Dynamic Gaslamp Quarter Is The Place To Start Your SD Fun Trip
The kid came back to the candy store.
San Diego was calling, the excellent Wine + Food Festival the excuse, tho I never need an excuse to visit this fun city.
I once lived there for a too-short amount of time (about three months) in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. And what a dynamic location. In the daytime, I would go for a run or a bike ride along the bay – sometimes combining the city’s excellent trolly/bus system to get up to Mission & Pacific Beach – and by night I would go literally pubclubbing through the Gaslamp.
That’s because there are tons of both pubs and clubs, many in the same building. Heck, even some restaurants turn into ear-splitting, pumping dance bars on weekend nights. There’s great nightlife in the Gaslamp.
So when I get back here, I’m so excited it’s hard for me to keep my emotions bottled up; I always walk outside, spread my arms like wings and say something along the lines of “I’m back, San Diego! Let’s party!”
With my knowledge of the area, here’s a few travel tips I want to pass along to you.
San Diego Top Travel Tips
Stay In The Gaslamp Quarter/Downtown
This is in the centerpiece of the action, and even if you’re not seeking the nightlife like me, you’ll love strolling up and down 5th Ave. There are also lots of very good restaurants with small patios on the sidewalk. It’s very European. Hotel prices vary, of course, from about $150/night to $300/night (or more) but you can stay on the fringe area at more basic accommodations (think Ramada Inn-type places) for sometimes half the price. This area is safe and it’s only about a $5 Lyft/Uber ride to the Gaslamp if you don’t want to walk.
• Check Out The Street Performers In Seaport Village
Late every afternoon, there are street performers along the bay at Seaport Village (walking distance from the Gaslamp, just down from the Marriott and convention center). They work for tips and, while nothing like those in Key West for sunset, can be fun to watch.
• Go To The Top Gun Bar
After watching the street performers, walk across the street to Kansas City BBQ. This is the “Great Balls Of Fire” bar in the movie Top Gun. You may also be joined by one of those street performers, some of who spend a bit of their tip money on a beer or two.
• Ride The Tram/Bus To Mission Beach, Ocean Beach & Pacific Beach
You can’t go to San Diego without going to the beach, right!? The trolley runs through downtown (you can catch it near Kansas City BBQ) and take it to Old Town and then catch a bus to one of the beach cities. You can stroll The Strand, go beach shopping and go to beach bars for food and drinks. Personally, I would pass on Old Town, or hit it on your way back.
For short trips, tho, I just hang out in the Gaslamp. I always find plenty to do there on a weekend.
Cheers!
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