If you have ever been to San Diego, chances are that you have visited Old Town. Old Town San Diego is considered the "birthplace" of California. It is the site of the first Spanish settlement in California. Although it is probably one of the most touristy areas, I really enjoy it. Filled with restaurants, shopping and a lot of history, it is easy place to spend an afternoon al gusto!
Many organized tours of San Diego leave from the center of Old Town on the orange trolley buses. The church in the background is Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and has been in service since 1917.
We climbed up the hill to Presidio Park which overlooks Old Town. The view was fabulous and the homes unbelievable.
The pictures above and below are the Junipero Serra Museum in 1769, which was the first mission church in a string of 21 mission churches in California. Actually the church had trouble getting a water supply on this hill back then and moved the mission to a new location in Mission Valley called San Diego de Acala. Ernesto and I visited that church when we were here for Christmas.
"The Junípero Serra Museum, in Presidio Park, is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego. As a major symbol of the city, it stands atop the hill recognized as the site where California began. It was here in 1769 that a Spanish Franciscan missionary, Father Junípero Serra, with a group of soldiers led by Gaspar de Portolá, established Alta California’s first mission and presidio (fort)." (info via San Diego Historical Society.) Ernesto took my picture in this fabulous archway.Like I said there is much shopping here, and you may think you are in Mexico with these beauties.
This makes me miss San Diego tons!!
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