Gaslamp Quarter
Gaslamp Quarter
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Once an infamous gambling den and brothel, the historic Gaslamp Quarter has since transformed into a lively neighborhood. Here, you can stroll down 5th avenue, catch a film at the Balboa Theater, or visit the gallery of Chuck Jones, creator of many Looney Tunes and Warner Bros characters. Plan your visit on the weekend to catch the Gaslamp Artisan Market. There are also many themed events held throughout the year like the Gaslamp Music and Art Festival in May. Explore the quarter on a tour of San Diego, which often includes a stop here. Travelers recommend the San Diego hop-on-hop-off trolley tour as a great option. – Tripadvisor
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Neighborhood: Downtown
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See what travelers are saying
- WandaBothell, Washington4 contributionsNice visit with no issuesMy husband and I visited the Gaslamp District together for the first time since pre-pandemic and it was fun and safe. There were a couple of encampments on the fringes of the Gaslamp District but we saw very few homeless and none of what had previously been posted here. Maybe the city cleaned it up…I don’t know. But our experience was only positive. The district is still recovering from the pandemic so many businesses are shuttered but just as many or more are open. We easily found places to visit and places to eat/drink. If you are wondering if you should visit, you should. This is still a great place!Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 11, 2023
- Rachel & Andy393 contributionsLively and Fun.Visited: 18/06/2023 Really nice area of San Diego. Lots of shops, bars and restaurants to visit. We enjoyed just walking through it. We visited on a Sunday so there was music, and the Quarter was blocked off for pedestrians only, lots of table outside to eat or drink in the sunshine. It was nice to have space to just enjoy the area. Can imagine it is popular and lively in the evenings. Would recommend a short visit here or to grab a bite to eat.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 26, 2024
- BigMerkGlasgow, United Kingdom2,709 contributionsNice area but watch where you goA lot of the Gaslamp Quarter is clean and safe but it’s not all like that. The homeless issue isn’t as bad as other cities (yet) but it’s still very visible. Without that then this would be at least 4 stars and it’s definitely worth taking a walk thru the several blocks that ,are up the Quarter. Lots of decent eateries as well as more touristy shops. Very close to Padres stadium so busy during games.Visited September 2024Traveled with friendsWritten September 7, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Popular mentions
4.0
1,630 reviews
Excellent
629
Very good
626
Average
253
Poor
85
Terrible
37
marsha
Wainwright, Canada6 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
We had heard so much about Gaslamp
Quarter that we planned to spend an afternoon there on a two day stay in La Jolla. We wanted somewhere to stroll, shop, have lunch and admire some old architecture and this was our only planned stop in San Diego. This area is basically a homeless encampment and wreaks of urine. We were absolutely appalled at the stench and the general state of the area. We walked around the block and left. We will not return. There were more homeless people than shoppers. The city needs to provide assistance to the people on the streets and clean up this area that apparently is now a “has been”. Not what I pictured San Diego to be like. We returned to Ls Jolla and had a lovely time. No thanks Gaslamp.
Quarter that we planned to spend an afternoon there on a two day stay in La Jolla. We wanted somewhere to stroll, shop, have lunch and admire some old architecture and this was our only planned stop in San Diego. This area is basically a homeless encampment and wreaks of urine. We were absolutely appalled at the stench and the general state of the area. We walked around the block and left. We will not return. There were more homeless people than shoppers. The city needs to provide assistance to the people on the streets and clean up this area that apparently is now a “has been”. Not what I pictured San Diego to be like. We returned to Ls Jolla and had a lovely time. No thanks Gaslamp.
Written April 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Climber21239
8 contributions
Feb 2022
Figured I had to take the family to see it during our recent trip to San Diego. It's not quite how I remember it, which was charming and kind of special. Now it feels more like a touristy destination you'd find anywhere with a smattering of national brand stores, trash in the streets and more of an emphasis on bars. We did stop for lunch, however, and walked through the district back to the marina and around other parts of the city. Just wouldn't waste my time going back to this particular spot.
Written March 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie_CSMA
Mannheim, Germany229 contributions
Feb 2022 • Business
It was sad to see what the Covid pandemic has done to this lively neighborhood of pubs and stores. About every second pub closed, many still have the junk of the interior where the terrace used to be. Many stores are also closed, including the Horton Mall.
What is still open is reasonably well attended by locals and tourists. But I was also shocked by the large number of relatively neglected old people begging or rummaging through wastebaskets for food. This has made no desire to stay for a beer. Let‘s cross fingers that the Gaslamp quarter with it‘s beautiful historical buildings will see better times again, with the vibrant atmosphere from my first visits a few years ago.
What is still open is reasonably well attended by locals and tourists. But I was also shocked by the large number of relatively neglected old people begging or rummaging through wastebaskets for food. This has made no desire to stay for a beer. Let‘s cross fingers that the Gaslamp quarter with it‘s beautiful historical buildings will see better times again, with the vibrant atmosphere from my first visits a few years ago.
Written March 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brimsmith
Lacey, WA574 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
The Gaslamp Quarter has seen better days. I’m not sure if the decline is due to COVID, or if businesses are just moving towards the harbor or other places. Many stores and restaurants have closed and the ones that remain are expensive and crowded.
