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Old Town San Diego - The "Birthplace" of California

In 1769 Father Junipero Serra came to California and established the first of 21 California missions in San Diego that provided the cornerstone of California’s colonization. His mission and Presidio (military fort) were built on a hillside overlooking what is currently known as Old Town San Diego. In 1968, the State of California Department of Parks and Recreations declared the area a historic park to preserve the rich heritage that characterized San Diego during the 1821 to 1872 period.

Historic buildings include La Casa de Estudillo, La Casa de Bandini, La Casa de Altamirno Pedrorena and the Mason Street School, San Diego’s first one room schoolhouse. Just up the hill from Old Town San Diego Historic State Park, you’ll find Heritage Park where several of San Diego’s most notable Victorian homes have been relocated and authentically restored to their original splendor. Just a short walk down San Diego Avenue is the Whaley House, an officially designated haunted house; the Little Adobe Chapel on Conde Street, the first Church in Old Town San Diego; and El Campo Santo on San Diego Avenue, an 1850 Catholic Cemetery.

Step into San Diego of centuries past as you stroll through Old Town San Diego. Don't miss: San Diego House, originally a saloon owned and operated by a freed slave and a cornerstone of Black American history in San Diego; the Mason Street School, San Diego's first public school, still holding history classes for the public; and, of course, Bazaar Del Mundo, a permanent fiesta offering fabulous shopping and ethnic foods.