San Diego/Old Town-Mission Valley

By car

Mission Valley is strung along Interstate 8 and several interstates intersect with I-8 through the valley, making access by car relatively easy. Old Town is just off the intersection of Interstate 5 and I-8 at the western end of the valley, SR-163 intersects I-8 near the Fashion Valley shopping center, and I-805, and I-15 cross I-8 in the eastern part of the valley near Qualcomm Stadium.
Getting through Mission Valley in a car is quite painless, given the large boulevards and numerous parking lots. However, finding a place to park in Old Town can be a real drag. Even Mission Valley's large roads can get clogged with traffic during rush hours, sports events, and the holiday shopping season when shoppers flock to Mission Valley's many retail outlets.

By public transit

The (at 4005 Taylor St, near the intersection of Taylor Street and Pacific Highway at the northwest corner of Old Town) and the Fashion Valley shopping center in Mission Valley are hubs for many local Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) bus routes. In addition, the Old Town Transit Center serves the Coaster, a commuter rail service which runs north along the coast of San Diego County to Oceanside, and certain Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains (check the schedule, as not all trains stop in Old Town).
The San Diego Trolley, a light rail service operated by the MTS, runs through Old Town and Mission Valley. The Green Line comes up from Downtown and stops at the Old Town Transit Center before turning east and heading through Mission Valley (making stops at all the shopping centers, Qualcomm Stadium, and the Mission San Diego), then continuing east past SDSU out to El Cajon and Santee.

• Mission San Diego de Alcalá

  phone: +1 619-281-8449
  address: 10818 San Diego Mission Rd
  The first of the Spanish California missions, founded in 1769 by Junipero Serra for the purposes of converting the native peoples who lived in the area at the time. In its long history, the mission has been the site of the first Christian burial and the first execution in California, saw bloodshed between the Spanish settlers and native peoples, and served as an armory in the years following U.S. annexation of California before being restored to an active church in 1941. Today, Mission San Diego is an active Catholic parish and a museum dedicated to the history of the mission. Tour the site, with its gardens, museum, and the original chapel.

• Adobe Chapel Museum

  phone: +1 619-297-7511
  address: 3950 Conde St

• Heritage ParkA park in Old Town ringed with historic Victorian houses.

• Immaculate Conception ChurchA historic Mission-style church in Old Town dating back to 1919.

• Mormon Battalion Visitors' Center of San Diego

  phone: +1 619-298-3317
  address: 2510 Juan St
  A monument to the hundreds of Mormons who fought in the US-Mexican War.

• Presidio ParkPerched on the hill above Old Town, this large park is the site of the old presidio (fort) that once protected the Spanish settlement of San Diego. The park contains canyons, tall trees, flowering plants, and grassy hillsides as well several memorials and historic landmarks, including the Junipero Serra Museum (see below) and the partially excavated presidio. The grassy lawns and hilltop views make it a great place to bring a picnic.

• Junipero Serra Museum

  phone: +1 619-297-3258
  address: 2727 Presidio Dr
  Take the time to visit the historic site of what used to be the first ever California Mission, located in Presidio Park on the hill above Old Town. The museum includes exhibits on the life of Old Town and a tower which offers magnificent views of the area.

Sheriff's Museum

phone: +1 619-260-1850

address: 2384 San Diego Ave

Learn the history of the San Diego Sheriff's Department.

Whaley House

phone: +1 619-297-7511

address: 2482 San Diego Ave

The oldest brick building and most famous haunted house in San Diego. Built in 1856, the north room of the museum served as the County Courthouse in 1869. The structure includes period furnishings and other antique displays. Come during the Halloween season for special night tours.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

A historic district which encompasses most of Old Town and many of the area's original Spanish structures from when the settlement was founded in the 18th century. The park is around nine square blocks, or almost 30 acres, and can be toured with or without a guide.

• Robinson-Rose House Visitor Center

  phone: +1 619-220-5422
  address: 4002 Wallace St
  To begin touring, the best place to start is the visitor’s center, which includes a model of what the area looked like in 1872, maps, information about touring, and information about the area’s history. Free guided walking tours of Old Town depart daily at 11AM and 2PM.

