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UNITED STATES | San Diego, California Travel Guide
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Downtown San Diego
Downtown San Diego
Downtown San Diego, built largely along the northeastern shore of San Diego Bay, is an interesting mix of old and new, with modern, concrete, glass and steel towers, an architecturally astonishing convention center, and restored, late 19th century Victorian buildings. The primary areas of interest here are a colorful section in the northwestern part of downtown known as Little Italy, historic Gaslamp Quarter, the trendy, boutique-filled East Village, and the lively Embarcadero.
Horton Plaza, Gaslamp Quarter and East Village
In the heart of downtown, on Broadway, you’ll find the Horton Plaza, an architectural surprise of sorts, painted in assorted pastels and filled with shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. On Broadway, too, are the historic Spreckels Theatre with its ornate lobby with chandeliers, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, partly housed in the old Santa Fe Depot. And adjoining Horton Plaza to the east and southeast is the revitalized, 16-block, historic Gaslamp Quarter, packed with more than 200 shops, restaurants, nightclubs and bars, including several jazz and live music venues.
East Village, home to PETCO Park, where the San Diego Padres’ play, lies largely to the east of the Gaslamp Quarter. And in contrast to the vintage Gaslamp district, East Village is brimming with newly developed boutique hotels, and upscale and funky stores and eateries.
The Embarcadero
The Embarcadero makes up the waterfront along the west of downtown, where you can stroll along the boardwalk and B Street Pier, visit the Maritime Museum and San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, and search out the Cruise Ship Terminal as well as the America II yacht (of America’s Cup fame) on display. Also, at the southern end of the Embarcadero are the colorful little Seaport Village, acomplex of shops and restaurants; and the striking San Diego Convention Center, its design inspired by sails. The Embarcadero, between the B Street and Broadway piers, is also where sightseeing cruises of the bay depart from.
Harbor Island and Shelter Island
Harbor and Shelter islands, islands in name only, jutt out in thin, peninsular strips into San Diego Bay at the northwest end of downtown. Both “islands” are essentially manmade promontories, home to resort hotels and handy to both the city’s airport and downtown.
Last updated November 16, 2010
Posted in United States | San Diego
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