From Wikitravel Shared

Old Town [1] San Diego is known as the birthplace of San Diego. Now with its many restaurants, shops and attractions it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in California. It is located in the heart of San Diego making it close to everything San Diego has to offer.

[edit] Understand

This is San Diego's birthplace. Once a tiny settlement of a few hundred people, San Diego is now a cosmopolitan metropolis, and the second largest city in California, though in a sense it still retains its small town charm.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Old Town is located just off the intersection of I-5 and I-8, making it easy to get to Old Town from any direction. However, finding a`place to park can be a real drag. Pacific Highway is a major road which passes by on the west side of Old Town.

[edit] By public transit

The Old Town Transit Center at 4005 Taylor Street, near the intersection of Taylor Street and Pacific Highway at the northwest corner of Old Town, is a stop for several rail and bus lines. MTS bus routes, COASTER, San Diego Trolley, and even some limited Amtrak service utilize the transit center.

[edit] Bus

The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) [2] operates bus service in San Diego. Routes 8/9, 10, 14, 28, 30, 35, 44, and 105 serve Old Town, extending out of Old Town in just about every direction.

[edit] Rail

The San Diego Trolley [3] is a light rail service operated by the MTS. Two trolley lines serve Old Town: 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 through Mission Valley and 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.

The COASTER [4] is a commuter rail service which runs along the coast of San Diego County, connects Old Town to Downtown to the south and all the way up to Oceanside to the north. Service is mostly limited to the weekday rush hours, with limited service on the weekends. Fares are based on how far you ride; a one-way fare will be in the range of $4-$5.50. Tickets must be purchased from the ticket vending machines located at each station.

Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner [5] service uses the Old Town Transit Center as a secondary stop to the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown. Only a few trains stop at the station; check the schedule to see which.

[edit] See

• Junipero Serra Museum, 2727 Presidio Drive, +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.
• La Casa de Estudillo, 4001 Mason Street. A beautiful historic adobe house that has been lovingly restored to it's original appearance.
• Mason Street Schoolhouse, 3966 Mason Street, +1 619 297-1183. Daily 10AM-4PM. Established around 1865, this was the first public school house in San Diego. Free.
• Mormon Battalion Visitors' Center of San Diego, 2510 Juan Street, +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 Street, +1 619 297-7511. Sa-Su 10AM-5PM.
• San Diego Courthouse, 2731 San Diego Avenue. The original courthouse, which dates back to 1847.
• Sheriff's Museum, 2384 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 260-1850, [7]. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Learn the history of the San Diego Sheriff's Department. Free; donations accepted.
• Wells Fargo History Museum, 2733 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 238-3929, [8]. Daily 10AM-5PM. A historically furnished bank office. Free.
• Whaley House, 2482 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 297-7511, [9]. Winter: M-Tu 10AM-5PM, Th-Su 10AM-10PM. Summer: Daily 10AM-10PM. The most famous haunted house in San Diego. 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] Do

[edit] Theater

• The Theater in Old Town, 4040 Twiggs Street, +1 619 688-2494. Lives 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 Street.
• Old Town Trolley, 2115 Kurtz Street, +1 619 298-8687, [10]. 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 Street and San Diego Avenue. $30 adults, $15 children.
• Ghost Tours, 2754 Calhoun Street, +1 619 972-3900, [11]. Hosted by Michael Brown, a regular ghost hunter. $25 adults, $15 children.

[edit] Buy

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

• Plaza del Pasado, Juan & Calhoun Street, +1 619 297-3100, [12]. 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 Avenue, +1 619 291-7833, [13]. 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 photo's, knives, and of course tobacco, pipes, and cigars.
• Alvarado Provisions, 2720 Calhoun Street, +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.
• Johnson House, 2706 Calhoun Street, +1 619 291-5170. Victorian hats, related books, and jewelry in a 1869 style house.
• Lowery's Hot Glass, 3985 Harney Street, +1 619 297-3473, [14]. Hand blown glass art made on premises.
• Cousin's Candy Shop, 2711 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 297-2000, [15]. Taffy made on the premises.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Types of Cuisine

