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Exploring San Diego's Charismatic Neighborhoods

One of the most exciting and sophisticated metropolitan regions in the country, San Diego comprises more than 100 colorful and unique neighborhoods. Each of these communities has a style and personality of their own, and their dynamic medleys of outdoor activities, arts and culture, dining and shopping opportunities reflect the rich diversity of the San Diego region.

From downtown's trendy East Village, to the laid-back community of Ocean Beach, to the luxury enclave of La Jolla, the following are a few of San Diego's colorful neighborhoods.

East Village: Vibrant Urban Life

The revitalization of this warehouse district in downtown San Diego was ignited in 2004 with the opening of PETCO Park, the San Diego Padres' baseball stadium. Today, visitors can enjoy luxury hotels, fashionable restaurants and cafes, rooftop bars, boutique shops and live music venues scattered throughout the neighborhood.

• Beginning in spring, baseball fans can watch the San Diego Padres step up to the plate and play ball at their home field, PETCO Park. The state-of-the-art stadium features stunning architecture and landscaping, as well as enticing dining options.
• Diners can sample a diverse selection of cuisine in many hip downtown settings. Cowboy Star offers contemporary American cuisine with high-quality meats and local produce in an urban steakhouse atmosphere. Neighborhood offers a creative, upscale take on burgers and more than 27 local microbrews on tap. Café Chloe brings the seductive charm and spectacular cuisine of a Parisian cafe to the East Village with contemporary updates on traditional French fare and a top-notch wine list.
• Stylish shopping in the East Village ranges from Dianne O Studios featuring high-fashion apparel, accessories and cosmetics from the world's top fashion meccas like Milan, New York and Paris to 5&A Dime serving up the latest men's and women's urban street wear.
• After dark, hip East Village offers a range of nightlife diversions. East Village Tavern & Bowl features 12 bowling lanes, pool tables and a fun and upbeat atmosphere for socializing, while the El Dorado Cocktail Lounge mixes up craft cocktails for patrons to sip while watching local bands or dancing as DJs spins tunes. Guests need to plan ahead and talk to someone in the know to get a seat at Noble Experiment, the neighborhood's hidden speakeasy.

Gaslamp Quarter: Scene and be Seen

As the historic heart of downtown San Diego, the 16½-block Gaslamp Quarter combines Victorian-charm with urban living to create a lively dining, entertainment and shopping district. Once home to San Diego's "red light" district in the late 1800s, the area once held three gambling halls run by Wyatt Earp. In recent decades, revitalization efforts have spurred the growth of more than 100 restaurants, 40 bars and nightclubs and 100 retail shops, as well as theaters and art galleries.

• Diners can find some of San Diego's biggest names in dining in the Gaslamp Quarter, including Searsucker, serving the New American comfort food menu of Chef Brian Malarkey, former finalist on Bravo's "Top Chef 3 Miami." Set in the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, Nobu serves the classic sushi and modern Japanese cuisine made famous by Nobu Matsuhisa. Croce's Restaurants & Bars, established by Ingrid Croce as a tribute to her late husband ‘70s singer/songwriter Jim Croce, is a local landmark combining live jazz and fine dining for more than 20 years.
• The destination for San Diego's hottest nightclubs, the Gaslamp Quarter lures night owls with FLUXX, a high-end dance club featuring organic décor amidst bright, bold colors and playful design elements including a large-scale adult tree house, a 15-ft. custom rope chandelier and eye-catching art. Vin de Syrah Spirit & Wine Parlor is a subterranean hideaway that evokes an Alice in Wonderland look and feel, offering handmade cocktails, unique beers and a diverse wine list. Located in a historic warehouse, Stingaree is a luxury nightlife venue and restaurant offering three stories, floor-to-ceiling waterfalls and translucent floating staircases leading to a rooftop bar retreat.
• Visitors looking to expand their wardrobe can find cutting-edge fashion in quirky independent boutiques and well-known retailers like Urban Outfitters, The Puma Store and Quicksilver. Unexpected shopping opportunities include the latest in skateboarding gear at Street Machine, cigars hand-rolled on-site at the Cuban Cigar Factory and new fashions by "Project Runaway" finalist Gordana Gehlhausen at Goga by Gordana.

