Subscribe now for my best San Diego, theme park, and luxury hotel tips in addition to thoughts on our recent travels delivered straight to your inbox, for absolutely free. The downtown area is the home of the San Diego Symphony and the San Diego Opera as well as multiple theaters and several museums. The roads are then numbered and are called avenues, starting at 1st Avenue and continuing to Park Boulevard (12th Avenue). The San Diego Legion have earned a first round playoff bye and will host the Western Conference Championship on July 2nd, 2023 at Snapdragon Stadium. The Mission Brewery began producing craft beer over a century ago. And, she loves walking along the downtown Embarcadero and Little Italy. SEAL Tours depart from both Seaport Village and further up the Embarcadero. In 1886 the city's first electric lights and first streetcars were established in New Town. A diverse selection of stores can be found in Old Town like Cousin's Candy for fresh homemade taffy, Toby's Candle Shop where you can make your own candles and the Johnson House specializing in millinery. The massive stadium has a seating capacity for over forty thousand and has seen some record-breaking games on its fields. Its a neighborhood crammed with bars, clubs, restaurants and well, one or two amazing all-night dives too. Riding the trolley car is a great way of getting orientated and finding out where all the exciting things to do in the Downtown San Diego area are. People flocked to the area, known as New Town, because of its better access to shipping. Firefighters and police rushed to the scene as the flames . Downtown. WATCH: Hundreds Gawk at Deafening, Dangerous Downtown San Diego Come down on Sunday, July 16 to enjoy a concert with Slightly Stoopid and Sublime with Rome on the. Unearth new restaurants, unknown bars, and under-appreciated foods. Msg and data rates may apply. The signature cartoon seal painted on the side is appropriate because youre likely to see seals and sea lions. Parking is mainly concentrated in various "pay to park" lots, with metered parking spaces alongside most streets. Man in Custody After Attacking 6 People, Stabbing 2 in Downtown San Some tours even go as far north as La Jolla Cove. Residents especially need to remember to use the variety of services on offer, including checking out books. 619.232.3101. > Learn More about San Diego's Nightlife Scene. Then, its a straight shot up the I-5 freeway that is an easy drive. Theres an exclusive Harley Davidson outlet and a kite shop where you can fly your kite before you buy it. In 1885, the transcontinental railroad reached San Diego. Its located on the San Diego Bay in front of the Waterfront Park, near the corner of W. Ash Street and N. Harbor Drive. Downtown San Diego shooting: One shot near Commerical Street, road Its permanently docked now at Navy Pier. Snap a Photo with Unconditional Surrender, 5. Westfield Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego offers Macy's, Jimbo's gourmet market, & 24-hour fitness and is evolving into tech office space with local retail on the lower level. If a moving sea vessel is more your style, hop on a harbor cruise and explore the bay, while taking in the skyline views. The partners under Davis's leadership purchased 160 acres (65ha) of land in what is now Downtown San Diego. Look down on the pedestrians below while sipping a drink by the glass-walled balcony, look out over the Petco Stadium or just soak up the vistas of the bay. The San Diego Symphony is headquartered at Copley Symphony Hall, a renovated movie palace on 7th Avenue originally built in 1929 as the Fox Theater. The MCASD usually has two centers, but La Jolla, the main MCASD museum, is temporarily closed for renovation and extension work. Spend the Night in a Downtown San Diego Hotel, exclusive discounts on theme park tickets, Timken Museum of Art: Highlights, Tickets, and Tips, Fiesta Island San Diego: Where to Go & Things to Do, 20 Best Things to Do in Old Town San Diego, Whaley House Museum: Hauntings, Highlights, & Tips, Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar: With outlets all over San Diego, its a familiar name. The San Diego Tourism Authority is funded in part by the San Diego Tourism Marketing District Corporation with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District assessment funds. Book your iRide tour. The museums here and at the current Mission site, the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcal in Mission Valley, have excellent exhibits about the area's early history. Save to a list. Around 9:46 p.m., officers were . California News, Good Evening San Diego, Good Morning San Diego, Local San Diego News. The $9 million project is intended to revitalize the 1.4-acre urban park, including the Civic Pond built in 1995. Alternatively, go Greek at the Greek Islands Cafe or fill up on a delectable fish dish on the bayside terrace at Marions Fish Market. