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From Wikitravel

Old Town-Mission Valley is an area of San Diego, consisting of Old Town, the birthplace of San Diego that is now an incredibly popular tourist attraction. It also includes Mission Valley, a major commercial center lining the San Diego River that is home to several shopping centers, Qualcomm Stadium (home of the San Diego Chargers), and the Mission San Diego de Alcala, which is the oldest of the California missions.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Mission Valley is strung along I-8 and several interstates intersect with I-8 through the valley, making access by car relatively easy. Old Town is located just off the intersection of I-5 and I-8 at the western end of the valley, SR-163 intersects I-8 near the Fashion Valley shopping center, and I-805, and I-15 cross I-8 in the eastern part of the valley near Qualcomm Stadium.

Getting through Mission Valley in a car is quite painless, given the large boulevards and numerous parking lots. However, finding a`place to park in Old Town can be a real drag. Even Mission Valley's large roads can get clogged with traffic during rush hours, Chargers games, and the holiday shopping season when shoppers flock to Mission Valley's many retail outlets.

[edit] By public transit

The Old Town Transit Center (at 4005 Taylor St, near the intersection of Taylor Street and Pacific Highway at the northwest corner of Old Town) and the Fashion Valley Transit Center are hubs for many local Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) [1] bus routes. In addition, the Old Town Transit Center serves the COASTER [2], a commuter rail service which runs north along the coast of San Diego County to Oceanside, and the occasional weekday Amtrak Pacific Surfliner [3].

The San Diego Trolley [4], a light rail service operated by the MTS, runs through Old Town and Mission Valley. The Blue Line connects Old Town to Downtown to the south and all the way down to the Mexican border beyond that. The Green Line travels east from Old Town through Mission Valley (making stops at all the shopping centers, Qualcomm Stadium, and the Mission San Diego), then continuing east past SDSU out to El Cajon and Santee.

Standard one-way fares run from $1.25 to $3 depending on how far you travel. Day passes run at $5, and there are 2, 3, and 4 day passes available. Tickets have to be purchased from the vending machines at the station before you board the train. There's no formal system to check if you've purchased a ticket, but there are trolley guards that may come around and ask to see your ticket, and the fine is normally around $120 for not having a ticket.

[edit][add listing] See

• Mission San Diego de Alcala, 10818 San Diego Mission Rd, +1 619 281-8449, [5]. Daily 9AM-4:45PM. The first of the California missions, today Mission San Diego is an active Catholic Parish and a museum dedicated to the history of the mission. Tour the site, with its gardens, museum, and the original chapel. $3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children.
• Junipero Serra Museum, 2727 Presidio Dr, +1 619 297-3258, [6]. Daily 10AM-4:30PM. Take the time to visit the historic site of what used to be the first ever California Mission, located in Presidio Park on the hill above Old Town. The museum includes exhibits on the life of Old Town and a tower which offers magnificent views of the area. In addition to the museum, the surrounding Presidio Park contains various statues and memorials, as well as the partially excavated presidio. $5 adults, $2 youth, $4 students/seniors/military, free for children under 6.
• Whaley House, 2482 San Diego Ave, +1 619 297-7511, [7]. Winter: M-Tu 10AM-5PM, Th-Su 10AM-10PM. Summer: Daily 10AM-10PM. The oldest brick building and most famous haunted house in San Diego. Built in 1856, the north room of the museum served as the County Courthouse in 1869. The structure includes period furnishings and other antique displays. Come during the Halloween season for special night tours. Daytime admission $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children, free for children 2 and under. Nighttime admission $10 adults, $5 children, free for children 2 and under.

[edit] Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Visitor center at 4002 Wallace Street, +1 619 220-5422, [8]. Free.

A historic district which encompasses most of Old Town and many of the area's original Spanish structures from when the settlement was founded in the 18th century. The park is around nine square blocks, or almost 30 acres, and can be toured with or without a guide.

To begin touring, the best place to start is the Robinson-Rose House Visitor Center at 4002 Wallace Street. The visitor’s center includes a model of what the area looked like in 1872, maps, information about touring, and information about the area’s history.

