Gaslamp Quarter

Gaslamp is full of cafes, great nightlife and pedicabs! Visit PETCO Park, the cruise ship port, Balboa Park, Convention Center or tour the USS Midway.

By Todd Sarouhan

Last Updated on
Nov 15, 2023

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Gaslamp Quarter

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Highlights

Join Todd as he learns about the unique and sometimes sordid history of San Diego on the Brothels, Bites and Booze Tour. This tour also includes a sampling of the Gaslamp Quarter's finest food and drinks.

Go on the Brothels, Bites & Booze Tour

Nightlife, History & Baseball in the Gaslamp Quarter

The Salt and Whiskey Bar Under the Horton Grand Hotel

The Classic Old Spaghetti Factory in the Gaslamp

Nightlife in the Gaslamp

Gaslamp Quarter is a stunning blend of vintage and trendy. This picturesque neighborhood is home to one of San Diego’s hottest nightlife scenes, set among a backdrop of Victorian-era architecture. It’s the perfect place to visit for lovers of art, music, culture and excitement.

The Gaslamp Quarter is actually featured in the Best Attractions in San Diego!.

The Historic Gaslamp Quarter San Diego

Fun in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter

The historic Gaslamp Quarter is a part of downtown San Diego, running from Harbor Drive to Broadway along 4th and 5th Avenue. It has a rich history and countless modern amenities. No trip to San Diego is complete without spending at least a day in this vibrant entertainment district.

San Diego residents head to Gaslamp Quarter to have fun, which is one reason this area is known as San Diego’s playground. You can find over 100 different restaurants, shops, pubs and other hot spots, so it’s next to impossible to get bored. This incredible variety appeals to many different tourists, including families, couples and urban adventurers.

Bayside Boardwalk at Seaport Village in the Embarcadero near the Gaslamp Quarter

Visiting from a Cruise Ship?

If you are in town from a cruise ship, the Gaslamp Quarter is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat of head out for a drink. There is even a fun and historic walking tour around the Gaslamp called the Brothels, Bites and Booze: San Diego Gaslamp Walking Tour and we feature this among other things in our Best Things to Do Near the Cruise Port article.

Historic Buildings in the Gaslamp San Diego

History of the Gaslamp Quarter

If you’re looking for an exciting day trip, Gaslamp Quarter is filled with things to do, and it’s within walking distance of many of San Diego’s must-see locations. People who love photography can snap amazing Instagram pics at the waterfront or among the city's historic buildings.

Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House Museum that was built in 1850 in what was then called "New Town" and it is the oldest structure in Downtown San Diego to date. This historic house was one of the homes of Alonzo Horton who is considered the "Father of San Diego".

Alonzo Horton, a real estate developer, helped build "New Town" by purchasing 960 acres of land along San Diego Bay in 1867. He was responsible for transforming San Diego to what it is today.

The USS Midway Museum next to The Kiss Statue near the Gaslamp

Attractions near the Gaslamp San Diego

Seaport Village is less than a mile away in the Embarcadero District, providing incredible views of the San Diego Bay. Another popular location for tourists is the USS Midway Museum, just 1 mile from Gaslamp Quarter. You can reach famous Balboa Park, San Diego’s massive city park, by walking approximately 1.5 miles north.

The Beautiful Pendry San Diego Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter

Hotels in the Gaslamp District

Whether you’re in the mood for romance, sports, art or great food, this neighborhood has it all. That’s one reason why picking a hotel located in the heart of the Gaslamp is such a great idea — and why you have to book well ahead of time. You can check out breathtaking beaches during the day, go back to the hotel to change into your finest and go out to party every night.

Hotel Indigo is a great option if you want to be in the thick of it. Its great location is on the border of the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village and just next to Petco Park making it a great hotel if you are looking to go to a San Diego Padres baseball game.

If your budget is a bit higher make sure to check out the beautiful 5 star Pendry San Diego known for its impressive location, attentive staff and beautiful hotel. Also Provisional Kitchen is one of our favorite restaurants downtown and it is attached to the Pendry San Diego.

Indulge in contemporary comfort at the AC Hotel by Marriott San Diego Downtown Gaslamp Quarter. Located in the heart of Gaslamp, surrounded by cafes and vibrant nightlife, our chic lodging is the perfect base to explore PETCO Park, the cruise ship port, Balboa Park, the Convention Center, and the USS Midway. Experience modern design and prime location for an unforgettable stay.

Most of the hotels in downtown San Diego have valet parking as it is a necessity.

