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Known for its nightlife, the Gaslamp Quarter is a lively, vibrant downtown neighborhood in San Diego with numerous dive bars and cocktail lounges. The historic district makes of 16 square blocks of downtown San Diego with Victorian-era buildings and modern skyscrapers that stand side by side, where you will find 100 fine restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, and retail shops.
Gaslamp Quarters is a vibrant and cultural neighborhood that features theatres, art galleries, symphony halls, concert halls, and museums, such as Spreckels and Balboa theaters that have diverse programs of music, comedy, and dramas.
Shopping
In the Gaslamp Quarter, you will find a variety of trendy boutiques that line the busy streets. Along the streets of Gaslamp Quarter, you get San Diego souvenirs for family and friends.
Food & Drink
Gaslamp Quarter has every type of cuisine and dining options from fresco dining on the sidewalks, to sky-high dining at a rooftop lounge, or intimate fine dining. Along with dining options, you will find a variety of San Diego craft beer to try in restaurants and pubs, along with numerous wine options.
Sports
Take in a baseball game at Petco Park, located on the edge of downtown or take in the game from The Park in the Park ball field. The Park is a great spot to catch a baseball game but also has some of San Diego’s most popular eateries and local craft beers.
Museums and Attractions
Discover the vibrant past of the former neighborhood at the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House, or explore educational exhibitions at the Children’s Museum, climb aboard and explore the U.S.S. Midway Museum, take a ride on the carousel and grab candy in Seaport Village, or catch a ride on the trolley for a quick trip to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo.
Nighttime
As the sun goes down, the Gaslamp Quarter transforms into a cosmopolitan playground where many people come out for a fun night of fine dining, craft cocktails, live theatre, music, and dancing. There are many famous restaurants in the neighborhood that feature celebrity chefs, or enjoy signature cocktails at a rooftop bar or let loose on the dance floor at a San Diego nightclub.
Fin Gaslamp Quarter Packs Awesome Adventure
There’s lots to uncover and fill your weekend when you visit the Gaslamp Quarter. The neighborhood has an exciting and colorful past from ghostly hauntings to the wild west. Here are some things to know about the Gaslamp Quarter.
- New Town – The center of San Diego was the area known today as Old Town. However, in 1867 Alonzo Horton, known as the father of downtown, bought several hundred acres of waterfront property and began to develop what was once called “New Town.”
- The Gaslamp Name – The city installed 50 gas lamp streetlights to light up their new modern part of town, “New Town,” in the 1860s-1870s. As the name “New Town” faded out, and the city continued to grow with a Victorian feel, including the signature gas lamps, which in the end gave the area its name.
- Historic Buildings – the area has almost 100 landmark buildings in the walkable neighborhood that makes up the Gaslamp Quarter. The classic Victorian era landmarks give the community its unique character and charm. Now many of the buildings have been converted to museums, hotels, bars, restaurants, galleries, and shops. Famous historic buildings to visit include Yuma Building, Spencer Ogden Building, Old City Hall, St. James Hotel, and the Royal Pie Bakery Building. There are guided tours, such as walking tours, photo tours, and Segway tours to enjoy.
- Haunted Happenings – Gaslamp Quarter has a colorful past. The Davis-Horton House (a historical museum) been called by many the “most haunted house in the Gaslamp Quarter” and has been documented for paranormal activity, being featured on My Ghost Story segment in 2012. If you are feeling brave, you can take the Ghost of the Gaslamp waling tour at the Davis-Horton House.
You won’t be bored when you visit the Gaslamp Quarter for the weekend. In fact, you’ll be busy trying to fit in all the activities into a few short days. The district has something for everyone to enjoy.
