Old Town Recreation and Parks

The Old Town State Historic Park sits on nine square blocks and preserves many historic structures including five adobe houses. Other buildings include California's first schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, the state's first newspaper office and a stable. These preserved buildings are now museums and offer visitors a glimpse of life here from 1821 to 1872. It is an ideal place to take the kids for a weekend learning the history of San Diego and the region. And there are interesting things to do nearby at the old presidio grounds where there is a reconstruction of the original mission from 1769, and in between museum buildings, you'll find shops, with emphasis on Mexican-style pottery, and tinwork.