Local Guides World
Top Historical places in San Diego, United States
Top Rated Historical places in San Diego
Top Reviewed Historical places in San Diego
Old Town San Diego State Park
Cabrillo National Monument
Old Town San Diego State Park
Heritage County Park
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building
Presidio de San Diego
Cabrillo National Monument
Reviews
Beautiful views! Vets get in free with proof of service or ID. Lighthouse was under maintenance when we were there. Take a jacket, it’s windy up there and the air coming off of the ocean is very chilly.
Loved the Statue. Beautiful view of Air Base, Water, Islands , aka Mexican Is. Very busy today. Guest from 10 countries I met alone. I enjoyed the Rangers and Volunteers. Even though no Unigrid/ Brochure was available for teaching.
WOW!
Gorgeous views of San Diego's skyline, the Naval base with numerous huge ships, military planes/helicopters taking off and landing, tidepools, trails, and much much, more like the history of this area.
Parking availability is easy. Tide
pool parking is limited.
Bathrooms for handicap ♿️ ❤️
Gorgeous views of San Diego's skyline, the Naval base with numerous huge ships, military planes/helicopters taking off and landing, tidepools, trails, and much much, more like the history of this area.
Parking availability is easy. Tide
pool parking is limited.
Bathrooms for handicap ♿️ ❤️
By far, I think this is the best view.San Diego has to offer.It is magnificent! I've lived here a while and I've never been here. It cost $20. Or you can get a yearly pass for I believe $35. There are so many other things but I only came here for this view and site. The visitor center offers many learning videos and information regarding Cabrillo. The drive is very serene.You go up and pass All the commemorating monuments.And tombstones of many of our great fallen soldiers. Come one come all and make sure You take in this once in a lifetime west coast view.
Nice little National Park Gem in Point Loma. Beautiful trails to hike and stunning views from top by the visitor center.
The Lighthouse is currently under restoration, but when It's done It's amazing to go inside of. This post is from 6/22/2024 and unsure how long it will take to restore the lighthouse, but there are plenty of other things to do, such as hike the trails and hang out at the tide pools.
When we went, the tide was still too high to actually see some of the critters which was unfortunate because we timed it perfectly for low tide, but it is in the summer and low tides are better in winter. My understanding is if you get a -.5 low tide or below, that is the ideal tide to visit and explore.
The new trail that you can hike from the lighthouse past the old bunker down the side of Point loma is awesome. Highly recommended.
The Lighthouse is currently under restoration, but when It's done It's amazing to go inside of. This post is from 6/22/2024 and unsure how long it will take to restore the lighthouse, but there are plenty of other things to do, such as hike the trails and hang out at the tide pools.
When we went, the tide was still too high to actually see some of the critters which was unfortunate because we timed it perfectly for low tide, but it is in the summer and low tides are better in winter. My understanding is if you get a -.5 low tide or below, that is the ideal tide to visit and explore.
The new trail that you can hike from the lighthouse past the old bunker down the side of Point loma is awesome. Highly recommended.
We visit the Monument every time we're in San Diego. It offers the most amazing views of the city. If you can, try to plan a visit to the tide pools too, but it can get very crowded, and the monument closes pretty early so check the times before you go and make peace with the crowds. The nice thing is that your ticket for the park lasts 7 days, so even if you need to come back another day, you won't need to pay again. They also close the tide pools on occasion. So make sure you check their availability and compare it with the tide schedule also.
I was happily surprised that I visited on a fee-free day! However, this place is easily worth the 20 dollars per car.
Never mind the historic part of the park - the view of the city is just breath-taking from here. You can see the entire city plus the naval base - including the helicopters and planes that seem to be in the air constantly.
But the history is certainly also interesting. There was a bunker where the military kept looking for Japanese ships during World War II.
Never mind the historic part of the park - the view of the city is just breath-taking from here. You can see the entire city plus the naval base - including the helicopters and planes that seem to be in the air constantly.
But the history is certainly also interesting. There was a bunker where the military kept looking for Japanese ships during World War II.
Definitely a great place of history to learn about and to see panoramic views of San Diego and Pacific Ocean.
There are two sides where you can explore the bay side and walking down and back up a paved road and easy trail.
See the sights of Mexico and mountains in the distance, sailboats sailing in the bay, downtown San Diego city and beyond.
Explore the lighthouse and views of the ocean at the top of the hill and on the other side you can drive down to the cliffs and at low tide explore the tide pools.
The park closes at 5 PM and it’s $10 if you go on foot and $20 for cars to get in…so make sure you have a bit of time to explore or a national park pass.
It is a place I love to visit and a must do if time permits if you are visiting.
There are two sides where you can explore the bay side and walking down and back up a paved road and easy trail.
See the sights of Mexico and mountains in the distance, sailboats sailing in the bay, downtown San Diego city and beyond.
Explore the lighthouse and views of the ocean at the top of the hill and on the other side you can drive down to the cliffs and at low tide explore the tide pools.
The park closes at 5 PM and it’s $10 if you go on foot and $20 for cars to get in…so make sure you have a bit of time to explore or a national park pass.
It is a place I love to visit and a must do if time permits if you are visiting.
