Old Town is bigger than it first appears.
These are the best places to shop in Old Town San Diego-
Toby’s Candle Shop
I love buying candles as souvenirs! You’ll find a huge selection of hand-carved candles, organic soaps, bath bombs, and more at the family-owned Toby’s Candle Shop. Even more cool, you can make custom soy candles and sometimes catch a live carving demonstration.
Bazaar del Mundo
The shops at Bazaar del Mundo are the lively, colorful, photographable gateway to San Diego’s Old Town. Each of the boutiques has cool stuff from around the world, from home goods and imported ceramics to handcrafted jewelry and folk art straight from Mexico.
El Centro Artesano
If you’re shopping for authentic Latin ceramics, chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for at Old Town’s largest pottery shop, El Centro Artesano. Overflowing with terracotta treasures, hand-painted pots, and figurines, the El Centro store is the opposite of boring.
Cousin’s Candy
Cousin’s Candy stocks fresh Jelly Belly, fudge, and other essentials, but the shop is best known for its saltwater taffy. Find your long-lost candy soul mate here.
Top Things To Do in Old Town San Diego
Besides emptying your wallet and filling your stomach, there are plenty of things to do in Old Town San Diego! Expect haunted history, beautiful parks, trolleys, and more.
These are the top things to do in Old Town-
Visit a Free Museum at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Free admission to the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is super helpful when visiting on a budget. The Park is made up of adobe buildings and includes shops, restaurants, and museums. You’d need at least one full day to do everything here, but a half-day is plenty of time to catch the highlights.
What to look for-
- the first public school in San Diego (Mason Street School)
- blacksmith demonstrations at Blackhawk Smithy & Stable
- Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant (1870)
- San Diego Union Museum, a 19th-century newspaper office and print shop
- Casa de Estudillo, an adobe house circa 1827
Old Town Trolley
The San Diego hop-on hop-off trolley tour is an easy and affordable way to see some of the city’s top sites without worrying about parking. Plus, riding around SD gives you a good feel for the different neighborhoods and overall layout of the town.
Top reasons to take the Old Town Trolley-
- stops at 11 popular places, including Old Town State Historic Park
- one and two day options
- explore at your own pace
- includes guided commentary
- big open windows perfect for photos
Tequila, Tacos, and a Tour of Old Town
You know I love a good, guided walking tour because they are the best way to learn any area’s history, secrets, and lore. Plus, a walking tour in Old Town San Diego comes with more than a pro guide (hint: tacos and tequila).
The Haunted Whaley House
Across from the Old Town San Diego Historic State Park, The Whaley House is an 1857 Greek Revival and the oldest brick structure in SoCal.
The Whaley House started as the home of Thomas Whaley and was haunted right away- the fam told the San Diego Union that they heard heavy footsteps in the house, which belonged to the ghost of a man who had been hung on the property for stealing a boat.
The Whaley House in popular media-
- Syfy Channel’s Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files
- Travel Channel’s America’s Most Haunted
- Hellboy: Blood and Iron
- On MTV’s Ridiculousness, Rob Dyrdek said that he lived next to “the most haunted house in California”
- The Whaley House was investigated in Ghost Adventures in the 110th episode
- BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural
Old Town Ghost Tour: For the full history of The Whaley House + a few extra ghosts at the nearby cemetery, check out the Old Town San Diego Walking Ghost Tour.
Presidio Park
On top of a hill overlooking the city, the San Diego River Valley, and the Pacific Ocean, Presidio Park is absolutely gorgeous.
Any list of things to do in Old Town San Diego has to include a 1-2 minute walk to the Presidio for a picnic, photoshoot, or to people-watch. The Park has 40 acres of green space, picnic areas, and history like the Junípero Serra Museum, the site where California began.
Oculto 477
Hidden inside Tahona Bar, San Diego’s first Mezcal bar and tasting room, is a prohibition-inspired speakeasy, Oculto 477. For the vibe, think calm but moody, with a dark Spanish western tavern atmosphere!
Getting into the Speakeasy: To get into Oculto, you have to make a reservation, then answer a question about a conversation, and once inside, there is a time limit to how long you can stay.
Tip: If you get the chance, roll the dice (when at Oculto, but also just in general, #lifehack).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do they call it Old Town San Diego?
They call it Old Town because it’s old lol. Old Town is where the city of San Diego began and is the birthplace of California. On Kumeyaay land, Old Town began as Mexican and Spanish settlements and slowly transformed into an American town.
What is considered Old Town San Diego?
San Diego’s Old Town is located south of Mission Hills on the east and south, Interstate 5 in the west, and Interstate 8 in the north. Old Town San Diego is considered close to San Diego Bay, Point Loma, and the San Diego International Airport.
How long do you spend at Old Town San Diego?
When deciding how long to spend at Old Town San Diego, consider how much time you’ll need for shopping, if you plan to relax over cocktails, and how many sites at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park you’ll want to see. You’ll generally need 3-4 hours, not accounting for a meal (mandatory when the food is this fire!).
Can you walk around Old Town in San Diego at night?
You can safely walk around Old Town San Diego at night. Museums close early, but the shops and Mexican restaurants are open late, and most of the Adobe architecture and art are located in the outdoor plazas.
Are dogs allowed in Old Town San Diego?
Yay, dogs are welcome in Old Town San Diego! Pups are permitted in most outdoor areas, which is the bulk of Old Town. Most of the restaurants are dog-friendly. Fred’s Tacos y Tequila even has a dog menu!
Note: dogs are not allowed in the San Diego State Historic Park buildings.
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