San Diego's Old Town

By Britt-Marie Montemayor

San Diego, California is close enough to Los Angeles and Orange County for a weekend getaway, yet far enough that you can't be called to pick the kids up from the sleep over.

San Diego is well known for the array of amusement and animal parks, as well as its professional sporting venues and teams. What many travelers miss is the local feel and old California charm of San Diego's Old Town.

Old Town is just a few miles north of Downtown San Diego, but feels worlds away. This small section of the city is the best for family friendly daytime activities and adult nighttime imbibing. The historic areas in Old Town are an excellent educational experience for the whole family. In addition, the shopping, entertainment and dining options are just as good. You can even fit in a late night ghost tour of historic Old Town, and maybe you will have a ghostly experience as many have documented.

The best aspect of Old Town is it can be fully enjoyed by walking. None of the walking in Old Town is strenuous; it is also handicap accessible in almost all areas. Additionally, the historic square has plenty of beautiful areas for walkers to sit in shade or sun and rest.

If you enjoy people watching, plan some rest time as there is plenty of watching to do. This is a tourist destination, but most tourists come and go quickly. It is best to leisurely take in the sights and sounds; each visit to old town brings something new from the California past. 

Old Town San Diego has events almost every month. You can experience everything from folklorico, live music, dancing, to celebrations of literary masters, and celebrations of the dead. 

We visited Old Town for Twainfest and contributed to the Never-Ending Story, played some old games and marveled at the Blacksmith firing their anvils (check out the video). The story is that in the old west whenever there was a celebration, the local blacksmith's would bring their anvils together and stuff the holes with gun power and place one on top of the other with a crude fuse in between. It's risky and can lead to serious injury, but it's cowboy fireworks, and you can't beat that.  The result is a huge bang like a cannon and lot's of cheering!  

Old town dining makes for tough decisions as there are so many restaurants. Recently the

Cosmopolitan Hotel & Saloon reopened after 3 years of renovation, get in and enjoy what is being touted as some of the best cocktails in Old Town. The Saloon focuses on old style period drinks that will knock your socks off. If the Cosmopolitan is too upscale for your tastes, visit Café Coyote or Fred’s Mexican Café. Café Coyote is a staple of Old Town; make sure to pick up some fresh hand-made tortillas there in cinnamon, chocolate, strawberry or plain. If you live locally take some tortillas home and warm them on the grill to extend your fond memories of Old Town.

Before you leave San Diego make sure to catch at least one sunset at La Jolla cove. Just 5 minutes up the freeway from Old Town is the beautiful ocean side city of La Jolla. Don't be distracted by the posh shopping, art galleries, and incredible edibles get down to the shore and take in the scene. You'll be delighted by waves crashing on the shore, sea lions basking in the sun, and the best sunsets in the west. Bring a blanket, chair, or pull up a square of grass and relax. Don't forget your camera for stunning sunset pictures.

All Photos By Britt Montemayor. Protected Copyright © 2010