With its mild, sunny climate and waterfront location, San Diego is a great place to explore.  In the downtown area, Gaslamp Quarter is good starting point.  Begin at 5th & Island Avenue at the William Heath Davis House, home of the Gaslamp Historical Foundation.  The foundation offers information about the historic Victorian, Italianate and Rennaissance buildings located in the quarter. On Saturday mornings they also offer a guided walking tour.  Horton Plaza is located at the north end of the Gaslamp Quarter.  Over 170 stores and restaurants including Nordstrom and Macy’s are situated on 7 floors along 6 city blocks.

The plaza’s Broadway Circle is the place to buy half-price, day of the performance tickets to an evening show. During our weekend we saw “Forever Plaid” at the Lyceum Theatre, which we all enjoyed. 

A fun way to see San Diego is from the water. Go to the Broadway Pier in the downtown area and catch a 10 minute pedestrian ferry across San Diego Bay to the Coronado Ferry landing.  The ferry, which leaves every hour, allows you to see the city from the water and is a nice alternative to driving. On landing, stroll down Orange Avenue, the island’s main street, and browse through some of the shops. La Provencale has some beautiful tablecloths and pillows imported from the South of France.

If you’re not staying at the Hotel Del Coronado, be sure to see this legendary hotel’s lobby, shops and grounds. With its expansive ocean views, the hotel is a great spot for a snack or lunch before heading back to the ferry landing.