Historic Gaslamp District Walking Tour (Self Guided), San Diego

The idea of the Gaslamp Quarter Archway was first conceived in 1986. Designed by Harmon Nelson and David Ford of David Robinson Design, Inc, this six-ton structure was installed in 1990, and was officially completed and dedicated a year later.

The archway was symbolic as a declaration that the City of San Diego was committed to continuing the redevelopment of Downtown, while also serving as an icon for other cities to look to the Gaslamp Quarter as an example of successful redevelopment.

The Archway sign is significant in that it uses neon, incandescent, and fluorescent light fixtures to present a beautiful, vibrant night-time display.

In 2012-2013, having lasted practically without repair or repainting for 20+ years, the Archway underwent a complete rehabilitation work to restore its pristine appearance and full functionality. The refurbishment work included structural evaluation, re-painting, energy efficient electrical upgrades and replacement of the original incandescent light bulbs to more efficient and durable neon lighting.

Curiously enough, despite being on the entryway arch and all official city signage/banners, the term "Gaslamp Quarter" is rarely used by the locals. In fact, they stick with the simple "the Gaslamp" so pervasively that it has become a shibboleth to determine who is a San Diegan and who isn't. Upon a first visit here, you'll see many of the big city downtown things. The feeling itself, with all of the people and lights, resembles a walk down the Vegas Strip (though, admittedly, nothing compares to the actual Strip).

The tour of the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House covers two floors of the grand historic home where the concept for the "New San Diego" began. Touring the location takes ~30 to 60 minutes, but in that time you can see exhibits that retell the story of the downtown area's early settlers and get a glimpse of what the dream was to be for San Diego.

Looking at the 1st-floor parlor and seeing the small keyboard against the wall speaks of the paucity of entertainment and how families made do with what they had. Life was so much simpler in the 1850s – but then, with gas lamps and no electricity, the household pretty much got up with the rising sun and retired with its setting.

The distillery upstairs – whose intended purpose was to circumvent prohibition regulations – is an intricate affair, with quite an elaborate system which presumably was highly effective. One may also have a sneak peek of the attic access where a German WWII spy allegedly sent signals (carrying logistical information) to the off-shore submarines.

The saltbox-style house had been a Civil War (Union side) headquarters in its early past, as well as a hospital (1873) with five beds upstairs; the then-owner had a county contract for $1 a patient (daily) and treated TB cases mostly. The bathroom and kitchen always tell such interesting stories about how these centers of the home's most important functions were utilized.

Outside, the shady little courtyard pays tribute to famous dogs recognized for their role in the community (they were loved for sure), and there is also a lower-level gift shop that will allow a chance to enjoy some unique souvenirs.

Tip:
Entry price varies by whether an audio guide is requested and includes admission to the Chinese Historical Museum nearby.

Located across the street from the Gaslamp Museum, this brick building is so worth a drop-by and look-see. A restoration of two historic hotels – the Grand Horton and the Brooklyn-Kahle Saddlery – that were joined together in a truly seamless manner, while the courtyard between them is brick-paved and tree-lined, evoking a New Orleans vibe.

Built in 1887 as part of a building boom that followed the opening of the city's first transcontinental railroad connection, the Grand Horton was a luxury hotel with a design based on Vienna's Innsbruck Inn and featuring an Italianate Victorian style. Built around the same time as the Grand Horton, the Brooklyn-Kahle Saddlery was a less formal hotel that combined Western/Cowboy and Victorian styles.

Both hotels were scheduled for demolition in the 1970s when the City of San Diego purchased them to build the Horton Plaza shopping center on the site. They were dismantled brick by brick, with each brick numbered, catalogued, and stored. In 1986 they were rebuilt into an entirely new hotel at the present location at Fourth Street and Island Avenue.

One of a kind in San Diego, the Chinese Historical Museum does a great job of telling the story of the people who came to Chinatown in the 1800s to work in gold mines, fish for tuna, and build railroads. The Museum’s permanent exhibition is housed in a mission-style building that had previously, for 30 years, accommodated the Chinese Community Church (formerly the Chinese Mission). Here, among other things, the English language classes were offered to new immigrants who often resided in adjacent dormitories.

By 1960, the Chinese community had relocated from downtown San Diego and the adobe building on First Avenue had fallen into disuse. It was slated for demolition in the late 1980s, but thanks to the efforts of The Chinese Historical Society of Greater San Diego and Baja California (established in 1986 to preserve and uphold Chinese and Chinese American history and culture) was rescued and eventually relocated to 404 Third Avenue.

Following relocation and renovation, the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (SDCHM) was finally born in 1996. Presently encompassing three downtown facilities and a Chinese-style courtyard garden with sculptures and a koi pond, SDCHM boasts thousands of ethnographic artifacts. The museum’s exhibits share the heritage of San Diego’s Chinese community and the essence of Chinese arts and culture through historic photographs, miniature models, ancient items and explanatory text. Special events also celebrate holidays like the Chinese New Year, the Moon Festival, and Veterans Day.

At 9am on Saturdays all are welcome to a free Tai Chi/Qi Gong class. There's also an active monthly lecture program at a nearby building and a special exhibit, plus small gift counter, in the annex across the street. Admission is a real deal and includes all three venues. On a side note, they offer tours in English and Mandarin, which can be a nice choice for some.

This old beauty in the heart of Gaslamp Quarter is a classic example of Florentine-Italianate architecture, originally developed back in the 1860s by the City of Florence, which this location does so well to capture. The building features ornate 16-foot ceilings, 12-foot windows framed with brick arches, antique columns, and a wrought-iron cage elevator.

