This Buzzy Downtown District Is Perfect for a Weekend of New Experiences
When you think of San Diego, you may think of sandy beaches, fish tacos and flip-flops, but this sunny city has a lot more to offer. In the heart of downtown San Diego lies the historic and buzzy Gaslamp Quarter. This neck of the woods is known for its vibrant nightlife, Victorian-era architecture, top-rated restaurants, retail destinations and totally unique experiences. Itās the perfect place for a weekend tripāand thereās lots to cover. Weāve put together a jam-packed, 48-hour itinerary for the most epic weekend you could possibly spend down in San Diegoās Gaslamp Quarter.
DAY 1
2:30 p.m.Ā
Lunch at Happy Does Bar
The first thing you should do when arriving in the Gaslamp Quarter is head over to Happy Does Barāa super fun restaurant and bar known for its outdoor patio with a backyard barbecue feel. Itās got picnic tables, bright yellow umbrellas, brick wall murals and an outdoor bar. They serve up all kinds of cocktails and beers, like Pacifico, and insanely delicious comfort foods like chicken tenders and corn dogs with all the dipping sauces you could dream of. Theyāre always streaming the latest Padres game, and theyāve got a great happy hour on Thursdays and Fridays from 3-6 p.m. If you like patio games and great vibes, this is the place to be.
4 p.m.
Check-in at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
The most important determinant of a great weekend is the ideal place to stayāand weāve picked out the best there is. If you couldnāt tell by the name, the new Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter will give you that 5 oāClock Somewhere, tropical vacation feeling. Formerly the Hotel Solamar, this San Diego hotel was blessed with a $31 million refreshāand it shows. The rooms feature all-white linens, beachy decor and plush beds youāll want to jump right into. They offer standard rooms and specialty Studio Suites, and if you really want to go all out, their Premium King Spa Corner room boasts sweeping views of the city in almost every direction.
Up on the rooftop, youāll find a breezy restaurant and bar with live entertainment and downtown San Diegoās largest pool deck with private cabanas and plenty of room to lounge. The best part? The hotel is centrally located amidst all the best nightlife, entertainment, shops and restaurantsāso youāll be right in the middle of the action.
5:30 p.m.Ā
Dinner at Huntress
Itās not hard to narrow down a decent steakhouse or two in the foodie mecca that is San Diego, but try finding another chop house that boasts one of the largest Japanese whiskey collections in California. Huntress takes elevated dining to a whole new level with private dining rooms, a Japanese whisky bar and a tasting room all on the second-floor Mezzanine. Every corner of this modern and chic steakhouse is accented with bold architectural embellishments that complement their exotic plates. Lobster corn dogs, seafood towers and dry-aged Wagyu are just a few plates that will have you reminiscing on this feast of flavors. Each of their bovine cuts is complemented by a regal dessert menu, including their crowned jewel, the Magic Mushroom Cake!
10/11
7:30 p.m.
Catch a show at Mad House Comedy Club
Head to Mad House Comedy Club almost any night of the week, and youāre in for a good time. With events ranging from open mic night to your favorite celebrity comedians, you can choose to go in blind or buy tickets ahead of time for those āas seen on Netflixā types. If youāre not one to plan ahead, know that GA tickets are first come, first served, so get there early to get a ticket and a good seat. Itās an intimate venue with lots of crowd interaction, a full bar and plenty of laughs.
DAY 2
10 a.m.
Coffee + Breakfast at Spill the Beans
Armed with an adorable moniker and an even cuter interior, Spill the Beans is on a mission to show the world exactly how they should be drinking their morning coffee. Basic baes will instantly lock eyes with the Basic Sitch latteāan elevated take on a Starbucks macchiato. Coffee and cinnamon go hand in hand, and their Cinna-Bee latte hits all the right flavor notes! Itās not just the beans this coffee house is famous for. They also pride themselves on baking scratch-made bagels that pair perfectly with their flavored house-made shmears and artisan butters!
11:30 a.m.Ā
Visit the Gaslamp Artisan Market
To walk off that yummy brunch, head over to the Gaslamp Artisan Market. Every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the market takes place just up the street from Rustic Root between Fourth and Fifth Streets. Here, local vendors and artisans gather to sell everything from clothing and accessories to pet accessories and art for your home. Itās the perfect place for a post-brunch shopping spree. Plus, youāll be shopping locally, getting to know the people behind the products and investing in the community. Itās a no-brainer.
7/8
1 p.m.Ā
Explore WNDR Museum
Once youāre all shopped out and ready for some more adventure, check out WNDR Museum, an interactive art and technology museum that truly is hard to put into words (fine, weāll try). The entire place is one big piece of art, and you can interact with all of it. Youāll walk over a floor that lights up with your steps; youāll snake your way through mystical hanging blue lights; youāll get lost in a room full of mirrors and so much more. Their message is that weāre all artists, so everything you do in the museum is part of the art.
2:30 p.m.
Lunch at Rockinā Baja Lobster
The open-air dining terrace of Rockinā Baja Lobster is calling your name! This lively Mexican cantina brings a taste of Baja to this side of the border with local Pacific lobster in oversized tortillas. Inspired by Puerto Nuevoās simple charm, it honors its heritage with sizzling skillets, palapa platters, and flavorful tacos. Start with the Big Golden Sombrero Bucket, packed with lobster tail, skirt steak, King crab, and Mexican street corn. With a Pacifico in hand, savor a buttery lobster roll on the vibrant open-air terrace, soaking up the sunshine.
