Overview
The birthplace of San Diego, Old Town is a popular tourist district of historic buildings and Mexican-themed shops and restaurants sitting at the foot of Mission Valley, a major commercial center lining the San Diego River that is home to several shopping centers, Snapdragon Stadium, and the Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the oldest of the California missions.
18 sights · 5 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 12 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Old Town-Mission Valley
Mission San Diego de Alcalá
The first of the Spanish California missions, founded in 1769 by Junipero Serra for the purposes of converting the native peoples who lived in the area at the time. In its long history, the mission has been the site of t…
Heritage Park
A park in Old Town ringed with historic Victorian houses.
Presidio Park
Perched on the hill above Old Town, this large park is the site of the old presidio (fort) that once protected the Spanish settlement of San Diego. The park contains canyons, tall trees, flowering plants, and grassy hill…
Whaley House
The oldest brick building and most famous haunted house in San Diego. Built in 1856, the north room of the museum served as the County Courthouse in 1869. The structure includes period furnishings and other antique displ…
Casa de Estudillo
A beautiful historic adobe house that has been lovingly restored to its original appearance.
Snapdragon Stadium
Opened in September 2022 on the former site of San Diego Stadium as the new home of the San Diego State Aztecs college football team. The women's soccer team San Diego Wave FC (see below) and men's rugby team San Diego L…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 77°F; winter lows dip to about 50°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby San Diego)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SAN San Diego International Airport, San Diego — 3 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CLD McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad — 26 mi away. Directions
Mission Valley is strung along Interstate 8 and several interstates intersect with I-8 through the valley, making access by car relatively easy. Old Town is just off the intersection of Interstate 5 and I-8 at the western end of the valley, SR-163 intersects I-8 near the Fashion Valley shopping center, and I-805, and I-15 cross I-8 in the eastern part of the valley near Snapdragon Stadium.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $80–$99 a night (typical $99), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$170, comfortable ~$260.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Adobe Chapel Museum, Whaley House, Mormon Battalion Visitors' Center of San Diego
- Lunch Old Town Mexican Café
- Afternoon Cygnet Theater, Casa de Estudillo
- Dinner Hungry's Kitchen & Tap
- Evening McGregors
Day 2
- Morning Mission San Diego de Alcalá, Snapdragon Stadium
- Lunch Oggi's
- Afternoon Presidio Park
- Dinner Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel
Day 3
- Morning San Diego Toreros
- Lunch Casa De Reyes
- Afternoon San Diego Legion
- Dinner In-N-Out Burger
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Old Town not only offers great Mexican delicacies it also offers many other types of food like Italian or even some Irish Pubs. If you are planning on going during the weekend leave plenty of time because it will get crowded. Or, try to make reservations if the restaurant will take them.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Mission Valley is strung along Interstate 8 and several interstates intersect with I-8 through the valley, making access by car relatively easy. Old Town is just off the intersection of Interstate 5 and I-8 at the western end of the valley, SR-163 intersects I-8 near the Fashion Valley shopping center, and I-805, and I-15 cross I-8 in the eastern part of the valley near Snapdragon Stadium.
Getting through Mission Valley in a car is quite painless, given the large boulevards and numerous parking lots. However, finding a place to park in Old Town can be a real drag. Even Mission Valley's large roads can get clogged with traffic during rush hours, sports events, and the holiday shopping season when shoppers flock to Mission Valley's many retail outlets.
By public transit
The Old Town Transit Center (at 4005 Taylor St, near the intersection of Taylor Street and Pacific Highway at the northwest corner of Old Town) and the Fashion Valley shopping center in Mission Valley are hubs for many local Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) bus routes. In addition, the Old Town Transit Center serves the Coaster, a commuter rail service which runs north along the coast of San Diego County to Oceanside, and certain Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains (check the schedule, as not all trains stop in Old Town). The airport's free Flyer Shuttle also connects the Old Town Transit Center to the airport.
The San Diego Trolley, a light rail service operated by the MTS, runs through Old Town and Mission Valley. The Green Line comes up from Downtown and stops at the Old Town Transit Center before turning east and heading through Mission Valley (making stops at all the shopping centers, Qualcomm Stadium, and the Mission San Diego), then continuing east past SDSU out to El Cajon and Santee.
See
See Mission San Diego de Alcalá
The first of the Spanish California missions, founded in 1769 by Junipero Serra for the purposes of converting the native peoples who lived in the area at the time. In its long history, the mission has been the site of the first Christian burial and the first execution in California, saw bloodshed between the Spanish settlers and native peoples, and served as an armory in the years following U.S. annexation of California before being restored to an active church in 1941. Today, Mission San Diego is an active Catholic parish and a museum dedicated to the history of the mission. Tour the site, with its gardens, museum, and the original chapel.