• Altamirano-Pedrorena House

  address: on San Diego Ave
  Built in 1869, as a family residence, but is now the site of a rock, gem, and jewelry shop.

• Black Hawk Smithy & StableEstablished in 1860. At the site, visitors can watch blacksmithing and other demonstrations.

• Casa de Estudillo

  address: 4001 Mason St
  A beautiful historic adobe house that has been lovingly restored to its original appearance.

• Light-Freeman House

  address: 2767 San Diego Ave
  Built in 1830, the house was an adobe saloon and provision stores until it became the American Hotel around 1856.

• Mason Street Schoolhouse

  phone: +1 619-297-1183
  address: 3966 Mason St
  Established around 1865, this was the first public school house in San Diego. The school offers daily tours, and visitors can sit at the desk and examine the books on display.

• San Diego Courthouse

  address: 2731 San Diego Ave
  The original courthouse, which dates back to 1847.

• San Diego Union MuseumThe first office of the San Diego Union newspaper.

• Seeley Stable MuseumA reconstructed stage coach stop with a collection of vintage carriages inside.

• Wells Fargo History Museum

  phone: +1 619-238-3929
  address: 2733 San Diego Ave
  A historically furnished bank office.

• SDCCU Stadium

  phone: +1 619-280-2121
  address: 9449 Friars Rd
  Home to the college SDSU Aztecs football team.

• University of San Diego Toreros

  address: Jenny Craig Pavilion, 5998 Alcala Park
  The Torero college basketball team plays their home games at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on the USD campus. The Torero college baseball team plays at Cunningham Stadium and their college football team play at Torero Stadium (both also on the USD campus). USD competes in the West Coast Conference in most sports; since the WCC doesn't sponsor football, the Toreros play that sport in the Pioneer Football League.

• Cygnet Theater

  phone: +1 619-688-2494
  address: 4040 Twiggs St
  Live performances held regularly.

Mission Valley is a major shopping hub for the entire region, with several large shopping centers and many big-box stores and retail outlets.

• Fashion Valley

  phone: +1 619-688-9113
  address: 7007 Friars Rd
  Nearly 200 stores and restaurants, including several department stores and a movie theater.

• Westfield Mission Valley

  phone: +1 619-296-6375
  address: 1640 Camino del Rio North
  Over 150 stores and restaurants, including a movie theater and the large Seau's sports restaurant.

• Hazard Center

  address: 7510 Hazard Center Dr
  Much smaller than the big centers in the valley, but with a nice assortment of shops nevertheless.

Old Town offers many different places to shop. There are over 100 stores in Old Town State Historic Park.

• Cousin's Candy Shop

  phone: +1 619-297-2000
  address: 2711 San Diego Ave
  Taffy made on the premises.

• Fiesta de Reyes

  phone: +1 619-297-3100
  address: Juan & Calhoun St
  A group of shops and restaurants operated by Delaware North, which runs concessions in other National Parks. Strolling musicians and beautiful flowers greet guests and there are often special (free) activities for children.

• Johnson House

  phone: +1 619-291-5170
  address: 2706 Calhoun St
  Victorian hats, related books, and jewelry in a 1869 style house.

• Lowery's Hot Glass

  phone: +1 619-297-3473
  address: 3985 Harney St
  Hand blown glass art made on premises.

• Maidhof Bros.

  phone: +1 619-574-1891
  address: 1891 San Diego Ave
  Sells genuine ships' salvage items such as wheels, brass portholes, furniture of all kinds including some amazing captain’s desks, compasses, navigational equipment, lamps, lanterns and ropes.

• Racine and Laramie

  phone: +1 619-291-7833
  address: 2737 San Diego Ave
  Gorgeous reconstruction of San Diego's first tobacco store. Offers a variety of historically related gifts, gentlemen's accessories, marbles and harmonicas for children, historic photos, knives, and of course tobacco, pipes, and cigars.