Little Italy: A Delicious Place for Food and Culture

Once home to San Diego's flourishing tuna fishing industry and generations of Italian families who made their living on the sea, Little Italy in downtown San Diego is a quaint and lively neighborhood filled with outdoor patio cafes, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, boutique shops and the beautiful Amici Park.

• India Street, Little Italy's main thoroughfare, is lined with restaurants featuring the neighborhood's namesake cuisine. Bencotto Italian Kitchen takes a modern approach to classic Italian homestyle dishes, and longtime local favorite Filippi's Pizza Grotto features an old-fashioned Italian-American dining experience along with a busy delicatessen and market. Diners seeking flavors from beyond the Italian peninsula should seek out Craft & Commerce where expert mixologists pair craft cocktails with modern farm-to-table cuisine.
• Along Fir Street, a number of colorful cottages house boutiques that offer ultra-stylish clothing, accessories and shoes. Along India Street, shoppers can find a diverse selection of art galleries and design stores, while the Kettner Art & Design District offers unique shops and gallery spaces featuring modern art, contemporary home furnishings and more.

Hillcrest: An Eclectic Hotspot

The hub of San Diego's LGBT community, Hillcrest is an uptown neighborhood located just minutes from downtown and next to Balboa Park, where visitors can experience the city's openness, warm hospitality and diversity throughout the year. Hillcrest is well-known for its unique mix of casual eateries, exotic bistros, chic boutiques, vintage clothing stores, eclectic nightlife and more.

• Diners can find a variety of restaurants in Hillcrest including R'Gang Eatery helmed by "Top Chef" alumnus Rich Sweeney, where upscale comfort food is king. Hash House a Go-Go serves over-the-top riffs on Midwest classics and a must-have weekend brunch featuring pancakes the size of serving platters. On University Avenue, Hillcrest's main thoroughfare, Mama Testa Taqueria serves up a variety of authentic taco styles from throughout Mexico's distinct culinary regions.
• Diverse nightlife venues range from Martini's Above Fourth, with an upscale cabaret experience and live musical entertainment, to Urban Mo's, popular for its Saturday night line dancing.
• Shopping along the main thoroughfares, University Avenue and the tree-lined Fifth Avenue, guests can browse through trendy boutiques and shops stocked with used books, vintage and designer clothes, records, unique novelty items and more. Highlights include Mint for fashion-forward footwear, Flashbacks for the hippest in retro clothes and Babbette Schwartz for quirky novelty gifts.

North Park: Hipster Happening

This eclectic neighborhood, east of Balboa Park, offers a dynamic mix of coffee houses, cafes, retail shops, art galleries and the city's most up-and-coming restaurant row complemented by a dynamic local craft beer scene.

• Notable restaurants include The Linkery, San Diego's nationally acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant that prepares the finest local, regional and sustainably grown ingredients. Urban Solace offers a chic and comfortable setting and serves upscale American comfort food and a popular Sunday Bluegrass Brunch. A slow-food-style pub, Ritual Tavern serves fresh house-made specialties, including many vegetarian and vegan twists on classic comfort food. A large variety of local craft beers round out the menus at each of these restaurants.
• North Park's nightlife comes alive on the bar-hopping intersection of University Avenue and 30th Street. Craft beer is king at Toronado San Diego, with 50 beers on tap featuring the best from local, domestic and international breweries. Bottled offerings number more than 230 and focus on Belgian, French, German and English brews. Bar Pink is the place to be seen and offers playful signature drinks, an eclectic crowd and live musical performances. U31 Bar has all the ingredients for a memorable evening, including a photo booth and specialty music nights that gets the crowd moving. The Office is a modern bar and lounge, where guests can lounge on modern chairs and couches and groove on the dance floor to a diverse music collection.
• For guests seeking artistic adventures, local businesses, art galleries and boutiques stay open late for art shows and live entertainment on the second Saturday of each month during Ray At Night. Culture lovers can also catch live opera, dance and theatrical performances at the newly renovated, historic Birch North Park Theatre. Home to the Lyric Opera of San Diego, the Birch stage often presents performances by the San Diego Ballet and La Jolla Music Society, as well as movie screenings in collaboration with FilmOut San Diego, which caters to the LGBT community.