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
semi-local
Sacramento, CA13 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
My first time staying in the Gaslamp/East Village area. The fun part—It’s a very happenin place for sure with tons of people and restaurants and bars all walkable from any one of the many hotels. Don’t worry about spending too much time looking at the map on your phone trying to find the most convenient, they mostly all are, it’s not a problem. I would stay down near Petco Park just because it’s a neat venue and you can watch games, concerts and events from nearby rooftop bars, very cool. The disgusting part— Not trying to be mean but this whole place smells like piss! Yes, I said it. You can’t walk down any street without smelling bum piss and fecal matter here and there-gross. Watch where you step, NO JOKE. Bums are passed out everywhere and wandering aimlessly in their drug-induced stupor, and they have their tents and tarps set up right on the sidewalk. At least they don’t seem to harass anyone or beg, just don’t trip over them. Yeah, I’ll be back. Lol
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Jan 2020
San Diego has taken the extra efforts to preserve the architectural beauties of times gone by. How easy would it have been to bulldoze the entire lot of these oldies down, build some characterless newbies, and call it a day? Historic preservation is (in itself) a major community-wide effort and the Gas-lamp Quarter deserves its due for a job well done.
There are some great restored museum buildings to see, old hotels (with a history) to tour, and restaurants/cafes in historic buildings that have taken on a new attitude and life. This charming quarter is the life and vitality of urban San Diego.
Begin your own exploration of the Gas-lamp area in the vicinity of the Convention Center (you can see the signage from there), cross the train tracks, and maybe pick up a map of the historic places. Many hotels have docent tours but there is no stopping the curious from following their noses.
There are some great restored museum buildings to see, old hotels (with a history) to tour, and restaurants/cafes in historic buildings that have taken on a new attitude and life. This charming quarter is the life and vitality of urban San Diego.
Begin your own exploration of the Gas-lamp area in the vicinity of the Convention Center (you can see the signage from there), cross the train tracks, and maybe pick up a map of the historic places. Many hotels have docent tours but there is no stopping the curious from following their noses.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cac1234
Germantown, NY2,067 contributions
Mar 2020
Gaslamp Quarter is a great area for restaurants and bars. One may walk up and down 4th, 5th or 6th Avenues and find restaurants with a variety of cousines. There are shops in the areal; however, we were not there to shop. Just be warned that there are many people in the area looking for a handout and I felt more comfortable walking there before dark.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nitpicky-traveler1
Texas113 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Power wash & sweep the whole downtown. Absolutely disgusting. Walking down Gaslamp quarter for breakfast before a Padres game, I saw a homeless woman wiping her butt because she had just pooped in front of a restaurant that had not yet opened. Everywhere you smell urine, vomit and poop especially stinky with the heat. With all the money this city gets from taxes, why can't they at least have sweepers clean the streets and do a massive power wash of urine, barf and poop? Disgusting
Written July 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gardengel-IoW
West Sussex, UK1,014 contributions
Feb 2020
Very disappointed.
Thought this was a go to place in San Diego and was advised at our hotel that 5th Avenue was 'definitely' where we should go.
Yes there were gaslamps - probably not now. but every single one had two posters hanging from it and they were all the same (posters) too.
The street was just full of pubs, bars and restaurants and a few shops none of which were inviting and the street itself could do with some maintenance very uneven paving.
The only thing of interest was the gaslamp sign at the bottom of the street so go take a picture of that and do something else.
Thought this was a go to place in San Diego and was advised at our hotel that 5th Avenue was 'definitely' where we should go.
Yes there were gaslamps - probably not now. but every single one had two posters hanging from it and they were all the same (posters) too.
The street was just full of pubs, bars and restaurants and a few shops none of which were inviting and the street itself could do with some maintenance very uneven paving.
The only thing of interest was the gaslamp sign at the bottom of the street so go take a picture of that and do something else.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J E
Fredericksburg, VA11,526 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We came here once back in 2015 and it was a lot of fun… energetic night life with lots of decent eateries and bars. So, when we came this year, we stopped in during the day for lunch and noticed LOTS of homeless people walking all over and about a block of their tents and personal stuff nearby. Not very good for tourists, since this is mostly a tourist destination. Sure hope they can clean this up, soon!
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thinking of staying in this area but hesitant if the comments. . Has anyone stayed here lately? Are all the bars and restaurants open. Any suggestions to a hotel within walking distance to lots of bars & restaurants? Thank you
Written July 19, 2022
I’ve stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel in the Gaslamp in January 2022 … at that point in time I can say that based on what I’ve saw 90-95% of the places I’ve seen were open … dunno what is today the situation -6 month ago it was alright
In terms of hotels … there were plenty all dependent on your budget and needs … all major brands are represented in the Gaslamp or in walking distance… should not be an issue to find something suitable …
Safe travels
Written July 20, 2022
Piano bar
Staying in San Diego for 4 nights in August. Someone here in the UK said there’s an amazing piano bar in the gas lamp area.
Would any one have any idea of where this would be or what it’s called
Written June 26, 2018
They may have been referring to The Shout! House.
Written June 26, 2018
Last night, I went to a store in the gaslamp district that sold mostly socks for every occasion and size. I want to go back for some serious Christmas shopping but I couldn't find it today Help please.
Written November 12, 2016
That would be "No bare feet and sandals shop", quite popular retail, good service and well made products. Address is 363 5th avenue, Ste 106. Phone 619-757-2335. Good luck!
Written November 23, 2016
What are the people who stay in the homes and act as tour guides called?
Written March 8, 2015
Cuanto cuesta el taxi del aeropuerto al hotel y tambien el taxi del hotel al puerto
Gracias
Written February 25, 2015
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