After leaving the visitors center, tourists can walk through the many historic structures nearby:

• Altamirano-Pedrorena House. Built in 1869, as a family residence, but is currently the site of a rock, gem, and jewelry shop.
• Black Hawk Smithy & Stable, between Mason & Twiggs Streets. Established in 1860. At the site, visitors can watch blacksmithing and other demonstrations.
• La Casa de Estudillo, 4001 Mason St. A beautiful historic adobe house that has been lovingly restored to its original appearance.
• Light-Freeman House. Built in 1830, the house was was originally an adobe saloon and provision stores became it became known as The American Hotel around 1856.
• Mason Street Schoolhouse, 3966 Mason St (off Mason and Congress), +1 619 297-1183. Daily 10AM-4PM. Established around 1865, this was the first public school house in San Diego. The school offers daily tours, and visitors can sit at the desk and examine the books on display. Free.
• Mormon Battalion Visitors' Center of San Diego, 2510 Juan St, +1 619 298-3317. Daily 9AM-9PM. A monument to the hundreds of Mormons who fought in the US-Mexican War. Free.
• Old Adobe Chapel, 3950 Conde St, +1 619 297-7511. Sa Su 10AM-5PM.
• San Diego Courthouse, 2731 San Diego Ave. The original courthouse, which dates back to 1847.
• San Diego Union Museum, located next to the Altamirano-Pedrorena House. The first office of the San Diego Union newspaper.
• Sheriff's Museum, 2384 San Diego Ave, +1 619 260-1850, [9]. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Learn the history of the San Diego Sheriff's Department. Free. Donations accepted.
• Wells Fargo History Museum, 2733 San Diego Ave, +1 619 238-3929, [10]. Daily 10AM-5PM. A historically furnished bank office. Free.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd (near the intersection of I-8 and I-15), Chargers ticket office: +1 619 280-2121 (toll-free: 1-877-CHARGERS), Aztecs ticket office: +1 619 283-SDSU (toll-free: +1 877 SDSU-039), [11]. Home to the NFL San Diego Chargers [12] and the college SDSU Aztecs [13] football teams. Chargers tickets $54-$92.
• University of San Diego Toreros, Jenny Craig Pavillion, 5998 Alcala Park (exit I-8 at Morena Blvd and turn right on Linda Vista Road), [14]. The Torero college basketball team plays their home games at the Jenny Craig Pavillion on the USD campus. The Torero college baseball team plays at Cunningham Stadium and their college football team play at Torero Stadium (both also on the USD campus). The Torero Baseball team was a #6 National Seed in last years' D1 Baseball playoffs and has the #1 recruiting class in the country for the 2008 season. USD competes in the West Coast Conference which is best known for Gonzaga University.
• The Theater in Old Town, 4040 Twiggs St, +1 619 688-2494. Live performances held regularly.

[edit] Tours

• Free guided walking tours of Old Town depart daily at 11AM and 2PM from the Robinson-Rose House visitor center at 4002 Wallace St.
• Old Town Trolley, 2115 Kurtz St, +1 619 298-8687, [15]. Take a guided trolley tour of not only Old Town but other beautiful parts of San Diego as well. Tours depart every 30 minutes starting at 9AM in front of the Old Town Market at Twiggs St and San Diego Ave. $32 adults, $16 children.
• Ghost Tours, 2754 Calhoun St, +1 619 972-3900, [16]. Hosted by Michael Brown, a regular ghost hunter. $19 adults, $10 children.
• Ghostly Tours in History!, 2541 San Diego Ave.,(located at the Living Room, Cafe and Bistro+1 877 220-4844, [17]. Historically ghostly walking tours of Old Town. $10 General, Children 5 and under free and for $19 include entry into the famous Whaley House. Experience their other San Diego Ghost Tours (Gaslamp walking and limousine tours) too.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Mission Valley is a major shopping hub for the entire region, with several large shopping centers and many big-box stores and retail outlets.

• Fashion Valley, 7007 Friars Rd, +1 619 688-9113, [18]. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-7PM. Nearly 200 stores and restaurants, including several department stores and a movie theater.
• Westfield Mission Valley, 1640 Camino del Rio North, +1 619 296 6375, [19]. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Over 150 stores and restaurants, including a movie theater and the large Seau's sports restaurant.
• Hazard Center, 7510 Hazard Center Dr, [20]. Much smaller than the big centers in the valley, but with a nice assortment of shops nevertheless.

Old Town offers many different places to shop. There are over 100 stores in Old Town State Historic Park.

