Gaslamp Quarter is one of San Diego’s historic neighborhoods. It is a popular area of approximately 16 blocks which has some of the city’s best shopping, dining and nightlife.
The development of Gaslamp Quarter began in 1867 after real estate developer; Alonzo Horton arrived in San Diego and bought the land in the area for $256. The neighborhood at the time was known as New Town in contrast of the Old Town where the Spanish Colonials settled when coming to San Diego. Horton hoped to create a new city center and chose Fifth Avenue as the neighborhood’s main street. Gaslamp Quarter was named after the many gaslamps which existed all over San Diego during that time.
Gaslamp Quarter became popular with many gambling halls and saloons and later in the Twenty First century it was known as the Sailor’s Entertainment neighborhood and a red light district. It consequently faced a lot of decay as a result. In the 1970s there as increasing public interest in preserving the old buildings in Gaslamp Quarter, many of which were built during the Victorian era. After 1982, there were concerted efforts in redeveloping Gaslamp Quarter as a major city center, and the neighborhood was later declared a National Historic District and was listed in the U.S National Register of Historic Places.
Top San Diego Attractions and historic District
Today, Gaslamp Quarter is a major tourist attraction and a very popular neighborhood for locals. People come here to discover the delicious restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world. There are over a hundred places to eat at Gaslamp Quarter, but some of the best restaurants are Oceanaire Seafood and Bice Ristorante.For a great steak, head over to Donovan’s Steak & Chop House or George’s on Fifth.
If you’re in Gaslamp Quarter, you will find that shopping here is a blast. You will find stores selling everything from apparel, home furnishings, travel gear, accessories, gifts, books, music, jewelry, tobacco and more. There’s also Horton Plaza if you want to browse stores in a mall-like setting. If you like art, there are several galleries in the neighborhood such as the Chuck Jones Gallery, Alexander Salazar Fine Art Gallery, and Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts.
If you want to know where the best San Diego Bars are or where most of the fun Events in San Diego take place, look no further than the Gaslamp Quarter. This San Diego Attraction sees San Diego visitors looking for charming San Diego pubs, outstanding Restaurants in San Diego, and fun things to do in San Diego like Mardi Gras.
About San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Most San Diego visitors want to explore San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, which some say is the historic heart of San Diego. The Gaslamp Quarter is a 16-1/2-block neighborhood in downtown San Diego that is filled with exciting San Diego Bars, trendy Clubs in San Diego, and great San Diego Restaurants. The Gaslamp Quarter is a top San Diego Attraction because it’s hip, trendy, energetic, historic, and picturesque at the same time.
San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is home to some of the city’s most extensive and strikingly designed historic structures. These Victorian-style buildings, built between 1873 and 1930, are a sight to behold.
The Gaslamp Quarter’s Victorian-era buildings house nightclubs, restaurants, theaters, and shops. A short walk down 4th and 5th avenues will take you to the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.
The Horton Plaza and Horton Plaza Park are also located in the Gaslamp Quarter. The Plaza was the first location in the United States to have a water fountain with electric lights, a fitting tribute to the designer Alonzo Horton.
The Gaslamp Quarter got its name from the gaslamps that were popular in the area in the early 1900s. Gaslamps were the primary source of light for the area that is now the vision of Modern Day San Diego at the time.
Currently, the Gaslamp Quarter is home to over 130 stores and shops. Gaslamp Quarter has everything from Macy’s to Mervyns for you to see and do. A multi-screen movie theater is located in Horton Plaza and is sure to please moviegoers.
The Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego should not be overlooked for a memorable experience. There’s a lot to do here, from fine dining to shopping. San Diego has something for everyone when it comes to family vacations.
Why You Should Visit San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
If you want to experience some of the best Dining in San Diego, head to the Gaslamp Quarter. When you’re looking for things to do in San Diego like hopping the San Diego Bars or attending annual Events in San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter is where you’ll want to be.
Some of the best San Diego Events take place in the Gaslamp Quarter, like the city’s famous Mardi Gras celebration. In the Gaslamp Quarter, you’ll be able to visit local-favorite brewpubs, take part in San Diego’s Street Scene Music Festival, and attend ShamROCK, a popular San Diego Event on St. Patrick’s Day.
Tips for Visiting San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Quarter is a San Diego Attraction located within walking distance of San Diego Hotels, so you may want to leave your car at the hotel and explore this exciting area by foot.
Gaslamp Quarter is well known in San Diego for its incredible nightlife. With over 35 pubs and nightclubs in the neighborhood, there is no chance of ever being bored. For a great night out, drop by Field Authentic Irish Pub & Restaurant, Café Sevilla, Stingaree, Side Bar, or 207 at the Hard Rock Café. Be sure to enjoy some live music at Croce’s Restaurant and Bar, Dick’s Last Resort and Henry’s Pub.
Gaslamp Quarter is also home to some great events and festivals which take place throughout the year. Check out the fun Mardi Gras celebrations in Gaslamp Quarter or the annual Film Festival which takes place in late September of every year. Don’t miss out on SHAMRock on St. Patrick’s Day and the Comic Con Convention in July. In June, be sure to discover the Taste of Gaslamp, an urban food extravaganza which allows you to get samplings of some of the best restaurants in the neighborhood.
If you want to soak in some of Gaslamp Quarter’s incredible history, the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation offers a guided walking tour of the neighborhood recreating its history from the late 19th Century until today. You can also tour the city with Another Side of San Diego Tour using Segways.
Gaslamp Quarter is located on 4th and 5th Avenue between Broadway and Harbor Drive.
See how many of the 94 original Victorian Era buildings you can spot in the Gaslamp Quarter, an area known for its history but celebrated today for its modern energy.
If you want to experience some amazing Shopping in San Diego, head to the Gaslamp Quarter and work your way through Horton Plaza, a fun outdoor mall in San Diego.
Interesting Facts About Gaslamp Quarter
- San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter still keeps its famous Gaslamp Quarter Sign erected for San Diego visitors to view.
- The Gaslamp Quarter is home to famous San Diego structures like the Yuma Building and the Backesto Building.
- The Gaslamp Quarter is practically the only section of downtown San Diego that is free from towering skyscrapers and high rises.
- The historic gas lamps that lined the streets of the Quarter in its early years are still up and working in this exciting district, which sits just blocks away from San Diego Hotels.
Gaslamp Quarter Location and Contact Information
San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is comprised of the streets surrounding 614 5th Avenue (San Diego Gaslamp Association), San Diego, CA 92101 – Tel: 619.233.5227