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, otherwise known as MCASD, focuses on works of art in all media from 1950 to the present day. Fireworks will be discharged simultaneously from barges placed strategically around the Bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero North, Marina District and Coronado Ferry Landing. Get off anytime you like to explore a different downtown district, or any other stop, on this lengthy loop tour, then when youre ready to move jump back on again. GoCar Tours offers visitors the opportunity to rent a sporty go-cart style vehicle to see the city, complete with GPS audio directions to guide you where you want to go. Outside of Padres games, a guided tour of PETCO Parkalso enables visitors to go behind the scenes to see the Padres dugout, the press box, and more. During the day, families can enjoy compelling cultural attractions in San Diego's downtown such as The New Children's Museum; take in a baseball game at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres; or catch the San Diego Trolley to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. Many people staying in Downtown head over to the Mission Bay area to go to SeaWorld San Diego (get my discount tickets here). San Diego Police Department struggling to juggle homeless crisis and violent crime. They laid out a street plan for New Town and built a wharf and warehouse. The Spreckels Theater at 1st and Broadway, in continuous operation since 1912, hosts local and traveling performances and productions. Old Town San Diego features acres of Mexican heritage, historical sites, colorful shops, eclectic restaurants, a theater and tons more to explore. Compared to other escape rooms, these are definitely different. Entrance to Seaport Village and The Headquarters is free. Petco Park, a baseball ballpark used by the San Diego Padres, opened in 2004. A passenger ferry connects downtown San Diego with Coronado, and San Diego Bay harbor tours depart from Harbor Drive. Along the way, riders will travel through the surrounding cities of Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, and National City before finishing back at the start/finish line at Embarcadero Marina Park in downtown San Diego. Located only minutes from the airport, San Diego's thriving urban center offers an abundance of options for accommodations, activities, dining and cultural attractions, all easily accessible by foot, bike, car or public transportation. Its possible to join the tour at several stops in Downtown, including at Seaport Village, the Embarcadero, and in the Gaslamp Quarter. Located in the heart of the Embarcadero, the focus of the USS Midway Museum is the Midway itself. Experience physically distanced bungalow-style Stop in for a quick bite at Bronze Bird Food Wine & Spirits, located a short walk from the Convention Center. Hop on one of the cheerfully bright, green and orange, trolley cars at the Petco Park or the Gaslamp Quarter stops in Downtown San Diego to tour the streets in style. Redeveloped in the 1980s, the Gaslamp Quarter is a 16-block area of Downtown known as one of San Diegos premier sports for restaurants, bars, clubs, nightlife, music. Each restored room reflects an era of the homes history. Geographically, Cabrillo National Monument is not too far from Downtown San Diego. Construction will begin immediately and is expected to be completed by the summer . Its fantastic! One of the reasons people visit San Diego and focus on the downtown area is that other popular attractions are short drives away. Here, youll also find public seating in case youd like to take a break from sightseeing. The neighborhood also boasts of convenient access to public transportation, proximity to the San Diego Bay, and some of Downtown's best places to grab a drink or watch live music! On the Coronado side, the Ferry Landing departure and arrivals area is also a fun complex of shops and restaurants. 2 msg/mo. They often have discounted tickets on Groupon. Itll be hard to choose between those, fire roasted chicken, marinated pork ribs or lamb steaks. The San Diego Tourism Authority is funded in part by the San Diego Tourism Marketing District Corporation with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District assessment funds. Shop, Dine, and Drink in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, 17. Make sure you dont miss out on anything and add these fifteen of the best things to do in Downtown San Diego to your must do list. Its not a large museum but housed in a mission-style building that served as the Chinese Community Church and English language class learning center for new immigrants. ThePort of San Diego Big Bay Boom July 4th Fireworks Show is back, promising another spectacular display over San Diego Bay. Downtown & Urban Neighborhoods. I do believe its worthwhile. A several-block area of Downtown San Diego, just blocks from the waterfront Embarcadero, was originally the home of Italian-American fishermen and their families. Unlike many cities, traffic during rush hour flows away from the city in the morning, and into the city at night - so for tourists, the trip is quick! Service each way runs seven days a week, every hour from morning until evening check the schedule for exact times. [10] Davis's wharf had fallen to pieces by then, but Horton realized the area was still ideal for a harbor. Constructed in 1825, Casa de Estudillo unveils the lifestyle of a prominent San Diego family. Our travel recommendations are based on our personal experiences and research, written by locals and travel experts with deep familiarity with the destination. Walk toward the tall buildings and cruise ship terminals, and youll pass some San Diego attractions mentioned below along the way. There are many ways that visitors may tour San Diego Bay. State Route163 (SR163) ends in downtown with the southbound lane of the freeway becoming 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue becoming the northbound lane at Ash Street. The Tuna Harbor Dockside Markethappens every Saturday from 8 a.m.3 p.m. on a harborside dock on the northern edge of Seaport Village. When you book a hotel or tour that we link to, we may earn a commission. Need some inspiration? Take the 15-minute ride on the Coronado Ferry. In 1867, Alonzo Horton purchased 800 acres (320ha) of pueblo lands in the current Downtown area, and in 1869 he added Davis's 160 acres (65ha) to his holdings; the area was referred to as the Horton Addition. [16] Despite this, low- and mid-rise buildings were beginning construction. There is also parking available at the County operation center (located between Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway, just north of Ash), as well as Horton Plaza and Seaport Village shopping areas. San Diego Children's Park Redevelopment - NBC 7 San Diego San Diego's public transportation system is efficient and cost-effective. You can take self-guided or docent-led tours of Central Library to see its stunning architecture, multiple art installations (150 individual works of art from the Civic Art Collection), rare books room, teen room, childrens library, 3-D printing lab, and more. For fun on land, head to the The Headquarters at Seaport to grab a gourmet bite or browse for one-of-a-kind take-home treasures. Be sure to check the schedule for current exhibitionsandpublic programs. This Ultimate Night Downtown will guide a reader from happy hour to dinner, then maybe a craft cocktaillounge, a rooftop barand finally a pulsing nightclub. On the hillside overlooking Old Town is Presidio Park where Father Junipero Serra founded the first California Spanish Mission in 1769. See also: 20 Best Things to Do in Coronado. The bar is on the twenty-second floor and has incredible views over the city. Come down to the bay and enjoy the biggest fireworks show in San Diego! The downtown area is served by the San Diego City Schools. Discover other nearby San Diego neighborhoods such as Mission Valley, Point Loma, Harbor Island and Shelter Island. This market enables local chefs and the public to get closer to their food sources and understand the value of locally-sourced and sustainable seafood. Coordinates: 324254N 1170945W San Diego ( Spanish for ' Saint Didacus '; / sn dieo / SAN dee-AY-goh, Spanish: [san djeo]) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico-United States border. View all details meals, features, about Location and contact 1065 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101-4802 0.8 miles from USS Midway Museum Website Email +1 619-231-4447 Improve this listing Menu PUB Big Ass Nachos The food is so good. Theyre a must-do when visiting Downtown San Diego with kids. Our menu blends some Local favorites, pub-style grub, and coastal inspirations resulting in a delicious variety of . By the 1880s New Town had totally eclipsed Old Town (as it is called to this day) as the heart of the growing city. 4,992 Followers, 1,873 Following, 1,567 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from The Local Downtown San Diego (@localsandiego) The Local Downtown San Diego (@localsandiego) - Instagram NBC Universal, Inc. [17] In 1985, Downtown underwent more redevelopment with the completion of Horton Plaza, the Gaslamp Quarter revival, and the completion of the San Diego Convention Center. San Diego has become increasingly renowned in recent years for its locally-crafted beers and its budding food and restaurant culture. And once you are in the city, ride share and scooter programs including Circuit, Uber and Lyft provide great alternatives to move around town. San Diego Comic Con is held inside the San Diego Convention Center, but the convention has expanded to other nearby hotels, parks, and plazas which include the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Omni San Diego Hotel and Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego as major supporting venues. Fashion Valley, . [34][35] California Western School of Law is located downtown.[36]. This fabulous San Diego museum is one of the best things to do in Downtown San Diego with kids (especially if they are young). One of the first attractions youll encounter if walking south on the Embarcadero from the airport is the Maritime Museum of San Diego. See also: Tips for Visiting the USS Midway Museum and Top 10 Things to Do in San Diego. News - KUSI.com - McKinnon Broadcasting The park, which faces onto San Diego Bay, has garden terraces, play zones and picnic areas plus the biggest attraction, interactive water fountains where you can swim and splash. [1] In 1852, a San Diego grand jury called for the removal of several Kumeyaay villages close to any White settlement and the village of Tisirr was razed to the ground.[9]. 619.232.3101. The definitive list of all the spots you should hit. Discover San Diego's Urban Side. Just minutes from downtown, explore the history, legacy, and future of this ever changing, always amazing cultural park. The museum is also well-known for its ability to restore old ships, themed sailing tours on the bay, and for being an excellent showcase of maritime history. You may bring a bicycle (free), but only service animals are allowed. Explore the Museum of Contemporary Art, 12. Today, Little Italy is an upscale, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood that has been dramatically gentrified in recent years to feature some of San Diegos best restaurants, trendy cocktail bars, and boutique shopping. The interior dcor is lavish from the foyers cupola ceiling to the statuettes in alcoves either side of the stage. Then, the amphibious bus-boat vehicle plunges into the waters of the San Diego Bay. The best things to do in Downtown San Diego include these bay tours, museums, rooftop pools, Little Italy and Gaslamp Quarter spots, more. San Diego Travel Guide: Vacation + Trip Ideas - Leisure The San Diego Tourism Authority is funded in part by the San Diego Tourism Marketing District Corporation with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District assessment funds. The general pattern is that even numbered streets head south, and odd numbered streets go north. Go Back in Time Witness the living legacy of California's birthplace in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. At a glance, it looks as though the Quarter is stuck in the Victorian era, and it is classed as a historic district, but the nightlife in the Quarter is bang up to date. [5] Several people built houses there, including the still-standing William Heath Davis House, now a museum. The impeccably choreographed display will last approximately 18 minutes. Visit the eight-block section adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter that comprises the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District(APTHD). Discover Downtown San Diego, CA Trains & Trolleys in San Diego, California Due to San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field)'s proximity to downtown, there is a FAA imposed 500-foot height restriction on all buildings within a 1.5-mile radius of the runway. GoCar Tours offers an all-day rental or a three-hour Point Loma and Beaches tour. San Diego International Airport is just northwest of downtown. 