Each city in the world has a vibe and feel of its own, brought about by several things. When it comes to San Diego, this distinct vibe and feel is associated with its glorious beaches, vibrant nightlife, and, of course, its remarkable historical landmarks. If you ever happen to visit this mesmerizing Southern Californian city, do not miss out on the following historical landmarks that it has to offer:
Historical Landmarks to Visit in San Diego:
1) Julian:
This picturesque town is one of San Diego’s registered historic landmarks and received its start during the 1870’s gold rush. Situated at a distance of one hour from the city, Julian is an excellent destination for tourists and locals looking for a nice day trip. You can enjoy the carriage rides, gold panning, visiting the candy factories, exploring the town’s museum and art galleries, or going on a little shopping spree in one of the antique shops or gift boutiques. If you like to ride horses, you can turn to one of the ranches, or else, you can always pick apples from the orchards. The State Park of Cuyamaca Rancho, along with the Lake Cuyamaca, offers opportunities for camping, boating and hiking.
2) Mission Basilica San Diego De Alcala:
This mission was created established by Junipero Serra in the year 1769 and was once home to the earliest priests and Kumeyaay Indians. The mission’s museum allows visitors to learn about its formative years. You can also stroll around the beautiful grounds, containing rich gardens as well as the padre’s cell.
3) Marston House:
This 1905 mansion, created in an Arts-and-Crafts manner, belonged to one of Balboa Park’s original developers, George Marston. This huge structure is made of stucco and bricks and has stunning interior woodwork full of pine, oak and redwood. This beautiful estate also includes lovely grounds that are approximately five acres in size. The Marston House is part of the National Historic Places Register.
4) Villa Montezuma:
This intricate Victorian mansion was created by renowned novelist and concert pianist Jesse Shepard, in the year 1877. The Villa Montezuma is rich with remarkable American and European antiques and windows made of leaded glass and brags expertly carved borders and ceilings as well as graceful marble fireplaces. Even though the place is situated in one of the town’s neglected parts, it offers an excellent opportunity to take a sneak-peak into the lifestyles of the city’s former high societies. While you will not be able to visit the inside of the home, the Villa Montezuma is an intriguing sight even from the streets.
5) Gaslamp Quarter:
This is a 16-block downtown section, full of restaurants, art galleries and specialty shops. The Gaslamp Quarter also houses numerous nightclubs and theaters, which means that it offers plenty of entertainment for night owls. In addition, if you are interested in San Diego’s Victorian architecture, you simply cannot miss a visit to this town. The William Heath Davis House provides a vivid picture of Gaslamp Quarter’s colorful past.
6) Old Town San Diego State Historic Park:
If you wonder about how life in early America and Mexico was during the 19th century, this spot can answer many of your questions. This historic park is considered the birthplace of the city of San Diego and is ripe with treasures that have been unearthed over many years. The park also contains a schoolhouse, some original adobes, a carriage collection, a blacksmith shop and an artifact-filled museum.
7) Mission San Luis Rey:
Yet another one of San Diego’s National Historic Landmarks, this mission was created back in 1798 and is the largest one throughout California. This site, stretching over 56-acres, encompasses numerous buildings, which include an 1815 church, a museum that contains artifacts related to the Native American, US, Spanish and Mexican militaries, as well as a center for retreat. The grounds at Mission San Luis Rey contain carefully-maintained gardens, along with a cemetery and the Lavenderia – an outdoor area for laundry.
8) The USS Midway:
The USS Midway is an aircraft carrier that served for the time period ranging from 1945 to 1992. You can take an enchanting glimpse into the way that people live on a huge ship. Visitors are offered an audio, self-guided tour across the entire ship and can explore the numerous flight deck aircraft. Of course, there is also the simulator ride to experience and enjoy. Several docents –quite a few of which actually served on this ship – respond to numerous questions and, every once in a while, also relate a couple of interesting or funny events.
9) Cabrillo National Monument:
This monument has been named after Juan Cabrillo, a Portuguese explorer who landed in the bay of San Diego. The complex has a museum, accurately depicting the many exploits of Cabrillo and several other explorers of the time. The Point Loma Lighthouse, standing at 433 feet above sea-level, is another fascinating sight that you can check out. If you want to check out San Diego’s spectacular skyline or enjoy the stunning views of its Bay, you will be hard-pressed to find a location better than the Cabrillo National Monument.
Final Word:
San Diego is rich with historic landmarks and spots, all of which offer the irresistible combination of fun, fascination, and learning. We hope that this brief guide will help visitors who are considering exploring some of the many historical places that the city has to offer.
