Downtown San Diego is the Showpiece of San Diego and Home to the Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy

Downtown San Diego’s dynamic skyline has been reshaped by the robust growth of residential and commercial development. Downtown is continuing on its path to becoming an exciting and savvy urban environment, with a concentration on dynamic public projects such as new parks and open space, new cultural venues and enhanced public infrastructure.
Downtown San Diego is home to the famous Gaslamp District, Little Italy, Seaport Village & the revitalized East Village. The Thriving Community of Downtown San Diego |
Downtown boasts a beautiful natural
harbor, excellent restaurants, new and
historic hotels, a major shopping plaza
and lively nightlife that is second to none.
Hard to miss is the largest and one of the
most beautiful convention centers on the
West Coast. Downtown’s crowning
achievement is the state-of-the-art 42,000-
seat ballpark for the National League San
Diego Padres. Plus, downtown is the hub
of the regional transportation system,
making it easily accessible by car, bus,
Coaster, ferry, plane, train and trolley.
Since downtown’s revitalization began
36 years ago, more than 18,000 attached
homes have been built. These include
luxury and market-rate condos, spacious
lofts and affordable apartments. These
days, more than 36,000 people call the
vibrant downtown community their home. |
![]() Bay & Harbor Views |
![]() Unsurpassed Urban Living |
![]() Spacious Downtown Views |
The Horton Plaza Mall |
The easy-to-find Horton Plaza neighborhood
was named in honor of Alonzo
Horton, who founded New Town San
Diego in 1869. The star of this 15-block
area is the impressive Westfield Horton
Plaza (22) (619-239-8180). There are
more than 120 stores and restaurants,
including Macy’s, Levi’s and Nordstrom.
For great dining, make your way to the
fifth floor. Here you’ll find an excellent
award-winning Chinese restaurant called Panda Inn (22) (619-233-7800). Their
honey walnut shrimp is a great choice.
They also offer four hours of free parking,
when you dine here. Save 10% off your total bill with their coupon. |
![]() Horton Plaza Mall |
![]() Panda Inn Restaurant |
![]() Shops at Horton Plaza |
The Core of Downtown San Diego |
The heart of San Diego’s central business
district is called the Core, and
Broadway is its main street. High-rise
office and hotel buildings are in abundance
here. Calling the Core neighborhood
home are San Diego’s City Hall and
court buildings, along with major banks,
which comprise the financial district of
downtown. |
![]() Horton Plaza Mall |
![]() San Diego Symphony |
![]() Padres at PETCO Park |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Columbia & The Embarcadero |
The Columbia neighborhood, which
fronts San Diego Bay at the foot of Broadway,
is where you’ll find an incredible
number of things to see and do. At the
Embarcadero on the waterfront, you can
board the world’s oldest active sailing ship
and much more. The official boundaries
of this neighborhood are San Diego Bay
east to Union Street between Ash and F
streets. |
Maritime Museum |
USS Midway Museum |
![]() Summer Pops |
Explore Little Italy |
Little Italy is an eclectic neighborhood
with charming sidewalk cafés, delightful
little shops, and one-of-a-kind specialty
stores, which are reasons enough to discover
this downtown district. Look for
their landmark Little Italy sign (6) arched over India Street at the corner of
India and Cedar streets in the heart of
Little Italy. One event not to miss is their
17th annual Little Italy Festa held this
year on Sunday, Oct. 9 on India Street. |
![]() Bella Stanza |
![]() Fat City Restaurant |
![]() Filippi's Pizza Grotto |
The Marina District |
Downtown’s Marina neighborhood is a
vibrant panorama of eye-catching sky
scrapers, high-rise hotels and luxurious
condos that reflect the glimmering coastal
sunsets. Here too is the San Diego
Convention Center, named one of the
world’s top three convention centers twice
in the past six years. |
Richard Walker |
![]() New Childrens Museum |
Kansas City BBQ |
The East Village |
The East Village is the last of the downtown
neighborhoods to undergo
significant redevelopment. Boosted by the
success of PETCO Park, the Centre City
Development Corporation has given the
green light for builders to develop the
area. In fact, 15 residential units are
planned, including at least three affordable
housing buildings, as well as
significant office and commercial space. The 325-acre East Village is also home to PETCO Park (25), the National League San Diego Padres ballpark. This 42,685-seat venue is a state-of-the-art facility. Architecturally magnif icent, with natural stone and stucco exterior and beautiful landscaping, it combines the best sight lines in baseball with breathtaking views of San Diego. Ballpark guided tours (619-795-5011) are offered Tues.–Sun. Highly recommended is the popular cafe and coffeehouse The Mission (2) at 1250 J St. (619-232-7662), which is located in a charming historic house. Their specialties are delicious breakfast entrées like blueberry cornmeal pancakes, which are served in huge portions. Locals flock to their full-service coffee bar where they serve fresh ground coffee and espresso. Their patio seating is a great way to enjoy the lively East Village scene. Use their coupon to get 50% off One Entree. |
![]() East Village |
![]() PETCO Park |
The Mission |
Eclectic Hillcrest |
Just up the hill to the north of downtown
San Diego is Hillcrest (see map), a
charming uptown neighborhood. It’s
known for its interesting little shops, sidewalk
cafés and extensive restaurant row.
