Road Trip: “Old Town” San Diego, CA
Visiting Old Town, San Diego is like taking a step back in time. This historic neighborhood, nestled in the heart of California’s second largest city, offers a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage and vibrant past. With its preserved adobe buildings, authentic Mexican cuisine, and immersive cultural experiences, a visit to Old Town promises a captivating journey through history. On an unusually rainy June morning we took a one-hour drive down I-5 to soak in the unique atmosphere of this enchanting destination.
Old Town San Diego is a State Historic Park with living history, activities, gardens, historic guilds, donkeys, free tours, a working blacksmith shop, and fascinating museums. With a central plaza surrounded by cobblestone streets of Old Town, we felt transported to a bygone era. The adobe buildings that line the streets are adorned with colorful bougainvillea and charming balconies. Each structure has links to the past, telling of Spanish settlers, Mexican ranchers, and early American pioneers, preserving the essence of San Diego’s origins.
Historically, Old Town developed next to the Presidio that was constructed in 1769 and has been reconstructed in Presidio Park, a sprawling green space that overlooks Old Town. The park features 40 acres of green open space, picnic areas, and memorials along with views of the surrounding landscape, including the San Diego River Valley and the Pacific Ocean.
Walking around the central plaza of Old Town the aroma of freshly made tortillas and spices wafted through the air, eventually drawing us to the largest open-air restaurant in Old Town, the “Casa de Reyes”. Although there were many other restaurants in and surrounding Old Town, we both thought we were very lucky to have selected this restaurant. We shared the “Mar Y Tierra”, aged grilled skirt steak and crab-stuffed bacon-wrapped “armadillo” shrimp, frijoles puercos, ensalada de nopales, Spanish rice, guacamole, and pico de gallo. Delicious and plenty for both of us!
Old Town is a haven for art enthusiasts and souvenir hunters. After our lunch we meandered through the streets lined with boutiques and artisan shops, offering an array of handmade crafts, Mexican pottery, and intricate artworks. At some of the souvenir shops, it’s amazing how prevalent mass-produced items such as posters, keychains, mugs, and other souvenirs featuring Frida Kahlo’s iconic face and artwork has become!
A visit to Old Town, San Diego is an enchanting journey through time. The neighborhood’s historic charm, well-preserved architecture, and immersive cultural experiences make it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a deeper connection to the region’s past.
EV Trivia for our Road Trip: Round Trip= 147 miles, Energy Use= 38 kWh, Efficiency= 3.86 mi/kWh. Our day trip didn’t require any charging along the way, but there is a Supercharger with 12 ports at 2495 Truxtun Road, about 1.9 miles southwest (via Rosecrans Street) of Old Town.
Please Contact Us and let us know if there is a destination that you think we should visit and we’ll try to make plans.
