It's About the (RV) Journey....: Old Town San Diego.........

So, continuing from yesterday's blog post, we went to Old Town San Diego as a final stop of our sight-seeing day. First thing these starving tourists did was settle in for a late lunch!

Old Town San Diego Historic State Park - the birthplace of California - is the first permanent Spanish settlement in California. The park preserves the rich heritage of the early settlers to this area, with museums and exhibits that depict life back then. For more information, click here. I really like exploring to catch a glimpse of how people lived back in earlier times. Very interesting to me. Especially the homestead....the rooms are so different from the colonial times back east, and some of the pioneer homes we've seen in the west. The Spanish and Mexican influence in the details, and the tiled floors and plastered walls seem unique to this area. Many of the buildings were recreations and were modernized to "sell" things, such as candles and soap.

I might add that there are many delicious Mexican restaurants in the area, and the one we lunched at was terrific. Besides the state park, there are many shops and restaurants in the area and its a mecca for tourists. We had a fun and educational afternoon.

ready for a good Mexican lunch (sick of peanut butter!)

chicken fajita-and another plate of stuff I'll never be able to eat

essential oils and soaps available here

one of the main streets in town

the print shop

printing press (makes you really appreciate your printer, doesn't it?)

the candle shop

artist demonstrating his craft

welcome to the homestead

one of the vegetable gardens

the shop...hmm...i see fabric

dining room

a bedroom

the kids bedroom

the study

master bedroom

giant flower in the courtyard

nice woman in the courtyard...answering anyone's questions

the kitchen

There were many little shops along the streets, and most had a demonstration going. This candy shop was making taffy in the window. I went in just for a peek at what they were doing, but had to leave so I didn't make a huge purchase! Hahah.

the candy store

too much candy here

We continued to visit some of the other buildings from back in the day, such as the courthouse. There were just two offices, the sheriff's and the judge's, with a jail cell out back. Guess there was no jury?
The building was really small.

checking out the law and order in Old Town

the jail cell

I have become fascinated by the stage coaches and early western transportation, because quite frankly, some of this land is very inhospitable....deserts, huge mountains, rocks everywhere, and I just can't even begin to imagine going long distances in those stage coaches. The stage coach stops looked pretty good...a nice place where weary travelers could get a meal and a rest.

pretty fancy...but I bet that's a rough ride

stage coach rest stop

rest stop for travelers

The coolest tree in the courtyard of Old Town was just huge. Not sure what kind it was, but it was a piece of nature's art...ahahah. Not sure why its leaning so hard, if its phototropism, wind, or an accident early on in its growth.

such a cool tree

loved the "pattern" looking up

Another area had lots and lots of restaurants and shops, and we just skimmed through, looking casually at a few shops. It was almost like being in a Mexican shopping center-very colorful and festive. I really liked all the color everywhere and the artwork.

uh oh....looks like shopping ahead Susie

fun art

hey-I'm not a big shopper!

cozy courtyard

bright eyes!!

We continued on the other side of the courtyard, with lots of other visitors. There were several more buildings, and a huge barn that contained some of the stage coaches and other forms of transportation from back in time. Though a bit touristy, we really enjoyed our afternoon at Old Town San Diego!