|
The Historic Gaslamp Quarter |
San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is where
history, fine dining, shopping and
entertainment come together in sights,
sounds and tastes. In fact, the 16-block
area between Fourth and Sixth avenues,
Broadway and the waterfront has been
designated a National Historic District.
Here you will find many beautifully reconstructed
buildings from a bygone era.
These buildings now house fashionable
restaurants, popular nightclubs, galleries,
shops, stylish apartments, lofts and
impressive offices. |
![]() Rei do Gado |
Cafe Sevilla |
Live Dancing at Cafe Sevilla |
Great Restaurants in Downtown San Diego |
Cafe Sevilla at 353 Fifth Ave. (619-233-5979) has been voted best Spanish and Tapas restaurant in San Diego numerous times. Enjoy the spirited music and flavorful cuisine of Spain. Their popular Gypsy Fusion Dinner Show ($47.50) is featured Sat. 7 p.m.–9:30 p.m., and their Classical Flamenco Dinner Show ($39.50) is performed Fri. 7 p.m.– 9:30 p.m. in the downstairs nightclub. The price includes a three-course-meal and the cover charge for the nightclub. Rei do Gado Brazilian Steak House at 939 Fourth Ave. (619-702-8464) is one of Downtown San Diego’s Top Rated restaurants. Break out of the ordinary. This Brazilian steak house will give you something to talk about as well as something to rave about. The real excitement begins when servers pass through the dining room with three-foot-long skewers, providing patrons with one of their many course selections, which include fillet mignon, top sirloin, ribs, chicken, lamb and ham like you have never had before. The Fish Market Restaurant Downtown at 750 N. Harbor Dr. (619-232-3474) has great harbor view seafood dining at its best. Located at the Embarcadero and also featuring the Top of the Market (619-234-4867) restaurant upstairs. These restaurants with their classy nautical decor definitely are some of the finest seafood restaurants on the West Coast. You’ll be impressed with their 100-plus seafood menu, oyster bar, sushi bar, cocktail bar and retail fish market. |
![]() Cafe Sevilla |
![]() Rei do Gado |
![]() The Fish Market |
Staying at a Hotel in Downtown San Diego |
The Omni Hotel San Diego at 675 L Street (619-231-6664) is located in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, across from the convention center, putting you close to the city's top sites and attractions. It offers the perfect escape, with contemporary accommodations that feature views of the bay, city or PETCO Park Stadium, as well as the impeccable service Omni Hotels is known for. |
![]() The Omni Hotel |
![]() Downtown Doubletree |
![]() Hotel Solamar |
Stay San Diego (27) (619-696-3280) has one of the most complete condo and vacation rental listings for downtown San Diego and beyond. That’s why vacationers, corporate travelers and newcomers can rest easy when they stay in a place that has lots of space and all the comforts of home. You can also take a virtual tour of lots of budget friendly studios, luxurious multi-million dollar highrises with incredible San Diego Bay views, and everything in between. |




























