Old Town San Diego State Historic Park - Attractions

Attractions

Five original adobes are part of the complex, which includes shops, restaurants and museums. Other historic buildings include a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, San Diego's first newspaper office, a cigar and pipe store, houses and gardens, and a stable with a carriage collection. There are also stores, with local artisans demonstrating their craft. There is no charge to enter the state park or any of its museums.

The museums include:

• Casa de Estudillo, a National Historic Landmark in its own right
• Whaley House, a museum and historic landmark, believed by some to be haunted
• Black Hawk Smithy & Stable, which features blacksmith demonstrations
• Casa de Machado y Stewart, a restored 19th century adobe
• First San Diego Courthouse, a reconstructed mid 19th century courthouse
• Mason Street School, the first public school house in San Diego
• Racine and Laramie Store, a reconstructed mid 19th century period general store
• San Diego Union Museum, a mid-19th century period newspaper office and print shop
• Seeley Stables, a reconstructed mid 19th century stable and barns that feature horse-drawn buggies, wagons, carriages and western memorabilia
• Sheriff's Museum, with police equipment, uniforms, patrol car, helicopter, motorcycle, a jail cell and courtroom

Living history demonstrations and free tours are regularly scheduled. Historical interpretation is primarily carried out by park employees and volunteers, and the Mexican Commercial corner is host to several locally based small businesses and artists.