Just another beautiful day for a walk in San Diego

San Diego Walking Tour: Gaslamp, Little Italy, and Marina District

Rated easy, 3.8mi, 85’ elevation gain, loop trail

Hello! I am Bleu from Mama Bleu’s Adventures. I am a local San Diego tour guide and I have created this blog as a companion to the Alltrails San Diego Walking Tour: Gaslamp, Little Italy and Marina District loop to give you a little extra “color” for your adventure.

I’m starting hike at 5th Avenue and Island Avenue in the Gaslamp District and following the trial in a clockwise loop, but I’m laying out this companion as to be easily adjusted for any starting point by scrolling to landmarks noted in bold print. I will also be suggesting a few detours along the way. So open your Alltrails App and let’s hit the trail!

Start: 5th Avenue and Island Avenue

Detours from this point are strongly suggested. You can find the detours below the following description of the Alltrails hike.

ALLTRAILS HIKE:

Head west on Island to 4th.

On the north east corner of 4th and Island you will pass the Gaslamp Foundation’s Horton-Davis House. Built in 1850, this is the oldest structure in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is also a museum featuring rooms decorated to represent different eras of the home’s history. Admission is $5. This is the home of Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation and they offer several tours including a more comprehensive walking tour of the Gaslamp focused on the history and the Victorian architecture of the district.

On the south west corner of 4th and Island you will find the Horton Grand Hotel. This was actually two victorian hotels which were saved from demolition. They were disassembled brick by brick and reassembled and joined on this location. The Salt & Whisky restaurant inside is a nice place to take in some victorian ambiance.

Turn south on 4th

Turn west on J Street and continue to 1st Street.

On the corner of J and 3rd you will pass the Chinese Historical Museum. This part of the Gaslamp was also San Diego’s Chinatown and this museum demonstrates the important role the Chinese played in the development of San Diego as well as sharing Chinese art and culture.

At 1st Street turn south

To the north and south you will see a square block path that parallels the trolley tracks and Harbor Drive. This is the Martin Luther King Promenade. This is a 12 acre, .6 mile linear park lined with sculptures and 30 plaques bearing Dr. King’s words.

Continue on 1st and cross Harbor Drive.

Once across Harbor Dr., you will have the San Diego Convention Center to the south-east. The SDCC was opened in 1990 and expanded in 2001. Our largest convention is the world famous Comicon which draws over 130,000 attendees from more than 80 countries!

Turn north-west and follow the trail.

You will pass the Marriott Marquis. Those unusual trees in front are Naked Coral trees from Mexico.

Continuing north-west on the trail you will pass the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

Follow Harbor Drive as it curves westward.

Across Harbor Drive you can see The Kansas City BBQ. This the location of the scene in “Top Gun” where Goose and Maverick sang “Great Balls of Fire”.

You will be passing The Headquarters. This was the
San Diego Police Station built in 1939. When the Police moved out it was converted for shopping and dining. There is police memorabilia displayed and an actual jail cells inside. You can find the displays across from Puesto restaurant in the courtyard.

Follow the trail across The Pacific Coast Highway through

Ruocco Park and to the harbor side walkway. This is where the detours suggested at 5th and Island will rejoin the Alltrails trail.

Scroll past the Detour descriptions below to “This ends the Detour from 5th Avenue and Island and you rejoin the Alltrails trail.”

Detours Suggested at 5th and Island

Both versions of these detours will allow you to see much more of the beauty San Diego has to offer. I strongly suggested you select one of these. The only difference in the two is which way to pass around Petco Park.

PETCO PARK NORTH: This detour will take you around the northern side of Petco Park to see Gallagher Square the “Park in the Park” = .79 mi. You will then use the pedestrian bridge to cross Harbor Drive and experience an additional .89 miles of bay front views.

Proceed south on 5th passing under the Gaslamp Sign.

Gaslamp sign looking north on 5th Avenue.

Before the trolley tracks, turn south east and follow the walkway past the Tin Fish to Petco Park.

At 7th Ave, turn north and follow the walkway alongside Petco.

Just past K Street, take the walkway to the west.

You’ll pass Gallagher Square, also known as the “Park in the Park”. Here you will find the baseball field for the fans and Tony Gwynn’s Statue.

Continue on the walkway eastward turning south on 10th and then south west on Park Blvd, which becomes Trevor Hoffman Way.

Take the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge over the rail yard and Harbor Drive. Here’s a link to good article about the engineering challenges of the bridge’s construction. https://www.structuremag.org/?p=827

Scroll down to “Hilton Bayfront” below as both suggested Petco detours merge at this point.

