Gaslamp Quarter

Partake in the energetic nightlife or have lunch at a sidewalk cafe in the Gaslamp Quarter. Walk to local breweries, shops and a baseball game or consider touring Balboa Park, home to the San Diego Zoo. Climb aboard the USS Midway, or check out Comic Con at the Convention Center.

Gaslamp Quarter

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Nightlife, History & Baseball in the Gaslamp Quarter

Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop in the Gaslamp Quarter

Many Kinds of Restaurants to Try in the Gaslamp Quarter

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 historic Gaslamp Quarter is a part of downtown San Diego, running from Harbor Drive to Broadway. 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.

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. Couples who want to celebrate can dance and dine at the area’s numerous romantic nightclubs and shows.

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.

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.

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.

Save BIG with Go Pass!

The World Famous San Diego Zoo

Explore the top zoo in America! The San Diego Zoo is located in iconic Balboa Park, and features over 3,500 animal in their habitats. Bundle with other attractions in Balboa Park for top savings - like the Air and Space Museum!

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What attractions are included with a Go Pass?

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

The San Diego Zoo, Birch Aquarium, SeaWorld, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, Harbor Cruise, USS Midway Museum, the NAT Museum, Whaley House, PETCO Park Tour, iFLY San Diego and many, many more!

Things to Do

Convention Center

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

$30 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

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.

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.

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 bayfront view.

Make sure to set aside time for the signature Italian pizzas in the neighborhood, 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. Whether these mouthwatering creations take on a Japanese, Mexican, Italian or New American interpretation, your taste buds are in for a treat.

Featured Activity

Front of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum

Located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum provides history of aircraft built in California. The museum includes over 60 exhibits with restored aircraft and tours of the carrier.

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Craft Cocktails and Pub Crawls

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 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

Ballpark

Cafes

Museums

Pedicab

Shopping

Trolley Stop

Walkable

The Best Nightlife in San Diego

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

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

Live Music

Enjoy the smooth sounds of live jazz and blues, or rock out to your favorite groups at one of the local pubs.

Theater

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

Fine dining

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

Rooftop views

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.

Custom cocktails

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

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