This post was most recently updated on July 19th, 2019
Poway calls itself ‘The City in the Country’ and true to its name is its Old Poway Park. The park is full of majestic oak trees, a winding stream and bridges, an old-fashioned gazebo, and a real operating steam train. Old Poway Park also hosts a historic museum, the Templars Hall (built in 1886), the Porter House, and the Nelson House, built between 1915 and 1920. These are relics of Poway’s past that have been lovingly restored. Poway is located only 24 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. It’s an easy drive if you’d like to explore more of San Diego’s surrounding neighborhoods.
Picnic sites with train in background
What Old Poway Park has to offer
Whether you’re looking for a place to keep your kids entertained, or for a couple’s date idea, you might really enjoy what Old Poway Park has to offer. This is a park where you can stroll beneath the maple trees and enjoy the shade, set out a picnic blanket, tour an old home, visit a military memorial, or check out an old schoolroom setting in the museum. Kids can run and play on the green lawns, climb the trees, ride the train, chase each other across the bridges, and take center stage on the gazebo. If a playground is what you want, there’s a very nice play structure just north of Old Poway Park in Audrey Park. You literally just walk across the street!
Old Poway Park is also very popular for birthday parties and photo shoots. Nearly every weekend in May, for example, you will see large groups of youth dressed to the nines, having their pictures taken before heading off to their Proms. You will also see family portraits and senior photos being taken along the railroad tracks (when the train isn’t running, of course!), on the bridges, or under the beautiful shade trees.
The Farmers Market
Saturday is my favorite day to visit Old Poway Park. Three blocks of Midland Road, on the east side of the park, are closed to vehicle traffic, creating a “mall” for pedestrians to stroll. A Farmers Market is set up here, and you are sure to find something you like! Food, flowers, live music, and more give off an energetic vibe and make it a ‘happenin’ place to be.
There are plenty of places to sit in Old Poway Park, so once you’ve made your purchases, feel free to sit on a bench, use a picnic table, or sit on a log while you enjoy your treat. A beautiful green lawn is perfect for picnicking! The Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Old Poway Park’s Fourth of July Celebration
There’s probably no better time to visit Old Poway Park than for the Fourth of July! My husband and I went last year, and it was a July 4th celebration straight from old-fashioned Americana! A community band played in the gazebo decked with patriotic bunting, the Templars Hall showcased a quilt exhibit, and children rode on ponies.
Booths were scattered throughout the park with hands-on activities: games for children, coloring stations, and photos with Uncle Sam. Historic military exhibits and gun-powder demonstrations were also very popular! There were food vendors, free tours of the museum and historic homes (donations accepted), and also a craft fair lining the boardwalk surrounding the museum and Hamburger Factory. Extra seating is set up near the gazebo where you can sit in the shade and enjoy the band or people-watch.
Enjoy Old Poway Park’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July celebration on July 4th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Fourth of July activities
Military demonstrations
The old west motif spreads beyond Old Poway Park
Across Midland Road from Old Poway Park is the Old Poway Village Shopping Center. It continues the old west theme with old-fashioned storefront facades, fencing, signs, and walkways.
Midland Elementary School, just down the street, also duplicates the fun old west vibe. I think it’s very fitting that they chose this theme when they recently re-built the school.
Midland Elementary School
And if you thought this was all, there’s a beautifully preserved historic Community Church, a Victorian chapel, at the corner of Hilleary and Community Road. They are celebrating their 130th anniversary this year!
Poway Midland Railroad
One of the most unique things about Old Poway Park is that there’s a real full-size, narrow-guage railroad, which carries passengers on vintage and antique railroad cars. The railroad is owned by the city of Poway and operated by the Poway Midland Railroad Volunteers. Railroad equipment includes an 1894 Los Angeles Trolley Car, a 1907 Baldwin Steam Locomotive, a 1956 Fairmont Speeder, and a 1906 San Francisco Cable Car. The steam locomotive is currently out for repairs but will be back in business by September of this year.
I took my grandson to ride the train just last week, and he absolutely loved it! He also enjoyed visiting the train depot gift shop with a train table for children to play with and train memorabilia for sale. This is also where you can buy tickets to ride the train. For more information about ticket prices and hours, please see the Poway Midland Railroad website. I purchased the annual pass which will give me unlimted train rides for two adults and five children. I’ll be taking my grandchildren for rides as much as possible.
Poway Midland Railroad Train Depot
Dining near Old Poway Park
If you visit Old Poway Park in the heart of Poway long enough, you’ll want a bite to eat. What are the options? It’s typical to bring a picnic to Old Poway Park, or to enjoy something you’ve purchased from the Farmers Market. One of the most popular places to eat is the western-themed Hamburger Factory within the park. They have large rooms for group dining, and some of the best hamburgers, as well as many other family-friendly items on their menu. Our kids used to beg us to take them to the Hamburger Factory after games and special occasions.
I recently discovered another tasty gem at Wholly Crepe. They specialize in crepes — both sweet and savory, and you will not be disappointed. I treated myself to a banana-caramel crepe and really enjoyed watching them make it just for me. And I enjoyed eating it much more!
Good news! I have partnered with GPSmyCity and converted this article into a GPS-embedded guide to all the places I’ve mentioned here. You can download the article free to your electronic device, or upgrade the article for a small fee to have the GPS coordinates to guide you (like your own personal tour guide!). There’s also the really cool option of subscribing to GPSmyCity for an annual fee so you’ll have access to ALL of their city tour guides. I will receive a small commission if you make any purchases.
Have you ever been to the heart of Poway? If you haven’t had the chance to visit Old Poway Park yet, be sure to bookmark this post! Please share it with your friends, too.
Looks like a great place to spend the day. I love oak trees and I would head straight for the old home tour and old schoolroom.
I like this quaint old town area of the town. It’s great that it has been kept up so that people can see and feel what it was like 100 years ago.
Great parks like these keep a community strong, with everything for everybody…history, entertainment, food!
Had never heard of Poway before. Love the colorful flower displays. The crepe has certainly caught my attention as well. 😉
This looks so “all American” and charming. Poway Park seems worth a visit.
This looks like a lot of fun.
It is! It’s a great family-friendly place to visit!
That looks like a super family-friendly spot- I especially love the heritage buildings! I can see why it’s a popular spot for photo shoots.
What a great park! I’m with you, I would go on a Saturday to enjoy the Farmer’s Market. Independence Day looks like a fun day to go as well.
What a fabulous park – and such a great sense of community. It looks like a great place to spend a day – especially on a Saturday when the Farmer’s Market is on with all those lovely goodies!
Old Poway Park seems to be an ideal destination with kids. Loved the wide range of activities there. I love the concept of Farmer’s market. I have to experience one of them some day.
I love communities with great parks , I feel like it brings the community together. This is a cute quaint little town.
I’ve never heard of Old Poway Park but it looks like quite the place. I love little historical parks like that. I’ve always thought trains had this old charm about them. So quaint. I’ll have to keep this park in mind if we’re passing through the area for sure! It would be a perfect pit stop on a road trip.
Old Poway Park looks like a fun place to visit. I could see Jenn and I taking a bike ride up there that ends up at the park. Poway has great bike lanes. My six year old self would have loved the historic train too.
Yeah, Poway is a nice place for a bike ride! Good to hear from you!
Looks like a beautiful summer weekend place! The railroad seems like so much fun!
My kids would love Old Poway Park. It looks so quaint and there’s so much to do there.
I do love a good farmers market! This place looks so quaint. I really need to explore California more…I feel a road trip coming on!