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Old Town Trolley Tours® of San Diego Route Map & Stops |
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Click On Stops Below to Find Out All that San Diego has to Offer |
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| Click here to see a detailed map of Old Town San Diego |
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Old Town San Diego State Historic Park |
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Old
Town State Historic Park |
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• Restrooms
• Restaurants |
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Old Town
State Park is known as the Birthplace of
California. In 1821, when Mexico gained
independence from Spain, a small group of
Mexican settlers began building homes at
the foot of the hillside below the first
mission and Presidio. Because wood was scarce
at the time, sun-dried adobe bricks were
used. Thus, the buildings had a different
look, a brownish-red color and rough exterior.
Approximate Time to Allow: 1- 2 hours
Actual time depends on your choices
 Old Town State Historic Park
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Old
Town Market |
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Join
us for free, historic storytelling, shows and entertainment
every day of the week. Shop in our 40 unique gift stores,
watch working artisans, or enjoy a bite to eat. Learn about
the rich history of Old Town San Diego in our free museum.
We invite you to visit our Festival Marketplace and experience
Old Town San Diego, the Birthplace of California. |
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• Restrooms
• Shopping
• Snacks |
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Casa de Aguirre |
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• Restrooms
• Shopping
• Snacks |
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Casa
de Aguirre is an important landmark within the
Old Town Market as it displays the life and traditions
of the settlers of Old Town, San Diego’s
first city. The home of Don Jose Aguirre and
his family, the original adobe was built in 1853.
Don Jose later gave the building and all his
land to the Catholic Church. Father Antonio Ubach
used the home as a site for an industrial school
for Indians. Although the original structure
was destroyed in 1914, it was reconstructed and
now serves as a free museum at the entrance of
Old Town State Historic Park. Numerous artifacts
are displayed throughout the museum, telling
the story of the influences the original inhabitants
of Old Town had on San Diego and southern California
during the mid 1800’s.
Approximate Time to Allow:
1 hour
Actual time depends on your choices |
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Whaley House |
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The Whaley House is a remarkable
icon in historic Old Town San Diego. Its stately
Greek Revival architecture is an impressive sight,
while its mysterious past and mystical reputation
cause quite a stir among visitors from all over
the world. It is here that the spirits of many
original Old Town San Diego citizens are said
to roam from room to room and through many of
the hallways. Known as the Most Haunted House
in America, the Whaley House was the family home
of Thomas Whaley.
Whaley House |
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Old Town Community |
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• Specialty Shops
• Restaurants
• Art Galleries |
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Adjacent to
the Old
Town San Diego State Historic Park, the Old
Town Community exudes colonial beauty and the
flavors and heritage of its early settlers. Several
restaurants serve up Mexican and Californian
cuisine, while quaint stores and boutiques provide
unique shopping experiences. Up the hill there
is Heritage Park, a protected county park is
the setting for seven of San Diego’s
most splendid Victorian homes that were relocated
and restored to their original grandeur.
Approximate Time to Allow: 1 hour
Actual time depends on your choices
Old Town Community |
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La Casa de Estudillo |
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 La Casa de Estudillo was a social and political center of San Diego during California's Mexican period, 1821-1846, and into the early American period.
Capitán José Maria Estudillo, a retired San Diego Presidio comandante (fort commander), began construction of the casa (house) in 1827 on a parcel of land granted to him by Governor José Echeandí.
At first the house was an L-shaped adobe which later grew to be U-shaped. The original floors may or may not have been tile and, in the sala (living room), wood planking. At present, the roof is reconstructed of rough-cut log rafters covered by a mat of cane and fired clay tiles.The 3- to 5-foot thick walls are made of sun-baked adobe bricks built on large river cobble foundations.
Upon José Maria Estudillo's death in 1830, construction of the house continued under the direction of his son, José Antonio Estudillo, and his son's wife, Maria Victoria Dominquez de Estudillo.
José Antonio Estudillo held many public offices in San Diego. He and other family members acquired extensive land holdings in the county, including Ranchos Temecula and San Jacinto Viejo, near Hemet and San Jacinto; Ranchos Janal and Otay, east of Chula Vista; and Rancho El Cajon. All of these properties were excellent for raising and grazing cattle.
The family descendents moved to Los Angeles in 1887 and left the house with a caretaker. Nat R. Titus bought the casa, almost in ruins, in 1906. One year later he sold it to the San Diego Electric Railway Company, owned by John D. Spreckles.
The Estudillo house was restored under the supervision of architect Hazel Waterman. In 1908, it was converted into a commercial venture called "Ramona's Marriage Place," based on Helen Hunt Jackson's novel Ramona. The casa became part of the California State Park system in 1968 and was restored as a house museum identified with the Estudillo family. |
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Presidio Park |
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 The Junípero Serra Museum, in Presidio Park, is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego. As a major symbol of the city, it stands atop the hill recognized as the site where California began. It was here in 1769 that a Spanish Franciscan missionary, Father Junípero Serra, with a group of soldiers led by Gaspar de Portolá, established Alta California’s first mission and presidio (fort).
On July 16, 1769, near the site where the museum now stands, Fr. Serra founded the Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Often confused for the Mission, the Serra Museum was built between 1928-1929 for the purpose of housing and showcasing the collection of the San Diego Historical Society, which was founded in 1928. The structure was designed by architect, William Templeton Johnson, using Spanish Revival architecture, to resemble the early missions that once dominated the landscape of Southern California. |
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Fiesta de Reyes |
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 Within Fiesta de Reyes, two restaurants have been completely remodeled and are now open.
Festooned with true 1850s California-style antiques, collectables and paintings, Barra Barra is a full-service restaurant and saloon with indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant boasts all-you-can-eat Friday nights and its signature drink, “The Best Margarita in Town"… made with top-shelf Herradura Blanco tequila, agave nectar, fresh-squeezed lime juice and Cointreau, Barra Barra’s signature margarita will be priced less than half of what it might cost at another establishment.
Casa de Reyes, the courtyard restaurant in the center of Fiesta de Reyes, has been completely restored with a new carrizo arbor, an outdoor tortilla factory, mariachi stage and California hacienda décor. Casa de Reyes features traditional Mexican food, like homemade tamales, chile rellenos, sizzling fajitas and slow-roasted pork. Imported outdoor furniture, patio umbrellas and fire pits add to the festive atmosphere of the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard.
Quaint retail shops offering products from around the world surround the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard. Guests can taste wine grown and manufactured locally or sample olive oil straight from the orchards in Temecula. And one of San Diego's favorite toy stores, Geppettos, is back to its original location in Old Town with all the same great toys and games. Fiesta de Reyes also showcases locally made jewelry as well as a traditional Mexican bakery. Beacon Artworks and Designs in Shell are also back by popular demand.
Shops and restaurants, live musicians and local artisans demonstrating their artistic craft make Fiesta de Reyes a lively experience with a permanent party ambiance. |
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Hotels |
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Go to San Diego hotels |
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