A Special Time to Experience Old Town San Diego

Old Town is worth visiting any time of year, but late October and early November bring something especially meaningful to the neighborhood. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a tradition rooted in Mexico that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed. Rather than being a spooky extension of Halloween, the celebration centers around remembrance, family, and keeping the memories of loved ones alive through traditions like ofrendas, flowers, photographs, music, food, and art. Here in San Diego, our close connection to Mexico makes Día de los Muertos an especially beautiful time to experience the city—and Old Town hosts one of San Diego's largest annual celebrations.

Beginning in October, altars appear throughout the historic neighborhood, filling Old Town with colorful displays honoring loved ones and figures from San Diego's past. Visitors can explore more than 40 altars on self-guided tours throughout the community, with additional displays and activities inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. It's colorful, lively, reflective, and a side of San Diego culture that's absolutely worth experiencing during a fall visit.

Experience Día de los Muertos in Old Town

If your San Diego trip falls around the end of October or beginning of November, give yourself a few hours—or an entire afternoon—to explore Old Town. Start by simply walking through the neighborhood. Throughout the Día de los Muertos season, you'll find altars created by local businesses, museums, and community members. Take your time looking at the photographs, flowers, candles, artwork, and personal touches that make each one different.

 If you're visiting over October 31 and November 1, you'll also find the Weekend Mercado along San Diego Avenue and Harney Street, with art, crafts, family activities, and festivities throughout the area. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park joins the celebration with museum altars, art, and hands-on activities. On Sunday, November 1, the annual Catrina Contest celebrates the elaborate attire and makeup associated with La Catrina, one of the most recognizable figures connected with modern Día de los Muertos celebrations. 

And if you're able to extend your visit into Monday, November 2, stick around for one of the most memorable parts of the celebration: Old Town's candlelit procession. The procession begins at 5:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Church with blessings and traditional dance before traveling along San Diego Avenue toward El Campo Santo Cemetery. It's a beautiful nighttime tribute to those who came before us and a meaningful way to experience the tradition beyond simply seeing the decorations. Event schedules can change, so be sure to check the latest information before heading out.

Make a Day of Exploring Old Town

One of the best parts about attending Día de los Muertos in Old Town is that you don't necessarily need to rush from one scheduled activity to another. Give yourself time to wander. Explore the historic buildings throughout Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, browse the shops along the surrounding streets, stop to see the different altars, and enjoy the live music and performances happening throughout the celebration. And, obviously, leave time to eat.

Old Town has plenty of places to sit down for Mexican food, grab a margarita, or stop for something sweet before continuing your walk. During Día de los Muertos, Fiesta de Reyes also hosts La Experiencia, featuring traditional and contemporary altars, art demonstrations, face painting, live entertainment, mariachi music, and folklórico dancers on select days through November 2. You can easily arrive in the afternoon, spend a few hours exploring, stay for dinner, and watch the neighborhood change as the sun goes down and candles begin to glow.

Experience a Different Side of San Diego

A San Diego vacation doesn't have to be all beaches and palm trees. One day can be spent along the Pacific, and the next can take you into one of the city's oldest neighborhoods to experience a tradition deeply connected to the culture and history of our region. That's part of what makes visiting San Diego in the fall so special.

 If you're staying with Vacation Rentals by Aaron during Día de los Muertos, make Old Town part of your itinerary. Spend the day exploring the celebration, then head back to your vacation rental and start deciding what tomorrow looks like. Beach day, anyone? 

Browse our San Diego vacation rentals and find your home base for a fall getaway!