The Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, located in San Diego, California is a city park which attempts to recreate life in San Diego from 1821 to 1872. During this time San Diego was California's first Spanish settlement, with a mission and fort established there in 1769. Due to this the park's design incorperates Spanish styles and early American architecture.
Five original adobes are part of the complex, which includes shops, restaurants and a museum. Other historic buildings include a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, San Diego's first newspaper office, and a stable with a carriage collection.
The Historic Park and surrounding area are a popular tourist destination, known especially for its authentic Mexican restaurants. The park itself hosts four eating establishments: The Cosmopolitan Restaurant, The Jolly Boy Restaurant and Saloon, Casa de Reyes and Casa Guadalajara.
The Old Town Transit Center serves the area with trolley, bus, Coaster, and occasional Amtrak service.
In the Spring of 2005, a new firm, Delaware North, won the bidding for park's concessions. Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts outbid Diane Powers's Bazaar Del Mundo, which had operated the concessions for the previous thirty-three years. On May 31st, 2005, Plaza del Pasado replaced the shops at the former Bazaar del Mundo, the former Casa De Bandini became The Cosmopolitan Hotel, and the former Rancho El Nopal became Jolly Boy Restaurant and Saloon.
Powers reopened her Bazaar del Mundo Shops nearby at 4133 Taylor Street. The former Casa de Pico now operates in Grossmont Center, about 12 miles east of Old Town in La Mesa.
The contract inked between Delaware North and the Department of Parks and Recreation requires that the shops and restuarants adhere to the theme of the early history of Old Town from 1821 to 1872.