Things To Do with Kids in Old Town San Diego
If you are taking a trip to San Diego, then you’ll want to make a stop in Old Town San Diego! It is a great place to take the kids for an exciting day out. There are plenty of activities and attractions that kids will love, such as the Whaley House Museum where they can learn about local history and explore the museum’s unique artifacts. Kids can also enjoy rides at the Old Town Trolley Tour, with stops at popular spots like Seaport Village, Balboa Park, and more.
Other fun activities to do with kids in Old Town include visiting the parks and gardens, browsing the shops and restaurants, or taking a scenic walk along the waterfront. No matter what you choose to do with your family in Old Town San Diego, it’ll be an adventure that you won’t soon forget!
Related: Fun Things To Do With Kids In San Diego
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Check out our Guide to Old Town San Diego with Kids
Old Town Trolley Tours
Old Town San Diego Trolley Tours offer a unique and exciting experience for travelers looking to explore the city. This fun and educational tour takes visitors on a journey through some of the most iconic sites in San Diego while they learn about the city’s rich history. The tour begins at Old Town, where visitors can explore the area’s historical buildings, museums, shops and restaurants. From here, the trolley will take guests on a ride around downtown San Diego, including stops at Balboa Park, Seaport Village and Coronado Island. Along the way, guides provide informative commentary about each site, making this an ideal way to discover all that San Diego has to offer.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
By offering a link to the past, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park offers the chance to discover the history of early San Diego.
Discover life in the Mexican and early American periods of 1821 to 1872. Even today, life in this region of San Diego goes more slowly since there are more fiestas and less activity overall. Visitors get a look into the past as San Diego changed from a Mexican pueblo to an American town due to the blending of cultures. When a mission and fort were built at San Diego in 1769, it became the first Spanish colony in California. After the Mexican-American War, it came under the control of the newly established Mexican government and later attained statehood in the US.
The park is close to the Old Town Transit Center, which offers Coaster, Trolley, and MTS Bus service, and is situated on San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street in San Diego.
Free Parking Near Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Seeley Stable Museum
The Seeley Stable was a two-story, square-sided, shingle-roofed barn that was “well constructed and durable” and was used to hold stagecoaches and stable horses.
A magnificent collection of 19th-century overland transportation equipment and vehicles, including a carreta (an ox-drawn cart), mud wagon, Concord stage, and enormous two-wagon freighter, are kept in the present building, which was constructed in 1974. Roscoe E. Hazard, a retired highway contractor and former rancher, donated the majority of these rare artifacts to the California State Parks.
Junípero Serra Museum
The Junpero Serra Museum, run by the San Diego History Center, is an iconic regional landmark. The Serra is situated on one of the most important historical locations on the West Coast, the location of the first permanent European colony in what is now the State of California, directly above Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
The Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park
2727 Presidio Drive, San Diego, CA 92103
Whaley House Museum
A significant building in the Old Town San Diego area was the Whaley House. The Whaley House evolved as the center of the San Diego community from 1857 until the early 20th century. It served as the Whaley family’s residence, the second county courthouse, and a multilingual general store in addition to being San Diego’s first commercial theater. The house developed into such a significant element of the neighborhood that it eventually served as the focal point of a conflict between inhabitants of Old Town and those of New Town.
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the historic Whaley House as you go back in time. Learn everything there is to know about the famous house’s significant history in Old Town San Diego.
2476 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
Mormon Battalion Historic Site
An interactive video tour, historical artifacts, and demonstrations of brick making and gold panning may all be found at the Mormon Battalion Center.
2510 Juan Street, San Diego, California 92110
Old Town Model Railroad Depot – Permanently Closed
They were formerly a model railroad museum and shop located in San Diego’s famed Old Town neighborhood. The Depot, which opened in 2014, had a roughly 2,000 square foot O-gauge (Lionel scale) railway layout that was designed just for it. On November 6, 2022, they regrettably closed their doors forever, but still have an online shop for fans to shop.
Mexican Restaurants in Old Town San Diego for Authentic Mexican Food
Cafe Coyote
Lehn and Ritch Goetz have shared ownership of Café Coyote since it first opened in August 1989 as a fixture of San Diego’s famed Old Town. Twenty years running, the restaurant has won Best Mexican and Restaurateur of the Year awards. Open 364 days a year for breakfast, lunch, and supper. In addition to offering traditional Mexican entertainment at private tables or in banquet facilities to accommodate any size group, Café Coyote offers its patrons a joyful atmosphere. Reservations are accepted, but walk-ins are also welcome.
