San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter is an eclectic blend of fun, food and culture. (Photo credit: Brett Shoaf) RELATED LINKS Return to San Diego City Guide

In the late 19^th century, this 16-block area flanking 5^th Avenue from Broadway to Harbor Drive was packed with rowdy saloons, gambling dens and bordellos. By the middle of the 20^th century, persistent urban decay had made the Gaslamp Quarter a bleak and dangerous corner of downtown San Diego. Today, thanks to a phenomenally successful redevelopment campaign launched in the 1970s, the area has been transformed into a lively shopping and entertainment district with a remarkable collection of meticulously restored Victorian commercial buildings.

Daytime visitors can enjoy the district's abundant shops, restaurants and historical attractions, but the Gaslamp Quarter is at its best in the evening when locals and tourists alike turn out for cocktails, dinner and night life. Streets where most San Diegans feared to tread not so long ago now teem with revelers, especially on balmy summer nights when the generally wholesome, party-like atmosphere spills out onto the sidewalks beneath atmospheric electric street lamps that mimic the Victorian-era gas lamps for which the quarter is named. Area restaurants and pubs dish up a diverse selection of American and international cuisines, and many places offer live music in the evenings.

When visiting the quarter at night, it's best to park your car once (see www.gaslamp.org/location for parking advice) and explore the pedestrian-friendly zone on foot. Better yet, go by taxi or trolley to avoid any concerns about sobriety behind the wheel. Also bear in mind that most night clubs levy a cover charge later in the evening, but if you go on the early side you can get in for free.