Old Town not only offers great Mexican delicacies it also offers many other types of food like Italian or even some Irish Pubs. If you are planning on going during the weekend leave plenty of time because it will get crowded. Or, try to make reservations if the restaurant will take them.

Old Town

• Casa De Reyes

  phone: +1 619-220-5040
  address: 2754 Calhoun St
  Mexican food with lovely courtyard, and wandering musicians.

• Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel

  phone: +1 619-209-3525
  address: 2660 Calhoun St
  A beautiful dining establishment in a building built by Juan Bandini in 1829. Later, in the 1860s, a second story was added and it became the Cosmopolitan Hotel. You can eat in the garden amid flowers, trees, and fountains or inside the wonderful historic building.

• O'Hungry's

  phone: +1 619-298-0133
  address: 2547 San Diego Ave
  Soup and salad (very limited), sandwiches, yards and half yards of beer, live music on weekend nights.

• Old Town Mexican Café

  phone: +1 619-297-4330
  address: 2489 San Diego Ave
  Huge portions.

• In-N-Out BurgerOne of the two locations most conveniently reached from downtown (the other is in National City to the south).

Mission Valley

• Oggi's

  phone: +1 619-640-1072
  address: 2245 Fenton Pkwy
  Part of a local pizza chain in San Diego, they have a very extensive menu and also brew their own beer as well, with a stocked bar. Also has plenty of TVs to watch sports as well.

Mission Valley

• McGregors

  phone: +1 619-282-9797
  address: 10475 San Diego Mission Rd
  A grill and ale house, great place to watch sports at, has pool tables, darts and shuffleboard.

• In Cahoots

  phone: +1 619-291-1184
  address: 5373 Mission Center Rd
  A two-story country bar and dance saloon has a lot of pool tables and they hold line dancing classes and contests.

Most of the hotels in this area are of the chain variety, along Interstates 5 or 8, and loudly proclaiming their proximity to Old Town and to Sea World in nearby Mission Bay. Hotel Circle, along I-8 in the western part of Mission Valley, is home to a lot of basic chain hotels.

• Best Western Hacienda Hotel Old Town

  phone: +1 619-298-4707
  address: 4041 Harney St

• Comfort Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 619-881-6800
  address: 2201 Hotel Circle South

• Comfort Suites Mission Valley

  phone: +1 619-881-4000
  address: 631 Camino Del Rio S

• Courtyard Old Town

  address: 2435 Jefferson St

• Doubletree Mission Valley

  phone: +1-619-297-5466
  address: 7450 Hazard Center Dr

• Handlery Hotel

  phone: +1 619-298-0511
  address: 950 Hotel Circle North
  A warm, friendly welcome and some big, lush rooms. Also has a hotel mini-bus to take you to SeaWorld.

• Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport - Old Town

  address: 1955 San Diego Ave

• La Quinta Old Town

  phone: +1 619-291-9100
  address: 2380 Moore St

• Marriott Mission Valley

  phone: +1 619-692-3800
  address: 8757 Rio San Diego Dr

• Mission Valley Resort

  phone: +1 619-298-8281
  address: 875 Hotel Circle South

• Old Town Inn

  address: 4444 Pacific Highway

• Ramada Mission Valley

  phone: +1 619-281-2222
  address: 4380 Alvarado Canyon Rd
  Hotel with swimming pool and complimentary continental breakfast.

• Sheraton Mission Valley

  address: 1433 Camino Del Rio South

• Town and Country

  phone: +1 619-291-7131
  address: 500 Hotel Circle North
  Resort with swimming pools, restaurants, spa facilities, golf, and beautiful gardens.

• Western Inn

  phone: +1 619-298-6888
  address: 3889 Arista St

• Vagabond Inn Mission Valley

  phone: +1 619-297-1691
  address: 625 Hotel Circle South

• San Diego Public Library Mission Valley Branch

  phone: +1 858-573-5007
  address: 2123 Fenton Parkway
  Free Wi-Fi available.

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