Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

16 Affordable Family Vacations to Take This Summer

"A historic park with replica buildings, museum exhibits, and open spaces for kids to run; families can meet resident burros and visit a working blacksmith shop, with Junior Ranger booklets available from the visitor center to enhance the experience." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

Step into California’s early days at Old Town San Diego, a living history park celebrated by Condé Nast Traveler and the Michelin Green Guide. This vibrant district preserves 19th-century adobe buildings, museums, and family-run eateries serving authentic Mexican and Californio cuisine. Live music, local artisans, and historical reenactments bring the area to life. Strolling these plazas, you’ll get a genuine sense of San Diego’s multicultural roots and a chance to support independent craftspeople and chefs still shaping the neighborhood’s character.