Visit the Gaslamp District in San Diego after sundown.
The historic Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego, California, was developed in the mid 19th century to draw the city closer to San Diego Bay. This city is noted for the gaslamp-style lights on street corners, as well as its vibrant nightlife scene and restaurants. Hotels here are within walking distance of numerous restaurants in this 16-block district, and are conveniently located to annual Gaslamp District events, including the Street Scene Music Festival.
U.S. Grant Hotel
The luxurious U.S. Grant Hotel has been given a four-star award by "Forbes" magazine, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to "Forbes Travel Guide," this hotel was developed in 1910 by Ulysses S. Grant Jr., and much of the original d cor has been refurbished and left intact.
The lobby area and the restaurant, Grant Grille, features Art Deco furniture, while guest rooms boast marble-furnished bathrooms and original artwork from France. The restaurant opened in 1951 and serves California-style cuisine for lunch and dinner.
The hotel is within walking distance of theatrical performances in the Gaslamp District at Balboa Theater. This early 20th-century theater is also on the National Register of Historic Places, and hosts theater performances and concerts throughout the year.
Upscale shopping and dining experiences are available at the Westfield Horton Mall, which is across the street from the hotel. Department stores at this mall include Macy's and Nordstrom.
Gaslamp Plaza Suites
Situated in the heart of the Gaslamp District, Gaslamp Plaza Suites was built in 1913 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to Frommer's, this Georgian-style, 11-story hotel was the first skyscraper in San Diego.
Guest rooms on the upper levels offer scenic views of downtown San Diego and San Diego Bay. The rooms contain microwaves and European-style interior d cor. A continental breakfast is offered on the hotel's rooftop and the Melting Pot fondue restaurant is on site.
The hotel is within walking distance of off-site restaurants in the Gaslamp District on Fifth Avenue and Fourth Avenue, including Hard Rock Caf and de Medici, which serves Italian cuisine. The bayfront area of the Gaslamp District is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and this area features the San Diego Convention Center and Petco Field, home of the San Diego Padres baseball team.
Horton Grand Hotel
The historic Horton Grand Hotel is in the southern Gaslamp District and was built in 1924, featuring Victorian-era exterior and interior d cor. Rumors abound that Room 309 and some of the hotel's hallways are haunted, according to the website HauntedHouses.com.
Each guest room has Victorian-style furniture, a marble-furnished fireplace and private balcony. The on-site Palace Bar offers an extensive list of imported beers, wines and liquor.
The hotel is located in what was once the "Red Light District" of San Diego, which consisted of late-night clubs and gambling halls. Although transients have been removed from the area, the nightlife around the hotel is still vibrant, with night clubs such as Field and Shout House within walking distance of the Horton Grand.
Guests can take a 10-minute walk to the Martin Luther King Promenade along the bay, and walk to the Seaport Village Shopping Center, a waterfront mall offering shopping and dining opportunities.
Tags: Gaslamp District, walking distance, within walking, within walking distance, Historic Places, Horton Grand, National Register