South Park and Golden Hill: Indie Culture Abounds

Located just outside of downtown, Greater Golden Hill is home to the blossoming neighborhoods of Golden Hill and South Park, havens for independent shops, galleries and restaurants featuring innovative menus, complemented by the region's award-winning craft beer.

• Diners in Golden Hill and South Park have no shortage of creative cuisine options, from the retro-styled Turf Supper Club, where locals love the do-it-yourself vibe of grilling their own steaks right in the center of the dining room, Alchemy's seasonal menus focusing on serving simple yet perfectly crafted dishes that represent cultural fare from around the world.
• With more than 75 years of service, Hamilton's Tavern in South Park is the oldest beer and wine licensed establishment in San Diego. It offers high-quality ales and craft beers from around the world and boasts one of the most diverse bottle selections in the city. At Counterpoint in Golden Hill, visitors can rub elbows with neighborhood residents over a pint of craft beer from more than a dozen continually changing taps.
• Crafts, local art, unique fashions and one-of-a-kind treasures that can't be found at any mall make shopping a treat in Golden Hill and South Park. Make Good offers everything from gently used name-brand clothing to handmade art and accessories from San Diego designers. A design-oriented boutique for those who prefer their home to be both fashionable and functional, Progress sells Scandinavian home decor, modern yet whimsical children's toys and one-of-a-kind accessories. Junc Life & Style features trend-setting clothing and accessories for even the most discriminating fashionistas and doubles as a gallery for up-and-coming local artists.

Barrio Logan: Lively Hispanic Culture

Once the only residential neighborhood in San Diego with direct access to the beach, Barrio Logan was a refuge for Mexican residents fleeing the revolution in the early 20th century. Decades later, Barrio Logan is both the epicenter of San Diego's Hispanic community and a welcoming neighborhood where young urbanites and artists are spurring a creative renaissance.

• Diners can sample San Diego's freshest handmade tortillas at Las Cuatro Milpas, an unassuming eatery known for having some of the city's best Mexican food with lines of hungry locals usually extending around the block. Locals also pack Panchitas Bakery for their Mexican pastries, including pumpkin empanadas and bolillos stuffed with jalapeno and cheese, baked fresh daily. The sky-high burgers made with certified-humane meats are the stars at the Blueprint Café, which also offers taps of San Diego-based Ballast Point brews and hearty comfort food breakfasts.
• From Mexican street art to the most cutting edge galleries, Barrio Logan's art scene is one of San Diego's most unique. In the early 1970s, the Latino community established Chicano Park beneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge overpass, as part of a community empowerment effort. The park is home to a dazzling display of colorful sculptures and murals painted on the bridge's pillars.
• Voz Alta, a grassroots Chicano arts organization and artists collective, presents multi-disciplinary art exhibitions throughout the year in their Barrio Logan gallery and workspace, plus regular open-mic nights and jazz jam sessions. The Roots Factory on Main Street is part artist collective, part screenprinting shop and part performance art space. Innovative visual arts exhibitions are also presented throughout the year at their onsite gallery.

University Heights: Warm and Welcoming

Surrounded by historic and renovated craftsman-style homes, University Heights is a neighborhood that embraces San Diego's love for quirky and lively dining, shopping and nightlife. Adjacent to Hillcrest, University Heights is hip yet friendly and welcomes those with creative tastes to its main thoroughfare, Park Boulevard, home to popular eateries, shops and lounges.

