Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

See San Diego, California family vacation

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Mission Bay

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4002 Wallace St
San Diego, CA 92110+2743
1-800-777-4245 Save to My Wishlist

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Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Description

Step into Old Town and you walk into the past. Designed to resemble what California was like until 1848, this charming state park has a plaza surrounded by historic buildings, including a printing press, an old-fashioned candy shop (enter at your own risk), and a blacksmith. In the middle is a big wooden flagpole. While little kids run around the grassy park and weave in and out of the flagpole's supports, older kids will be enchanted by the charm and history. There's also a restaurant, a museum, and lots of shopping.

Historical Landmark

Kid Tips

Babies: Bring a sun hat as you'll be spending most of your time outdoors.

Toddlers & Pre-K: The history may be over their heads but they'll love the performances and the flagpole.

School-Age Kids: School-aged kids interested in history will particularly enjoy both the Wednesday morning demonstrations and just walking around this historic park.

Planning Notes

Go Wednesday morning. On Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon volunteers in period dress perform dances and give blacksmith demonstrations. They also bring donkeys to the park, open the printing shop, and have parlor music.
Wear comfortable shoes. The park and the surrounding neighborhood are perfect for exploring.

Just the Facts

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Fees: Free

Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours

Reviews of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

An okay place for tourists

By CuisineAficionado November 15, 2007 | Sons: Ages 6 & 3 | San Diego, CA

Babies

Toddlers & Pre-K

School-Age Kids

Pre-Teens & Teens

What we loved:
It's a good history lesson for elementary-aged kids.

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

I'll be honest. I have been going to Old Town since before I was in elementary school. I wasn't enthralled by it then, and I'm 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.

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 you're all ready to go. The best bet is the Whaley House, since kids love the story that it's haunted.

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.Read More