How Well Do You Know the Gaslamp Quarter?

History of the Gaslamp Quarter:

The development of the Gaslamp Quarter began in the 1860s in an area once known as New Town.  The name “Gaslamp Quarter” refers to the many gas lamps that commonly lined San Diego’s streets in the late 19th and early 20th century.

San Diego visionaries William Heath Davis and Alonzo Horton led the idea to move the center of San Diego away from the Old Town area to a new location next to the San Diego Bay.  As San Diego grew, the area attracted a large number of Asian immigrants.  By the mid 20th century, the Gaslamp became a center for African-American entertainers like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole.

Gaslamp Restaurants:

The Gaslamp Quarter is home to some of San Diego’s best restaurants.  There are over 120 places to dine in the neighborhood, with even more options close by.  A wide variety of cuisines are available, everything from seafood and steak to Italian and Brazilian.  Some of the wonderful eateries visitors can enjoy include:

• Barleymash
• Brick + Mortar
• Croce’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar
• Hard Rock Café
• Jimmy Love’s
• Searsucker
• The Broken Yolk Café
• The Melting Pot Fondue Restaurant
• Wet Willies
• Madame Cora’s Marble Room
• New Leaf Restaurant
• Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza and Grill
• Bolillo Tortas
• Brian’s 24 Restaurant Bar and Grill
• Gaslamp Strip Club – a Steak Place

If I missed one of your favorites, add it in the comments section and share it with us.

Nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter:

The Gaslamp is known for its exciting nightlife.  There are more than 20 clubs and lounges for visitors to enjoy well into the early morning hours.  Some of the fun places to kick back late at night include:

• 207 at Hard Rock Hotel
• Belo Underground Nightclub
• Fluxx
• Ivy Nightclub
• Pussycat Dolls Dollhouse
• Red C
• Sevilla
• Side Bar
• Stingaree
• Voyeur

Gaslamp Shopping:

There’s no better place for shopping in San Diego than the Gaslamp Quarter.  There are dozens of shops on the streets as well as more than 100 stores in the Horton Plaza Shopping Mall.  Some of the great shops and boutiques in the neighborhood include:

• Adidas
• Borders
• Lucky Brand
• Oakley
• Nordstroms
• Macy’s
• Longs Drugs (now part of CVS/Pharmacy)
• Ritz Camera Shop

Entertainment in the Gaslamp Quarter:

In addition to the great shopping, dining and nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter, there are also terrific opportunities for entertainment and some great places to catch a movie or live performance.  These include:

• UA Horton Plaza 14
• AMC Gaslamp Stadium
• Balboa Theatre
• Civic Theatre
• Horton Grand Theatre
• Lyceum Theatre
• Copley Symphony Hall