The San Diego Gaslamp Quarter – which is also known as the downtown area – is one of the country’s most dynamic spots for nightlife.
Every Friday and Saturday night the area is buzzing with activity. The main street, Fifth Ave., is blocked off to traffic and people fill up the street as well as surrounding streets, Petco Park is in this area and the variety of pubs, clubs and bars is incredible.
Now if you buy into the PubClub.com philosophy of “location, location, location” then this is area in which you want to get a hotel. There are several choices here, with a few even along the bay with spectacular views that are just a 5- to 10-minute walk from the Gaslamp.
Most hotels in this area are the four- and five-star category, tho there are a few other places to look that will provide you with more party money. With that in mind, here is where to stay in downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter for nightlife.
Recommended Gaslamp Hotels
The Pendry is a 5-star hotel; located at 550 J. Street, you have bars right out to the door to the right, left or right in front of you. The Pendry is where many Major League Baseball teams stay when in town to play the Padres.
There are several Marriott hotels and spinoffs in the area. The most prime of these is the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter (660 K Street) with its rooftop Altitude Sky Lounge, which offers a view into Petco Park, a really cool vantage point when the Padres are playing, There is also the Courtyard San Diego Downtown (530 Broadway) in a beautiful building although anything across Broadway can appear sketchy at night (it’s safe and only a 5- to 10-minute walk to the Gaslamp bars) and the Residence Inn San Diego Downtown (1747 Pacific Highway) which has about a 10-minute Uber/Lift ride away from the Gaslamp.
Right out the door of the Omni (675 L Street) is Petco Park and the many fun bars of the East Village area, which is adjacent to the Gaslamp (you won’t know the difference between the two areas).
Hipsters may prefer the Hard Rock Hotel right by the Gaslamp Quarter arched sign which comes with a fourth-floor pool full of cabanas and a pool party on Saturday afternoons.
The Westgate Hotel (1055 Second Ave.) is across Broadway but it’s a 5-minute walk to the bright lights of the Gaslamp. It’s a nice, quiet hotel with prices in the $175/night range.
Recommended San Diego Bayfront Hotels
Just across Harbor Drive is the San Diego Convention Center and the bayfront. If you want a view of the bay and in particular the marina – or perhaps $80 million yachts are your thing – then this is where you want to stay.
My personal favorite here is the Marriott Marquis. It’s gleaming duel silver towers is a downtown landmark. Bayfront rooms look directly down on the marina below it – spectacular.
Next to the Marriott is the Grand Hyatt, looking grand as its two tall buildings stretch high into the sunny or star-lit sky.
You can also sometimes get some really good deals at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront which is on the bay right next to the convention center, a foot bridge walk across from Petco Park and a view of those mega yachts.
Cheaper Hotel Options & Locations
Here’s a few choices for rooms that you can find in the $100/night range.
There is a Comfort Inn Gaslamp Convention Center in a great location that’s just a couple blocks from all the Gaslamp nightlife action (660 G. Street).
The FOUND hotel (505 West Grape Street, Little Italy) is a great find. It’s in Little Italy which itself is a great spot for food and even nightlife. It’s 10 minutes from the Gaslamp by Uber or Lyft.
It is near the Harborview Inn & Suites (505 W. Grape St.) and even offers free parking. Tho really, unless you drive to San Diego you don’t need a rental car here.
The Pacific is a budget hotel (1655 Pacific Highway) between Little Italy and the harbor.
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