Welcome to Downtown
Dynamic urban district with many attractions and amenities
Downtown San Diego is the dynamic urban core of the United States’ eighth-largest city. This bustling district is packed with attractions and amenities. The Gaslamp Quarter is an energetic 16-block area featuring a great variety of restaurants, nightlife spots, and cultural venues. Little Italy offers an eclectic dining scene with both traditional Italian trattorias and innovative chef-driven restaurants. Museums, parks, and the Petco Park home of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres can be found close to the San Diego Bay waterfront.
Downtown’s eclectic neighborhoods offer a diverse array of housing options. There are many well-preserved examples of Victorian architecture and luxury high-rise residential towers overlooking the San Diego Bay. The former industrial zone of East Village features stylish loft conversions and contemporary condo developments.
What to Love
- The Gaslamp Quarter
- Little Italy’s Top Chef Alley
- Baseball at Petco Park
- Museums and theaters
People & Lifestyle
Downtown is San Diego’s ultimate live/work/play district. From the Gaslamp Quarter’s exciting atmosphere to the fine dining of Little Italy’s Top Chef Alley, there is always something new to discover here. This exciting area is also packed with many of San Diego’s top attractions.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
The Gaslamp Quarter is a hub of activity during both day and night. This exciting district is full of boutiques, bars, hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs housed in an attractive mix of Victorian and modern buildings. Café 21 is a fine choice at any time of day with delicious Mediterranean meals made using fresh and mostly organic local ingredients. Start the day at Café 21 with a hearty brunch, grab a giant salad for lunch, or stop by between 3 pm and 6 pm to dine on $4 tapas plates. This popular spot also offers great cocktails and live music. Osteria Panevino serves delicious handmade pasta and elegant Italian entrees alongside an extensive wine list. Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine at the Pendry Hotel is an upscale seafood destination with great sushi, small plates, and refined coastal cooking. San Diego is famed for its craft beer scene, and Gaslamp Quarter pubs such as barleymash and Karl Strauss offer a great selection of local ales. Options for nighttime drinks in the Gaslamp Quarter also include chic rooftop lounges such as the Hard Rock Hotel’s poolside Float, the Hyatt’s VIP steakhouse The Rooftop by STK, and The Nolen’s sophisticated bar and lounge with firepits and skyline views. Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy is popularly known as Top Chef Alley for its world-class collection of premier eateries. Highlights include romantic dining and a lively bar scene at Juniper & Ivy, an all-day menu of tasty chicken and egg dishes at The Crack Shack, health-conscious vegan cuisine at Café Gratitude, neighborhood wine shop and local bar Vino Carta, and mouthwatering wood-fired specialties at the sprawling and iconic Herb & Wood. Options for Italian dining in Little Italy range from authentic classics at traditional favorites such as Buon Appetito and Mona Lisa, to contemporary Sicilian cuisine at Pop Art-themed Barbusa and modern dishes with lots of vegan options at Civico 1845. On the San Diego Bay waterfront, Seaport Village is an attractive hub of restaurants, retailers, and art galleries with numerous options for Bayside dining.
Things to Do
The San Diego Civic Theatre is a revered venue a few blocks north of the Gaslamp Quarter, staging a variety of concerts, musicals, and performances from the San Diego Opera. The Lyceum Theatre is a performance complex in the Gaslamp Quarter featuring two cutting-edge theaters and an art gallery. Also in the Gaslamp Quarter, House of Blues San Diego offers performances from diverse touring acts alongside a menu of Southern fare such as po’boys and jambalaya. The Gaslamp Quarter is at the center of some of San Diego’s biggest annual events. These include February’s San Diego Mardi Gras and the Saint Patrick’s Day ShamROCK celebration. Between the Gaslamp Quarter and the waterfront, Petco Park offers the best sightlines in baseball set against a stunning backdrop of the San Diego skyline. The Museum of Contemporary Art is another major Downtown attraction featuring an exceptional collection of post-World War II artworks. The New Children’s Museum has lots of fun, interactive exhibits for kids. Floating museums on the San Diego Bay include a maritime museum inside the world’s oldest active floating ship, the 1863 Star of India. The aircraft carrier the USS Midway entered service at the end of World War II and now houses a museum with many significant examples of historic aircraft. Waterfront Park and Embarcadero Marina Park both offer relaxing greenspace on the Bayfront, while sprawling 1,200-acre Balboa Park is a short distance to Downtown’s north.
Schools
Downtown San Diego is served by the San Diego Unified School District.
-
Washington Elementary, Public, Magnet, K-5
-
Roosevelt International Middle, Public, Magnet, 6-8
-
San Diego High School, Public, 9-12