• A local dining landmark, the Parkhouse Eatery can be easily spotted by its large neon clock rising above Park Boulevard and the long line of patrons waiting for a table during their legendary weekend breakfast. At this cozy house-turned-restaurant, classic American dishes and Mexican-inspired specialties are served in generous portions, and even the fruit preserve and ketchup are homemade. The Farm House Café proves that you can have exquisite cuisine without a stuffy atmosphere at this elegant yet easygoing restaurant. For a taste of something different, Soltan Banoo offers eclectic Persian flavors like pomegranate soup and abgousht, a stew of lamb, chickpeas, potatoes, beans, tomatoes and dried limes.
• At Folk Arts Rare Records, analog music enthusiasts can find folk, blues, jazz, show tunes, rhythm and blues, rock and roll and a vast inventory of 78 rpm records. Folk Arts is also home to the Lou Curtiss Sound Library, which comprises more than 90,000 hours and 90 years of vintage sound recordings. Shopping even goes vegan-friendly in University Heights at All Vegan, a boutique specializing in everything vegan from leather-free shoes to chocolates with no animal products.
• LBGT visitors and friends seeking exciting entertainment and nightlife can feel at home in University Heights. Bourbon Street bustles, while Lei Lounge provides a chilled environment right next door for mingling. The Diversionary Theatre, one of the oldest LGBT theatres in the country, produces edgy dramatic productions and playful musicals throughout the year.

Normal Heights: Abnormally Fun

Neighboring University Heights and home to unique antique stores and quirky coffeehouses, Normal Heights takes pride in creating a free-spirited environment where resident artists and hippies prove that what's "normal" in San Diego is a fun-loving attitude.

• Antique aficionados love Adams Avenue, the main thoroughfare in Normal Heights that is also known as "Antique Row." Here, nearly a dozen vintage, antique and consignment shops feature art, furniture and home décor from decades past. Book lovers delight in the shelves of the Adams Avenue Bookstore, a true neighborhood shop with resident cats greeting guests.
• Normal Heights celebrates live music day and night with annual music festivals as well as live music venues booking up-and-coming artists throughout the year. At the Soda Bar, local favorites play alongside tomorrow's rock and hip-hop stars to savvy music fans who can say they saw them "before they were famous." Lestat's Coffee House, open 24 hours, presents live music nightly and often welcomes well-known singer-songwriters to their intimate stage.
• Dining options are anything but cookie cutter in Normal Heights. Seats are always full at the Blind Lady Ale House, which offers thin-crust pizzas made of locally sourced organic ingredients and a beer list of dozens of craft brews. (This hot spot includes San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders among its frequent diners.) Vegetarians swoon over the "Neatloaf" at Jyoti Bihanga, an all-vegetarian restaurant owned and operated by students of spiritual master Sri Chinmoy. Both vegetarians and omnivores will love Tao, where their Vietnamese menu features chicken curries and housemade tofu and all entrees come with a salad and dessert included.
• Visitors with a sweet tooth love the creamy homemade ice creams in flavors like Mexican chocolate and blueberry cheesecake at Mariposa Ice Cream Shop and the exotic flavors at Viva Pops, which include lavender lemonade and nectarine basil.

Old Town San Diego: Where History Meets Entertainment

Visitors can witness the living legacy of California's birthplace in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego's first "downtown." Old Town marks the site of the first Spanish settlement on the U.S. West Coast and features 12 acres of Mexican lore and historical sites, colorful shops, early-California-style restaurants, museums, a theater and the newly restored Cosmopolitan Hotel.

