The downtown San Diego travel guide
There is a central urban area in San Diego that is called downtown. There's something here for everyone, whether you're looking for family fun or hot nightlife, chic boutiques or classic and contemporary art.
The Downtown San Diego area is also home to the San Diego Children's Museum and Petco Park (the home of the San Diego Padres). There are several Downtown San Diego hotels within 5-10 minutes of the airport.
This is why so many tourists choose to live here.
If you are traveling alone or with kids, here are my best Downtown San Diego travel tips, guides to the most popular Downtown San Diego attractions, and restaurant recommendations.
Downtown San Diego Hotels
Accommodations in Downtown San Diego are available to suit every budget and preference. The Pendry San Diego, THE US GRANT, Manchester Grand Hyatt, and Hotel Republic all offer breakfast for two at no additional charge.
Downtown San Diego: Things to Do
There are so many major attractions within walking distance of each other in Downtown San Diego, which makes it an excellent place to start your sightseeing adventure. Despite the relatively small area, Downtown San Diego offers a great deal of sights and activities.
For a short stay in San Diego, check out the USS Midway Museum, an aircraft carrier that can be toured by guided tours or privately with or without an audio tour. For families with young kids, the New Childrens Museum is an unforgettable experience filled with hands-on exhibits and art-making opportunities. Additionally, there are numerous sightseeing tours and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
Little Italy and Downtown Dining
There has been an influx of foodies and craft beer lovers in downtown San Diego. It has a thriving restaurant culture and offers culinary tours. Visit San Diego's Little Italy, also located downtown, to meet the region's most talented vintners and try the best restaurants. Whatever your budget is, you can find good food at Farmers Markets.
More About Downtown San Diego
San Diego is more than just beaches and sunshine. There is a great deal to do and see downtown San Diego, from business to pleasure to nightlife. In a thriving metropolitan environment, you'll find chic boutiques and fine art, the New Children's Museum, Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres), gourmet restaurants, and more.
THE DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO AREA: A NEIGHBORHOOD OF NEIGHBORHOODS
There is more to downtown San Diego than just one destination. It can be divided up into smaller enclaves that each have their own unique appeal.
Columbia
Columbia has the tallest buildings in downtown, as well as the USS Midway Museum and the Maritime Museum on the waterfront.
Core
The Core neighborhood is home to San Diego's government as well as some of the city's best shopping.
Cortez Hill
There is a smaller and mostly residential area on Cortez Hill, but there is also a historic hotel, the El Cortez.
Gaslamp Quarter
As the birthplace of downtown and a mecca of nightlife, the Gaslamp Quarter provides a unique experience. It is for this reason that many people choose Gaslamp San Diego hotels.
Little Italy
As one of the city's top food and beverage destinations, Little Italy was originally home to scores of Italian fishermen.
Based on your travel style and budget, here's where to stay
It will really depend upon whether you are traveling with kids, what time of year you are traveling, what kind of atmosphere you are looking for, and if you are a loyalty member.
You may also be interested in browsing a list of nearby hotels in addition to the hotels listed above:
Hotels Near San Diego Zoo
San Diego Airport Hotels
Gaslamp San Diego Hotels
Little Italy San Diego Hotels
Old Town San Diego Hotels
DEAD CENTER SAN DIEGO TOURS
The USS Midway Museum or one of the many San Diego Bay tours are great ways to explore Downtown San Diego. The Patriot Jet Boat tour, the dinner and brunch cruises offered by Hornblower Cruises, Flagship Cruises narrated tours, and the fast-paced Speed Boat Adventures group tours, where you drive a mini speedboat, are all top favorites of mine.
A fleet of amphibious vehicles from SEAL Tours can take you on land and on the bay, leaving from Seaport Village and other spots along the Embarcadero. In addition to the boats decorated with the cartoon seals, kids will enjoy taking a tour through Downtown San Diego before plunging into the San Diego Bay.
In GoCar Tours, you can ride a cute two-seater go-cart around downtown San Diego. As a result of the cars' GPS systems, you'll always know where you are in the city, where you're going, and what you're passing. Those who want to take in San Diego's sights at their own speed will love this tour.
One of the oldest and well-known ways to see the city is on an Old Town Trolley Tour. A tour around the city takes place on these green and orange trolleys, which resemble San Francisco streetcars (passing more than 100 points of interest along the way). Tickets for the Old Town Trolley include unlimited hop-on/hop-off stops and let you join the tour anywhere in Downtown, including Seaport Village and the Gaslamp Quarter.