An okay place for tourists

Review for Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

San Diego, CA

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in San Diego, CA

by CuisineAficionado November 15, 2007 | Sons: Ages 9 & 6 | San Diego, CA

Babies

Toddlers & Pre-K

School-Age Kids

Pre-Teens & Teens

What we loved:
Its a good history lesson for elementary-aged kids.

What we didn't love:
Very young children and teens just dont care. It can also be very crowded and hard to park.

Ill be honest. I have been going to Old Town since before I was in elementary school. I wasnt enthralled by it then, and Im even less so now. The restaurants are absolutely terrible mostly badly executed Mexican food, and almost all overpriced and crowded, and the shopping is mostly tourists trinkets. br/br/That being said, it is fun to peruse the old buildings with your younger children 5-8, as they are inquisitive and learning about local history by about fourth grade. Still, you can make a visit here in about an hour, and then youre all ready to go. The best bet is the Whaley House, since kids love the story that its haunted.br/br/My friends adults from Michigan love coming here for some reason, so it is a good place to bring out of town guests. Although most of the large crowds are also tourists, which gets old fast.