PHOTOS: Seaport Village and more general attractions
San Diego General Attractions
Seaport Village
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1980, this 14-acre waterfront complex includes 4 miles of meandering cobblestone pathways that guide you by ponds and fountains to a broad assortment of gift shops, cafes, restaurants, and a marina. The village is a great place to fly kites, jog, or bike while browsing San Diego’s sparkling downtown skyline, waterfront hotels, and spectacular convention center. The Seaport Village monthly entertainment calendar features live blues, jazz, country, and swing music. Street performers, caricaturists, face painters, balloon sculptors, and oriental brush artists dot the landscape as well. The village includes a restored antique carousel from 1895 and a memorable Cinderella carriage for lovers.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: Kettner Blvd at West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: paid lot on premises
RAPID TRANSIT: Seaport Village Station
PHONE: 619-235-4014
WEBSITE: https://www.seaportvillage.com
USS Midway Museum
DESCRIPTION: The Midway is an American aircraft carrier that served from World War II to Desert Storm. With those war experiences under its belt, the Midway provides a dynamic and enriching experience from the boiler to the bridge. For most people, a visit to the Midway instills a greater appreciation for courage, freedom, and service by men and women to this country. An onsite tour features access to engineering, flight simulators, mess deck, berthing spaces, hangar deck, and flight deck.
ADMISSION: $17 adults, $13 age 62+ and students w/ ID, $10 retired military, $9 ages 6-17; ticket booth closes at 4p
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 910 North Harbor Drive at Navy Pier, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: paid lots nearby
RAPID TRANSIT: America Plaza Station
PHONE: 619-398-8252
WEBSITE: http://www.midway.org
Horton Plaza
DESCRIPTION: Hailed as an urban renaissance when opened in 1985, this signature shopping plaza instantly became Downtown’s top attraction. Having been renovated since then, the Plaza barely shows its age today. Upon visiting, you are struck by the sharply angled, open-air, colorful, multi-level architecture that iconifies this complex. The whole is greater than the sum of its hotels, artwork, shops, cafes, restaurants, fitness center, comedy club, and cineplex. Nordstrom anchors this well-loved shopping plaza covering 6 unified blocks. A visit is suitable for all tastes and ages. With numerous condos and the Gaslamp Quarter adjacent, Horton Plaza remained 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, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: 3 hours FREE with parking validation
RAPID TRANSIT: Civic Center Station
PHONE: 619-239-8180
WEBSITE: https://www.westfield.com/hortonplaza
Gaslamp Quarter
DESCRIPTION: The history of this colorful district dates back to a 19th Century waterfront home built by a wealthy San Franciscan. William Heath Davis. He hoped to trigger a real estate boom. Unfortunately for Davis, an economic depression caused his venture to fail and his town became known as Rabbitville, named after its principal inhabitants. Over the years, it filled in unevenly with the grand hotels 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. In the early 1900s, the area became home to the largest settlement of African-Americans in San Diego. The quarter went through another rough period until World War II when thousands of sailors headed to the Pacific Theater from San Diego. After the war, the area hit another economic lull until Vietnam War. Then in the 1980s, citizens finally began planning to permanently upgrade the area with numerous offices, dining, entertainment, attraction, and residential developments. Today, the Gaslamp Quarter enjoys a marvelous rebirth and frequent events.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: dawn until late night
ADDRESS: bounded by G Street, 3rd Ave, Harbor Drive and 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: numerous paid lots, but they fill up fast during a baseball game
RAPID TRANSIT: Gaslamp Quarter Station
PHONE: 619-233-5227
WEBSITE: https://www.gaslamp.org
Sevilla Club Brazil
DESCRIPTION: DJ Baiano and Josias dos Santos opened this club in 1992. It is the longest ongoing Brazilian nightclub on the West Coast. Sevilla has featured International Brazilian acts, like OLODUM, Racionais MCs, Marcelo D2, Planet Hemp and Djambi. It has also featured bands from San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco 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 and SambaDa.
ADMISSION: $7 for aged 21+
DAYS & HOURS: nightly
ADDRESS: 555 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: numerous paid lots, but they fill up fast during a baseball game
RAPID TRANSIT: Gaslamp Quarter Station
PHONE: 619-233-5979
WEBSITE: https://www.cafesevilla.com
House of Blues San Diego
DESCRIPTION: There is nothing special about the exterior of this HOB, but you will appreciate the upscale amenities and gift shop inside. Arrive early for the best seating booths for headliner Blues, R&B and Reggae bands. The Mississippi Delta Soul Food dishes served here are surprisingly good. Bring your appetite for the world-famous Sunday Gospel Brunch. This club is known for deals on beer drafts and well drifts.
ADMISSION: free to enter for dining; concert prices vary
DAYS & HOURS: Daily 5p-11p
ADDRESS: 1055 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: lots and garages
RAPID TRANSIT: 5th Avenue Station
PHONE: 619-299-2583
WEBSITE: https://www.hob.com/venues
Old Town
DESCRIPTION: Old Town San Diego is considered the birthplace of the State of California. In 1769, Father Junipero Serra established the first mission in a chain of 21 missions that were cornerstones for the Anglo-American colonization of California. Father Serra’s Mission and Presidio were built on a hillside overlooking Old Town. At the base of the hill in the 1820s, a small Mexican community of adobe buildings was formed. By 1835, the town attained the status of El Pueblo de San Diego. In 1846, the American flag was raised in the Old Town. Today, the area is designated a state historic park and mission. Tourists are attracted by the lively Mexican-themed restaurants, bars, gift shops, and a small theater. There’s something going on day or night at this must-see San Diego general attraction. Don’t want to drive here? Hop on the convenient San Diego Trolley from Downtown to Old Town.
ADDRESS: bounded by Juan Street, Taylor Street, Congress Street, and Old Town Avenue, San Diego, CA
PARKING: street and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: Old Town Station
PHONE: 619-291-4903
WEBSITE: http://www.oldtownsandiego.org
