The Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour

Discover the fascinating history of San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter on a 90-minute guided walking tour through one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll hear engaging stories about the people, buildings, businesses, and events that helped shape downtown San Diego. Learn about early developer William Heath Davis and the beginnings of New Town, explore beautifully preserved Victorian-era architecture, and uncover colorful stories from the neighborhood’s past. Along the way, see notable landmarks including the Davis-Horton House, Horton Grand Hotel, historic theaters, Old City Hall, the Yuma Building, and more. Your guide will share historical context, interesting facts, and memorable local stories while allowing time for questions and photos. With a relaxed walking pace and a carefully planned route, this tour is ideal for guests who enjoy history, architecture, and discovering the stories behind the places they visit.

1. 1

   Gaslamp Quarter

   30 min

   The Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego is a vibrant, historic district known for its Victorian-era architecture, lively nightlife, diverse dining scene, and numerous entertainment venues, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

2. 2

   Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House

   10 min

   San Diego's William Heath Davis House is the oldest surviving structure in the New Town area. It was one of the first houses built in 1850 in the New Town. The house is a well-preserved example of a pre-framed lumber “salt box” family home from the East Coast. It was shipped to California by boat around Cape Horn.

3. 3

   Spreckels Theater

   5 min

   The Spreckels Theatre, a historic landmark in downtown San Diego, is a renowned performing arts venue that opened in 1912. The theater is a 1,915-seat auditorium with an ornate Baroque interior. The auditorium is open with no pillars or columns to obstruct sightlines. The number of seats was chosen to correspond with the Panama–California Exposition year (1915).

4. 4

   Stop 4

   5 min

   Set in a 19th-century building, this elegant hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter is a 12-minute walk from the San Diego Civic Theatre and 14 minutes' walk from shopping and dining at Seaport Village.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   5 min

   The William Penn Hotel in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is a historic structure, formerly the Oxford Hotel, that now operates as a Sonder — The William Penn Aparthotel with a focus on luxury apartments, offering amenities like kitchenettes and free Wi-Fi, and is located near popular attractions.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   5 min

   The Simmons Hotel is an historic structure located at 542 6th Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, in the U.S. state of California. It was built in 1906. In the past it was called the Burbank (1907), the Sixth Street Rooms (1908), the Prescott (1909-1918), the Hotel North in 1921 and the Simmons Hotel in 1965. The building is on the former site of the San Diego Granite Works.

7. 7

   Old City Hall

   5 min

   The Old City Hall in San Diego, located at 5th and G Street in the Gaslamp Quarter, is a historic building constructed in 1874, originally a two-story brick structure, and later expanded to four stories, housing city government offices, the police department, and the city council chambers.

8. 8

   Yuma Building

   5 min

   The Yuma Building, a historic landmark in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, is a three-story plus basement mixed-use property located at 629-633 Fifth Avenue, featuring ground-floor retail, office basement space, and a luxurious two-story townhome on the upper floors.

9. 9

   Sparks Gallery

   5 min

   Located in the historic Sterling Hardware Building in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, Sparks Gallery is an event space and art gallery, specializing in contemporary artwork by artists living in Southern California.

10. 10

    Historic Louis Bank of Commerce

    5 min

    The Louis Bank of Commerce, located at 835-837 5th Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, is a historic four-story Baroque Revival building with twin towers, known as the "Queen of the Gaslamp" for its elaborate Victorian architecture.

11. 11

    Chuck Jones Gallery

    5 min

    Gallery specializing in iconic animation cartoonists, especially Chuck Jones of Bugs Bunny fame.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.