PETCO PARK SOUTH: This detour will take you along the southern side of Petco Park to the pedestrian bridge = .28 mi. You will then use the pedestrian bridge to cross Harbor Drive and experience an additional .89 miles of bay front views.

Proceed south on 5th passing under the Gaslamp sign.

Before the trolley tracks, turn south east and follow the walkway past The Tin Fish to Petco Park.

Continue down walkway past the south-west wall of Petco Park to the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge and take bridge over the rail yard and Harbor Drive.

Hilton Bayfront

On the other side of Harbor Drive, follow the walkway past the Hilton Bayfront to the harbor side walkway.

At the walkway turn northwest and follow the path along the harbor. Here you will get a view of the Dole dock. Dole moves 185 million bananas a month through this dock! You may also see some beautiful mega-yachts docked along here.

Heading northward along the walkway you will passing a, grassy area behind the San Diego Convention Center. This is the area that is proposed to be used for the next expansion of the convention center. There is an open stall bathroom just past the grassy area on the bayside of the walkway.

5th Ave Landing.

Embarcadero Marina Park South Peninsula - additional .55 mi

On your left you will be passing Embarcadero Marina Park South, a peninsula protecting the Marriott Marina. You will find Joe’s Crab Shack, parking and an open-stall bathroom. You will also find fitness stations along the path, basketball courts, and a fishing pier. A fishing license is not required to fish from the pier. Tackle is available for rent at Burgers Bait and Beer next to the pier. They also offer a varied but limited menu of food items. The jewel of this park is “The Shell” a new performance venue and the home of the San Diego Symphony. The Convention Center landing for the Coronado Ferry is next to Joe’s. The ferry is $5 one way.

Follow the walkway around the peninsula until you are back to the harbor side trail.

Turn north and continue on the pathway.

SDCC Staircase

To the north-east as you pass SDCC you will find the grand staircase going up to the bayside patio of SDCC. There isn’t a lot of interest on the patio but the view is very nice if you would like to climb the 81 steps and take a look.

Continue north-west on the walkway.

Marriott Marina Here you will find Roys, Marina Kitchen and Tequila restaurants along with Wheel Fun, where you can rent bikes and surreys.

Between the Marriott and the Hyatt is a walkway that will take you back out to Harbor Drive if needed

Manchester Grand Hyatt.

Seaforth Boat Rental Dock

Seaport Village southern end

At the southern end of Seaport Village you can find a lot of shopping, food, ATM and bathrooms. You will find a Directory next to San Pasqual Winery.

Continue along the walkway.

Old Town Trolley/Seal Boat Tour Booth is on the Seaport Village side and the entrance to the Embarcadero Marina Park peninsula on the harbor side.

Embarcadero Marina Park Peninsula - additional .52 miles

Here you will find parking and an open-stall bathroom and lots of picnic areas. You will also get plenty of photo opportunities with a view of the Shell, the Coronado Bridge, Coronado Island and North Island.

Follow the walkway around the peninsula and back to the trail.

Seaport Village Northern end

You will be passing the rest of Seaport Village. Here you will find lots of shopping, dining, ATM and bathrooms. As you pass the “Beach” you will find a directory by the fountain. You will also find a shady courtyard with lots of seating near the Carousel in this area.

Tuna Harbor Dockside Market Pier

On the bayside you will be passing the Tuna Harbor Dockside Pier. This is where you can buy fresh fish right off the boats every Saturday 8am-1pm.

Tuna Harbor

This area of the bay is called Tuna Harbor and you can see part of San Diego’s fishing fleet moored here. The rest is moored at Shelter Island in the northern part of the bay.

From the 1930’s through the mid 1980’s San Diego was known as the Tuna Capital of the World. Back then canneries lined the harbor from little Italy all the way down to Chula Vista.

THIS ENDS THE DETOURS FROM 5TH AVENUE AND YOU REJOIN THE ALLTRAILS HIKE

Continue northwest along the harbor side walkway.

USS San Diego Memorial will be on the city side of the walkway. This large memorial was designed to invoke a ships bow. On the ground you can trace the ships path during WWII.

Tuna Harbor Park Peninsula - additional .34 miles

This is a great little park featuring “Embracing Peace” a 25’ statue inspired by the iconic WWII Victory photo of the sailor kissing a nurse. You will also find a group of bronze statues titled Salute to Bob Hope and The Fish Market restaurant. There is a nice little place to sit and enjoy the bay tucked behind Bob. On the way back to the trail you will pass the memorial to Task Force “Taffy 3” and Vice Admiral Sprague.

