Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in San Diego, California

Old Town San Diego State
Historic Park gives visitors
a glimpse into life in Spain's
first West Coast settlement,
established in 1769.





Buildings here date back to the early and mid 1800s and reenactors, dressed in period clothing help bring Old San Diego to life for visitors.

Colorful wagons with

souvenirs

Learn about San Diego's history, shop and enjoy a meal. 

I catch Eric taking in the
sights in front of
Colorado House,
built in 1851.

This flagpole stands on the spot

where the American Flag was

the Spanish were defeated by

American troops in 1846.

The Tinsmith Shop

Robinson Rose

Visitor Information Center,

built in 1853

This Calaveras reminds
the living that life is 
intertwined with death.






It stands in front of a whitewashed adobe that was built in the 1830s.

The fountain in front of the

decorated Fiesta de Reyes

restaurants & shops.

RUST General Store is an
1860s store.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel, built

in 1870 houses a restaurant &

hotel with modern amenities.

The Blacksmith Shop was
built in 1860.

Working at the Anvil...

There's always work to be

done to maintain the Park's

historic buildings.

Old Town San Diego State Park was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1971.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Old Town San Diego, California

The Church of the Immaculate

Conception was built in

1869.

A statue of the Virgin Mary &
votive candles in the vestibule.

A photo from the back

of the Church.

I don't want to disturb

people in prayer.

I zoom in for a closer
picture of the altar.

Stained glass windows &

the Stations of the Cross

& statues in recesses on

the right wall of the

Church.

The left side of the Church

is a mirror image of the

right side.

I quietly leave the Church and those who are deep in prayer.

San Diego Avenue in Old Town San Diego, California

Old Town San Diego is the 
Birthplace of California, the
first Spanish Colony
established in 1769.






Eric and I parked in a Free Public Parking Lot next to...

...the Church of the

Immaculate Conception.

The Covered Wagon

The Whaley House is

haunted.

Eric & the Historic US

Route 101 road sign.

Eric & a Vaquero at 

Fred's Mexican Cafe 

Miguel's Cocina

Eric & me at

Mex-Expressions

Cafe Coyote

This mural reminds me

of the dancers in

Nuevo Progreso.

The Livingroom Cafe

& Mexican Grill

Next stop... Old Town State Park

Beers @ The Tin Roof in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, California

Tin Roof, A Music Joint
looks inviting.

I like the 1940s Hotel

sign & furniture.

Eric & I are too early
for music, sigh....

The Bar

My Blue Moon & Eric's

Cali Creamin Nitro 

Cream Ale 

The walls are covered with

an eclectic mix of posters,

artwork

Tucked in a corner is this
painting of the Gaslamp
Quarter archway.

Rehydrated and rested, Eric and I join commuter traffic leaving San Diego.  We will be back...  Eric bought multiple day-passes for the Old Time Trolley Bus Tour, which we will use to get around this sprawling city.

Lunch @ Las Hadas in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, California

This 1884 former Cracker
Factory is now Las Hadas
Bar & Grill.

Our al fresco lunch includes

Tecate Beers & Poppers,

Tequila with Lemonade.

Complimentary Corn
Frites with Sweet Butter &
Tomato Dipping Sauce






Eric and I can't decide if we prefer the Sweetened Butter or the Tomato Dipping Sauce.

Eric & I are sharing a

Chicken Quesadilla &

Fish Tacos served on

Corn Tortillas.

Lunch is fresh &

delicious!

I take a look around the inside of the restaurant....

The Bar

Part of the wine

display

Las Hadas staff cleaned

up after the lunch rush

& are preparing for 

Happy Hour & Dinner.

Walking Around San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter 
in San Diego






It starts along at Harbor Drive, across from the San Diego Convention Center and stretches north to Broadway.

Rental Scooters in front

of the Gaslamp Garage

From the late 19th century into the early 20th century, the Gaslamp Quarter teemed with con men and women, Gambling Dens and Brothels.  Police looked the other way until 1912 when clearing out unsavory residents and businesses became part of preparations for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915. 

The San Diego Chinese
Historical Museum

San Diego's Original

Cigar & Wine Bar has

a wooden Indian.

The black corner banner
with Gold Dragon is
eye-catching.

I wonder if this is a
permanent or
temporary display.

Ghirardelli Chocolates is in
 the former Casino Theatre,
built in 1912.

The Yuma Building,
built in 1888, is one
of San Diego's first
brick buildings.










I'm happy to see so many late 19th and early 20th century buildings have been restored and repurposed.

The Grand Pacific Hotel is
getting a "facelift."

Skyscrapers peek over this
older building with its
carefully painted cornice
work and trim.

Gaslamp Strip Club

A Steak Place

Double entendre makes this

 restaurant memorable.

Suburban development after World War II (1941-5) emptied the Gaslamp Quarter of many of its businesses and this section became rundown. In the 1970s revitalization of the Gaslamp began.  Today it's a magnet for tourists.

Outdoor seating at
Rockin' Baja Lobster
Coastal Cantina has
outdoor seating.





Many restaurants expand their dining areas this way.

Las Hadas Bar & Grill is

located in the historic

San Diego Steam Cracker

Factory, built in 1884.

Later, the Royal Pie Bakery moved into the building.





The U.S. Grant Hotel, with its
Gold Leaf dominates this
section of Broadway.

The Fountain in Horton Plaza

Park is across Broadway

 from the Hotel.

Perspective is everything

in this mural.

Horton Park was reconfigured and updated.  It's Grand Reopening occurred in 2016.

The Balboa Theatre was
originally a Vaudeville
venue.

Tin Roof
A Music
Joint











After some time off our feet and a beverage, Eric and I will walk back to our car and drive to our campground.