• San Diego's history comes alive in Old Town's many preserved sites. Constructed in 1825, Casa de Estudillo unveils the lifestyle of a prominent San Diego family and is the most famous of the original adobe buildings in Old Town, furnished with representative items from the 16th to 20th centuries within its 13 rooms. The Whaley House is one of only two officially designated haunted houses in California. Constructed in 1856 on a former gallows' site, the house was once home to the Whaley family as well as San Diego's first theater and the county courthouse. The Junípero Serra Museum in Old Town's Presidio Park is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego and is recognized as the site where California began. Neighboring Heritage Park showcases San Diego Victorian era with six picturesque homes and San Diego's first synagogue, built between 1887-1910.
• Know for colorful Mexican cuisine, Old Town's dining is lively and vibrant. For authentic flavors and techniques in an upscale atmosphere, diners head to El Agave. This second-floor hacienda-style hideaway boasts a mind-blowing tequila collection and a menu specializing in upscale dishes that celebrate indigenous Mexican ingredients. At Café Coyote, the festive décor, massive margaritas, strolling mariachis and open air atmosphere prove that diners don't have to choose between flavor and fun. For a change of pace, Harney Sushi offers creative Japanese dishes and sushi roll concoctions, such as the "Mike Check" roll featuring lobster, cilantro, garlic ponzu and wonton chips, as well as expertly prepared traditional nigiri.
• Shopping in Old Town State Historic Park reflects the history of the 1800s and captures the essence of San Diego's colorful past. Shoppers can find a diverse selection of stores, from Cousin's Candy where fresh taffy is made and Toby's Candle Shop where guests make their own candles to the Johnson House that specializes in millinery and Alvarado Provisions with its unique gourmet foods. In the center of Old Town, guest can find the Old Town Market Place, an open-air courtyard with a variety of carts and shops that sell handcrafted trinkets, clothing and accessories traditional to the Mexican culture. At the Bazaar del Mundo Shops, guests can find a vibrant and colorful array of eclectic folk art, artisan jewelry, accessories, pottery, home décor and many other international treasures.

Ocean Beach: A Laid-Back Beach Town

With perpetual sun, swaying palms and sparkling surf, the funky neighborhood of Ocean Beach, referred to locally as O.B., is the epitome of Southern California beach culture. Newport Avenue, its main street, can be both laid-back and energized with boisterous bars, cafes, surf shops, tattoo parlors and a 1960s hippie attitude.

• With hundreds of antique dealers in six malls, the Ocean Beach Antique District, located along Newport Avenue, offers the largest concentration of antique and collectible dealers in San Diego County. The district offers an array of eclectic retail settings and features one-of-a-kind antiques, mid-century modern furniture, fine estate sale items, vintage jewelry and specialty memorabilia.
• O.B. is home to diverse eateries, many with views of the beautiful Pacific Ocean and featuring open patios that welcome man's best friend. Hodads is a famous surf-themed burger joint serving truly amazing hamburgers for 40 years. Guests can dine inside an old VW van on a table where the dashboard used to be located. Located at the end of Newport Avenue, South Beach Bar & Grill is a casual hangout where locals feast on fresh fish tacos like marinated and grilled mahi mahi, which once earned recognition as "America's best fish taco" from Bon Appetit magazine. At Bo-Beau Kitchen + Bar, chef Katherine Humphus, whose experience includes time at French Laundry, creates traditional French dishes served in a relaxed environment reminiscent of a cozy French farmhouse.
• O.B. is one of San Diego's prime surf spots and is also popular for its kid-friendly tidepools, long wooden pier that is perfect for fishing and Dog Beach, where even the tail-waggin' members of the family can play Frisbee and romp in the surf.

Pacific Beach/Mission Beach: The Beach and the Beautiful

Pacific Beach, referred to locally as P.B., is a seaside mecca and surfer's paradise for college students and the younger set with boisterous bars, cafes and casual restaurants aplenty. Located just south of P.B. and connected by a three-mile boardwalk, Mission Beach is another popular surf spot and hip hangout for the younger set.

