Explore the history of this Southern California city.
Time to explore more of Southern California. From Los Angeles, I headed down to San Diego, which is an interesting mix of old and new, Old Town and New Town. The city is mostly modern, but I did find some interesting history in this Southern California city, but first, Mission San Juan Capistrano.
I got distracted on the way to San Diego and stopped at the wonderful Mission San Juan Capistrano first. The Spanish were trying to finally solidify their colonial ambitions in California by establishing missions along the coast. I already visited two on this trip, Mission Delores in San Francisco and the Carmel Mission in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It was great to see another one. Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776, but the chapel wasn’t finished until 1782. This actually makes the chapel the oldest building in California still in use. Today, the mission is a great place to explore some early California history.
The mission’s plaza is home to a lovely garden.
The ruins of the mission church. It didn’t survive long before an earthquake toppled it.
The mission’s rooms today host exhibits on early life here in Spanish California.
The mission still has a lovely chapel on its grounds, the Serra Chapel.
The lovely patio area of the mission, which is completely enclosed by buildings.
I finally made it to San Diego and the first stop was stop, of course, was another mission. Mission San Diego de Alcalá. This mission was an early one, founded in 1769. However, the mission buildings fell out of church hands in the early 1800s after the Mexican Revolution. It was even used by the US military after the Mexican American War. The mission was restored starting in the 1880s, when the church and outer buildings were rebuilt.
The very white, reconstructed San Diego de Alcalá.
They also had a reconstructed living quarters at their small museum.
The church was really pretty, restored to its simple colonial appearance.
The old church cemetery has been turned into a lovely garden.
From the mission, I headed to Old Town San Diego, which is now a state historic park and market. The park has a bunch of historic buildings from San Diego’s past dating from 1820 to 1870. After Mexican independence, Old Town was the center of town and full of activity and continued to be so until 1871, when a new town was formed near the coast.
Old Town is centered around a central square and down a street.
The Machado de Silvas Building was built in the 1840s and served as a home and a restaurant.
This building was restored for a small museum, one of a few buildings. This exhibit represents the restaurant.
My favorite part of Old Town was the Fiesta de Reyes, a store and restaurant area with a Mexican theme.
This area was just really neat.
Old Town also had a restored hotel that is now a restaurant.
From Old Town, I headed to Cabrillo National Monument, which is located at Point Loma overlooking San Diego Bay. The monument commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. This was the first time a European had set foot on what would later become California.
I didn’t spend much time here, but I did stop by the park museum and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. It’s been closed for over a hundred years, but this lighthouse is still a San Diego icon.
The view of San Diego Bay from Point Loma.
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse. A new lighthouse was built closer to the shoreline.
The bottom two floors of the lighthouse served as housing for the light keeper’s family. It was lonely life.
Now finally to New Town San Diego, the modern downtown. Much of the area has modern homes and high-rises but there is the fantastic Gaslamp Quarter full of hipster restaurants and cool old buildings.
I don’t know what is going on with this building, but I love it.
I loved this old movie theater turned chocolate shop.
This building is also a bit interesting.
A lovely old theater with storefronts and offices, next to a not so lovely building.
I also visited the San Diego Zoo the next day, so here are a few delightful photos of animals.
This tiger wants to eat you.
This is so adorably cute.
This guy was fun. Just pouring water in his mouth and on his face to amuse everyone.
My two days in San Diego was an interesting mix of places. I did enjoy my two days in the area. The San Diego area has a lot to offer, including hiking and museums. Plus, the zoo is fantastic.
Check out my next update where I visit Joshua Tree National Park!
