The Original San Diego
Written: Feb 22 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fun, Historical, Relaxing
Cons: Sometimes Too Many People
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| Ericka_Larson's Full Review: Old Town |
I know what you're going to say, "It's no fair! You already live there!" Well, not really, not in Old Town. I'd LOVE to live in Old Town, or even in the hills above it. *sigh* It's one of the most beautiful parts of the city of San Diego if you ask me and I've played tourist since about 6 months before I moved here and I'm still doing so. The first place I take anyone who visits me is Old Town and the Casa de Estudillo (with the silent ll, sounds like a y for those of us who don't speak very good Spanish).
Old Town is where San Diego was originally founded and is slightly south and below the original Presidio. You can see some of the original buildings of San Diego and even tour them. The Casa de Estudillo is one of the original homes (reminds me of the original Zorro from Disney, very romantic and my very favorite place in all of California and perhaps even the U.S.) and you can walk through it, viewing each room. There is usually a volunteer on duty that can answer questions. There are also the normal touristy shops, a heady tobacconist and even a lovely candle shop where I first discovered green melon candles included. And you can't forget the Whaley House! The most haunted house in the United States! It has a fee for getting in, but it is definitely worth it. I was spooked the entire time I was there, but here's the really freaky part, a year later I returned at night with my sister after they were closed and we went up on the porch while I told her the history of the house. As we walked back and forth on the polished wood all of a sudden we could smell Lilacs. That may not sound strange, but it was in November and we don't have Lilacs in San Diego because it doesn't get cold enough down here!
For the gourmet you can have your pick of many delicious Mexican restaurants, all the best of Baja Californian foods. The Tortilla ladies at the Cafe Coyote will sell you hot fresh tortillas that you can eat plain or with butter and/or salsa. If you've never had tortillas like this, then you're definitely missing something! The Brigantine is popular for seafood and is a little more mainline American food if you'd rather stray away from Mexican.
Don't miss the Presidio while you're there. Wander or drive on up to the mission. I've missed it every single time because I spend too much time at the Casa de Estudillo (usually whiling away my time in the courtyard), but the missions of California are quite fantastic and can really send quite a reverence through you. If you're religious there's even more reason to visit.
I live in San Diego, only about 15 minutes from Old Town, and yet it's possibly my favorite place in the entire United States to visit. I find it fun and relaxing because I can party at the restaurants or meditate in the gardens. I've even bought all my Christmas presents for all my out-of-state friends there in order to lure them to visit me. It's worth a visit and will probably take at least a day to tackle completely.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Ericka_Larson
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Member: Ericka Larson
Location: Rolling Meadows, IL
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 1 member
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