Photos: A Visit to Historic Old Town San Diego

On my recent trip to San Diego, California for Tiki Oasis 12, I was able to hop over to Historic Old Town San Diego which is a wonderful tourist attraction and state historic park full of shops, galleries, living history demonstrations, restaurants and more. It gives visitors a look at “the birthplace of California”, most of which is staged to look like its set in the 1821 to 1872 period.

There are many open air markets full of fun souvenirs but one place that stood out for me was Rust General Store. It is an 1869s inspired general store and its friendly proprietors, Jonathon and Toni, dress in period wear.

Rust General Store

Toni & Jonathon, the proprietors of Rust General Store

Rust General Store, old fashion mints & gums

Rust General Store, Chimes Ginger Chews

Rust General Store, dilled pickles

Leaving Rust, I encountered more ‘traditional’ souvenir candies and food at the Old Town’s shops, like Crick-ettes and Margarita Taffy:

Crick-ettes

Margarita taffy

And leather goods, like:

A Frida Kahlo leather purse

A hand-stamped leather purse from Mexico

There was no shortage of US military souvenirs:

Then, there was this:

I also encountered Old Town House of Jerky & Root Beer, an entire store dedicated to jerky and root beer.

Here’s the entire album of images from my visit to Old Town San Diego.

photos by Rusty Blazenhoff