The heart of San Diego with the Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park, convention center, and waterfront.

About Downtown San Diego (Gaslamp Quarter)

The Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego's premier dining, entertainment, and nightlife district, spanning 16.5 blocks of beautifully restored Victorian-era commercial buildings in the heart of downtown. The neighborhood, which was rundown through much of the 20th century, underwent a remarkable revitalization and is now a National Historic District filled with over 200 restaurants, bars, art galleries, and boutiques.

Fifth Avenue is the Gaslamp's main artery, lined with upscale steakhouses, craft cocktail bars, rooftop lounges, and international restaurants. The district comes alive at night with live music, comedy clubs, and a vibrant bar scene. Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres baseball team, anchors the eastern edge of the Gaslamp and adds sports energy to the neighborhood.

The Gaslamp connects seamlessly to the surrounding waterfront attractions. The San Diego Convention Center sits at the southern edge (host of the massive Comic-Con International each July), while Seaport Village and the Embarcadero waterfront with the USS Midway Museum are a short walk west. The bay views, year-round sunshine (San Diego averages 266 sunny days), and walkable urban design make the Gaslamp the ideal base for exploring America's Finest City.

Nearby Landmarks

Petco Park USS Midway Museum Seaport Village Convention Center Horton Plaza Park

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost $15-20
Time 10-15 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost $10-15
Time 10-15 minutes

Arrivals curbside, ride-share area

Train (MTS Route 992)

Cost $3
Time 15 minutes
Frequency Every 15 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Take Route 992 from the airport bus stop to downtown. Buses run every 15 minutes on weekdays. Alternatively walk 10 minutes to the Middletown trolley station.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi $15-20 10-15 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare $10-15 10-15 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train $3 15 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

MTS Bus Route 992 runs until about midnight. After that, taxis and rideshare (Uber/Lyft) are abundant — the Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego's main nightlife hub. A late-night rideshare from SAN to the Gaslamp costs just $8-15. The airport is so close that the trip is under 10 minutes at night.

Luggage Tips

MTS Bus 992 has luggage space and the route is so short that luggage is not an issue. The Gaslamp Quarter is flat and walkable with rolling bags. Most downtown San Diego hotels are within a few blocks of the Gaslamp. The trolley (Blue Line) also serves downtown with accessible boarding.

Accessibility

SAN airport is fully ADA accessible. MTS buses and the San Diego Trolley have wheelchair access. The Gaslamp Quarter has wide, flat sidewalks with curb cuts. Most Gaslamp restaurants and hotels are ADA compliant. Petco Park has accessible seating and entry.