Eight distinct neighborhoods comprise San Diego's downtown area, which stretches from the waterfront to the inland mountains. Downtown is the heart of San Diego nightlife, providing a wide variety of activities and attractions within an easily walk-able and compact area that is well served by public transportation, such as the San Diego Trolley and numerous pedicabs.
Dating back to the 19th century, the Gaslamp Quarter is the historic heart of downtown San Diego. The neighborhood is known for its vibrant nightlife and shopping, covering a 16 ½-block area between Harbor and Broadway Drive and from 5th to 6th Street. The Quarter is home to many of San Diego's events and festivals, such as the Street Scene Music Festival and Mardi Gras, as well as the year-round draw of nightclubs such as Stingaree and Side Bar. The Gaslamp Quarter also offers comedy on a nightly basis at the Horton Grand Theater, and many dining options such as George's on Fifth, a steakhouse known for its caricatures of famous San Diegans.
The East Village is downtown San Diego's largest neighborhood, covering an area of 130 city blocks between the Gaslamp Quarter and the Core district. The area is anchored by PETCO Park, home to the San Diego Padres. The East Village offers nighttime activities and attractions such as art galleries, restaurants, music venues and nightclubs. Notable venues include Jbar, a rooftop bar at Hotel Solamar, and Luna Lounge, an eclectic bar and restaurant that serves Asian-fusion cuisine and has a live DJ.
Columbia is a largely commercial area of San Diego. This area hosts a few restaurants and bars, such as Rainwater's on Kettner, but offers less nightlife than other areas of downtown. Several larger attractions are open at night, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Urban Trees, a large work of public art on the waterfront. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
The centerpiece of the Horton neighborhood is Horton Plaza, a sprawling, five-level shopping area adjacent to the famous Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego. The Plaza is home to 130 shops and restaurants, as well as a performing arts center and movie theater. In addition to the massive shopping area, two theaters are located in Horton--the Lyceum Theater and Spreckels Theater. Lyceum Theater is home to the San Diego Repertory Theater, which produces a seasonal six-play run of comedic or dramatic works that explore cultural diversity. The Spreckels Theater, a 1,446-seat historic theater built in 1912, is known for its art nouveau and neoclassical architecture. Spreckels Theater regularly hosts theatrical productions, rock concerts and performances by the San Diego City Ballet.
The Core, San Diego's business district, is home to several art-related venues and nightlife. San Diego Civic Theater hosts frequent productions ranging from musical acts to dance performances to Broadway traveling shows. The House of Blues, on Fifth Avenue, offers nightly music performances and a full service bar and restaurant. On Broadway Event Center, housed in a historic two-story bank building on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Broadway, is a large nightclub and sushi restaurant with numerous dance floors and a VIP room that hosts DJs and performers nightly.
