Old Town San Diego Historical Sites and Museums
Victorian house in Old Town
Historic Old Town building
Visit original and reconstructed buildings that illustrate the ambiance of 1800’s San Diego in Old Town. Old Town San Diego is considered the "birthplace" of California, and today the historic buildings and museums allow you to "go back in time" and visit California's history firsthand.
Visitor Center
A look at San Diego’s beginnings. Take advantage of free guided walking tours
Hours: W-Su 11am, 2pm, 3pm
Visit the free “Living History” on M & Tu 11am- 2pm.
Blacksmith until 5pm
Daily 10am-5pm
619-220-5422
Alvarado House
619-298-7443
Hours: Daily 10am-6pm
A reconstruction of an original 1824 house which was once home to the sister of the last California governor appointed by Mexico.
Blackhawk Livery & Blacksmith
The town's original blacksmith shop that was operated during 1860’s.
Hours: W 10am-5pm
619-220-5399
Casa de Carrillo
4136 Wallace (Presidio Hills Golf Course)
The oldest building in California, built with adobe in 1821.
Hours: 7:30am until dusk
619-295-9476
Casa de Estudillo
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
The largest of the adobe houses. Restored in 1910 and 1930.
619-220-5426
Casa de Machado y Silva
Hours: Daily 10am-7pm
An excellent example of adobe construction, was built by Corporal Jose Manuel Machado for his daughter, Maria Antonio Machado de Silvas. It was from this house in 1846 that Senora de Silvas ran to cut away the Mexican flag, and in it that she hid the banner.
Casa de Pedrorena
Hours: Daily 10am-7pm
An original adobe house built in 1854.
Casa del Rey Moro African Museum
2471 Congress St. San Diego, 92110
Hours: M-Th 10:30am –7pm
F-Su 10:30am-8pm
Museum depicting African American culture in San Diego.
619-220-0022
Derby-Penldeton House
Hours: Daily 10am-7pm
Lieutenant George Horatio Derby arrived here in 1853 to divert the San Diego River back into False Bay. Derby is remembered best as Squibob or John Phoenix, for his humorous pieces published in the San Diego Herald, and Phoenixiana, first printed in 1855. Not currently open to the public.
Heritage Park
Juan St. and Harney St.
Hours: M-Su 9am-5pm
A 7.8-acre county park with seven restored and relocated Victorian homes. Includes San Diego's first synagogue.
619-291-9784
Mason Street School
619-297-1183
Call for hours
California's first public school house. Was built out of salvaged lumber in 1865.
San Diego Sheriff's Museum & Educational Center
2384 San Diego Ave, San Diego 92110
Hours: Tues-Sat. 10am-4pm
Free admission
Captures over 150 years of history and present day operations of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
619-260-1850
San Diego Union Building
Hours: Daily 10am-7pm
Admission: free
This first office of the San Diego Union newspaper is restored as it was when the Union printed its first edition on October 10, 1868 and was published as a weekly. Visitors can view the original printroom with a Washington press and the editor's office.
Seeley Stables
619-220-5427
Hours: Daily 10am-5:00pm
The Yuma/San Diego stagecoach stop built in 1851. It has since been reconstructed and now houses a collection of vintage carriages and transportation memorabilia.
Serra Museum
2727 Presidio Dr. San Diego 92110
Hours: Tu – Fri 9:30am-2:30pm
Kumeyaay Indians Spanish & Mexican exhibits of SD history from 1700 to 1920, built 1929
619-297-3258
Whaley House/SOHO
2482 San Diego Ave. San Diego, 92110
619-297-7511 or 619-297-9327
Built in 1841, the Whaley House is the number one most haunted house in the United States, according to the Travel Channel’s America’s Most Haunted.