• Alvarado Provisions, 2720 Calhoun St, +1 619 298-7443. A general store, good place for snacks. They sell muffins, fresh fruit, and a whole array of hot sauces and things made with the hottest peppers.
• Apothecary & Soap Shop
• Bazaar del Mundo, at Taylor and Juan Streets.
• Cousin's Candy Shop, 2711 San Diego Ave, +1 619 297-2000, [21]. Taffy made on the premises.
• Johnson House, 2706 Calhoun St, +1 619 291-5170. Victorian hats, related books, and jewelry in a 1869 style house.
• Lowery's Hot Glass, 3985 Harney St, +1 619 297-3473, [22]. Hand blown glass art made on premises.
• Maidhof Bros Nautical Antique and Junkyard Shop. Sells genuine ships' salvage items such as wheels, brass portholes, furniture of all kinds including some amazing captain’s desks, compasses, navigational equipment, lamps, lanterns and ropes.
• Plaza del Pasado, Juan & Calhoun Street, +1 619 297-3100, [23]. The popular Bazaar del Mundo, a group of shops and restaurants located within Old Town has moved across Juan Street less than a block away. It was replaced with a series of stores called Plaza del Pasado operated by Delaware North, which runs concessions in other National Parks. Plaza del Pasado is just really getting started. However, strolling musicians and beautiful flowers now greet guests and there are often special (free) activities for children.
• Racine and Laramie, 2737 San Diego Ave, +1 619 291-7833, [24]. Gorgeous award winning reconstruction of San Diego's first tobacco store. Offers a variety of historically related gifts, gentlemen's accessories, marbles and harmonicas for children, historic photos, knives, and of course tobacco, pipes, and cigars.
• Toby’s Candles

[edit][add listing] Eat

Old Town not only offers great Mexican delicacies it also offers many other types of food like Italian or even some Irish Pubs. If you are planning on going during the weekend leave plenty of time because it will get crowded. Or, try to make reservations if the restaurant will take them.

• Acapulco Restaurant, 2467 Juan St, +1 619 260-8124. $8-$17.
• Cafe Coyote Restaurant, 2461 San Diego Ave, +1 619 291-4695, [25]. $9-15.
• Café Pacifica, 2414 San Diego Ave, +1 619 291-6666, [26]. Lunch W-F 11:30AM-2PM, Dinner M-Sa 5PM-10PM, Su 4:30PM-9:30PM. Seafood. $12-30.
• Casa de Bandini
• Coldstone Creamery, 2448 San Diego Ave #C, +1 619 543-9057. Daily 11AM-10PM.
• Dave and Buster's, 2931 Camino del Rio North, +1 619 280-7115. Su-W 11:30AM-12AM, Th 11:30AM-1AM, F-Sa 11:30AM-2AM.
• Edibles, 2754 Calhoun Street, +1 619 299-7124. Deli.
• El Agave Restaurant, 2304 San Diego Ave, +1 619 220-0692, [27]. Daily 11AM-10PM.
• El Fandango, 2734 Calhoun Street, +1 619 298-2860, [28]. Daily 8:30AM-9:30PM. $8-17.
• Fred's Mexican Cafe, 2470 San Diego Ave, +1 619 858-8226, [29].
• Great Wall Café, 2543 Congress St, +1 619 291-9478. Su-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F Sa 11AM-10:30PM, Su 11AM-9:30PM. Asian food.
• Harney Sushi Restaurant, 3964 Harney Street, +1 619 295-3272, [30]. $6-$14
• Hortensia Market & Deli, 2244 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 298-3612.
• Jack and Giulios, 2391 San Diego Ave, +1 619 294-2074, [31]. Lunch Tu-F 11:30AM-2:30PM, Dinner M-Th 5PM-9:30PM, F 5PM-10:30PM, Sa 12PM-10:30PM, Su 12PM-9:30PM. Italian restaurant. $10-$25.
• La Pinata Mexican Restaurant, 2836 Juan Street, +1 619 297-1631, [32]. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-9:30PM, Su 11AM-8:30PM. $9-15.
• Lino's Italian, 2754 Calhoun Street, +1 619 299-7124, [33]. Lunch M-F 11AM-2PM, Dinner Su-Th 4PM-9PM, F Sa 4PM-10PM. $7-$15.
• O'Hungry's, 2547 San Diego Avenue, ☎ +1 619 298-0133, [34]. Happy Hour: Mo-Fr 3PM-6:30PM. Soup and salad (very limited), sandwiches, yards and half yards of beer, live music on weekend nights.  edit
• Old Town Mexican Café, 2489 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 297-4330, [35]. Daily 7AM-2AM. Huge portions.
• Old Town Pizzareia, 2244 San Diego Avenue, +1 858 674-7412.
• Pizza Bella, 2707 Congress St #1M,P, +1 619 692-4333.
• Plaza del Pasado, [36] offers several restaurants:
  • The Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel, 2660 Calhoun St, +1 619 209-3525. M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 10AM-10PM. A beautiful dining establishment in a building originally built by Juan Bandini in 1829. Later, in the 1860's, a second story was added and it became the Cosmopolitan Hotel. You can eat in the garden amid flowers, trees, and fountains or inside the wonderful historic building.
  • Casa De Reyes, 2754 Calhoun St, +1 619 220-5040. Mexican food with lovely courtyard, and wandering musicians.
  • Jolly Boy Saloon & Restaurant, 2754 Calhoun St, +1 619 291-3200. Paying homage to the original Jolly Boy Saloon that operated in the 19th century in Old Town, this restaurant offers seafood and steak entrees, heirloom meats, and fun bar room re-enactments. Guests are greeted by sailors singing sea shanties, historical performances and theatrical reenactments and also invited to partake in interactive gambling “board” games.
• Rancho El Nopal
• Rancho La Lena Restaurant, 2367 San Diego Ave, +1 619 298-4514, [37]. $7-15.
• Seau's, 1640 Camino Del Rio N # 1376 (in the Westfield Mission Valley Center), +1 619 291-7328, [38]. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-12AM. A large sports restaurant in Mission Valley. $8-$20.
• Whaley House Café, 2482 San Diego Ave #A.
• Zócalo Grill, 2444 San Diego Ave, +1 619 298-9840, [39]. Seafood.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Kelly's Pub, 2222 San Diego Ave, +1 619 543-9767.
• Old Town Saloon, 2495 San Diego Ave, +1 619 298-2209.

