CITY TOURS

ENJOY A SLICE OF CITY LIFE IN THESE LIVELY, HISTORICAL DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS

Real estate developer

Alonzo Erastus Horton envisioned a bustling port city, and in 1867, he spent $264 for 800 acres he called “New Town.” Today, New Town is known as the historical Gaslamp Quarter. Comprising more than 16 square blocks, the Gaslamp stretches from Broadway to Harbor Drive, with Fourth, Fifth and Sixth avenues as its main thoroughfares. The Gaslamp’s immaculately preserved, Victorian-style buildings are home to dozens of restaurants, clubs, theaters and retailers. Tour guides offer an insider’s look at the area, or explore it on your own.

If you start your exploration at the southern end of the Gaslamp, be sure to visit the Art of Tim Cantor Gallery (527 Fourth Ave.) for conceptual art and oil paintings. Shop for preowned luxury watches at Nikki & Co. Fine Jewelers (562 Fifth Ave.); sporty apparel at Quiksilver (470 Fifth Ave.); and locally made home goods and artisanal gifts at Gaslamp Artisan Market (599 Fifth Ave.). Also check out shoe shop Sole Concepts (520 Fifth Ave.); and Agora Galleries (363 Fifth Ave.) for antiques and fine jewelry.

The Balboa Theatre (868 Fourth Ave.)—once a vaudeville/movie theater, constructed in 1924—was refurbished to its original glory and reopened in 2008; it hosts performing arts year-round. And stroll through Horton Plaza Park—home to an amphitheater and a historic landmark fountain.

Keep in mind that parking can be dicey in the Gaslamp; a garage is your best bet. We suggest Park It On Market (619.818.9137) and 6th & K Parkade (619.233.3994). For more helpful info, call the Gaslamp Quarter Association (619.233.5227)

DOWNTOWN’S CORE

Arts and culture abound here. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (1100 Kettner

Blvd.); The New Children’s Museum (200 W. Island Ave.) for educational and interactive kids exhibits; and San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (404 Third Ave.), outfitted with a garden and koi pond. San Diego Opera and Broadway/San Diego present shows at the Civic Theatre (1100 Third Ave.); and the Spreckels Theatre (121 Broadway) hosts the ballet, concerts and more.

Petco Park (100 Park Blvd.) and San Diego Central Library (330 Park Blvd.) are landmarks of this edgy ‘hood. Enjoy some fresh air and green space at Fault Line Park (1433 Island Ave.). For some retail therapy, Wild Dove Boutique (740 Market St.) sells chic women’s wear. The area’s burgeoning art scene includes a few notable outposts: Space 4 Art (340 16th St.), a gallery/ arts center where artists live and work; and Sparks Gallery (530 Sixth Ave.), a contemporary art space in a historical building that hosts exhibits.

A few blocks north of downtown, Little Italy is home to restaurants, galleries, boutiques and markets along the main drag, India Street. Highlights: gastropub Nolita Hall (2305 India St.) and craft beer tasting room Ballast Point (2215 India St.); a handful of galleries, such as Mee Shim Fine Art (1943 India St.), featuring mixed-media works by the South Korea native; and cool specialty shops. Take time to explore the streets branching off from India, too. The colorful cottages of the Fir Street Shops include Love & Aesthetics (621 W. Fir St.), stocked with rare artwork, housewares, jewelry and gift items; and Vitreum (619 W. Fir St.), specializing in simple, elegant ceramics. Vocabulary (414 W. Cedar St.; appointment only) is a chic shop featuring emerging designers; while Remedy Holistic Pharmacy (320 W. Cedar St.) offers health and wellness products. Running parallel to India Street, Kettner Boulevard forms the spine of the art and design district. A gallery cluster near the corner of Kettner and

Kalmia includes Adelman Fine Art (1980 Kettner Blvd.), showcasing original paintings, limited-edition signed prints, art glass and sculptures; and Meyer Fine Art Inc. (2400 Kettner Blvd., #104), specializing in prints and works on paper.

Stop by the popular Mercato farmers market (W. Date. Street) Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Shop and dine at The Headquarters at Seaport, with restaurants and boutiques like CoCo Rose (789 W. Harbor Drive, #124), stocking beach and resort wear; and Seaport Village, with gift shops, bay-view eateries and galleries. Spend some time at Embarcadero Marina

Park, which offers bike and jogging trails, basketball courts and picnicking. San Diego Symphony, while based at Copley Symphony Hall, performs seasonally at its bayfront concert venue nearby: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park Continue north along the harbor to Broadway Pier and embark on sightseeing cruises and dinner excursions aboard a City Cruises by Hornblower yacht (970 and 1800 N. Harbor Drive); or catch the Coronado Ferry (1050 N. Harbor Drive). Stop for a bite and a beer at Portside Pier (1360 N. Harbor Drive); then tour the retired USS Midway aircraft carrier-turned museum and the floating Maritime Museum

CITY TOURS