14 THINGS TO DO DOWNTOWN
THERE’S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING, FROM HOT RESTAURANTS TO ROOFTOP MOVIES AND FUN FOR THE KIDS
Downtown may be just one of many interesting and unique neighborhoods in San Diego, but it’s the only one that provides that iconic skyline seen in postcards and tourism pamphlets and all over Instagram.
Almost any kind of art, music, comedy, dining and drinking experience can be found in the downtown area, which comprises neighborhoods like Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village.
We technically included a spot in Barrio Logan on this list, but it was just too tasty and too close to downtown to leave off our short but sweet list. It could really have been 101 things.
Think we missed something? Let us know what else should have been on our list by emailing us at abby.hamblin@ sduniontribune.com.
San Diego Burger Co.
Grab a classic burger at Seaport Village. Since 1995, Pepe and Deborah Stepensky have been grilling up cooked-to-order sandwiches at their San Diego Burger Co. Their summer menu features 1⁄3-pound ground sirloin burgers, turkey, chicken and fish burgers, as well as garden and Impossible burgers. The fast-casual location is a short walk from the Rady Shell. 879 W. Harbor Drive
San Diego Central Library’s Special Collections Center
The Marilyn and Gene Marx Special Collections Center showcases three extensive collections offering a peek into the past: the California Collection, which focuses primarily on Southern California; the Wagenheim Rare Book Collection, which depicts the development of books over time; and the Genealogy Collection, which centers on research databases. The Special Collections Center additionally has a plethora of online resources, such as a digital archive and spotlight videos, that can be found at sandiego.gov/publiclibrary/central-library/special-collections. 330 Park Blvd.
Bang Bang
Top the night off in Japan — sort of. Looking for a unique way to end the evening with a post-concert cocktail and late-night snack? Take a walk into the Gaslamp Quarter to visit the unique cocktail bar and restaurant Bang Bang
San Diego, which is designed to re-create the look and feel of urban Japan. You’ll walk up a staircase built to look and sound like a Tokyo subway tunnel. At the top of the stairs, there’s a mood-lit sushi restaurant with cocktails and “teapots” of alcoholinfused drinks designed for six people to share. 526 Market St.
American Comedy Co.
Enjoy a show at American Comedy Co., a local comedy club that features established comedy acts as well as a Tuesday
night open mic and happy hour shows. Equipped with a full restaurant and bar, the club offers first-come, first-served seating in a rustic, American-style venue. In the past, the club has hosted well-known comedians such as Bobby Lee, Charlie Murphy and Kevin Nealon. Must be 21 or older to enter. 818 Sixth Ave.
Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
With the bay and Coronado to the west and the downtown skyline, marina and San Diego Convention Center to the east, the meticulously designed Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is striking from the ground, sea and air. It is likely the only outdoor concert venue operated by any American orchestra (San Diego Symphony) at which members of the public can freely walk, jog, bike or skate around the entire site on a public promenade, day or night. The venue opened with a goal of showcasing the orchestra and offering a more diversified lineup of concerts. 222 Marina Park Way
Digital Gym Cinema
The Digital Gym Cinema recently reopened in a new location: UC San Diego @ Park & Market. It screens independent and international films throughout the week. It is also home to education and enrichment programs and workshops in media arts, including filmmaking and producing, for San Diego youths. 1100 Market St.
Mike Hess Brewing
Grab a beer and taco at Mike Hess Brewing. This San Diego-based brewery’s tasting room at Seaport Village has just added a new outdoor dining and drinking deck overlooking the bay. It offers 23 beers, kombuchas, ciders and sodas on tap. Quiero offers casual Mexican food inhouse. 879 W. Harbor Drive, Suite W14-E
Coronado Ferry
The Coronado Ferry offers round-trip access to Coronado, yes, but it’s also an affordable way to see the San Diego skyline from the bay. Flagship Cruises operates two ferry routes going to Coronado from downtown: one from Broadway Pier and one from behind the San Diego Convention
Center. The ferries have two seating levels to choose from for your trip, and you can watch it arrive and depart from Coronado at flagshipsd.com/ferry-cam. 600 Convention Way
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
Open only on Saturdays, this open-air seafood market offers fresh fish straight from the latest catch from local fishing companies. Depending on the season and the catch, the market may contain everything from sea urchin to albacore and California king salmon. It opens at 8 a.m. and goes until the seafood runs out. 598 Harbor Lane
Las Cuatro Milpas
Bite into history at Las Cuatro Milpas. It’s just a 1.5-walk from the Rady Shell, and probably another 40-minute wait in line, but this historic eatery is one of San Diego’s most beloved family-owned taco shops. Three generations of the Estudillo family have dished up authentic tacos, burritos, tamales and a handful of other items since 1933. Real Mexican cheese and crema are used, and tortillas and hot sauce are made in-house. Don’t ask for substitutions, and only cash is accepted. 1857 Logan Ave.
Lavo
Make a reservation at Lavo, one of San Diego’s newest Italian restaurants, which opened June 14 in the former Searsucker space at Fifth and Market. This glitzy, nightlife-themed, 235-seat restaurant and cocktail bar offers a fresh take on Italian classics and creative cocktails in a glitzy environment. Start your meal with the soon-to-be-famous 1-pound Wagyu beef meatball. 611 Fifth Ave.
Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club offers and opportunity to see a movie while surrounded by downtown city lights. It shows movies for all ages before 4:30 p.m. and movies for adults after that. Enjoy fresh popcorn and other food offerings as well as cocktails and other drinks. Films have included the original “Top Gun,” the “Harry Potter” series and “Friday the 13th.” 1 Market Place
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
The San Diego Chinese History Museum seeks to educate and inspire by preserving and celebrating Chinese art, history and culture. It features exhibits on the Chinese American immigration story focusing on the community in San Diego, as well as Chinese history going back to the Shang dynasty. The museum also offers a walking tour of the Asian Pacific Historic District and other educational opportunities. 404 Third Ave.
New Children’s Museum
Experience family fun through contemporary art at the New Children’s Museum. It houses art installations and educations programs for children, including sensoryfriendly experiences. The museum also offers art studios and workshops for families. 200 W. Island Ave.