Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Historic site in downtown San Diego that recreates life in the Mexican and early American periods of 1821 to 1872.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Top ways to experience Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town
How to get there
- Old Town Transit Center • 3 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
979 within 5 kms
Attractions
482 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Becca DSan Diego, California35 contributionsInteresting History of San Diego - Free Parking!A large and FREE park (and free parking) to learn about San Diego's history. Be sure to stop first at the visitors center at the Robinson Rose House for a map and park info. We went on the walking tour that departs there at 11:00a. It was a 45 minute tour of history of old town and a good way to start our day and figure out what to explore.Visited March 2023Written 27 March 2023
- Tracey GHalesowen, United Kingdom2,080 contributionsA good sense of historySpent a couple of hours wandering around. We took the trolley bus to get here. We are from UK so have an immense amount of history compared to American but it was great to see this sight. Can’t imagine what it would’ve been like when it was the first settlement. Very interesting. Highly recommendVisited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 April 2023
- Simon CAudlem, United Kingdom96 contributionsDefiantly worth a visitDefiantly worth a visit, easy access from the metro and great place to spend a couple of hours. Safe pedestrian access with plenty of shops and visitor attractions. Cigar and tobacco store is fantasticVisited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
5,687 reviews
Excellent
2,733
Very good
2,034
Average
728
Poor
137
Terrible
55
Pamela O
12 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
This park consists of historic buildings, a few of which are set up as such and others of which are stores. Many were not open at all. The visitors center was essentially a gift shop with a dusty model of the village on the side. It’s worth a quick stop to take in the architecture and maybe a nearby meal or drink but it’s not as informative, organized, or interesting as we’d hoped.
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoCal Solutions CBD
San Diego, CA1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Business
Free 20 minute parking behind Presidio Plaza building for Socal Solutions customers (gravel parking). SoCal Solutions is a CBD store in Old Town San Diego.
Written 27 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EaglesFan27
Reading, PA642 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
There are so many unique shops and restaurants to explore. We also really enjoyed the live music on a beautiful Sunday evening. It’s a great spot to spend a couple of hours.
Written 30 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard S
Angmering, UK510 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Our friends from San Diego took us to this iconic location and it blew us away, the atmosphere is just amazing, the visual impact of colours, music, historic buildings just outstanding, we ealked around for hours intot he various shops, listening to the live music and watching the dancing.. and eating the best mexican food ever Casa de Reyes! A must visit location
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon C
Audlem, UK96 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Defiantly worth a visit, easy access from the metro and great place to spend a couple of hours. Safe pedestrian access with plenty of shops and visitor attractions. Cigar and tobacco store is fantastic
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angie R
Sunderland, UK1,525 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Lovely place to visit in Old Town San Diego on a sunny day.
The Historic State Park is a fascinating place
Unfortunately we were there before all was open but it was still worth seeing
Don’t visit before 11am especially out of season
The Historic State Park is a fascinating place
Unfortunately we were there before all was open but it was still worth seeing
Don’t visit before 11am especially out of season
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waddler
York, UK10,391 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Sure, its a bit contrived and not authentic, but its nicely done and actually a pretty chilled way to spend a bit of time. Nice old buildings, restaurants and shops.
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie S
Cary, NC9 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
San Diego is a great city to explore. It has beaches, nice coastlines and lots of history! Exploring nearby towns was very enjoyable. La Jolla was a blast!!!
Written 25 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey G
Halesowen, UK2,080 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Spent a couple of hours wandering around. We took the trolley bus to get here. We are from UK so have an immense amount of history compared to American but it was great to see this sight. Can’t imagine what it would’ve been like when it was the first settlement. Very interesting. Highly recommend
Written 24 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna G
Charlotte, NC34 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Old town is a great place to walk around , shop and eat . We enjoyed going in and out of shops and enjoyed eating a few Mexican restaurants.
Written 16 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shannon1977wyman
Newark, OH
My boyfriend and i will be visiting the week of the fourth of july and really are in need of some time off, we want to see the historic part of San Diego and also the night life. We will be there for 8 days, can you give us soe advice on how to spend our time the best?
slaterock1704
Chandler, AZ440 contributions
Visit the Gaslight District, Balboa Park, Point Loma and Old Town. Lots of good beer and nightlife. Birch Scripps Aquarium is worth a drive. Go to Groupon and Local Flavor for major discounts on food & attractions. Parking is expensive, so try to find a hotel with parking included. Have been there many times, and always enjoy. Email me with a specific question and I will answer. Enjoy,
Pete
Louis S
Quebec City, Canada1 contribution
Où stationner
MayraBrill
Buenos Aires, Argentina90 contributions
I went by train, and walked just 2 blocks towards the place, and it was much convenient than driving. But, I guess that there`s a parking place...good luck
Erin J
Canada62 contributions
We would be visiting with three kids (7, 6, and 4). I'd love some tips on things to see and not miss with them to make it an enjoyable and memorable day!
Shona68
Cambridge, Canada29 contributions
Hello
we have just booked for March. I did not realize you are closed completely. Will you be open in March
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Claim your listingOLD TOWN SAN DIEGO STATE HISTORIC PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Old Town San Diego State Historic Park:
- San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour (From S$65.23)
- San Diego Scenic Tour (From S$113.16)
- GoCar 2Hr Tour: Downtown & Old Town (From S$115.10)
- San Diego Shore Excursion: San Diego Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley (From S$65.23)
- GoCar 3Hr Tour: Point Loma Adventure (From S$153.47)
- Hotels near Old Town San Diego State Historic Park:
- (0.12 km) Cosmopolitan Hotel
- (0.20 km) Best Central Location!Old Town!Walk to restaurants, parks, trails&Train Station!
- (0.20 km) Old Town State Park just steps from Trolley/Trains Central Location EZ to find!
- (0.21 km) Casita in Old Town close to Trolley!
- (0.42 km) Old Town Inn
- Restaurants near Old Town San Diego State Historic Park:
- (0.03 km) Bara Bara
- (0.03 km) Barra Barra Saloon
- (0.08 km) Fiesta de Reyes
- (0.17 km) Pizza Bella
- (0.10 km) Casa de Reyes
- Attractions near Old Town San Diego State Historic Park:
- (0.02 km) Casa de Machado y Stewart
- (0.02 km) McCoy Museum House
- (0.02 km) First San Diego Courthouse
- (0.04 km) Mexico Shop
- (0.08 km) Old Town San Diego