Popular Hotels in Gaslamp Quarter

Popular Hotels

Price

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

$189

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Pendry San Diego

$850

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Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

$176

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Horton Grand Hotel

$142

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Dressing up as the Harry Potter Characters during Comic-Con San Diego

Getting to the Gaslamp District

Getting to the Gaslamp is easy. It’s only 3.5 miles from the San Diego International Airport. There are taxis, trolleys and shuttles to many of the hotels in the area.

Why you'll love Gaslamp Quarter

Gaslamp is full of cafes, great nightlife and pedicabs! Visit PETCO Park, the cruise ship port, Balboa Park, Convention Center or tour the USS Midway.

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Attractions that you can visit with a Go City San Diego pass include:

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Things to Do

Convention Center

Cruise Ship Terminal

Museums

Petco Park

USS Midway

Things to Do in Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp District’s 16 blocks provide tons of things to do, and they’re all within walking distance of each other.

In fact, walking is probably the best way to experience the fantastic architecture, laid-back style and awesome shops of the Gaslamp.

Here are a few of the best things to do in this amazing neighborhood:

Check Out Distinctive Shops

There are countless shops in Gaslamp Quarter, offering beautiful crafts and collectibles. Walk among charming boutiques, check out the latest fashion trends on the West Coast and pick out amazing artwork for your home. There are eclectic hats for hipsters and fashionistas alike.

Brothels, Bites and Booze Walking Tour in the Gaslamp Quarter

Take Guided Walking Tours

This San Diego gem is officially on the National Register of Historic Places. The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation offers walking tours of the neighborhood’s iconic Davis-Horton House. Learn more about the gold rush era, prohibition and speakeasies and in the Gaslamp District.

Prohibition: San Diego's Original Speakeasy Bar

Prohibition is the original speakeasy bar in San Diego and it is well worth checking. This 1920's atmosphere bar is a great place to grab a craft cocktail or a beer with a friend. You might even catch some live music on your visit.

Horton Grand Hotel at Sunset in the Gaslamp Quarter

Explore the Gaslamp’s Art and Architecture

Photography enthusiasts and adventurous tourists can have a lot of fun just walking the streets of the Gaslamp. Take your time perusing art galleries, try on all the shoes you want or grab a cup of Irish coffee at an attractive sidewalk cafe.

Catch a Symphony

If you love classical music performances, you can’t pass up the opportunity to visit Copley Symphony Hall. This historic open-air location is where the San Diego Symphony performs. The location also hosts concerts with world-famous musicians, performers and singers.

San Diego Padres Playing at Petco Park

Petco Park

Watch a baseball game at Petco Park and visit the home of the San Diego Padres. Eat nachos or a classic hot dog and try to catch a fly ball as a great souvenir. The Padres regularly play teams such as the Dodgers, Rockies, Giants and the Diamondbacks.

Dressing up as the Harry Potter Characters during Comic-Con San Diego

Celebrate Spectacular Festivals

The Gaslamp is the site for the city’s biggest festivals. This includes Mardi Gras in February. Movie buffs can’t miss the legendary San Diego Film Festival. Of course, don’t forget the ultra-poplar San Diego Comic-Con event at the nearby San Diego Convention Center.

Hop on Hop off Trolley in the Gaslamp Quarter

Trolley Tours

For kids, experiencing Gaslamp Quarter and other places in San Diego via trolley is especially exciting. The San Diego Trolley has stations near Seaport Village in the Embarcadero, Fashion Valley Mall, Old Town, Mission Valley and several waterfront places. You can even head to the border with Tijuana.

Gorilla Statue at the San Diego Zoo

Nearby Attractions

Gaslamp is conveniently located near many family-favorite spots. For example, the world-famous San Diego Zoo is less than 3 miles away, and SeaWorld San Diego is about 8 miles away. The New Children’s Museum is right on the edge of the Gaslamp District and within walking distance.

Kids can have a blast picking out T-shirts and souvenirs in the Gaslamp or playing games at local arcades. There are plenty of places to munch on tasty waffles, burgers and ice cream nearby.

Popular Activities

San Diego Harbor Cruise

$36 per person

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Gaslamp Brothels, Bites & Booze Tour

$75 per person

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GoCar: Downtown & Balboa Park

$63 per person

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The San Diego Maritime Museum

Discounts Available

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Tasty Eats in the Gaslamp

Greek Quesdilla at the Meze Greek Fusion in the Gaslamp Quarter

There are endless options for foodies in the Gaslamp Quarter. Not only is the variety of cuisine in Gaslamp incredible, the chefs are legendary. You can find romantic bistros, irresistible food trucks, iconic gastropubs and everything in between.

