Downtown San Diego Partnership

Downtown San Diego is the region's center for government, business, arts, culture and entertainment. No trip to San Diego would be complete without experiencing the sights and sounds of Downtown San Diego. Choose from a vast array of great dining, shopping and live music options in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, or take in the scenery on a leisurely stroll along the Embarcadero.

Whether you are a local or an out-of-towner, the following sites are here to help make each visit to Downtown exciting and memorable. Pick up one of our fun and informative pedestrian walking maps at the Partnership's offices (401 B. Street, Ste. 100) to some of Downtown's exciting attractions and events. For more information on what's happening Downtown San Diego, visit our Events and Entertainment section.

Attractions and Events

Gaslamp Quarter www.gaslamp.org This is Downtown San Diego's premiere dining, shopping and entertainment district offering an eclectic blend of food, fun and culture -- all within one of San Diego's most historic and walkable areas.

Guided Walking Tour The Gaslamp Historical Foundation offers guided walking tours of the William Heath Davis House and the entire Gaslamp Quarter area. For more information call (619) 233-4692.

Balboa Park www.balboapark.org One of the premier urban parks in the Unites States, the 1,400-acre Balboa Park houses 15 museums and art galleries, four theaters, one pipe organ and the World Famous San Diego Zoo.

San Diego Zoo www.sandiegozoo.org Located in beautiful Balboa Park, the 100-acre World-Famous San Diego Zoo cares for over 3,800 animals of 800 different species. Its collection of animals, as well as its plant collection of over 6,500 species, is acknowledged as one of the finest in the entire world.

Horton Plaza www.hortonplaza.com Horton Plaza is one of the most exciting shopping experiences in the world! Located between Broadway and G Street, and First and Fourth Avenues, next to the historic Gaslamp Quarter, in the center of San Diego's Downtown.

Seaport Village www.spvillage.com Located on the bay in Downtown San Diego, Seaport Village contains over 90,000 square feet and 28 buildings featuring four major restaurants, 75 specialty shops and 13 quick eateries. There is also a turn-of-the-century, authentically restored Broadway Flying Horses Carousel by Looff (circa 1890), and four miles of meandering cobblestone pathways bordered by ponds, lakes, fountains and colorful, lush landscaping, and a quarter-mile slate boardwalk along the San Diego Bay.

Firehouse Museum The fire station displays fire-fighting equipment from around the world and features 1903 horse-drawn steam fire engine, an 1841 hand-drawn pumper cart and many other interesting exhibits. It is located at 1572 Columbia Street. For more information please call (619) 232-3473.

Downtown Information Center and Bus Tour The information center offers Downtown maps, literature, a video presentation and free bus tours on the first and third Saturdays of the month. It features a 200 square-foot scale model of the entire Downtown area. The Downtown Information Center is located at 225 Broadway by Horton Square. For more information call (619) 235-2222.

San Diego Maritime Museum Historic ships are the main attraction at this museum. The 1863 Star of India, the oldest and largest bark on the West Coast, once transported emigrants from London to New Zealand; The Medea, a 1904 steam yacht; and the Berkeley, a ferry built in 1898. The museum is located on the North Embarcadero at 1306 N. Harbor Drive. Phone: (619) 234-9153

Harbor Excursions www.sdhe.com View the spectacular San Diego skyline from the water. Visitors can take scenic and educational voyages around San Diego Bay, or enjoy dinner cruises, a ferry to Coronado or a whale watching tour. Rates are very reasonable and the fleet operates seven days-a week year round.

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego www.mcasandiego.org One museum with two distinct, complementary locations in Downtown San Diego and La Jolla. The MCA is a visual arts institution with an international constituency. It culturally enriches the lives of residents and visitors from around the world with collections, exhibitions, and programs that focus on the art and artists of our time.

Little Italy www.littleitalysd.com At one time, more than 6,000 Italian families lived in Little Italy and toiled to build San Diego into the center of the world tuna industry. Today, Little Italy is home to excellent boutique shopping, authentic Italian Cuisine and beautiful new housing developments. You'll find great shopping and dining opportunities along the main commercial corridor, India Street.