//
San Diego, United States
Photo: Flickr user: Rennett Stowe https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsaint/, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The birthplace of San Diego, Old Town is a popular tourist district of historic buildings and Mexican-themed shops and restaurants sitting at the foot of Mission Valley, a major commercial center lining the San Diego River that is home to several shopping centers, Snapdragon Stadium, and the Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the oldest of the California missions.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
The first of the Spanish California missions, founded in 1769 by Junipero Serra for the purposes of converting the native peoples who lived in the area at the time. In its long history, the mission has been the site of the first Christian burial and the first execution in California, saw bloodshed between the Spanish settlers and native peoples, and served as an armory in the years following U.S. annexation of California before being restored to an active church in 1941. 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.
A park in Old Town ringed with historic Victorian houses.
A historic Mission-style church in Old Town dating back to 1919.
A monument to the hundreds of Mormons who fought in the US-Mexican War.
Perched on the hill above Old Town, this large park is the site of the old presidio (fort) that once protected the Spanish settlement of San Diego. The park contains canyons, tall trees, flowering plants, and grassy hillsides as well as several memorials and historic landmarks, including the Junipero Serra Museum (see below) and the partially excavated presidio. The grassy lawns and hilltop views make it a great place to bring a picnic.
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.
Learn the history of the San Diego Sheriff's Department.
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.
To begin touring, the best place to start is the visitor’s center, which includes a model of what the area looked like in 1872, maps, information about touring, and information about the area’s history. Free guided walking tours of Old Town depart daily at 11AM and 2PM.
Built in 1869, as a family residence, but is now the site of a rock, gem, and jewelry shop.
Established in 1860. At the site, visitors can watch blacksmithing and other demonstrations.
A beautiful historic adobe house that has been lovingly restored to its original appearance.
Built in 1830, the house was an adobe saloon and provision stores until it became the American Hotel around 1856.
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.
The original courthouse, which dates back to 1847.
The first office of the San Diego Union newspaper.
A reconstructed stage coach stop with a collection of vintage carriages inside.
Opened in September 2022 on the former site of San Diego Stadium as the new home of the San Diego State Aztecs college football team. The women's soccer team San Diego Wave FC (see below) and men's rugby team San Diego Legion (also below) also play here, and the city's team in Major League Soccer, San Diego FC, will start play here in 2025.
NCAA Division I teams representing the University of San Diego. The basketball team plays their home games at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on the USD campus. The Toreros college baseball team plays at Cunningham Stadium and their college football team plays at Torero Stadium (both also on the USD campus). USD competes in the West Coast Conference in most sports; since the WCC doesn't sponsor football, the Toreros play that sport in the Pioneer Football League.
Started play in 2022 in the National Women's Soccer League; moved from USD's stadium to Snapdragon Stadium when it opened. Wave FC's first game in the new stadium set a since-surpassed league attendance record.
Plays in Major League Rugby, the top level of US rugby union.
Live performances held regularly.
Mexican food with lovely courtyard, and wandering musicians.
A beautiful dining establishment in a building built by Juan Bandini in 1829. Later, in the 1860s, 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.
Soup and salad (very limited), sandwiches, yards and half yards of beer, live music on weekend nights.
Huge portions.
One of the two locations most conveniently reached from downtown (the other is in National City to the south).
Part of a local pizza chain in San Diego, they have a very extensive menu and also brew their own beer as well, with a stocked bar. Also has plenty of TVs to watch sports as well.
A grill and ale house, great place to watch sports at, has pool tables, darts and shuffleboard.
A warm, friendly welcome and some big, lush rooms. Also has a hotel mini-bus to take you to SeaWorld.
Resort with swimming pools, restaurants, spa facilities, golf, and beautiful gardens.
Nearly 200 stores and restaurants, including several department stores and a movie theater.
Over 150 stores and restaurants, including a movie theater and the large Seau's sports restaurant.
Much smaller than the big centers in the valley, but with a nice assortment of shops nevertheless.
Taffy made on the premises.
A group of shops and restaurants operated by Delaware North, which runs concessions in other National Parks. Strolling musicians and beautiful flowers greet guests and there are often special (free) activities for children.
Victorian hats, related books, and jewelry in a 1869 style house.
Hand blown glass art made on premises.
Gorgeous 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.
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 shopping center in Mission…
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
San Diego · International · SAN
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Old Town-Mission Valley and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.