Old Town San Diego - Worth Visiting
 

Will be a tourist in So Cal second week of October. Deciding wether to spend most of our time in LA area or San Diego. Someone said that Old Town, San Diego was a great place to have a beer & taco along with tringkit shopping. True - False??

Thank you for your advise.

IMO, the beer & taco/trinket part isn't as good as it used to be. However, the actual Old Town is quite interesting and worth a visit.

It is worth visiting if you are interested in the history. Get a free map at the information desk.

If you are visiting San Diego, why would you not want to go to Old Town? I don't get it.

"If you are visiting San Diego, why would you not want to go to Old Town? I don't get it."

Old Town is about item 25 on my list of things to see and do when I bring people to San Diego who have never been before.

If you are there for a week sure go see it. If you are there for 2-3 days then skip it.

This kind of question is, as they say, what makes horse races. I lived in SD for many years and Old Town was high on my list of places to visit, with or without out-of-town guests. I haven't been back in a number of years and I understand they have closed Bazaar del Mundo but I would still find it worthwhile for the historical aspects.

For a taste of how it used to be, an article I wrote a number of years ago can be seen at http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/sandiego.htm.

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Are the restaurants still there? If not then I'll skip Old Town. Where other than Gas Lamp, Coronado, and the dock area is there good food and maybe some shops to browse?

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There are still plenty of restaurants in Old Town and the Mission, etc., is also worth a visit. We liked it and so did our kids. And even with the change in management, etc., I got some good souvenirs. My husbands' favorite t-shirt shop is there as well.

Old Town is a worth a visit..
Whaley House is a must see and go have some Mex at Old Town Mexican Cafe..
La Jolla is another option to walk the coastline, great shops and fab restaurants..
Love George's Modern and eat on the terrace..great food and the views are stunning!

georgesatthecove.com

We like Old Town too. From a historical perspective, it is really interesting. And the neighborhood around it is fun for souvenier shopping. We like the Coyote Cafe, which is a couple blocks from the old square. Terrific carnitas, good guacamole, and fresh-made tortillas.

I've been to the Old Town Mexican Cafe once, and I don't know if they were having an off day or what, but the food was pretty bland. I have seen other people recommend it, so maybe I will have to give it another try.

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The response, " There are still plenty of restaurants in Old Town and the Mission..." was exactly what I was looking for. Old Town is back on the list.

Thanks so much for everyone's quick (and to the point) responses.

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Hey J..
There are certain things at Old Town Mex that are outstanding and the rest is very average..
Carnitas are some of the best in town.
Love the Marg's too!

If I weren't interested in history or culture, Old Town San Diego would be 25 on my list too.

Maybe it was an off day when I went because I ordered canitas and they weren't very good. I will have to give it another try.

Old Town is definately a fun place to walk around if you like good Mex. Restaurants, lots of sovenig. shopping, and some historical buidlings. Surrounding a part one street east of the main drag is a part with some wonderful historic homes including San Diego's first Jewish synagouge.

Nearby is the Presidio - an original Spanish fort that is beautiful. Just ask at an information place while you are in Old Town and they can give you directions.

The Mission San Diego de Alcala is further east off interstate 8 - about 15 minutes drive from Old Town. And In my opinion (if you love old history) well worth seeing.

AHH! sorry substitute Park for Part!!

why the rude comment htty?

You asked a question and I gave a polite answer.

Apparently people that don't like the same things that you do have no interest in culture as you say.

Hey J..
LOL..Carnitas were bland..Yikes!
They were really having an off day..
I love the women who make the fresh tortillas..

Look, f&b and I have more important things to worry about than Old Town. (LOL) We have to worry about whether or not the Chargers will ever learn how to play football again. :(

amen sista!

double and triple Amen!!

No offense intended, but whenever I visit San Diego I go to Old Town.

I was disappointed when I visited in April, 2007, that the Historic Park was understaffed. It was difficult to find a "ranger" or anybody else who is knowledgeable about the historic buildings.

However, if there are 24 things to do in San Diego, I'd like to have the list so I'll know what to do on my next visit there.

No offense intended, but whenever I visit San Diego I go to Old Town.

I was disappointed when I visited in April, 2007, that the Historic Park was understaffed. It was difficult to find a "ranger" or anybody else who is knowledgeable about the historic buildings.

If there are twenty-four things to do in San Diego that are more interesting than Old Town, I'd like to have the list so I'll know what to do on my next visit there.

These are 24 things I'd rather do than Old Town:

La jolla shores beach
Snorkling at la jolla cove
Walking down Prospect Street in La Jolla
Childrens Pool in La Jolla
Hiking Torrey Pines Bluff
Letting it all hang out at Blacks Beach
Golfing at Torrey Pines
Visiting Coronado Village
Sunday Brunch at Hotel Del Coronado
Pub crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego Zoo
Wandering Balboa Park & the museums
Walking Pacific Beach at night
Visiting the Mission (it is not in Old Town)
Playing the ponies at Del Mar
Views from Cabrillo National Monument looking at all the submarines
Views from Mt Soledad Cross
Playing blackjack at Barona Indian Casino
Eating greasy carne asada burritos at Albertos
Watching a ball game at Petco Park
Watching the guy build his rock towers at Seaport Village
Riding the roller coaster at Belmont
Sea World
Scripps Aquarium

To each his/her own.

Touche or oy vey.

Great list f&b. To that, I would add checking out the tide pools at the base of Point Loma - we had a good time crawling around on the rocks and looking at the sea creatures :)

thanks JC...

deleting baring all at blacks beach

inserting Point Loma tidepools.

frank and beans..
You sound like a local..
How great is that!

I was for 5 years.

On second thought, there is a lot to do in San Diego and you don't have to go to Old Town, but if you go you won't be sorry (partly because your curiosity will have been satisfied) and I'll bet that no matter what you do in San Diego, Old Town will be one of the memories that will stick with you.

To the list of 25, please add: Take the light rail to Tijuana--you won't forget that either.

I think that after Jan. 2008 you will need your passport to re-enter the US from Tijuana. So check it out before hand!

So we are going to San Diego for the first time in the Spring and I love the list. We will be there for a week so we probably won't get to do the entire list but it sounds like a blast. Thanks guys.

Don't forget these highlights:

Letting it all hang out at Blacks Beach
Pub crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter
Playing the ponies at Del Mar
Playing blackjack at Barona Indian Casino
Eating greasy carne asada burritos at Albertos
Riding the roller coaster at Belmont