Fresh Seafood

Asian influences make a spectacular showing in the Gaslamp Quarter. San Diego is right on the ocean, so you can find incredibly fresh seafood. That means that you should reserve some room for killer sashimi, nigiri, rolls and a healthy serving of sake.

Many Kinds of Restaurants to Try in the Gaslamp Quarter

A Huge Variety of Restaurants

In addition to the best San Diego eats around, you can also hang out at unforgettable Mexican restaurants, Italian cafes, French bistros, Irish pubs and places with great Spanish and Russian food. Many of these eateries let you dine on the sidewalk for major flair. Few things are as incredible as sipping a sangria and eating tender carne asada while taking in the culture of San Diego.

Dressing up as the Harry Potter Characters during Comic-Con San Diego

Little Italy

Make sure to set aside time for the signature Italian pizzas in the neighborhood of Little Italy, made from scratch and cooked in brick ovens.

There are also a lot of tasty restaurants serving up fresh seafood, including lobster, striped bass, rock shrimp, mussels, octopus and king crab.

Featured Activity

Old Town San Diego: Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Tour

Hop On & Off Narrated Trolley Tour

Jump onto one of the authentic trolleys, and see over 100 sights in San Diego! Listen to the tour guide and learn as you go. Create your own tour with 12 boarding areas!

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Craft Cocktails and Pub Crawls

Erika Enjoying Sangria at the Meze Greek Fusion restaurant

Nightlife is big in the Gaslamp, so it’s not surprising that this neighborhood has plenty of bars, pubs, wine shops and clubs. Many local hotels offer bar crawls, showing you nightclubs and pubs that are the area’s best kept secrets. It’s a lot of fun to check out the Unique Things to Do in San Diego and the personality of each of these hot spots, from 1920s speakeasies to barcades inspired by 1980s gaming.

For example, there are eclectic clubs featuring a dance-all-night vibe and cool signature cocktails. You can also find some of the city’s best craft beers in the Gaslamp, offering the perfect laid-back atmosphere for first dates and celebrating with friends. If you’re into Mai Tais and tropical hangouts, there’s no better place to explore than this neighborhood.

Wine lovers can choose between relaxed cafes and upscale wine bars. The Gaslamp has some of the finest — and most exclusive — Italian wines. It’s also a great place to experience the aromatic reds and whites from Napa Valley, especially if you don’t have time on your trip to actually go to Napa for wine tasting.

Many of these bars are gastropubs, combining tantalizing drinks with sumptuous eats. In fact, pubs offer some of the best grub in San Diego, letting you sink your teeth into slow-roasted ribs and pulled-pork burgers. When you toss some live blues into the mix, you have a recipe for an amazing night out.

Featured Hotel

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Boutique

Near Bay

Pool

Classic rock style gives a modern edge to Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Located in the Gaslamp Quarter, this hotel is the perfect home base for your adventure.

Prices Starting at $189

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Know Before You Go & Tips

Airport Nearby

Ballpark

Breweries

Cafes

Museums

Parks

Pedicab

Shopping

Trolley Stop

Walkable

The Best Nightlife in San Diego

Having Fun at Nason's Beer Hall in the Gaslamp Quarter

If there’s one word that defines the Gaslamp District, it’s nightlife. In fact, the buzz of Gaslamp tends to pick up after sundown, completely transforming the neighborhood’s feel. Here are a few travel possibilities:

Dancing, Live Music & Theaters

Dance the night away with cocktails at an exclusive nightclub or get your salsa groove on at a hip Latino bar.

Catch an Off Broadway performance or a comedy show at The Lyceum Theatre.

Enjoy the smooth sounds of live jazz and blues, or rock out to your favorite groups at one of the local pubs. Going to a show at the House of Blues is featured in our Best Things to do in San Diego at Night.

Fine dining, Cocktails & Rooftop Views

Dress to the nines and turn heads while you dine at one of San Diego’s Michelin-star restaurants.

Make a reservation at Altitude Sky Lounge on the 27th floor of the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter to enjoy breathtaking views of the entire city.

Some of the pubs and speakeasies in Gaslamp Quarter can create a personalized cocktail just for you.

Sunset strolls

Few things compare to watching the sun go down while walking hand in hand on cobblestone streets.

This place is spectacularly famous with San Diego residents as the best place to go after work to have a great time. It’s also one of the most unforgettable places in the city for tourists.

Gaslamp Quarter

is Famous For: