Downtown
Head to the East Village’s
Quartyard, a grown-up play-
ground with food trucks, flicks,
libations, live music and more.
THREE GREAT RIDES
Historical buildings, eclectic public spaces and a booming dining scene infuse
downtown with endless energy. By day, it’s family friendly. Later, the area’s many
bars and clubs draw an animated crowd of nighttime revelers.
NEIGHBORHOODS
20 | sandiego.org Fall/Winter 2015-16
BIKE IT
1Harbor Island 3. 4 miles from downtown Take the bike path that runs parallel to North Harbor Drive to this two-mile
peninsula. Snap some pics at Harbor
Island Park before heading to Tom Ham’s
Lighthouse (2150 Harbor Island Drive) or
C Level (880 Harbor Island Drive) to refuel
with happy hour bites and drinks (and
enjoy an amazing view of the bay).
2 Liberty Station and NTC Park 4. 7 miles from downtown Shopping, dining, art and history
can be found at this former naval training
center. Stop for a leisurely lunch at one
of the many local restaurants or pick up
snacks from one of
two grocery stores
and then picnic at
NTC Park.
3 Shelter Island 5. 7 miles from downtown Located just east of Harbor
Island, this 1.2-mile-long peninsula
is home to public art pieces like the
Tunaman’s Memorial, the Yokohama
Friendship Bell and Pearl of the Pacific,
a mosaic fountain. Before you ride
back, visit the Bali Hai (2230 Shelter
Island Drive) for a tropical mai tai.
DINING DESTINATIONS
From a quick bite to full-on fine dining, you’ll find what you’re looking for in downtown’s Gaslamp
Quarter. Hot new spots include Rustic Root (535 Fifth Ave.), with hearty New American fare and a
rooftop patio; Water Grill (615 J St.), the multimillion-dollar seafood stunner; and Sovereign
Vietnamese Kitchen and Bar (467 Fifth Ave.), a dual-concept modern Vietnamese restaurant with an
attached casual kitchen, called Food Shop, slinging affordable banh mi, pho and wok dishes.
PARTY AFTER DARK
Dress up and get down at Omnia (454 Sixth Ave.), San Diego’s
shimmering new nightlife destination, or Parq (615 Broadway),
where an Alice in Wonderland themed restaurant gives way to a
38,000-square-foot dance club. EDM fans should head to Bassmnt
(919 Fourth Ave.), where top DJs spin for a packed house. For
a more relaxed vibe, hang at Quad Alehouse (868 Fifth Ave.), a
newly minted second-story craft beer haven, or roast s’mores and
sip coffee cocktails on the patio at Halcyon (1429 Island Ave.).
PARKS AND
PUBLIC SPACES
Downtown’s East Village is
booming like never before, with
new public parks and creative
spaces to soak in the scene.
Hang with the locals (and their
pups) at Quartyard (1102 Market
St.), a pop-up park with free
Wi-Fi, a dog run, beer, sausages,
coffee and a rotating selection
of food trucks; or kick back at
the brand-new Fault Line Park
(14th and Island Ave.), complete
with reflective spheres, grass
moguls and two playgrounds.
GET HAPPY
Budget-friendly booze and
bites abound downtown, where
restaurants and bars roll out discounts as early as 3 p.m. A few
standout steals include Bice’s
$5 deals on beer, wine, cocktails
and an array of small plates
(425 Island Ave., 5–7 p.m.
daily) and 21 tapas priced at
$5 apiece, along with sangria
specials at Café 21 (802 Fifth
Ave., 3–6 p.m. daily). On Tuesdays, get $4 tostadas and Mexican
beers all night
long at Común
Kitchen
& Tavern
(935 J St.).
Quartyard
Halcyon
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