Old Town San Diego Travel Guide
Since Old Town is the "historic heart" of San Diego, its Mexican roots and architecture makes it a unique and cool part of town. It's definitely worth a visit if you're traveling to San Diego, especially if you're in town for Cinco de Mayo coming up!
Last week, my friend Jessica of The Jessica Journey and I scouted out the best of Old Town San Diego in preparation for Cinco de Mayo! We were lucky our friend Marissa of Modern Day Mona Photography was there to capture it all, as well!
There are plenty of fun things to do in Old Town, whether you're going with friends, on a date, or even with family. Here's what we got up to!
Here are five places worth checking out when you visit Old Town San Diego:
Rose's Tasting Room
Seeking the best San Diego beers and wines? Look no further! Rose's Tasting Room rotates local beer and wine monthly (except for their sangria, which is a crowd favorite and always on the menu)!
Taryne, our bartender, was kind enough to thoroughly explain everything. Get a sampling of these different flavors with a flight of wine or beer (or both!) and further satisfy your tastebuds with cheese and crackers. Seriously...some of the best cheese and crackers I've ever had!
Temecula Olive Oil Company
Want to do another tasting? Head over to Temecula Olive Oil Company next and sample their oils and vinaigrettes. These are silky and smooth and I promise you they will not disappoint!
Jessica and I were excited about this tasting as we both used to live in Italy, so we appreciate good olio :)
It was so fun to learn about the different types and flavors from a knowledgeable expert and get cooking suggestions for each kind.
The American House
Need a pick-me-up?
Add coffee or tea into the mix with The American House! Try one of many loose leaf tea flavors on offer, coffee, or baked goods that are made without artificial ingredients.
As someone who travels often, I of course had to try the "Jet Lag Awake" tea.
Toby's Candle & Soap Shop
When you walk into Toby's Candle & Soap Shop, you're instantly greeted with the most fresh, delicious aromas and friendly smiles from the staff.
What's really fun about Toby's is that it is more than a shop that sells candles, bath salts, and soaps - you can dye your own candles!
Creating your colorful candle is super easy and only takes a few minutes. It's fun to leave with a custom creation.
Casa de Reyes Mexican Restaurant
If you're craving Mexican food this Cinco de Mayo (who doesn't crave Mexican tbh) you can grab a hearty meal at Casa de Reyes!
There is a huge selection on the menu, from tostadas to tacos to chilaquiles.
And you can never go wrong with a margarita ;)
There is so much to do in Old Town San Diego -make sure to stop by this part of San Diego for an entire day if you want to see it all!
Headed to San Diego?
Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.
It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!
Meet the photographer behind this project!
Marissa from Modern Day Mona Photography is the girl behind the lens during our day in Old Town San Diego! Marissa specializes in natural light photography, outdoor, boho-inspired, portraits, and dreamy-lit photos, which are her favorites!
Marissa is now booking spring shoots in addition to graduation photos! Check out her website here.
Make sure to also check out Jessica's blog and Old Town article for There San Diego Magazine!
More things to do in San Diego!
Outside of Old Town San Diego, there is even more to explore:
Head to the beaches. Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Mission Bay are all close to Old Town and Downtown San Diego, though don’t be shy about heading up the coastline to La Jolla & North County as it gets even more beautiful the further north you go!
Discover some of the best Instagram spots in San Diego. From sunsets to wall murals, this guide gives you the locations of famous San Diego photography spots.
Enjoy fun for the whole family! Go indoor skydiving at iFly San Diego in Mission Valley, Belmont Park for roller coasters and more at Mission Beach, or rent paddleboards on Mission Bay!
Rooftop bars! You can’t go wrong with nightlife when you have almost perfect weather year-round and tons of rooftop bars to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a chic spot like The Pendry (Downtown) or a chill place like The Holding Company (Ocean Beach), you can’t go wrong throwing back a cold one while taking in an incredible view.