2461 San Diego Ave San Diego, CA 92110
Old Town Mexican Cafe
For more than 40 years, San Diego has been home to the Old Town Mexican Café. Many people have referred to their homemade tortillas as “the best in the world.”
Their website lists Molcajete, Carnitas, 12 rotisserie chicken, Pozole, 12 rack of ribs, Guacomole, and Carne Asada Dinner as their most popular menu items.
The Old Town Mexican Café is a highly popular place for banquets and gatherings. Every Monday through Friday, from 3:00 to 6:00 and again from 10:00 to closing, our bar area offers drink specials and half-priced snacks.
2489 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
Casa de Reyes
Casa de Reyes, which serves traditional Mexican food with flair, is located next to the Fiesta de Reyes stage outside beneath our distinctive Carrizo arbor. Bring the whole family to experience authentic Mexican cuisine and daily entertainment, which includes live mariachi bands, historical dramas, and folklorico dancing. With a drink in hand, meet up with friends around the fire pit, or simply hang out while taking in the show on our outdoor stage.
Shopping in Old Town San Diego
There’s tons of fun touristy shopping in Old Town San Diego, which features a variety of unique boutiques, gift shops, and souvenir stores. Explore the artsy craft shops where you can find handmade jewelry and other trinkets that are sure to make your visit to Old Town San Diego memorable.
Old Town Market
The Old Town Market is the perfect spot to pick up souvenirs, Mexican folk art, and other trinkets to remember your trip. You can browse handmade crafts, colorful jewelry, artwork made with traditional techniques, and unique garments. Additionally, the vibrant atmosphere of the market makes it an ideal place to people watch and soak in the local culture. You may even be able to find live entertainment and special events taking place inside the market during your stay in San Diego. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find something that will make your vacation even more memorable at the Old Town Market.
Bazaar Del Mundo
Diane Powers’ Bazaar del Mundo Shops, locally owned and operated, are a jovial and colourful haven in San Diego’s Old Town community, exuding the warmth of Old Mexico. The intimate atmosphere offers shoppers a treasure trove of speciality items, carefully hand-picked from Latin America and other parts of the world in vibrant colours and distinct designs. Indulge in a variety of fair-trade merchandise, folk art, crafts, gifts, women’s fashion, jewelry, and home décor.
Incorporate a vibrant addition to your San Diego itinerary with Diane Powers’ Bazaar del Mundo Shops, where the pleasures of shopping mix with the vibrancy of a rich cultural and historical setting.
Cousin’s Candy Shop
Judy McCord, owner of Old Town Cousins Candy Shop, embarked on her candy-making journey after retiring early from a successful career as a flight attendant. In 1987, she bought a charming candy shop in a historic and touristy town in Montana. Years later, she decided to expand her horizons and became a concessionaire at Old Town State Historic Park in San Diego, CA. She dedicated herself to managing both stores for several years, but eventually sold the Montana shop to concentrate her efforts on the candy shop in Old Town San Diego. Judy believes selling candy is one of the best businesses to be in, as it never fails to make people happy. For her, every day is a “sweet day”!
Fiesta de Reyes
Fiesta de Reyes is a vibrant plaza in the heart of Old Town San Diego Historic Park, consisting of 19 locally owned specialty shops, three unique restaurants, and a chic 10-room boutique hotel. The visionary behind this landmark is Chuck Ross, a seasoned restaurateur who has been in the business for over 30 years. In 2009, Ross embarked on a mission to revamp the plaza by renovating two aging restaurants and many of the surrounding shops. His unwavering commitment to restoring the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant to its 1870s glory earned him the nickname “Old Town’s Turnaround Specialist” by the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Ross has turned Fiesta De Reyes into a labor of love. With the Ross clan working together, they have created an unforgettable experience for guests and visitors to enjoy. Whether you want to shop, dine, or stay in one of the luxurious rooms, Fiesta De Reyes is a must-visit.
Fun Things To Do With Kids In San Diego
San Diego is the perfect place for families to visit and explore with kids. There are plenty of fun activities to do in the city, from spending a day at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, or SeaWorld San Diego, to exploring Balboa Park and a San Diego Museum, San Diego Botanic Garden, and many other cultural attractions. Other popular activities for families include visiting the USS Midway Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, spending the day at Mission Beach and walking along Seaport Village or La Jolla Shores Beach. With so much to do in San Diego, it’s easy to find something that appeals to every member of the family! Check out our Guide to Fun Things to do in San Diego with Kids.