4 p.m.Ā
Check-in at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Wedged between Seaport Village, the Convention Center and the Gaslamp Quarter, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego gives guests the ease and luxury of a near-perfect location. Sleek and sophisticated, the suites at this posh San Diego hotel offer modern comforts like plush robes and blackout drapes. Despite the luxury, it still feels like homeāplus, the ocean views arenāt bad either! With seven dining options, the waterfront hotel impresses, but nothing beats Top of the Hyatt. Perched 40 floors high, this sky lounge turns dining in the clouds into a reality.
But the captivating views donāt end there. The two rooftop pools feature panoramic views of the San Diego Bay, complete with private cabanas and manicured turf. Youāll want to capture all the content for Instagram at their Rooftop Cinema Club, located on the 4th floor. This open-air cocktail lounge and screening lawn creates a laid-back ambiance for movie showings with a cocktail underneath San Diego’s sky.
5 p.m.
Play at Coin-Op Game Room
If the cornhole didnāt cut it, donāt worry; there are tons more games to be played. Head to Coin-Op Game Room after lunch to channel your inner child and have some fun. This adult arcade bar features great cocktails, draft beers and both classic and modern arcade games. Its decor gives a retro, nostalgic vibe, featuring vintage posters, neon lights and an overall ’80s and ’90s arcade aesthetic. Bust a move on Dance Dance Revolution, try your hand at Skee-Ball, or challenge your friends to some Mortal Kombat. Beware: Competitionās in the air, and itās every man for themself.
7 p.m.
Dinner at Santa Gula
Hidden in a historic brick building, behind a red velvet curtain, lies Santa Gulaāa trendy nightclub and cocktail lounge. This intimate San Diego restaurant channels the art-deco era with vintage lighting, marble floors, and a round live performance stage. Nightly jazz and Top 40 hits set the mood for a multicultural feast blending flavors from Mexico, Asia, and Italy. Shigoku oysters, croquetas de jamĆ³n, and miso-glazed salmon create a five-star meal, best paired with their timeless espresso martini.
9 p.m.
Cocktails + Live Music at Prohibition Lounge
Prohibition Lounge is the perfect place to end your night with a delicious cocktail. Itās a 1920s-themed, underground speakeasy in the Gaslamp Quarter that feels like something right out of āThe Great Gatsby.ā From Fifth Avenue, youāll find a discreet door labeled Law Office. Open the door, descend the stairs, and step into a chic lounge buzzing with live music, a full bar, and elegantly dressed guests. The “no cell phones at the bar” rule enhances the ā20s vibe, creating a truly authentic speakeasy experience. As Gatsby says, āCanāt repeat the past? Why, of course you can!ā
DAY 3
10 a.m. Explore Balboa Park
A vegetative oasis of culture and history, Balboa Park invites you to explore stunning architecture, cozy cafƩs, and live music. Spanning 1,200 acres, this San Diego gem comes alive with cultural festivals and vibrant community events. Stroll through the Japanese Friendship Garden, sip an artisan latte from Prado Perk, or enjoy music at the Organ Pavilion.
12 p.m.
Brunch at The Shout House
The Shout House had us sold at dueling pianos and bloody marys! Break for brunch at this vibrant live music venue that has boozy cereal shots, bottles of bubbles and brunch bites up and running by noon. Interactive comedy shows and dueling piano performances showcase the best music hits from the 1950s to the modern era. Put in an order for a cold brew cocktail or two and pull up a chair next to the stage for the best seats in the house. Pairing breakfast food with sweet serenades, their brunch menu ranges from cozy buttermilk biscuit sandos and breakfast potatoes to soulful smoothie bowls!
1 p.m. Catch a Padres Game
Baseball season is fully underway, and adding a San Diego Padres game to your itinerary is a must! Catch baseballās biggest stars in action, like Fernando Tatis Jr., Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado! Petco Park is located in the heart of Downtown San Diego and is one of our favorite stadiums to catch a ballgame. Grab something to sip on, like a Pacifico Michelada from Pacifico Porch, and be sure to try the Cardiff Tri-Tip Nachos from Seaside Market. In terms of post-game entertainment, check out this list of Padres bars in San Diego for some fellow fan camaraderie.
6 p.m.
Dinner at Union Kitchen & Tap
Union Kitchen & Tap is every bit the neighborhood hotspot of the Gaslamp Quarter. Garage-style doors open up to a refined rustic-chic kitchen adorned with black vinyl booths and reclaimed wooden accents. Live music and DJs set the ambiance for an elevated dinner at this American eatery. Farm-to-table small plates and house-made cocktails are the heart and soul of this restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter, although we love to kick things off with an ice-cold Pacifico. To eat, begin with the skillet cornbread or blue lump crab cakes before moving on to bigger and better things like their Sterling NY strip or sweet potato ravioli. Oh, and make sure to bring your four-legged friend for a doggy dinner of their own, with a personalized pup menu that will have them jaw-dropped and drooling for sure!
8 p.m.
Karaoke at Werewolf
When was the last time you hit the stage for some karaoke? In the spirit of having so much fun today, weāre sending you to Werewolfāthe best place in town to sing your heart out. Every night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., people sign themselves up to belt their favorite tunes (Billie Eilish, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gagaāyou name it). If you want to zip to the front of the line, you can purchase a fast pass for $50, which comes with a round of shots for everyone youāre cutting in line. Grab that mic; weāre rooting for you!
9:30 p.m.
Nightcap at Room 56
So maybe you’ve had enough of listening to baselessly confident tone-deaf people scream into the micāwe get it. Donāt worry. Weāve got something better for the cherry on top of your perfect Gaslamp Quarter weekend. Head over to the Moxy Hotel to see what weāre talking about. Tucked away behind a secret bookcase entrance is Room 56, a ridiculously cool and exclusive speakeasy. They serve hand-crafted cocktails, and theyāll bring you interesting conversation topic cards to discuss while you wait. (Reservations are definitely required, so we hope you read this full itinerary ahead of time).
