San Diego County
Rockhoppers
Walking Club

Sanction Number: 1580

11Km (6.6 miles) and 5Km (3.1 miles)

Sponsor: San Diego County Rockhoppers - AVA 392/CA 23

For additional information call Steve d'Adolf at (858) 451-2130,
or EMail: sdadolf@san.rr.com

Start Location:
Best Western Hacienda Hotel Old Town
4041 Harney Street
San Diego, CA

Identify yourself as a walker to the receptionist at the front desk and ask for the "walking box".

Note: The walk box contains the materials for three (3) walks that start at this location.

This is an honor-system, self-serve activity. Thank you for your cooperation.

Start/Stop Times:
This year-round event can be walked daily from January 1 to December 31, 2010.

Although this facility is open 24 hours daily, we request that you walk from DAWN TO DUSK only.

Parking:
Usually available across the street from the Hacienda Hotel, except when special events are being held in Old Town. If this lot is full you will need to consider parking at the Old Town Trolley Station, Old Town State Historical Park, or along area streets.

**Railway Access:
The Coaster and San Diego Trolley stop at the Old Town Station.

Amtrak stops in downtown San Diego, where the trolley can be used to get back to Old Town.

Pets:
Leashed pets are allowed on the walk.

Trail Description:
The trail starts at the Best Western Hacienda Hotel, goes through San Diego State Historical Park Heritage Park, and then crosses the San Diego River through Mission Valley. From there it goes uphill to Mission Hills, and back downhill, past Jefferson School of Law, El Campo Santo Cemetery, San Diego Sheriff’s Museum, then through the commercial area of Old Town, and back to the start point.

The walk is rated 2+ due to the hill at the mid-point of the walk

This walk qualifies for AVA Special Programs - Museum, Cemetry Stroll, Riverwalk America and Walking State Parks Walk credit.

Fees:
Everyone is welcome to participate, and the events are free. For those that wish to receive IVV credit, the fee is $3.00.

You may walk twice in the same day on the same event for the same fee.

These events count for the earning of IVV Achievement Awards.

As with all events, there will be no refunds to those not completing the event.

Start Card:
There is no pre-registration, and everyone must obtain a start card and pay the appropriate fee if credit is desired. All start cards must be returned at the completion of the event.

Upon your return, stamp your books if credit is desired.

Remember, only one EVENT CREDIT for the first half year, and one event credit for the second half year may be entered in the event book for each event. You may participate for DISTANCE CREDIT without limit.

IVV credit is $3.00, others free.

Have a pen or pencil to use at the self-checkpoint.

Miscellaneous:
There are numerous restaurants along the route, in all price ranges.

Water and rest rooms are available along the route.

Disclaimer:
Participants do so at their own risk. Every reasonable effort will be made by the sponsors to make the events safe and enjoyable for all. However, the sponsors, organizers, and the American Volkssport Association cannot be held responsible for any lost or stolen articles, accident, or injury of any kind at any time.

Special Thanks:
Special thanks to the administrative staff of the Best Western Hacienda Hotel for their cooperation in making this year-round walk possible.

The hotel is centrally located, and an excellent choice for people who want to stay near, and visit the Old Town San Diego area.

History of Old Town San Diego

California's Original People

The earliest indications of people living in San Diego date back 9,000 years. They called themselves Kumeyaay. When the Spaniards arrived, they used the word Diegueño to identify the Indians associated with the Mission. In 1542 explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo reported that the native indians, “were good natured and an attractive people.” With the arrival of the Spanish settlements in 1769, many Kumeyaay retreated to the hills.

The Founding of California

Old Town San Diego is considered the "birthplace" of California. San Diego is the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California. It was here in 1769, that Father Junipero Serra came to establish the very first mission in a chain of 21 missions that were to be the cornerstone of California’s colonization. Father Serra’s mission and Presidio were built on a hillside overlooking what is currently known as Old Town San Diego. At the base of the hill in 1820’s, a small Mexican community of adobe buildings was formed and by 1835 had attained the status of El Pueblo de San Diego. In 1846, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant and a Marine Lieutenant, raised the American flag in the Old Town San Diego Plaza.

In 1968, the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation established Old Town State Historic Park to preserve the rich heritage that characterized San Diego during the 1821 to 1872 period. The park includes a main plaza, exhibits, museums and living history demonstrations.

Historic buildings include La Casa de Estudillo, La Casa de Bandini, La Casa de Altamirno Pedrorena and the Mason Street School, San Diego’s first one room schoolhouse. Just up the hill from Old Town San Diego Historic State Park, you’ll find Heritage Park where several of San Diego’s most notable Victorian homes have been relocated and authentically restored to their original splendor. Just a short walk down San Diego Avenue is the Whaley House, an officially designated haunted house, the Little Adobe Chapel on Conde Street, the first Church in Old Town San Diego and El Campo Santo on San Diego Avenue, a 1850 Catholic Cemetery.

Mission Valley

Mission Valley is a wide valley trending east-west in San Diego, California, through which the San Diego River flows to the Pacific Ocean. It is an area of San Diego that is a major commercial center lining the San Diego River, home to several shopping centers, Qualcomm Stadium (home of the San Diego Chargers), and the Mission San Diego de Alcala, the oldest of the California missions.

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. Directions:
From I-5 Heading North: Exit at Old Town Avenue, turn right on Old Town Avenue.
From I-5 Heading South: Exit at Old Town Avenue, turn left on Old Town Avenue.
From I-8 Heading West: Take I-5 South to Old Town Avenue.

Once on Old Town Avenue, proceed to San Diego Avenue and turn left. Go to Harney Street and turn right. Go back 1/2 block to the Best Western Hacienda Hotel Old Town on your right.

Click on the map to enlarge it.

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