Downtown

Downtown San Diego, the city center of San Diego, California, is a vibrant and diverse hub that serves as the cultural, financial and business center of the eighth largest city in the United States. It houses over 4,000 businesses and nine distinctive districts.

This area is home to renowned cultural institutions such as the San Diego Symphony and the San Diego Opera. It features several theaters and museums, along with iconic landmarks like the San Diego Convention Center and Petco Park — which is proudly home to the San Diego Padres.

A multitude of local governmental headquarters are also located downtown. The core neighborhoods include Columbia – situated between Marina and Little Italy on Columbia Street; Core District – serving as downtown’s central business district; Cortez Hill – found in northeast downtown; East Village – housing Petco Park within Ballpark Village; Gaslamp Quarter – a lively nightlife district spanning two by ten blocks; Little Italy – known for its historic charm while embracing modernity; Marina – encompassing Seaport Village and Pantoja Park.

Moreover, this area boasts numerous sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each mid to late July sees Downtown transformed for Comic-Con International: San Diego — one of world’s largest entertainment conventions. This event takes place inside the grand San Diego Convention Center with expanded programming throughout nearby hotels, parks, plazas making it an unforgettable experience for attendees from all over.