The Gaslamp Quarter: The heart of San Diego and a key destination
Planning a trip to San Diego is not complete without a stop in the Gaslamp Quarter. This historical neighborhood is filled with restaurants, shopping and more. It also doesn’t hurt that Petco Park where the San Diego Padres play is a hop, skip and a jump away.
One could actually design a trip to San Diego based solely on this neighborhood, though you would miss out on everything else this city and region has to offer. Still, the Gaslamp Quarter is an absolute must stop destination in a must visit city.
The Gaslamp Quarter is born
San Diego was established in 1769 and incorporated in 1850. Establishing the Gaslamp Quarter followed soon after than in 1867. The goal was to create a city center closer to the bay area, which had some incredible benefits for the city in general.
What wasn’t beneficial was what came after that. After establishing the original Gaslamp Quarter, urban decay set in and plagued the area for decades. It wasn’t until the 1980s that a push to redevelop the Gaslamp Quarter kicked in.
It took along time to reclaim the area but the results are undeniable. The Gaslamp Quarter is now a 16 and a half square block neighborhood that’s on the National Registry of Historic Places. It includes 94 historic Victorian era buildings. That alone that makes it worth checking out.
Eating in the Gaslamp Quarter
Referred to locally as the Gaslamp District, a big reason to head down to the area is to eat and drink. Dozens of restaurants, bars and cafés call it home. There are an incredible array of options to suit almost any taste.
Keep in mind that if you want to sample the vibrant San Diego food truck scene, you won’t find it in the Gaslamp Quarter. San Diego has rules about where they can set up shop, and the Gaslamp District was outlawed for food trucks in 2014. Well, unless those rules have changed.
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Some of the more popular restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter include Burger Lounge, Donovan’s Steak and Chop House, and The Hopping Pig. It also includes more rare experiences like Pushkin Russian Restaurant, which may actually be the only Russian joint in town.
Staying busy
All of that being said, there’s more to do in the Gaslamp Quarter than eat. Just don’t forget to eat while you’re there. Frankly, not eating in the Gaslamp Quarter would be a huge mistake. While you’re between meals, there’s plenty of ways to keep busy.
If the nightlife is what you’re looking for, Gaslamp has an impressive range of bars and nightclubs to choose from. Whether you’re looking to dance, enjoy live music or just relax with a cocktail, there is something for everyone.
On top of that, there are two venues to check out that have regular stand up comedy. You never know who is in town performing, so keep an eye on their calendars. Virtually everyone has a bucket list comedian on their list they’d love to see perform.
Of course, the Gaslamp quarter has no shortage of shopping options to choose from. That includes a regular weekend Artisan Market that offer up a really cool selection of stalls and products. It certainly adds to the vibe of the area.
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In a city overflowing with things to do, adding more to your itinerary might seem difficult. But the Gaslamp Quarter is definitely worth it. This is the perfect spot to spend a day shopping, eating and taking in a show.