Salute to Bob Hope, thanks for the memories!

Back out on the trail you will find “Homecoming”, an emotional tribute to the sacrifices made by service members and their families, and the Aircraft Carrier Memorial.

Continue on the walkway heading north.

#41The USS Midway Museum. Commissioned in 1945, the Midway was the largest ship in the world until 1955. She remained in service until 1992. She was brought to San Diego in 2003 to become a floating Naval Aviation Museum featuring 29 aircraft you can climb aboard.

The Midway also features an audio tour, flight simulators, displays and a theatre. The Fantail Restaurant is soon to finish a huge remodel. $26 Adult/ $18 Veterans and Children 6-17

#41 the USS Midway taken from the Coronado Ferry

Across Harbor Drive is the site of the future Manchester Pacific Gateway development. This 8 square block project will include class A office space, an iconic hotel, lifestyle retail and dining, plaza and cultural space, entertainment, public parking. It also includes new Navy Headquarters.

Continue north on the walkway.

Flagship Cruise fleet. Both Flagship and Hornblower cruises, which you can also access at the booths here, offer a variety of cruise options. This is also a landing for the Coronado Ferry. A one way ticket to Coronado is $5.

Broadway Pier. This pier is used to service Cruise Ships and as an event space. In front of the Pier you can find Carnitas Snack Shack, a big screen TV and plenty of shady seating. Just north of the pier you will find a bathroom.

A shady place to relax and watch some sports

Continue north on the walkway.

One American Plaza

Looking eastward on Broadway you can see a building that looks a bit like a Phillips head screwdriver. This is One American Plaza and, believe it or not, San Diego’s tallest building. Due to the proximity to our airport the building’s in San Diego can only be 500’ tall. To put that in perspective, look across the bay to one of the Nimitz class aircraft carriers. If you stood one of those carriers on end it would be twice as tall as One America Plaza

Looking east down Broadway from Harbor Drive. One America Plaza is on the left and Pacific Gate on the right.

Lane Field

On the north-east corner of Broadway and Harbor Drive you will find a park. This is the site of Lane Field, the home to the Pacific Coast League Padres from 1936-1957. This is where a local boy named Ted Williams started his professional baseball career. Ted is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, just saying.

Continue north along the path.

B Street Pier. This is the main cruise ship terminal in San Diego.

The Portside Pier This is a new dining venue with a variety of options from the Brigantine family of restaurants.

San Diego Maritime Museum

This museum has one of the world’s finest collection of historic ships. The crown jewel of the collection is the Star of India. Built in 1863, she is the oldest active sailing ship. Adult Admission is $20.

The San Diego County Administration Building.

Across Harbor Drive is the County Administration Building. It was built in 1938 on filled tideland as a WPA project. Next the the County Administration building you will find Waterfront Park, a fun family recreation park featuring water play areas.

Originally the bay shoreline was much further inland. All of the land you have been walking on was created by fill from dredging of the bay in the 1930’s.

Continue north on the trail.

Across the harbor you can probably see at least one aircraft carrier docked. The Nimitz class carriers are too big to go under the Coronado bridge and dock at the 32nd street Naval Base so they use North Island. San Diego is currently home port to #70 Carl Vinson, #71 Theodore Roosevelt, and #72 Abraham Lincoln.

You’ll be passing the docks used by the Hornblower fleet.

Hawthorn Street Dock

At Hawthorn Street notice the cages stacked on the dock? Those are lobster traps.

Cross Harbor Drive at Hawthorn Street

Follow Harbor eastward up the hill and over the train tracks.

The tracks here are used for the Trolley, Amtrak, The Pacific Surfliner and the Coaster. The bay’s waterline used to be somewhere around the tracks and Kettner Boulevard.

Turn South on India Street. You are now in Little Italy.

Mona Lisa

This family operated restaurant, deli and grocery started in 1956 in downtown and moved to this location in 1973. It might be worth a look around in the store. You will probably find something delicious.

The Italian history of San Diego goes back to the late 1800’s but it was in the 1920’s when the tuna industry drew so many Italian fisherman to this area. At the height, there were over 6000 Italian families here and it was common to hear Italian spoken on the street through the 1950’s. In the 1970-80’s Little Italy began to decline with the the construction of I-5, which cut through the neighborhood, and the decline of the tuna industry. However, the vacant industrial buildings were enticing to artists and designers who moved in and started the revitalize the neighborhood. Next came the developers and now Little Italy is again thriving.