[edit] Asian

• Great Wall Café, 2543 Congress Street, +1 619 291-9478. Su-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F-Sa 11AM-10:30PM, Su 11AM-9:30PM.
• Harney Sushi Restaurant, 3964 Harney Street, +1 619 295-3272, [16]. $6-$14

[edit] Deli/Sandwiches

• Edibles, 2754 Calhoun Street, +1 619 299-7124.
• Hortensia Market & Deli, 2244 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 298-3612.
• Whaley House Café, 2482 San Diego Avenue #A.
• O'Hungry's, 2547 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 298-0133. Soup and salad (very limited), sandwiches, yards and half yards of beer, live music on weekend nights.

[edit] Desserts

• Coldstone Creamery, 2448 San Diego Avenue #C, +1 619 543-9057. Daily 11AM-10PM.

[edit] Italian

• Jack and Giulios, 2391 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 294-2074, [17]. 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. $10-$25.
• Lino's Italian, 2754 Calhoun Street, +1 619 299-7124, [18]. Lunch M-F 11AM-2PM, Dinner Su-Th 4PM-9PM, F-Sa 4PM-10PM. $7-$15.
• Old Town Pizzareia, 2244 San Diego Avenue, +1 858 674-7412.
• Pizza Bella, 2707 Congress Street #1M,P, +1 619 692-4333.

[edit] Mexican

• Acapulco Restaurant, 2467 Juan Street, +1 619 260-8124. $8-$17.
• Cafe Coyote Restaurant, 2461 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 291-4695, [19]. $9-$15.
• El Agave Restaurant, 2304 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 220-0692, [20]. Daily 11AM-10PM.
• El Fandango, 2734 Calhoun Street, +1 619 298-2860, [21]. Daily 8:30AM-9:30PM. $8-$17.
• Fred's Mexican Cafe, 2470 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 858-8226, [22].
• La Pinata Mexican Restaurant, 2836 Juan Street, +1 619 297-1631, [23]. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-9:30PM, Su 11AM-8:30PM. $9-$15.
• Old Town Mexican Café, 2489 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 297-4330, [24]. Daily 7AM-2AM. Huge portions.
• Rancho La Lena Restaurant, 2367 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 298-4514, [25]. $7-$15.

Plaza del Pasado, [26] offers several restaurants:

• The Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel, 2660 Calhoun Street, +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 Street, +1 619 220-5040. Mexican food with lovely courtyard, and wandering musicians.

[edit] Seafood

• Café Pacifica, 2414 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 291-6666, [27]. Lunch W-F 11:30AM-2PM, Dinner M-Sa 5PM-10PM, Su 4:30PM-9:30PM. $12-$30.
• Zócalo Grill, 2444 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 298-9840, [28].

[edit] Drink

• Old Town Saloon, 2495 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 298-2209.

[edit] Irish Pubs

• Kelly's Pub, 2222 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 543-9767.
• O'Hungry's Cafe, 2547 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 298-0133.

[edit] Coffee

• Kaffee Klatsch, 2725 Congress Street #1A, +1 619 574-0106, [29].
• La Panaderia, 2754 Calhoun Street, +1 619 291-7662.
• Mrs Burton's Tea Room, 2454 Heritage Park Row, +1 619 294-4600, [30].
• The Living Room, 2541 San Diego Avenue, +1 619 325-4445, [31].

[edit] Sleep

• Best Western Hacienda Hotel Old Town, 4041 Harney Street, +1 619 298-4707 (fax: +1 619 298-4771), [32]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 12PM. $150-$250.
• Courtyard Old Town, 2435 Jefferson Street, [33].

• Holiday Inn Express - Old Town, 3900 Old Town Avenue, ☎ (619)299-7400, [34].

• Padre Trail Inn, 4200 Taylor Street, San Diego, CA 92110, ☎ (619) 297-3291, [35]. 100-room hotel.

• Western Inn, 3889 Arista Street, +1 619 298-6888 (toll-free: +1 888 475-2353, fax: +1 619 692-4497), [36]. $80-$140.

[edit] Contact

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!