[edit] Coffee

• Kaffee Klatsch, 2725 Congress St #1A, +1 619 574-0106, [40].
• La Panaderia, 2754 Calhoun St, +1 619 291-7662.
• Mrs Burton's Tea Room, 2454 Heritage Park Row, +1 619 294-4600, [41].
• The Living Room, 2541 San Diego Ave, +1 619 325-4445, [42].

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Best Western Hacienda Hotel Old Town, 4041 Harney St, +1 619 298-4707 (fax: +1 619 298-4771), [43]. Check in 3PM, check-out 12PM. $150-250.
• Comfort Inn Airport, 1955 San Diego Avenue, ☎ +1 619 543-1130, [44].  edit
• Comfort Suites Mission Valley, 631 Camino Del Rio St, ☎ +1 619 881-4000 (fax: (619) 881-4037), [45].  edit
• Courtyard Old Town, 2435 Jefferson St, [46].  edit
• Holiday Inn Express - Old Town, 3900 Old Town Ave, ☎ (619)299-7400, [47].  edit
• Howard Johnson San Diego, 3330 Rosecrans St, +1 619 224-8266 (toll free: +1 800-742-4627 fax: +1 619 225-8715), [48]. Check in 3PM, check-out 12PM.
• La Quinta Old Town, 2380 Moore St, +1 619 291-9100 (toll free: +1 800-753-3757 fax: +1 619 291-5837), [49]. Check in 3PM, check-out 12PM. $99-250.
• Old Town Inn, 4444 Pacific Highway, ☎ +1 800 643-3025, [50].  edit
• Padre Trail Inn, 4200 Taylor St, San Diego, CA 92110, ☎ (619) 297-3291, [51]. 100-room hotel.  edit
• Western Inn, 3889 Arista St, +1 619 298-6888 (toll-free: +1 888 475-2353, fax: +1 619 692-4497), [52]. $80-140.

Hotel Circle, located along I-8 in the western part of Mission Valley, is home to a large number of hotels, most of them your basic chains.

• Comfort Inn & Suites, 2201 Hotel Circle South, ☎ +1 619 881-6800 (fax: +1 619 542-1227), [53].  edit
• Hawthorn Suites, 1335 Hotel Circle South, ☎ (619) 299-3501, [54]. . Daily complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning and in the evening and social hour M-Th.  edit
• Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle North, ☎ (619) 298-0511, [55]. . A warm, friendly welcome and some big, lush rooms. Also has a hotel mini-bus to take you to SeaWorld.  edit
• Mission Valley Resort, 875 Hotel Circle South, +1 619 298-8281, [56]. $100-$150.
• Town and Country, 500 Hotel Circle North, ☎ (619) 291-7131, (800) 772-8527, [57]. Resort with swimming pools, restaurants, spa facilities, golf, and beautiful gardens.  edit
• Ramada Mission Valley, 4380 Alvarado Canyon Road, ☎ (619) 281-2222, (800) 905-3206, [58]. Hotel with swimming pool and complimentary continental breakfast.  edit
• Sheraton Mission Valley San Diego Hotel, 1433 Camino Del Rio South, ☎ 1-866-716-8130, [59].  edit
• Doubletree San Diego Mission Valley, 7450 Hazard Center Drive (at Hazard Center), ☎ 1-619-297-5466, [60]. checkin: 3pm; checkout: 12pm.  edit

[edit] Contact

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