Our son Nikhil took us to view the old town of San Diego on a mid week day. We could see graceful old buildings, plenty of palm trees and cactus plants, some tourists were excitedly getting down from the San Diego Trolley coming from downtown and neighborhoods like Little Italy.
We were told that this old and historic town is well known as the birthplace of California and had its first Spanish settlement in California, San Diego was originally established in Old Town before being relocated to its present downtown area
As we went on we could see a that the place was laid back with over 200-year-old historic buildings and many museums, some of which provided an opportunity to pan for gold which was highly tempting
We then entered the Fiesta de Reyes which had an exotic look, there was a theatre where history of San Diego is shown
There were 19 locally owned specialty shops, three restaurants and a 10-room boutique hotel, Fiesta de Reyes is operated by president and veteran restaurateur, Chuck Ross who has more than 30 years of experience in destination restaurant business, he named Fiesta de Reyes which means “celebration of kings,”
We found that authentic Mexican food could be eaten there, unique gifts could be bought for friends and relatives and a fantastic festive atmosphere experienced. Fiesta de Reyes is very much a family business with the entire Ross clan working amicably to create an unmatched experience for visitors.
One can walk through the streets freely eying and inhaling the history of by gone days, we could see a blacksmith shop, San Diego's first newspaper office, a cigar and pipe store, colonial houses and gardens, and a stable with a carriage collection. Some stores had the local artisans demonstrating their craft.
Barra Barra Saloon was a period saloon at the north end of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Both the furnishings and menu represent the merging of Mexico with American traditions in the mid-1800s , there was a food tour being conducted to learn about the town's Spanish roots through food
We then saw the Cosmopolitan hotel which Don Juan Bandini originally built as a thatched single story roof adobe in 1828 on Old Town, San Diego plaza's southeast corner. The original Spanish Colonial structure had seven rooms, an entrance-way, and enclosed courtyard, a corral, and several sheds.
Later in 1869, the house was converted to a stagecoach stop and hotel, later a second floor was added and restored to its 1870 condition, and be operated as a hotel and restaurant again.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park houses buildings moved from elsewhere in the city, Presidio Park, and the Mormon Battalion Historic Site and San Diego's first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel were other places worth visiting
Mason Street Schoolhouse was a historical building in San Diego, California built in 1865 and was the first public school in San Diego.
The San Diego Sheriff's Museum and Educational Center included police equipment, uniforms, patrol car, helicopter, motorcycle, a jail cell and a courtroom.
The trip to old own was like a trip down our memory lane
Very nice Ramani, liked it. I really wonder how you could remember all the details so well. Really appreciate your writing skills .
ReplyDelete