Things to Do in Old Town, San Diego

Old Town is San Diego's oldest settled area and the site of California's first European settlement. It contains Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Presidio Park, and the Whaley House museum.

Old Town San Diego State Historic ParkState / Provincial Park
Old Town MarketSpecialty Store
Whaley HouseHistory Museum

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Top things to do in Old Town

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
★ 4.7 · 31.6k
State / Provincial Park· $$★
Open-air museum about local life in the 1800s, with adobe buildings & interpretive performances.
Every day
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Old Town Market
★ 4.7 · 2.2k
Specialty Store
Historic marketplace with shops & carts offering locally made gift items, plus live entertainment.
Website ↗Map ↗
Whaley House
★ 4.5 · 2.4k
History Museum
Supposedly haunted, this museum in an 1850s house offers day & night tours, plus a cafe.
Every day
10 AM – 4:30 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Nibble Chocolate Old Town
★ 4.7 · 199
Chocolate Shop· $1–10
A chocolate shop in Old Town San Diego offering bean-to-bar chocolate, hot chocolate, café drinks, and curated gifts made with ethically sourced cacao.
Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Old Town

Casa Guadalajara
★ 4.4 · 9.2k
Mexican· $20–30
Mexican eats with live mariachi music, indoors or on the vibrantly colorful outdoor patio.
Website ↗Map ↗
Old Town Mexican Cafe
★ 4.4 · 9.2k
Mexican· $20–30
A cheery spot serving many standard Mexican dishes & authentic hand-pressed tortillas.
Mon–Thu
8 AM – 9 PM
Fri
8 AM – 10 PM
Sat
7 AM – 10 PM
Sun
7 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Old Town Mexican Café
★ 4.3 · 13.9k
Mexican· $20–30
Offering 100 tequilas, this rustic & lively spot serves Mexican fare & buzzes with mariachi music.
Mon
8:30 AM – 9 PM
Tue–Wed
11 AM – 9 PM
Thu
10 AM – 9 PM
Fri
9 AM – 9 PM
Sat
8 AM – 9 PM
Sun
8 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
California Bean
★ 4.8 · 275
Coffee Shop· $1–10
An independently owned and operated local coffee shop that brews quality beans into coffee, including quick-roasted "white coffee" with a unique flavor.
Website ↗Map ↗
Pizza Bella Italian Bistro
★ 4.5 · 1.4k
Pizza
Old-world Italian art lines the walls of this bustling eatery serving thin-crust pies & pasta.
Mon–Fri
11 AM – 9 PM
Sat
11 AM – 8:30 PM
Sun
11 AM – 8:30 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Doc Holliday's
★ 4.7 · 163
Restaurant· $10–20
Mon–Thu
7:30 AM – 10 PM
Fri
7:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Sat
7:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Sun
7:30 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Casa De Reyes
★ 4.3 · 8.0k
Mexican· $20–30
Overlooking a historic park, this Mexican cantina offers outdoor dining in a lovely garden.
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 9 PM
Fri
11 AM – 10 PM
Sat
10 AM – 10 PM
Sun
10 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Flor and Seed Coffee Roasters
★ 4.7 · 283
Coffee Shop· $1–10
Website ↗Map ↗
Tahona Bar
★ 4.4 · 513
Restaurant· $20–60
A modern Mexican menu & mezcal in a light-filled setting with modern interiors & rustic influences.
Mon
5 PM – 9 PM
Tue–Thu
5 PM – 10 PM
Fri
5 PM – 11 PM
Sat
4 PM – 11 PM
Sun
4 PM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Fuego Sushi
Restaurant· $10–40
Mon
11:30 AM – 8 PM
Tue
11:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Wed–Thu
11:30 AM – 8 PM
Fri
11:30 AM – 9 PM
Sat
12 PM – 9 PM
Sun
12 PM – 8 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