Return to the Old Town

This weekend I took my mum down to visit Old Town San Diego. It was the fourth time that I have been down to visit the settlement as I feel the need to take anyone that comes to visit as it is such an unusual place. One of the things that I love about it is that even though it is such a small place, each time I have been I have managed to see something new.

Some sources say that Old Town San Diego is the birthplace of California and it is now a State Historic Park to preserve the historic building so everyone can come and see what life used to be like here.

Old Town is based on the historic route 101. It was the first official Spanish settlement in California and because of this it has a very Spanish feel to the place with its bright coloured pottery and vibrant fiesta like feel with the small stores and the live music and lots of dancing.

The first time I went I visited the Whaley House, a Victorian building, and the oldest brick building in the area. In its time it has served as a courthouse, a theatre and a private residence. 

The most intriguing thing about this place and what made me want to pay it a visit is that this building has been officially certified as haunted by the US Department of Commerce, and is alleged to be the most haunted house in the United States. They say that the guides experience things on a daily basis, but the guide I spoke to said although she had nothing concrete herself, she heard noises and footsteps and feelings that she was not alone. I was recounted stories of other guests, but I saw nothing, caught nothing on camera and it didn't feel particularly spooky to me. Oh well.

Everyone who works here is dressed in old fashioned clothing which makes you feel like you have been transported back in time to the early settlement era.

There is live music around every corner, and on a couple of occasions that I have visited there have been dance displays on stage.

On my second visit, there was a competition, and I will never forget it as there was a mixed group dancing, but one of the young guys (maybe in his late teens) although he was fairly good, he looked like he was about to burst into tears. I started to get the giggles and was getting angry glares from everyone around me.

This is a permanent stage here and you can usually find some dancing activity to keep you entertained. When you walk to the shops round the back you can also see ladies hiding in trees desperately trying to put makeup on before heading on stage! :)

Some of the places really make you think that you could just tie up your horse outside whilst you went about your business. Here Lubica becomes well acquainted with one of the locals!

One of the things I found quite creepy about this place to start with was all the brightly painted skulls that you  can find in the gift shops. I asked one of the shop keepers what the story was behind it and learned about Dia de los Muertos - a Mexican holiday also known as the Day of the Dead. I visited again later in the year close to the actual holiday (November 1st & 2nd) and found this brightly coloured alter above.

Rather than being as morbid as it first may seem, it is more of a celebration of the lives of those who have passed.People will go to cemeteries or build alters and put favourite foods and pictures, flowers and other items on them.

The Old Town is great to visit at every time of year though. This visit last weekend it was all decorated for Christmas which obviously looks very festive.

On this last visit we decided to have lunch at the Cosmopolitan hotel which was originally built between 1827 and 1829 by the Bandini family and was the largest private residence at the time. They have a beautiful courtyard and a resident piano player who on this occasion was playing Christmas carols. Mum was more than happy to help with the singing of Silent Night - I think the Margarita may have had a helping hand in that.