🇺🇸 San Diego｜Old Town Ultimate Guide: Food, Fun & Culture

As the birthplace of California, Old Town mesmerizes visitors with its Spanish colonial architecture and vibrant Mexican influences 🌵🌮 This is the real-life setting of Coco (Disney’s Coco)! From giant cacti and colorful calavera walls 👻 to white historic buildings and lush gardens like Casa de Estudillo 💐—every corner is Instagram gold! 🚌 Transport: Just a 10-min drive from SeaWorld / USS Midway Museum 🚗 🏨 Accommodation: ① Courtyard by Marriott Old Town → Steps away from Main St ② Cosmopolitan Hotel → A 200-year-old landmark (2660 Calhoun St) ⌚ Suggested Visit: Core area can be explored in 2-3 hours, but stay one night for the magical atmosphere! 📅 Best Time to Visit: Día de los Muertos (Oct 1 – Nov 3) 🎭 with celebrations, altars, haunted houses, and more! 🚗 Parking: 🆓 Free: Street parking (easy before 10AM), Public Parking areas 💰 Paid: Parking lots (~$20/4hrs 📍2829 Juan St) 🎡 Must-Visit Spots: ✅ Old Town San Diego State Historic Park 19th-century buildings, 150+ shops & museums — free entry! ✅ Fiesta de Reyes Plaza Colorful Mexican market + live performances — perfect photo ops! ✅ Junipero Serra Museum Iconic white building marking California’s origin — free entry 🏛️ ✅ Whaley House Museum One of America’s most haunted places 👻— not for the faint-hearted! ✅ Mormon Battalion Historic Site Interactive gold panning & brick-making — free & fun for families! ✅ Heritage County Park Victorian-era houses + a hidden retro café ☕ 😋 Food Recommendations: 💕 Casa de Reyes Authentic Mexican cuisine in a gorgeous garden setting 🌸 Must-try: Fajitas, Tacos, fresh Guacamole + Margarita! 🦞 Rockin’ Baja Lobster Famous seafood spot — try their Shrimp & Lobster Bucket! Free chips & salsa! 🍦 Squibob Square Handmade ice cream — sweet and refreshing 🍨 🛍️ Shopping Gems: ① Old Town Market → Mexican handicrafts & souvenirs ② El Centro Artesano → Colorful ceramics & folk art 🎨 ③ The Tile Shop → Beautiful patterned tiles 🧱 #San Diego #OldTownSD #CaliforniaHistory #MexicanCulture