Gaslamp Quarter

• Location: Downtown from Broadway to Harbor Drive and from Fourth to Sixth Avenues
• How Long: Allow a few hours
• Best Time to Visit: Liveliest at night, go in the day for the historic tours
• See It Now: Photo Tour

San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter draws San Diegans and visitors alike to its shops and restaurants. On streets filled with beautifully-restored, nineteenth-century buildings, shops such as the Cuban Cigar Factory, Galeria del Sol and Le Travel Store vie for attention. When energy fails, over 70 Gaslamp Quarter restaurants and clubs can refuel and refresh.

Gaslamp Quarter History

The San Diego Gaslamp Quarter wasn't always this way. San Diego's earliest residents chose the elevated location of today's Old Town to build their homes and shops. An early development venture failed, and the area was nicknamed Rabbitville, in honor of its primary inhabitants. In 1867, Alonzo Horton built a new downtown on the site. Soon, the area was booming, and gamblers and prostitutes moved in. Retired sheriff Wyatt Earp ran three gambling halls here. Commerce gradually moved toward Market Street and the Gaslamp Quarter was left a redlight district, which became known as the Stingaree. The Gaslamp Quarter languished for many years before its current renaissance.

Gaslamp Quarter Today

Today, historic buildings have been relocated to the Gaslamp Quarter from other parts of the city, their nineteenth century architecture restored to its former glory. Restaurants, shops and clubs occupy former brothels and saloons.

To get oriented and learn about Gaslamp Quarter history, buy a map and take a self-guided guided Gaslamp Quarter walking tour from the William Heath Davis House at 410 Island Avenue (Fourth and Island).

Gaslamp Quarter Practicalities

Public restrooms are located at the corner of Third and C Streets.

There are lots of restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter. Use a practical approach to choose one. Stroll around and preview the menus, then use my informal restaurant rating system: if it's busy, it's probably good!

Getting to Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego, CA
619-233-4692
Gaslamp Quarter Website

The Gaslamp Quarter is a sixteen-square-block area on Broadway and K Streets between Fourth and Sixth Streets. There is a 550-space parking garage at Sixth and Market Streets.

To avoid traffic and parking hassles, take the San Diego Trolley to Gaslamp Station or 5th Avenue Station and walk to the the Gaslamp Quarter.

San Diego Trolley Tours stops here as well as other sights, and it's a good way to get around town with driving and parking hassles. Save time. Order your trolley tickets from Viator.com. They guarantee the best price, and you get a print-at-home voucher right away.