View Attractions Related to: Old Town

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Come visit the historic heart of San Diego in Old Town. You may wonder, how much history can their really be in San Diego. If you have ever visited San Diego before, you probably noticed it is a very attractive, modern city with very few old buildings or run down areas of town.

Don’t let that fool you. San Diego is the oldest settlement on the West Coast of the United States. It is also one of the oldest European settlements west of the Mississippi River. (It goes back even farther when you consider that prior to the arrival of Spanish Conquistadors, Indians occupied the area going back over 10,000 years.)

You can explore all of this history in Old Town, where the first of California’s 21 Spanish Missions was established. You will learn about the transition of power over the area from the Indians, to the Spanish, to the Mexicans, and eventually becoming part of the Old West of the United States. In addition, you will learn what life was like in an early frontier town. The State Historic Park in Old Town has preserved and recreated much of what life was like for the early settlers.

After spending your day visiting the attractions, you will have plenty of fabulous shops and restaurants to choose from for your evening. Old Town offers some of the best Mexican restaurants this side of the border.

Add some fascinating history to your vacation by reviewing each of the attractions pictured above or read an overview of what to do in Old Town.