Location: Old Town
Top Things to do in Old Town
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Things to do in San Diego, California (CA): The Best Specialty Museums
San Diego embodies laid-back California culture, complete with a Boardwalk, surfing communities, and outstanding Mexican food. Breathe in the fresh ocean air at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, then gobble down a fresh fish taco at a La Jolla seafood joint. The naval aircrafts at the USS Midway Museum will have you standing at attention. A free Sunday concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the perfect way to unwind after a Saturday night bar-hop in the thumping Gaslamp Quarter.
Restaurants in San Diego
1. Seeley Stables
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Museum that consists of a reconstructed stable and barns that house a collection of horse-drawn buggies, wagons, carriages and other western memorabilia.
Reviewed By BonnieNimmo - Marble Falls, United States
We really enjoyed walking through and browsing the incredible information and evolution of horse-drawn transportation. I never knew there were tandem carriages! This was a very interesting excursion if you’re in Old Town. And it’s free!
2. Casa del Rey Moro African Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
3. Old Town Model Railroad Depot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
COVID-19 UPDATE: We are currently open for retail shopping and Private Experiences! About Us: A visit to the Old Town Model Railroad Depot will take you back in time to the 1950's where you will see trains from that era travel over a 2,000 sqft layout featuring a city at night with over 100 buildings with lights and flashing neon signs. Continuing on your journey you will pass a large farm, country town, beautiful mountain range, a large lake and dam with trestles traversing over a large gorge.
Reviewed By 969jerib
My husband is into model railroads, but I like anything miniature. So this was interesting for both of us. It is amazing how big these displays are! THere is also a Toy Train room that is more fun, especially for kids as it incorporates Mater from CARS, plus other fun things. For anyone (young or old) interested in model trains, this is a nice museum to visit.
4. Sheriff's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By Mister-Markie - San Rafael, United States
This place looks so boring on the outside - until you get a peek at an old green and white police car in the patio! Getting closer, you then see a black and white police car too! And finally, the body of a helicopter, the big plastic bubble cockpit begging you to come closer. And so I did! When you enter, the lobby is also a well stocked and well laid out gift shop. Now you're hooked, and the "donation" for admission is well worth it. The first room you visit is like an armory, filled with 3 walls of firearms of every size, shape and type: derringers, pistols, shotguns, rifles, semi-automatic and fully automatic guns, tasers and much more. Each piece in this collection is uniquely numbered, and you can use on of two interactive displays to find that number and pull up on a screen a sheet with the basics for that item: age, use, common name, and other interesting details. Very cool and informative! Props for that interactive aspect! A collection of past sheriff's badges are also displayed - much history in that metal. You continue on through galleries highlighting corrections, women in the department's history and present, communications (some of those old walkie-talkies are enormous!), specialized units like the air unit, bomb squad, K-9 and motors (motorcycles). There are displays of old light bars, and so many other things I couldn't list even if I could remember. One old book of mug shots is cool because they used a mirror in the same photo for a side-profile, to save money on expensive film in those old days. You can even enter a current jail cell replica - quite a feeling! Then you head outside to check out the old cars and the helicopter cockpit. Very nice, and the green and white car is in excellent shape and still used in parades. But you're not done yet - there's a second floor! Upstairs you find more historical displays, like an original booking log book (LARGE!) which is a neat look back in history. There is a small replica courtroom, complete with bailiff keeping an eye on things. Another room has displays and videos which talk about gangs and drug use in the community. Another room talks about the mass suicide of Heaven's Gate, and the school shooting at Santana High School in Santee. These displays include items from the actual crime scenes, and are sad to recall but informative to understand these events and their impact. Other areas upstairs include a lie detector display and a room dedicated to the memory of deputies killed in service to the community. I can't say enough about how impressed I was with this museum. Formed through a non-profit organization, it is a work of love of the The Honorary Deputy Sheriffs Association. Their efforts are tremendous, and I know the sheriffs themselves have been supportive - this symbiotic relationship is evident in the beautiful and professional displays. Wherever you stand on some current issues of policing in the community, I think a visit here would be good for folks to see how vast, rich and intricate the history of the sheriff's department has been and continues to be as it evolves with technology and society. It was a pleasure to chat with the two retired deputies now volunteering their time to meet and greet visitors, and even help with a mock courtroom session! If you're in the Old Town area, make it a point to visit this "hidden gem" - you'll leave with new knowledge and perhaps a different view of law enforcement. And some fun memories!
5. Junipero Serra Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 34 reviews
You can learn about the history of the Missions in California here and while youre at it, ogle some lovely artifacts, like Spanish furniture dating back to the Renaissance.
Reviewed By QualityTravelBee
Settled on top of the hill in Presidio park right above the original site of the first Presidio and Mission in Alta California. Parking is always available, trees around are mature and beautiful. Yesterday I took photos of blooming Yukka trees. On several occasions I witnessed wedding and quinceañera photo sessions and even a military promotion ceremony on the museum grounds. During summer museum is open 4 days a week and there are two signs indicating days and hours of operation. One large sign is located at the museum parking right below the museum building and another sign is at the main entrance door. Historic significance of Presidio park and Junipero Serra museum makes this site unique in so many ways. I recommend first to visit Junipero Serra museum and original Presidio and Mission site and then Old Town San Diego to follow the correct historic timeline. I collected many photos of the museum grounds during seasonal trees bloom, but blooming Yukka trees are the most impressive of them all!
6. Wells Fargo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 54 reviews
Step into a historical experience for the whole family. The museum is inside the painstakingly reconstructed Colorado House in the heart of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Inside San Diego's first two story hotel you'll discover an original Stagecoach offering visitors a glimpse into 19th Century travel. After sending a message via telegraph, explore the interior of an 1800s stagecoach station. Other popular exhibits include a solid gold pocket watch presented to San Diegan Thomas Davies in 1871, gold nuggets and coins, a rare Banjo clock and more. The museum store features a variety of Wells Fargo branded gifts, collectibles and apparel and admission is always free. A Wells Fargo ATM is conveniently located in the museum.
Reviewed By BonnieNimmo - Marble Falls, United States
Well worth the time to walk through, especially if you have children with you as there are some interactive displays like a telegram machine where you can tap out a message using Morse code. I loved the Wells Fargo stagecoach and had not realized how y’all they were. I also enjoyed the artifacts inside the area that was the old stage stop, and I enjoyed learning about the gold rush era! Rey interesting and highly recommended!