• Throughout the year, the boardwalk connecting P.B. and Mission Beach features an endless parade of hard bodies and other beach goers walking, running, biking, inline-skating and just hanging out in the sun. Numerous bars, cafes and restaurants can also be found here; at the Green Flash, guests can dine on an oceanfront patio and try to catch the infamous "green flash" phenomenon when the setting sun hits the horizon. At the sophisticated JRDN restaurant in the Tower23 Hotel, guests can dine, drink and lounge in a stunning South Beach-inspired setting. Diners can discover how the local landmark restaurant World Famous earned its name with delicious and affordably priced seafood and steak specialties paired with a beachside location offering spectacular ocean views.
• Located along the boardwalk in Mission Beach, Belmont Park features the "Giant Dipper" wooden roller coaster, a National Historic Landmark, carnival rides, amusement arcades and The Wave House, with an on-land, water wave simulator.
• Located along P.B.'s main streets, Grand and Garnet Avenues, beachgoers can find a plethora of restaurants, thrift stores, vintage clothing stores, boutiques, tattoo parlors, coffeehouses and hookah bars that line the two streets. Garnet Avenue is also home to a number of boisterous beach bars, which offer nightly drink specials that attract sandal-wearing coeds and partygoers in their 20s.

La Jolla: The Jewel of San Diego

The treasures of this Mediterranean-style village make La Jolla one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in Southern California. With luxurious and historic hotels, fine dining and shopping, world-class arts and culture, unbeatable outdoor recreation and a strikingly beautiful setting, it's no wonder why La Jolla is nicknamed the "jewel" of San Diego.

• La Jolla's beautiful beaches and coastline provide endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. The gentle waves of La Jolla Shores create the perfect environment for swimming, kayaking and learning to surf, while the protected waters of the La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve offer a fascinating diving spot thriving with marine life. Just a couple miles north is Torrey Pines, with recreational options that range from hiking among native wildlife at Torrey Pines State Reserve to golfing at the internationally recognized Torrey Pines Golf Course, home of the prestigious 2008 U.S. Open. At the neighboring Torrey Pines Gliderport adventure seekers can soar high above the ocean with this award-winning paragliding company.
• La Jolla is one of San Diego's most desirable shopping districts and is known for its variety of specialty shops and boutiques that feature top designers and luxury items from around the world. Sometimes called the "Rodeo Drive of San Diego," Prospect Street overlooks the ocean and is lined with small boutiques, antique emporiums and art galleries. Girard Avenue features everything from Armani to upscale stationary stores, while the Upper Girard Design District is where shoppers delight in modern home and lifestyle stores that carry one-of-a-kind pieces from around the globe.
• Combining spectacular ocean views with award-winning menus that focus on farm- fresh organic ingredients, La Jolla's restaurants offer some of San Diego's finest dining experiences. George's at the Cove has unbeatable ocean views and a creative award-winning menu of regional cuisine that has earned the restaurant national recognition. Whisknladle presents a back-to-basics philosophy reflected in a menu of upscale comfort foods where everything is baked, churned, smoked, aged, cured and pickled in-house. A.R. Valentien in the Craftsman-style Lodge at Torrey Pines is among the top farm-to-table restaurants in the nation with a menu that draws inspiration from the freshest, seasonal ingredients from local farmers, ranchers and fishermen. The award-winning Nine-Ten restaurant, located in the historic Grande Colonial hotel, is one of the neighborhood's hottest bistros, serving market fresh, evolving California cuisine in a casually elegant atmosphere.
• La Jolla offers a dynamic and diverse display of cultural opportunities. The Tony Award®-winning La Jolla Playhouse is one of the most respected and prestigious theaters in the nation where a number of productions have started before moving on to Broadway, like the 2010 Tony Award®-winning musical Memphis. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on Prospect Street features contemporary paintings, sculptures, photography, drawings and classic graphic art in galleries complemented by spectacular ocean views. The La Jolla Music Society presents internationally recognized classical music performances and events throughout the year. The site-specific sculptures of the Stuart Collection on the University of California San Diego campus and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps round out La Jolla's cultural offerings.

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San Diego Comic-Con International 2011

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