Old Town San Diego is a must see place when you visit San Diego, California. It is a mix of many shops, eatery places, new and old. You will enjoy the old style of the area while enjoying a mix and many different varieties of food/places to fit everyone's taste. If you can stay at one of the local hotels, this will be a plus so you can wake up in the morning and roam around this awesome place.
Beautiful old town of San Diego. It offers you so many chances to look back in history and what its past was. I can say it's one of the most beautiful destinations for anyone who's into history, souvenir, coziness and scenery. You can walk with your loved ones and enjoy the moments together!
Kitschy and cute shoos and stores, Mexican, Sicilian,and seafood restaurants with casual atmospheres, outdoor booths and stalls, historic museums with people dressed up in historic costumes, beautiful plants and the old town theatre... Top it off with the Whaley ghost house and museum and you’ve got an amazing Saturday in old town. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – it’s incredible how much San Diego values its history. I hope the city continues to share these treasures and experiences with visitors and residence… for free. ❤️👍🏼👏🏽
I really don't understand why the city doesn't promote this attractive and beautiful place more. Amazing relaxed atmosphere, lots of lights, good music and great food. A truly unique atmosphere, interesting museums and shops with local products.
Great place to take photos. Highly recommend to take a walk in the Heritage county park and the presidio park.
This is an awesome place to spend the day! A trip back in time in San Diego and where it all began! If you love history, culture ,folklore and cool ghost stories this is the place to hang out! From an old cemetery to the most haunted house in America this place has it all! There are old Victorian homes to see, places to eat, margaritas to drink! Great decorations during the holidays! Love to just walk around and visit all the shops! They do have a main parking lot but it usually takes awhile to find a spot especially on the weekends. Certain places like The Mormon battalion, the Victorian houses, cafe coyote do have their own designated parking lot but you must go to that specific place. Also has a market on the weekends.
Got to see the Mariachi Fusion perform in the gazebo area in front of casa de Reyes, Best mariachi ever!! These guys are awesome!
Got to see the Mariachi Fusion perform in the gazebo area in front of casa de Reyes, Best mariachi ever!! These guys are awesome!
Nice park close to our hotel. Only a 5 min walk. Although a lot of tourists of course, but worth a visit. We've also been there for a Mexican dinner in a very nice Mexican restaurant. All thumbs up.
Old Town is the perfect place to visit. So many amazing shops, everyone there is always so happy! The restaurants are wonderful and really cool history behind it all! It's a must see!
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible parking in the front of the parking lot, across from the visitor center. If you go past the visitor center, toward the viewpoint, you'll come to this statue/monument. It is flat ground to get here, and there are benches to sit on if you need to rest.
Experience: beautiful statue with a beautiful view of the ocean, cliffs, and city of San Diego in the back. This man was a colonizer, so not great, but the view is beautiful here.
Experience: beautiful statue with a beautiful view of the ocean, cliffs, and city of San Diego in the back. This man was a colonizer, so not great, but the view is beautiful here.
Absolutely loved the monument. If you’re able, checkout the bayside trail and the tide pools.
Amazing views of the bay and downtown, nature and a cool lighthouse. It seemed like a place lots of locals go to hike and for amazing cycling.
Amazing views of the bay and downtown, nature and a cool lighthouse. It seemed like a place lots of locals go to hike and for amazing cycling.
Up on a cliff. Be sure to save time to see the tide pools and lighthouse. There are also guided tours. If you have a national park pass that will allow you to enter.
The old buildings are very neat, but it would be really cool if you could walk inside them, or at least into the first room, and then see pictures of the rest. One of the homes has a little walking path behind it... it was like a secret passage way, which my kids really enjoyed exploring. It's close to Old Town - you can walk over, see the shops, and enjoy some ice cream.
Amazing place to spend a day with family! The old town has many structures from 1800's which are still in good shape and includes multiple exhibits. The amazing and friendly volunteers were happy to show us around. Safe place and fun place for kids. Amazing food... Convenient parking spaces and everything is walkable even though trolleys are available to just relax and take a tour.
Fun place for a date, eat or shop! I love bringing friends that are visiting San Diego because it gives you a little taste of Mexico without having to go over the border with great Mexican food options although they have some amazing Italian options as well.
Awesome little Victorian Village with beautyful buildings and vibes.
Be aware! This place requires an entrance fee OR the annual national park pass for entry. Area closes down at 5pm sharp. I was a bit rushed as I didn’t get here until after 4pm but the sweeping views of San Diego and the Pacific were worth it. On a clear day, you can easily see the Coronado Islands looking south. Definitely stop by the visitors center to read up on the historical significance of the monument and the lighthouse. Beautiful area with a dedicated whale watching section as well.
Only visit briefly but had a wonderful time. It was just before the end of Oct so before their 'Day of the Dead' celebrations. While the skeletons were a bit confronting I could see their beauty. Food was fantastic. I would love to come back and spend more time here.
First town ever built in California. Really happy it was preserved so that we were able to see what life was like back in the early days. Lots of food shops and old school stores to enjoy.
