Manuel's, San Diego 1960s
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San Diego became California’s first Spanish settlement when a mission and fort were established there in 1769. Later, it passed into the hands of the newly made Mexican government before gaining statehood in the United States after the Mexican-American War.
Manuel’s restaurant was located in Casa de Pedrorena, one of the historic adobe buildings still located within Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
It had originally been the residence of Miguel de Pedrorena, who arrived in San Diego in 1838. The house, built in 1869 for his bride Dona Maria Estudillo, is now designated as a California Historical Landmark.
Don Miguel was a prominent citizen and a graduate of Oxford and Madrid Universities. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention at Monterey in 1849, the meeting held to draft a state constitution in preparation for California's admission to the United States.
At some point the old adobe house became commercial premises. It was a miner’s gem store and was followed by Manuel’s restaurant which operated there in the 1960s and 70s.
We’ve found old comments from customers who remember the restaurant’s beautiful garden and patio dining area and the fact that it served hearty Mexican and American food and ‘huge’ margaritas.
Manuel’s is long gone but the original adobe house Casa de Pedrorena can still be seen at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
This menu illustration shows some of San Diego’s historic sites, and also marks the planting of the First Palm, which was the first palm tree in San Diego and likely in all of California. It was planted in 1769 by Franciscan Father Junipero Serra.
Each order includes a print of the interior menu.
All printed in USA.
