San Diego, CA

Seaport Village
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1980, this 14-acre waterfront complex with 4 miles of meandering cobblestone pathways interpersed with ponds, lakes, fountains and lush landscaping that guides you to a broad assortment of shops and restaurants lining a yacht marina – you’ll think you are on a distant resort; its a great place to jog or bike while browsing San Diego’s sparkling downtown skyline, marina hotels and the spectacular San Diego Convention Center Center; the monthly entertainment calendar features live blues, jazz, country and swing; street performers, caricaturists, face painters, balloon sculptors, oriental brush art and an 1895 Antique carousel with hand carved animals set a high bar for cacual entertainment and for over-the-top romance, there's a cinderella carriage for lovers; Seaport Village is also featured stop on Old Town Trolley and SEAL Tours

ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: Kettner Blvd at West Harbor Drive  MAP

PARKING: paid lot on premises
TRANSIT: Orange Line to Seaport Village Station‎

PHONE: 619-235-4014

WEBSITE: http://www.seaportvillage.com

Horton Plaza
DESCRIPTION: Hailed as an urban renaissance when opened in 1985, this signature shopping plaza instantly became Downtown’s top attraction, yet barely shows its age today; sharply angled, open-air, colorful, multi-level architecture iconify this complex as something greater than the sum of its hotels, artwork, shops, restaurants, fitness center, and cineplex; anchored by Nordstrom’s, this well-loved shopping plaza covering 6 unified blocks addresses all tastes and ages; with numerous condos and the Gaslamp Quarter adjacent, Horton Plaza remaind one of San Diego’s top attractions

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-9p, Sat 10a-8p, Sun 11a-7p

ADDRESS: 324 Horton Plaza  MAP

PARKING: 3 hours FREE parking with any purchase validated by an onsite vendor
TRANSIT: Orange Line or Blue Line to Civic Center Station‎, then walk 2 blocks south on 2nd Ave

PHONE: 619-239-8180

WEBSITE: http://www.westfield.com/hortonplaza

Gaslamp Quarter
DESCRIPTION: History of this colorful district dates back to a waterfront home built by San Franciscan William Heath Davis, who hoped to trigger a real estate boom; but an economic depression caused Davis' venture to fail and his town became known as Rabbitville after its principal inhabitants; over the year it filled in unevenly - grand hotel next to boarding houses and other dives; in 1887, up to 350 prostitutes worked the local bordellos with sailors, businessmen and politicians as primary patrons; the quarter went through another rough period until WWII, when the number of sailors headed to the Pacific Theater of War increased an order of magnitude; after the war, the area hit another lull until the Vietnam War; then in 1980s citizens finally began a solid planning process to permanently upgrade with the numerous dining, entertainment, family attractions, residences and frequent special events we see today

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: dawn until late night

ADDRESS: bounded by G Street, 3rd Ave, Harbor Drive and 6th Ave  MAP

PARKING: numerous paid lots; but they fill up fast during a basebal game
TRANSIT: Orange Line to Gaslamp Quarter Station

PHONE: 619-233-5227

WEBSITE: http://www.gaslamp.org

Sevilla Club Brazil
DESCRIPTION: DJ Baiano & Josias dos Santos opened the club in 1992; today it is the longest ongoing Brazilian nightclub on the West Coast; has featured International Brazilian acts, like OLODUM, Racionais MCs, Marcelo D2, Planet Hemp and Djambi, plus bands from San Diego, Los Angeles, and the SF Bay Area like Josias dos Santos e Sambrasil, SOL e MAR, Brasilidade, Rita do Brasil, Andy Vilas Boas, Marquinhos Pereira, Samba CHOPPS, Renni Flores, BatMakumba, SambaDa and more

ADMISSION: $7 for age 21+

DAYS & HOURS: nightly

ADDRESS: 555 4th Ave  MAP

PARKING: numerous paid lots; but they fill up fast during a basebal game
TRANSIT: Orange Line to Gaslamp Quarter Station, walk north on 5th Ave 3 blocks, then left onto Island Ave for 1 block, then half block north on 4th Ave

PHONE: 619-233-5979

WEBSITE: http://www.cafesevilla.com

House of Blues
DESCRIPTION: Appreciate the upscale amenities and gift shop inside; arrive early for the best booths and headliner Blues, R&B, and Reggae bands; Mississippi Delta Soul Food dishes can be surprisingly good; bring your appetite for the world-famous Sunday Gospel Brunch; this club is known for deals on the drafts and well drifts

ADMISSION: free to enter for dining; concert prices vary

DAYS & HOURS: Daily 5p-11p

ADDRESS: 1055 5th Ave  MAP

PARKING: numerous paid lots and garages nearby
TRANSIT: Orange Line or Blue Line to 5th Avenue Station, walk south on 5th Ave .5 block

PHONE: 619-299-2583

WEBSITE: http://www.hob.com/venues

Old Globe Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Although it has specialized in outstanding Shakespeare productions since 1935, the Old Globe frequently demonstrates its artistic outreach when for example in 2005, I Just Stopped by to See the Man directed by Seret Scott, played; but at the end of the day, this is one outstanding theatre drame of any type; any time is a good time for good theatre at the Old Globe

BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri

ADDRESS: 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park  MAP

PARKING: free on premises
TRANSIT: none

PHONE: 619-238-0043

WEBSITE: http://www.theoldglobe.org

Humphrey’s By The Bay
DESCRIPTION: A popular cosmopolitan venue that attracts national Jazz, Blues, Pop and Rock artists to their lounge and 1200-seat outdoor amphitheatre; Fatburger made it big here; the best feature of this concert venue is dinner under palm trees next to a yacht marina; cover charge varies by artist; book an overnight stay at their Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites

BOX OFFICE: daily

ADDRESS: 2241 Shelter Island Drive  MAP

PARKING: free on premises; valet parking available
TRANSIT: none

PHONE: 619-224-3577

WEBSITE: http://www.humphreysbythebay.com