Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, at 4002 Wallace Street in San Diego, California, preserves the site of the first Spanish and Mexican civilian settlement in what became the state. The park covers several blocks of restored and reconstructed buildings dating from the 1820s to the 1870s, arranged around a central plaza. Visitors walk through adobe houses, wooden structures, a schoolhouse, a stable and several small museums, many staffed by costumed docents or rangers. The Whaley House, a Greek Revival home that has operated as a museum and is often cited as one of the most haunted houses in the country, charges its own admission, as do a few other attractions. Free museums and exhibits include the Robinson-Rose House, which serves as a visitor center with a model of the old town, and several period shops showing trades such as blacksmithing and printing. The surrounding streets hold Mexican restaurants, craft stores and market stalls selling pottery, textiles and sweets, giving the area a lively atmosphere beyond the formal historic buildings. A visit usually takes two to three hours, longer for those who stop for a meal. The plaza and the interiors of the adobes are the most photogenic areas, especially in morning light. Crowds are heaviest on weekends, holidays and during events such as the Dia de los Muertos celebrations in early November, while weekday mornings are quiet. Admission to the park itself is free, and the park is generally open daily, with museums and historic buildings typically open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors should confirm current hours at the California State Parks website. Old Town is easy to reach without a car. The MTS Trolley Green Line, the Coaster commuter rail and Amtrak all stop at the Old Town Transit Center, a short walk from the plaza, and paid parking is available nearby. Because the area is flat and compact, it works well as a half-day outing and pairs with a dinner at one of the neighborhood's restaurants.