Temple Beth Israel, Heritage Park, San Diego
Few things beat adventures that cost $FREE.99, and in San Diego, Heritage Park is one of them.
I saw Heritage Park while browsing through Instagram late last year and became so inspired to check it out that I added it to my 2016 Backyard Destinations bucket list for places to see outside of LA County.
If you enjoy leisurely strolls, architecture, vibrant colors, and/or history, Heritage Park is a pleasant place to spend about 30 minutes.
Located in Old Town San Diego, Heritage Park is a county park with seven restored Victorian buildings in a row. My favorites are the Christian House and Sherman-Gilbert House, primarily because of the colors.
Sherman-Gilbert House, 1887
Christian House, 1889
Bushyhead House, 1887
It’s really pretty amazing that the park is free to walk around in. The only downside is that you can’t go inside the buildings 🙁 except for Temple Beth Israel and the McConaughy House. The park website does state that only the exteriors of the buildings have been restored, so that’s probably why people aren’t allowed to go inside most of them.
Apart from admiring the architecture, it’s fun to enjoy the huge lawn outside Temple Beth Israel, which was San Diego’s first synagogue. On the right side of the Christian House, there’s also a small trail that takes about several minutes to complete, where you can get wonderful view of the backside of the house and the small roundabout at the end of the row. And if you’re feeling hungry/thirsty, you can buy tea and scones at the McConaughy House. (Note that it does cost nearly $12 for that, though.)
Little trail behind the Christian House
View at the top of the trail.
Smiley on a cactus! Lol.
McConaughy House, 1887, where you can enjoy some tea and scones
Heritage Park reminded me so much of LA’s own Heritage Square Museum, except without the $10 entrance fee and without the option to poke around the inside of the houses. Nevertheless, if you happen to be in San Diego looking for something less touristy to do, be sure to take yourself (and your camera!) to this beautiful row of Victorian buildings 🙂