19 Stellar Spots for Waterfront Dining in San Diego See all of Downtown from the Altitude Sky Lounge, a rooftop bar, at the Marriott Hotel in The Gaslamp Quarter. 3. Get $5 off any cruise: San Diego Harbor Tour, Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride, Whale Watching, Nightly Dinner With its unique identity as a beach town, a border city, a bustling international port and a former frontier burg, San Diego has mixed and matched architectural styles to surprising and sometimes dazzling effect over the decades. Translated as "marketplace of the world," Bazaar del Mundo features award-winning restaurants and international shops with a dazzling array of ethnic clothing, jewelry, pottery, furnishings and many other treasures. Explore the San Diego Bay with the local, Flagship Cruises. (351) Located in Downtown San Diego's historic Spreckels building, Tapas & Beers is a French and Spanish Restaurant. Learn how your comment data is processed. Welcome to beautiful San Diego. But, this isnt your average symphony as theyve done a fantastic job of evolving with the times. [30] Other government buildings downtown include City Hall and other city administration buildings, the San Diego Police Headquarters at 14th and Broadway, the State of California office building at 1350 Front Street, and a three-block federal office complex at 8th and Front streets. Interrupted by the restrictions of prohibition, it went out of business only to be resurrected years later. Your email address will not be published. Downtown San Diego hotel to be vacated because of 'deplorable It has over 50 shops and 13 restaurants. Baseball fans should pop into the Sullivan Family Baseball Research Center, the largest baseball research collection outside the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Its cool, and I highly suggest it if youre visiting with the kids (or without) during its season. Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. Downtown is the heart of San Diego and there's not shortage of ways to get into the action. Its one of the best free things to do in Downtown San Diego especially if you have kids with you. But, since you take surface streets the whole way, it takes longer than you might think. Its also located in a historic building, the old Santa Fe Depot baggage terminal. There are also numerous rumors of ghost sightings in the areamost persistently at the old Whaley House Museum on San Diego Avenue. Attached is the Lyceum Theatre offering live theatre performances . Downtown San Diego - Wikipedia The Local Pacific Beach. The free annual Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayois a three days with its bustling mercado, non-stop music and live entertainment, lucha libre wrestling, and a huge display of lowriders and other incredible autos! Its a large public park, with our historic courthouse in the center, that features water fountain jets that kids (and adults) can cool down in, reflecting pools, grassy areas, and state-of-the-art play equipment for kids. Details about upcoming concerts and events are available on the San Diego Symphonys website. The odds are that if visiting Downtown San Diego, youll pass through it anyway. |750 B Street, Suite 1500, San Diego, CA 92101TEL. More than 200 cruise ships a year call at the cruise ship terminal. [6] John Judson Ames wrote a prospectus for a newspaper, the San Diego Herald in December 1850, soliciting advertisements and subscriptions from the towns-people;[7] the first issue was published on May 29, 1851. Take a tour of the brewery, then stop in in the tasting room for samples and get the inside information on what youre drinking from the in-house beer ambassadors. The locally caught La Jolla spot prawns (below) come last. Caf Coyote enchants with its festive dcor, massive margaritas, strolling mariachis and open-air atmosphere. Take a tour of San Diego on these big wheel scooters with iRide. Required fields are marked *. Nightclubs such as the House of Blues and Croce's feature well-known musical groups. Tickets come with unlimited hop-on, hop-off privileges, too. If you do the latter, be sure to have Global Entry or Sentri for expedited customs lines. Next to the USS Midway Museum, youll find the enormous and slightly controversial Unconditional Surrender statue, and its part of a series of sculptures bySeward Johnson. Constructed in 1856 on a former gallows' site, the house was once home to the Whaley family as well as San Diego's first theater and county courthouse. They have intriguing tales to tell about the residents and workers who once called them home. Just south of downtown sits the vibrant East Village, a revitalized warehouse district with a hip social scene, plus trendy cafes, craft beer bars and a high-energy vibe. Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. See also: 16 Best Downtown San Diego Hotels and Tips for Visiting San Diego Zoo. Ride the bridge, Bike the Bay for the 16th annual ride on Sunday, August 27, 2023!