RUST

RUST RUST General Store is a unique coffee shop and restaurant located in the historic Old Town San Diego State Park. The store offers products that reflect the history and culture of San Diego during the transitional period from 1846-1872, with an emphasis on Northern European influences and trading partners. RUST's goal is to provide visitors with an authentic shopping experience while also offering interesting and useful products for the modern visitor.

Recent social media posts

09/22/2026

Things you didn’t know we had at the Rust General Store
-Popcorn on the cob — yes, it’s a real thing!
-Books
-Old-fashioned games for some good old-fashioned fun
🧂 Flavored salts to take your cooking up a notch
We’ve got a little bit of everything, and you never know what you’re going to discover when you wander in.
Come take a look around Old Town and see what you find!
VintageFinds OldFashioned SanDiegoThingsToDo

CARAMEL LOVERS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU! Our delicious caramels are BACK IN STOCK at The Rust General Store! We’ve got four i...
08/25/2026

CARAMEL LOVERS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!
Our delicious caramels are BACK IN STOCK at The Rust General Store!
We’ve got four irresistible flavors to choose from:
-Celtic Sea Salt
-Salted Chocolate
-Butterscotch
-Salted Mocha
Perfect for treating yourself, grabbing a little something sweet, or taking a few home for later (if you can resist eating them first)
Come stock up while they’re here!
📍 The Rust General Store — Old Town San Diego
ShopLocal OldTownSD CandyShop SanDiegoEats TreatYourself

✨ Something sweet has arrived in the Kids Section at Rust General Store! ✨Meet our newest little treasures — beautifully...
08/17/2026

✨ Something sweet has arrived in the Kids Section at Rust General Store! ✨
Meet our newest little treasures — beautifully handcrafted mice, dressed in the sweetest vintage-inspired outfits🐭🌸 From the floral-dressed little mouse to the cozy sleepy-time friend, these charming pieces are made to spark imagination and add a touch of storybook magic to a child’s room.
Perfect for little collectors, thoughtful gifts, or anyone who can’t resist a tiny bit of whimsy. 💕✨
Come discover them in the Kids Section at Rust General Store!
WhimsicalKids StorybookMagic KidsGifts VintageInspired ShopLocal

🚨PRODUCT OF THE WEEK 🚨Elevate every meal with our handcrafted Flavored Sea Salts! Whether you’re firing up the grill, ro...
07/29/2026

🚨PRODUCT OF THE WEEK 🚨
Elevate every meal with our handcrafted Flavored Sea Salts!
Whether you’re firing up the grill, roasting veggies, seasoning steaks, or adding a finishing touch to your favorite dishes, these unique blends bring big flavor with just a pinch.
This week’s featured flavors:
-Hickory Smoked
-Mesquite Smoked
-Ghost Pepper
-Scorpion Pepper
Stop by Rust General Store in the heart of Old Town San Diego and find your new favorite seasoning.

🚨NEW SWEET ARRIVAL! 🚨Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you! We just stocked Hammond’s Handcrafted Chocolate Bars at The R...
07/16/2026

🚨NEW SWEET ARRIVAL! 🚨
Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you! We just stocked Hammond’s Handcrafted Chocolate Bars at The Rust General Store, and they’re as delicious as they are unique.

From classic favorites to fun flavors like:
Cookies & Cream
Sea Salt Caramel
Espresso Martini
Bourbon Pecan
Mint Chocolate
Cookie Dough
Pigs N’ Tails
S’mores. Malted Milkshake
Fudge Brownie
Birthday Cake Which flavor are you trying first? Tell us in the comments! 👇

Our brand-new menu is here at Rust General Store & Bistro in the heart of Old Town San Diego! Whether you’re stopping in...
07/14/2026

Our brand-new menu is here at Rust General Store & Bistro in the heart of Old Town San Diego! Whether you’re stopping in for your morning latte, cooling off with a prickly pear lemonade, or treating yourself to an ice cream float, we’ve got something for everyone!
Come check out the new menu, discover a new favorite.