See Adobe Chapel Museum
See Immaculate Conception Church
A historic Mission-style church in Old Town dating back to 1919.
See Presidio Park
Perched on the hill above Old Town, this large park is the site of the old presidio (fort) that once protected the Spanish settlement of San Diego. The park contains canyons, tall trees, flowering plants, and grassy hillsides as well several memorials and historic landmarks, including the Junipero Serra Museum (see below) and the partially excavated presidio. The grassy lawns and hilltop views make it a great place to bring a picnic.
See Whaley House
The oldest brick building and most famous haunted house in San Diego. Built in 1856, the north room of the museum served as the County Courthouse in 1869. The structure includes period furnishings and other antique displays. Come during the Halloween season for special night tours.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
A historic district which encompasses most of Old Town and many of the area's original Spanish structures from when the settlement was founded in the 18th century. The park is around nine square blocks, or almost 30 acres, and can be toured with or without a guide.
See Robinson-Rose House Visitor Center
To begin touring, the best place to start is the visitor’s center, which includes a model of what the area looked like in 1872, maps, information about touring, and information about the area’s history. Free guided walking tours of Old Town depart daily at 11AM and 2PM.
See Altamirano-Pedrorena House
Built in 1869, as a family residence, but is now the site of a rock, gem, and jewelry shop.
See Black Hawk Smithy & Stable
Established in 1860. At the site, visitors can watch blacksmithing and other demonstrations.
See Casa de Estudillo
A beautiful historic adobe house that has been lovingly restored to its original appearance.
See Light-Freeman House
Built in 1830, the house was an adobe saloon and provision stores until it became the American Hotel around 1856.
See Mason Street Schoolhouse
Established around 1865, this was the first public school house in San Diego. The school offers daily tours, and visitors can sit at the desk and examine the books on display.
See Seeley Stable Museum
A reconstructed stage coach stop with a collection of vintage carriages inside.
Do
Do Snapdragon Stadium
Opened in September 2022 on the former site of San Diego Stadium as the new home of the San Diego State Aztecs college football team. The women's soccer team San Diego Wave FC (see below) and men's rugby team San Diego Legion (also below) also play here, and the city's team in Major League Soccer, San Diego FC, will start play here in 2025.
Do San Diego Toreros
NCAA Division I teams representing the University of San Diego. The basketball team plays their home games at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on the USD campus. The Toreros college baseball team plays at Cunningham Stadium and their college football team plays at Torero Stadium (both also on the USD campus). USD competes in the West Coast Conference in most sports; since the WCC doesn't sponsor football, the Toreros play that sport in the Pioneer Football League.
Buy
Mission Valley is a major shopping hub for the entire region, with several large shopping centers and many big-box stores and retail outlets.
Old Town offers many different places to shop. There are over 100 stores in Old Town State Historic Park.
Eat
Old Town not only offers great Mexican delicacies it also offers many other types of food like Italian or even some Irish Pubs. If you are planning on going during the weekend leave plenty of time because it will get crowded. Or, try to make reservations if the restaurant will take them.
Old Town
Eat Casa De Reyes
Mexican food with lovely courtyard, and wandering musicians.
Eat Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel
A beautiful dining establishment in a building built by Juan Bandini in 1829. Later, in the 1860s, a second story was added and it became the Cosmopolitan Hotel. You can eat in the garden amid flowers, trees, and fountains or inside the wonderful historic building.
Eat Hungry's Kitchen & Tap
Soup and salad (very limited), sandwiches, yards and half yards of beer, live music on weekend nights.
Eat Old Town Mexican Café
Huge portions.
Eat In-N-Out Burger
One of the two locations most conveniently reached from downtown (the other is in National City to the south).
Mission Valley
Eat Oggi's
Part of a local pizza chain in San Diego, they have a very extensive menu and also brew their own beer as well, with a stocked bar. Also has plenty of TVs to watch sports as well.
Drink
Mission Valley
Drink McGregors
A grill and ale house, great place to watch sports at, has pool tables, darts and shuffleboard.
Sleep
Most of the hotels in this area are of the chain variety, along Interstates 5 or 8, and loudly proclaiming their proximity to Old Town and to Sea World in nearby Mission Bay. Hotel Circle, along I-8 in the western part of Mission Valley, is home to a lot of basic chain hotels.
Nearby
Coronado
City / town · 30 listings · 6 mi away
National City
City / town · 13 listings · 7 mi away
La Mesa
City / town · 10 listings · 7 mi away
El Cajon
City / town · 17 listings · 11 mi away
Chula Vista
City / town · 43 listings · 11 mi away
Imperial Beach
City / town · 11 listings · 13 mi away
Del Mar
City / town · 13 listings · 15 mi away
Poway
City / town · 4 listings · 15 mi away
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