"Old Town" San Diego

[Twinprincesses]

We are going to be in California for 9 days and are trying to fill some days with inexpensive non Disney things. I was wondering if Old Town San Diego would be something kids would enjoy.

My kids hate shopping so going to cute little beach towns to look at shops is out of the question.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

We didn't spend a lot of time in Old Town, but we went after we toured the Midway so we were tired. It has shops and restaurants. I think when we got there some of the older buildings that you would look at for the historical aspect were closed.

I see you are from Indiana. If you have been to Conner Prairie, I think you will be bored in Old Town unless we just missed a part.

The seals in Lo Jolla are fun to see. We did a beach day on Coronado Beach. It is a great beach. The Navy is there so you see the navy running on it!! Plus, jets fly over.

 

[perlster]

Maybe these photos will help decide if it's something your kids would enjoy.

 

[Twinprincesses]

Yeah my kids LOVE Connor Prairie, I however hate it.

I think we might skip out on Old Town.

 

[ImDMous]

Old Town is really not much to see unless you are walking around between shopping and eating. Try taking a look into Balboa Park. There are tons of museums, some of which have free days once a month. The model railroad museum is pretty fun for kids, the zoo is there, the aerospace museum and the Science Center which always has cool hands-on stuff. There are usually street performers, face painting, and other stuff to just walk around and experience without having to pay for the museums. It's about 10 minutes from downtown.

Just a thought, I don't currently have kids but I've been here all my life so I'm trying to think of what I used to like to do when I was one.

 

[halfmonkey]

Based on what you said about your kids hating to shop, I don't think Old Town is going to be the place for you. It's basically a little strip of shops and restaurants/bars so unless they like to shop or are old enough and like margaritas, I'd say skip it and go to the beach or the zoo. The beach would probably be my first recommendation especially if you're not from the coastal area and of course our Zoo is the World Famous San Diego Zoo. You can also go to the Wild Animal Park which is the sister zoo to the San Diego Zoo. The zoo is like a normal zoo whereas the Wild Animal Park is set up to kinda feel like you're walking through a safari adventure.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Cool. Good to know. Thanks for the info!

Old Town is really not much to see unless you are walking around between shopping and eating. Try taking a look into Balboa Park. There are tons of museums, some of which have free days once a month. The model railroad museum is pretty fun for kids, the zoo is there, the aerospace museum and the Science Center which always has cool hands-on stuff. There are usually street performers, face painting, and other stuff to just walk around and experience without having to pay for the museums. It's about 10 minutes from downtown.

Just a thought, I don't currently have kids but I've been here all my life so I'm trying to think of what I used to like to do when I was one.

 

[Hunnypaw]

Maybe these photos will help decide if it's something your kids would enjoy.

Very cool! An SD Native here. My dad worked at Caltrans building right next to Old Town. We would go there a bunch as kids. There is a little "pitch and putt golf course" accross the street too. fun for kids! Pictures of famous junior golfers in the shop. The recent British Open Champion Ernie Els, Tiger Woods... they played tournaments there many years ago. Course is still used for Junior Golf World Tourney.

Anyway, cool photos!

Balboa Park is fun for a day, but the museums can be a bit pricey once you get a family in. However, you can walk around there for free and see some neat things.

 

[bdoyledimou]

they have a nice little coffee shop with some awesome (but expensive) iced drinks -- other than that -- its shopping -- and most of the stores sell exactly the same thing.

 

[7165red]

Great OT photos, thanks for posting them. I really enjoyed OT.

 

[Suzk]

You may have done your trip already but, La Jolla is fun.
I'd start by walking down to the Children's pool to see the seals. Stop at one the smaller delis for a take out and just enjoy a picnic on the cliffs. aquarium is a great educational value. They have wonderful hands on things for children, huge aquariums, tide pools etc.
Point Loma is fun too. You can drive out to Cabrillo National monument and enjoy those exhibits , walk down to the tide pools and even see migrating gray whales.
Mission Bay has water bikes, kayaks and bike rentals. It's a great place to fly kites.

Old Town can be fun, they do have a number of fun things for kids; the old school house, the haunted Whaley house, the Mormon Battalion has lots of things for kids to do. Best food deal in Old Town is breakfast of huevos rancheros at any on the small food places.

You can also jump on the Coaster train to other beach cities. Oceanside has the longest pier on the west coast with a fun hamburger place at the end. You can watch the surfers or feed the friendly pelican who hangs around. From Oceanside, the Metrolink runs north along the ocean. Google Metrolink for stops.