Piazza Basilone

At India and Fir street, his piazza was dedicated to GySgt, John Basilone who was the only marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross in WW2.

Landini’s Pizza

This is a very popular pizza-by-the-slice spot. There is a pet friendly deck in the back.

Cottages

Across the street from Landini’s you can see some white and green buildings surrounded by the red, white and green picket fence. These are some of the few remaining homes from Little Italy’s immigrant past. If you look to the chainlink fence in the back of the parking lot, you can still see old fishing nets. At one time it was common to see the fisherman’s families repairing nets in their yards.

Fillipi’s

Established here on India street in 1950, Fillipi’s is a long time favorite of locals. They started out as a cash and carry grocery and deli and you can still see that sign out front on the awning. They still have the deli and store in the front and chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling in the dining room.

The Little Italy Sign

This sign was installed in 2000 to celebrate the neighborhood and its roots as a fishing community. Notice the nautical motifs.

The Gold House

Right under the sign on the west side of the street, you can’t miss the yellow house with the 24k gold leaf accents. This is the home of the unofficial Godfather of Little Italy, Nick Pecoraro. He’s a retired painting contractor who has lived in this home since 1967.

Piazza della Famiglia

This large piazza was dedicated in 2018. It is a nice place to sit, relax and enjoy a nosh. This is also where you can find the Little Italy Mercato on Saturdays from 8-2. It is the largest farmer’s market south of LA.

Piazza della Famiglia

This large piazza was dedicated in 2018. It is a nice place to sit, relax and enjoy a nosh. This is also where you can find the Little Italy Mercato on Saturdays from 8-2. It is the largest farmer’s market south of LA.

Detour: If you turn east at Cedar Street and go one block you will find the San Diego Firehouse Museum at 1572 Columbia Street. Housed in Old Fire Station 6, which itself is over a 100 years old, this museum has a collection of equipment dating back to the 1800’s. $3 Adult/ $2 Seniors and Children

Return to India Street

Consulado General de Mexico

There is just something funny about the Mexican Consulate being located on India street in Little Italy.

As you continue south on India Street you are leaving Little Italy

Higgs Fletcher Mack Building

As you proceed south you will see the Higgs Fletcher Mack building, notable for the huge American flag. The actual size of the flag is a closely guarded secret, but I was able to do a bit of sleuthing and have estimated that the flag is a little bigger than an official volleyball court which is about 60’ x 31’.

Turn west at A Street

Turn south at Kettner Blvd

The Museum of Contemporary Arts

The MCASD is located at 1100 Kettner. General admission is $10

The Santa Fe Train Depot

This train station was built in 1915 in support of the Panama-California Exposition. The architectural style was intended to harmonize with the Spanish Colonial Revival style buildings of the exposition. It’s worth a peak inside and around to see the beautiful tile work.

At this station you can catch Amtrak, The Coaster and the Pacific Surfliner. You can catch a trolley across the street at American Plaza.

Some of the tile work at the Sante Fe Train Depot

One American Plaza

Here at the corner of Kettner and Broadway you are standing under San Diego’s tallest building. Because the sides taper in you are unable to see the signature phillips head point of the building. There is also a trolley station here.

Pacific Gate

Still at Kettner and Broadway and looking south west you will see a tall curvy glass building. This is Pacific Gate, one of the most exclusive residences in San Diego. Units start at $1.4 million and HOA fees are about $1500-$1800 per month. But that includes a private luxury car fleet and a private boat share.

Follow Broadway to the east.

Old YMCA/ The Guild

Between India and Columbia street on Broadway you will pass the old YMCA building which is now the Guild Hotel. They use the old gym as an event space which still has the old running track circling it on the second floor.

Hall of Justice

Between State and Union streets on Broadway you will pass the Hall of Justice where many San Diegans make a yearly pilgrimage to report for jury duty.

Detour: Turn north on Union Street and walk one block to the new Superior Court building. This is my favorite building downtown and it provides a nice photo opp.

Return to Broadway and continue eastward

The Sofia Hotel

Between Front and 1st avenue you will find the Sofia Hotel. Built in 1927 as the Pickwick Hotel, this was the first hotel in San Diego to feature “en suite” bathrooms. You could get a room with a bath for $2.50!

The Spreckles Theatre

Between 1st and 2nd avenues on Broadway you will pass the Spreckels Theatre. It was built in 1912 by John D Spreckels. Mr Spreckels had survived the 1906 earthquake and fires in San Francisco and requested a building that would be earthquake and fire proof. As a result it was the first poured concrete building west of the Mississippi. The theatre seats 1915 and is still one of the most beautiful theaters anywhere.

