Old Town, San Diego facts for kids
Old Town is a historic neighborhood in San Diego, California. It covers about 230 acres (93 hectares). This area is the oldest settled place in San Diego. It was the first European settlement in what is now California. Old Town is home to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and Presidio Park. Both of these parks are important historical sites.
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History of Old Town San Diego
Before Europeans arrived, the Kumeyaay people lived here. They had a village called Cosoy (or Kosa'aay). About 30 to 40 families lived in pyramid-shaped homes.
In 1769, Spanish explorers founded the San Diego Presidio and Mission San Diego de Alcalá. These were built on a hill next to the Kumeyaay village. This was the very first Spanish settlement in California. After five years, the Mission moved to a new spot. The Presidio stayed on the hill. In the 1820s, a town grew at the base of the hill. This town is now the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The old Presidio on the hill slowly fell apart.
In 1834, the Mexican government called San Diego a pueblo. A pueblo was a special town with its own government. But the town's population got very small. So, in 1838, it lost its pueblo status. One problem was that the town was far from the ocean. Everything had to be brought by land from Point Loma.
When California joined the United States in 1850, San Diego became the main city for San Diego County. At that time, only about 650 people lived in Old Town.
Old Town was the center of San Diego until the 1860s. Then, a man named Alonzo Horton started building a "New Town" closer to the bay. This new area is now downtown San Diego. People and businesses quickly moved to New Town. It was much better for shipping goods. In 1871, government offices also moved to New Town. This made New Town the main part of San Diego.
In the 1910s, Old Town got streetcars. These were part of a big public transportation system. The streetcars helped people get around the neighborhood. They were used until 1939.
What to Do in Old Town
Old Town is a lively place today. It has many things to see and do.
- There are nine hotels and 32 restaurants.
- You can find over 100 specialty shops.
- Popular shopping areas include Fiesta de Reyes and Bazaar del Mundo.
- There are 12 art galleries.
- You can visit 27 historic buildings and sites. These include Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and Presidio Park.
- The Mormon Battalion Historic Site is also in Old Town.
- Heritage Park is a county park. It has old buildings that were moved there from other places. You can see Victorian homes and San Diego's first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel.
Fun Events in Old Town
Old Town hosts several exciting events each year.
- Cinco de Mayo is a big celebration held every May.
- The Old Town Art Festival happens every October.
- Dia de los Muertos is a community celebration. It takes place on November 1st and 2nd.
- Fiesta Navidad is a two-day Christmas festival in December. It includes Las Posadas, which re-enacts the journey of Mary and Joseph.
Community Groups in Old Town
Many groups work to make Old Town a great place.
- The Old Town Community Planning Committee helps the city with local issues.
- The Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce helps businesses and tourism.
- The Boosters of Old Town (BOOT) support the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. They help with events and keep history alive.
- The Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) runs two museums. These are the Adobe Chapel Museum and the Whaley House Museum.
Getting Around Old Town
The Old Town Transit Center is a major transportation hub. It's a place where different types of transport meet. You can catch city buses, the San Diego Trolley, the Coaster commuter train, and Amtrak trains like the Pacific Surfliner. This makes it easy to get to and from Old Town.
Images for kids
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The Serra Museum in Presidio Park marks the original site of the Presidio and Mission
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La Casa de Estudillo Museum, Old Town
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McCoy House Museum
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Outdoor cafes at Old Town
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Class 1 Streetcar homes in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California.
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Houses in Old Town