Quite an interesting place to walk around, original buildings and a few open air museum bits. But generally it's shops and restaurants. Gets pretty busy. Don't forget to check out the local area outside the old town complex as well.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a captivating step back in time, providing a rich and immersive experience of California's history. As a visitor, you are transported to the early 19th century when San Diego was just a Mexican pueblo. The park meticulously preserves and recreates the atmosphere of this era, offering a glimpse into the past.
Wandering through the cobblestone streets of Old Town, you'll find a plethora of well-preserved historic buildings, each with a unique story to tell. The park showcases the diversity of cultures that shaped San Diego's heritage, from Mexican adobes to Victorian-era houses. There's a sense of authenticity that makes you feel like you're walking through a living museum.
Wandering through the cobblestone streets of Old Town, you'll find a plethora of well-preserved historic buildings, each with a unique story to tell. The park showcases the diversity of cultures that shaped San Diego's heritage, from Mexican adobes to Victorian-era houses. There's a sense of authenticity that makes you feel like you're walking through a living museum.
Cabrillo National Park, located in San Diego, California, is a must-visit destination for nature and history enthusiasts. Named after the Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who was the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States, this park offers stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding coastline. Visitors can explore the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, a historic landmark that offers a glimpse into the life of a lighthouse keeper in the 1800s. The park also features numerous tide pools, where visitors can observe unique marine life up close. With its rich history, breathtaking views, and diverse ecosystems, Cabrillo National Park is a place of exploration and discovery for all who visit.
Such a beautiful place! We loved seeing this historic location and learning more about the history of Europeans coming to California. There’s an informative little museum there to help with that. Public bathrooms at the visitors center. Amazing views! It’s worth the effort to take the short trek uphill to see the light house. We also saw a submarine coming into the bay while there in the morning. So cool!
What an amazing place to visit, the view is a 10+ whenever you're in SanDiego Ca, go visit is $10.00 to get in, but worth it and you're contributing to the parks. Bring a picnicking basket and enjoy the view.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a captivating destination that transports visitors to California's mid-1800s history. With its authentic atmosphere, well-preserved buildings, and interactive exhibits, the park effectively showcases the lives of early settlers. The museums, reenactments, and events provide an educational and immersive experience. Whether you're intrigued by history or seeking a unique outing, the park offers a rich blend of culture, dining, shopping, and historical significance. It's a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring San Diego's past.
I love going to this place either to visit on my own or showing my friends and family from out of town.
This place is such a unique piece of San Diego history. It’s a shame not everyone has been here.
The tide pools to the lighthouse are all protected. Come here during low tide to see the sea creatures.
Or come before sunset to watch amazing sunset views at the kelp viewing are.
This place is such a unique piece of San Diego history. It’s a shame not everyone has been here.
The tide pools to the lighthouse are all protected. Come here during low tide to see the sea creatures.
Or come before sunset to watch amazing sunset views at the kelp viewing are.
Really neat place! So much history here and a lot of the buildings are from the 1800s. You'll see a lot of unique tools from those times and learn about the way of life back then. There's also a LOT of cool shops. One of them sells a root beer float which is really good. Other shops have endless trinkets, you'll most certainly find something that's worth buying. Parking is a pain, though. There is free parking but it's quite limited, and around 10am it's already filling up. Come early if you want to find parking easily.
This place is beautiful. Not a lot of people. The fact that it's up on the hill makes it really nice and you get a great breeze every now and then.
I took my kids over there to study the Victorian era architecture. It was such a wonderful place to see all the different kinds of architecture from the Victorian Era. My kids did love the trail behind one of the houses the best since it came up above the houses so they could see as far as the ocean.
The houses on this street are beautiful! We came here for family photos and enjoyed exploring the houses and street (and beautiful park) with our kids.
Parking was nice and easy on a Saturday am at 11am.
A great place to bring visitors and then explore Old Town as well.
Parking was nice and easy on a Saturday am at 11am.
A great place to bring visitors and then explore Old Town as well.
Beautiful views of San Diego!
They have removed literally all of the artifacts and replaced them with TV screens to promote some form of radical equity. I was told by the docent that the museum was too Spanish, and to give a voice to the Native tribes they had to store all of their Spanish antiques in underground storage. There is literally nothing but wall space and TV screens now.
Looks great, the story behind it is quite interesting. Places to park, not too crowded accessible by trolley just gotta walk through Old Town
There was no entry. Just wandered around outside. Beautiful area
This historical park is very nice and pretty to visit for a picnic or some other occasion. Beautiful view and very clean. There are historical homes that you can see that were brought and relocated here
The statues have been taken down. I hope they're all back SOON
Sad to see that this historical site is being neglected and is in great need of groundskeeping. Come on, San Diego, take pride and take care of your historical sites!
Love this place great view of San Diego Bay.
Located in Old Town. Hidden gem many don't know about. Nice views, quiet, free parking. Beautiful homes, Victorian. 3 are supposed to be haunted. Great place for a picnic.
The Heritage Park Victorian Village is one of the hidden gems in San Diego, it is a must-see when you are in the area, there are a lot of attractions nearby, so you will be near it at some point but you can easily miss it, so make sure to pass by this beautiful palace, vibrant colors, amazing photo opportunity.