07/11/2026

What I Ordered vs. What I Got:
Expectation: A cozy summer treat.
Reality: Pure s’mores perfection.

Our summer special get it hot or iced!
#

Swedish-style candy has arrived at The Rust General Store! 🇸🇪From fruity sour bites and sour butterflies to mango, pinea...
06/27/2026

Swedish-style candy has arrived at The Rust General Store! 🇸🇪
From fruity sour bites and sour butterflies to mango, pineapple-orange, and strawberry-blueberry flavors, these treats are as fun as they are delicious!
Stop by and discover your new favorite candy! Which one are you trying first?

06/26/2026

Our pickled favorites are officially back in stock at the Rust General Store! From crunchy classics to bold, tangy flavors, there’s something for every pickle lover.
So tell us… which one is your favorite? 👇

05/20/2026

Tea poured ✔️
Finger sandwiches enjoyed ✔️
Sweet treats served ✔️
Cute memories made ✔️
Join us May 23 & 24 at Rust General Store for a charming High Tea experience featuring tea, finger sandwiches, and delightful treats
Bring your favorite people and sip the afternoon away with us
📍 Rust General Store | Old Town San Diego
✨ Limited seating available


Reservations can be found at https://tableagent.com/san-diego/rust-general-store/

Your perfect Old Town stop is here  SIP: Sarsaparilla FloatEAT: Chocolate Chip CookieBUY: San Diego CandleTreat yourself...
05/20/2026

Your perfect Old Town stop is here
SIP: Sarsaparilla Float
EAT: Chocolate Chip Cookie
BUY: San Diego Candle
Treat yourself while exploring Old Town and take a little piece of San Diego home with you ✨
Stop by Rust General Store and make it a sweet day 🤎
OldTownSD SanDiegoCoffee SupportLocal VisitOldTown SanDiegoLife

Address

2720 Calhoun Street
San Diego, CA
92110

From downtown San Diego, take a bus or trolley to the Old Town Transit Center. From there, transfer to Bus 44 and get off at the Calhoun Street stop. Walk one block east and you will find the coffee shop/restaurant.

If driving, take the I-5 south and exit onto Sea World Drive. Turn left onto Pacific Highway and continue until you reach Barnett Avenue. Turn right onto Barnett Avenue, then left onto Midway Drive. Follow Midway Drive until you reach Kemper Street, where you should turn right. Follow Kemper Street until you reach Calhoun Street and turn left. Parking can be found along Calhoun Street or on nearby side streets.

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 9pm
Sunday 9am - 8pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when RUST posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to RUST:

Share

Category

What people say

RUST is a unique and fascinating coffee shop and restaurant located in the heart of San Diego's Old Town State Historic Park. The store is designed to transport visitors back in time to the American/Transitional period from 1846-1872, with products that reflect the history and culture of the people living in and trading with San Diego during that era.

Since opening its doors in July 2011, RUST has continued to expand its product lines, highlighting the influence of Northern European travelers, traders, and residents who found their way to San Diego. The store also offers products from other ports of trade such as Peru, Hawaii, and the Philippines.

What sets RUST apart is its commitment to reproducing an ambiance and shopping experience that is appropriate for the historical time period while still offering products that are interesting and useful for modern-day visitors. Whether you're looking for a unique souvenir or simply want to enjoy a cup of coffee in a one-of-a-kind setting, RUST is definitely worth a visit.

The staff at RUST are friendly and knowledgeable about the history behind each product they offer. The coffee shop also serves up delicious drinks and snacks that are perfect for fueling up before exploring the rest of Old Town.

Overall, RUST is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history or simply looking for a unique shopping experience. With its charming ambiance, fascinating products, and friendly staff, it's no wonder why this store has become such a beloved fixture in San Diego's historic district.