Old Town San Diego & Historic State Park |
Old Town San Diego & Historic State Park |
|
Sponsored Links:
For a complete listing of all things Old Town, Every Saturday come visit the FREE Old Town Artisan Market 9:00am to 4:00pm. Live Music, Artworks, Jewelry, Photography, Hand Blown Glass, Clothing & Ceramics. Great for your Christmas shopping. Located on Harney Street in the Heart of Old Town in the public parking lot across from the Best Western Hacienda Hotel (Map) |
Old Town San Diego
|
A Very Short History of Old
Town San Diego:
In 1542 the Spanish first came to what is now San Diego, but settlement did not start until 1769. In 1821 Mexico won independence from Spain, and along with it, California. In 1848 the Mexican War saw the annexation of California to the United States.
From about 1868, San Diego's "New Town" began to be built in what is now downtown San Diego. This led to a general decline of Old Town up until 1969 --the 200th anniversary of San Diego-- when the city's Bicentennial celebration returned Old Town to the public eye, and to the heart of San Diego. This was the locale of the Helen Hunt Jackson book "Ramona"
From here you can find: hotels,
maps,
photo tours of Old Town San Diego State Historic
Park,
Guided Tours,
and for a real thrill, visit Old Town's Haunted Places.
Print out the
2009 Special Event Souvenir Calendar.
Return to GoThere San Diego
Boosters of Old Town:
Wednesdays - Living History Demonstration
Each Wednesday 10 AM -2 PM. See historic crafts, food preparation, music, and blacksmithing at various locations in Old Town State Historic Park.
Third Saturdays - LADO Meeting
Monthly meeting for all volunteers in the park. Seeley Stable, 10 AM
Fourth Saturdays - Monthly living history demonstrations and displays.
Volunteers should gather at the Robinson-Rose Building at 9:30 AM
Festive 1800’s Holiday in the Park celebration.
Fiesta Navidad in Old Town
Special this December is a variety of events that offer visitors and shoppers the opportunity to
experience the history of early San Diego.
As part of Fiesta Navidad,
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will once again be hostingHoliday in the Park, a festive 1800’s seasonal celebration. The Park and local community will
be adorned with holiday decorations, lantern-lit museums, hundreds of luminarias, holiday
entertainment, festive music, and the very popular candlelight tours will be available.
In addition to holiday entertainment,
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, just minutesfrom downtown and an option to the busy malls, offers a number of high quality gifts at
reasonable prices in a quaint historic setting. Shoppers are offered a glimpse into yesteryear,
where life moves more slowly in this part of town, and where the holiday hustle and bustle is
balanced with history and fiestas.
Historic Merchants Open House
This event takes you back to a time when merchants opened their doors to celebrate the season
with strolling musicians, free refreshments, and holiday entertainment. Receive a free ornament
craft kit with purchase, and there are twelve different ornaments to collect. Sponsored by the
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Merchants Association. 6:00 to 9:00 PM. For more
information call 619-298-3944.
Festival of Lights
Celebrate Chanukah and the heritage of the Jewish settlers during the holiday season at Old
Town San Diego State Historic Park Plaza. Activities include traditional song, folk dance, magic
show, as well as food and beverage. Begins at 6pm in the plaza in front of the Robinson-Rose
Visitor Center. For more information, call 619-884-5527
.Las Posadas
Sponsored by the Save our Heritage Organisation and the Old Town Community, the live
procession of Las Posadas tells the Christmas story of centuries ago. This year's event marks
its 57
th year of this celebration filled with tradition and song, and is one of the oldest LasPosadas celebrations in the United States. The celebration represents the pilgrimage of Mary
and Joseph to Bethlehem seeking shelter, complete with donkey. The public is invited to be
part of the procession and to join with the choir in singing traditional Mexican and American
songs. Luminarias light the way beginning at 6:30pm at Heritage Park and continuing through
Old Town into the State Park to the Plaza, which since the 1820’s has served as the town’s
place of gathering. The event culminates in celebration and the breaking of a piñata with
museums, shops and restaurants staying open late for the public to enjoy. For more
information, contact Save our Heritage Organisation 619-297-9327.
Holiday in the Park Candlelight Tours
Experience the history of early San Diego with candlelight tours, lantern-lit museums, hundreds
of luminarias, holiday entertainment, and festive music.
Horse and carriage rides will be available for a nominal fee. The concession retail stores and
restaurants, represented by the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Merchants Association,
will be open for extended shopping hours until 9pm. The historic working Blacksmith shop, San
Diego Union Newspaper Printing shop and newly refurbished Seeley Stable museum will also
be open to the public for added holiday entertainment. Historical traditions and the romance of
early California will be recreated in this historic seasonal festival.
Parking and entrance to the park are FREE, and is conveniently located adjacent to the Old
Town Transit Center, with Coaster, Trolley, and MTS Bus service.
For additional state park event information, phone 619-220-5422
©
®
