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DISCOVER
DOWNTOWN

Whether you’re a tourist or a local. Discover Downtown San Diego’s hidden gems!

Ways to Discover Downtown San Diego

We’ve curated walking tours for four of Downtown’s undiscovered neighborhoods: City Center, Columbia, Cortez, and Marina; and highlighted the street art and architectural gems found in the East Village and Gaslamp Quarter. Get out and discover another side of Downtown San Diego! 

DISCOVER CITY CENTER
City Center serves as the heart of Downtown, both physically and functionally. It’s where Federal, State, County, and City government offices combine with office, cultural, hotel, and residential activity. City Center is home to the San Diego Symphony, U.S Grant Hotel, Civic Theater, and Horton Plaza Park. Get centered!
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DISCOVER COLUMBIA
The Columbia District is home to Santa Fe Depot, Museum of Contemporary Art, and San Diego’s tallest building, One America Plaza. The neighborhood also boasts of convenient access to public transportation, proximity to the San Diego Bay, and some of Downtown’s best places to grab a drink or watch live music!
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DISCOVER CORTEZ
Cortez rises north from City Center and enjoys enviable proximity to Balboa Park and Little Italy. It is downtown’s oldest residential neighborhood and is home to historic landmarks such as the restored El Cortez Hotel and St. Joseph’s Church.
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DISCOVER MARINA
Over the past century Marina has undergone almost a complete transformation from a warehouse district to an urban residential neighborhood. You’ll see vestiges of this past while experiencing new destinations such as Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade and the New Children’s Museum.
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DISCOVER EAST VILLAGE MURALS
East Village is a thriving urban enclave with eclectic restaurants, chic hotels, art galleries, and abundant street art. It is also the heart of the annual Ladies Who Paint Mural Walk. You can spend hours discovering murals in East Village as well as throughout Downtown.
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DISCOVER GASLAMP HISTORY
Once a notorious “red light” district, the Gaslamp Quarter now boasts a lively array of shops and restaurants. However look around and you’ll see nineteenth-century architecture gems. We’ve taken utility boxes and wrapped them with historic images from days gone by. Check them out at each intersection in the Gaslamp Quarter!
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Downtown Insider’s Guide

Our Downtown Insider’s Guide is your guide to experiencing Downtown like a local. Explore attractions, museums, theaters, parks, public art and more! The Downtown Insider’s Guide is a must-have to discover Downtown’s popular destinations and hidden gems! 

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Be an Insider!

Explore all that Downtown San Diego has to offer, from street art to world-class museums, you’ll be surprised what you discover! 

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