The US Grant Hotel

Between 3rd and 4th avenues on Broadway you will pass the US Grant Hotel. Opened in 1910 by Ulysses S Grant Jr. at a cost of $1.9 million. The Grant Grill inside was the “power lunch spot” after it opened in 1952 with a promise to not admit ladies until after 3pm. In 1969 a group of prominent local women staged a sit-in to end the practice.

Horton Plaza

Directly across Broadway from the US Grant you will see Horton Plaza. This park area was originally gifted to San Diego by Alonzo Horton in 1870. The Broadway Fountain was placed within the park in 1910 to celebrate the opening of the US Grant Hotel. It featured the nation’s first electric lit water element with colored lights shining on the fountain’s water. In 1985 the Horton Plaza Mall was built around the plaza and the whole park area was refurbished again in 2016. In 2020 demolition of the mall has gotten under way to make room for the Horton Plaza Campus which is to be a Tech Hub.

Turn south on 4th Avenue

You are now in the Historic Gaslamp District. This area was founded as “New Town San Diego” in 1867 by Alonzo Horton. In 1769, the site for Old Town had been selected based on the proximity to fresh water and the ability to defend the settlement. Horton selected the site for New Town to capitalize on our natural bay. This area is now known for it’s beautiful victorian era architecture but it had fallen into disrepair by the mid 1900’s. In the mid 1970’s a group of citizens untied to clean up the urban blight and refurbish the buildings. Today this is one of San Diego’s most vibrant and sought after neighborhoods in which to live, work and play.

Balboa Theatre

On the south west corner of 4th avenue and E street you will see the Balboa Theatre. The Balboa opened in 1924 as a vaudeville and movie palace with 1513 seats. It was reopened after a $26.5 million restoration in 2008 and is now a performing arts venue.

Turn east on E street

Turn south on 5th avenue

Louis Bank of Commerce

On the east side of the street at 835 5th you can see the “Grand Lady of the Gaslamp”. She was originally built in 1887 as the Bank of Commerce. Later she became an oyster bar frequented by Wyatt Earp. The upper floors were the home of the Golden Poppy Hotel, a notorious brothel.

Continue south on 5th avenue 4 blocks to Island avenue

The Penn Hotel Building

The Penn Hotel building on the south east corner of F and 5th was erected in 1920. On April 9, 1965 Robert Anderson entered the Hub Pawn Shop which occupied the bottom floor and asked to see a rifle. While the manager was writing up a bill of sale, Anderson loaded the rifle and shot him dead. Over the next 4 hours Anderson and the SDPD engaged in a huge gun battle with 800-1000 rounds being fired. Eventually Frank Morales, a Navy Gunners Mate was brought in to lob in a couple of concussion grenades. This allowed the police to enter and take Anderson. The SDPD realizing just how unprepared they were for such an incident, then created the city’s first SWAT team.

City Hall Building

On the south west corner of 5th and G street stands San Diego’s old City Hall Building. It was built in 1874 and the top two floors were added in 1887. By 1900 the entire city government was located here with the Police Department occupying the first floor.

Century Block

The block of buildings from G street to Market and 5th to 4th avenue is referred to as the Century Block, with every building being over 100 years old.

Gas Lamps

At each of the four corners at 5th and Market street you can find an actual gas lamp. I’ll let you in on a little secret. There were never gas lamps in New Town San Diego. As part of the revitalization of the neighborhood they installed street lights with a similar look the ones that can be seen in old photos. Those original electric lamp designs were based on old gas lamp styles. Then when it came time to come up with a catchy name for the newly revitalized area, well Gaslamp sounded pretty good. So these gas lamps were installed to make it all make sense.

South of Market Street

Back in the day a “Lady” would never be seen south of Market Street in New Town San Diego. Our wharf brought in mariners and sailors from around the world and the area close to the wharf was a bit “rough”. We’ve cleaned it up quite a bit now so you needn’t worry about your reputation to continue on the trail.

China Town

The boundaries of San Diego’s historic China Town criss cross those of the Gaslamp Quarter. In this block you can find building designs with an asian influence and even some historic signage in Chinese.

Thank you for allowing me to share my San Diego with you. I hope that you found this Companion informative and entertaining. More

Alltrails Compa

nions can be found at mamableusadsvenutres.com

Kind words and gratuities are always appreciated.

Blessings, Bleu

San Diego Walking Tour: Gaslamp, Little Italy and Marina District

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