Originally two-story structure was built in 1874, but 13 years later two more floors were added to accommodate the San Diego Public Library.

The City of San Diego purchased the property in 1891 and turned it into governmental offices. The entire city government moved in in 1900, with the upper floors taken up by the Mayor and staff, while the Police Department took the first floor and the Council Chambers the fourth.

Notably, the ladies room on the lower level includes a stall with quite unusual décor. As it turns out, when a wall was removed, they decided to leave the secret exit (used by former officials) in place and dressed it up. In 1955 stucco was applied to “modernize’ the exterior.

Years later, the building was restored to its original beauty. Presently, this is a privately-owned building which is a home to a restaurant and bar, some retail locations, and loft apartments on the top floors. It turns into a full-on club around 10:30pm, so if you're looking for a leisurely dinner, give yourself ample time.

Situated in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, The Keating Building, alternatively referred to as The Keating Hotel, stands as an exquisite luxury boutique hotel boasting 35 opulent rooms. Its prime location places it close to renowned attractions like the San Diego Convention Center, Balboa Theater, and Petco Park.

Originally constructed in 1890, this five-story architectural marvel follows the Romanesque Revival style. Initially intended as an office building, it incorporated cutting-edge amenities of that era, such as steam heat and a state-of-the-art wire cage elevator. George J. Keating envisioned the design, and upon his passing, the Reid Brothers took charge to bring his vision to life. Notably, the San Diego Savings Bank occupied a corner of the building from 1893 until approximately 1912, and even in 1980, the remnants of its old safe remained within the premises.

In the early 2000s, an interior makeover orchestrated by Pininfarina transformed the hotel's ambiance, adding a touch of contemporary elegance. Consequently, in 2007, it reopened its doors as The Keating Hotel, welcoming guests into a space that perfectly harmonizes modern aesthetics with timeless charm.

The hotel gained further recognition when it became a featured establishment on the reality television series Hotel Hell, which aired on FOX in 2012. Led by renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, the show shed light on The Keating Hotel's journey and transformation.

The Louis Bank of Commerce is a historic building which dates back to 1887. During San Diego’s boom years of the 1880s, German-born real estate entrepreneur Isidor Louis commissioned well-known architect John Bills Stannard to design headquarters for his bank of commerce. The bank specialized in business loans, so this granite edifice, the first of its kind in the city, proved to be a perfect fit.

On the ground floor, Louis opened the Maison Dorée, featuring an oyster bar and an ice-cream parlor. As San Diego did not have an ice plant at the time, ice for the parlor had to be brought in from Lake Tahoe.

The oyster bar was said to be the favorite hangout of Wyatt Earp, a famed lawman and gambler in the American West, and his wife Josie. The Maison Dorée was touted as the finest restaurant in San Diego, and as such was frequented by all the wealthy folk, providing Wyatt with a cadre of future patrons for his gambling enterprises.

Reputed to be the most photographed building in the Gaslamp, this stately, four-story, twin-towered Queen Anne (Baroque Revival)-style structure possesses so many noteworthy and elaborate architectural features that it has been nicknamed “The Queen of the Gaslamp.”

What sets it apart from the rest is the rather ornate nature of the trim work. Of special note are the four large, three-sided bay window projections on the second and third level façades elaborately decorated in cast terra cotta and wood. Stone spandril panels between the second and third floors have a carved radiating motif.

The bank left the building in 1893. At the turn of the 20th century, the upper floors, consisting of 33 rooms, were rented out as lodging quarters and offices. Among them was the so-called Golden Poppy Hotel, a famous house of ill repute that was run by fortune teller and psychic Madame Cora. Part of what made it so famous was that the girls would wear dresses that matched the color of the room they used to service their clients.

In 1971, the building housed Ratner’s Electric store owned by Seymour and Woodrow Ratner, selling TV sets, radios, lamps and lighting fixtures, which earned it the nickname, “House of 1,000 Lights.”

Prior to 1971, the two grand towers extending above the parapet were taken down, but were later replaced.

The Balboa Theatre in San Diego's Downtown area is a historical testament to the past, blending Moorish and Spanish Revival architectural styles. Built in 1924 during the golden age of grand movie theaters, it has a timeless charm. With its stage adorned by waterfalls for air cooling, this single-balcony theater once held an impressive 1,513 seats across two streets. Finding a comparable IMAX theater of this size is a challenge today.

The Balboa Theatre, part of the Fox West Coast circuit, combined vaudeville acts, movies, and music with orchestras and organs. It was upgraded in 1930 for sound pictures and added a neon marquee. In 1934, it became Teatro Balboa, showcasing Spanish-language films. During World War II, the theater's office space housed the U.S. Navy temporarily.

After the war, the Balboa Theatre faced decay but was saved in the 1970s and recognized as a historic site. It briefly showed movies but closed due to low business. In 1985, San Diego acquired and restored it.

Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996, the Balboa Theatre underwent extensive refurbishment starting in 2005 and reopened its doors in 2008 as a versatile performing arts venue, designed to accommodate captivating live musical concerts.

In 2009, following yet another comprehensive renovation, the Balboa Theatre Foundation proudly reintroduced a 1929 Wonder Morton organ, one of only four of its kind worldwide. Today, the theater serves as a vibrant host for the Mainly Mozart Festival, special events, and touring Broadway productions, enriching the cultural landscape of San Diego.