SAN DIEGO TROLLEY/BUS
Old Town San Diego – (Trolley Green line, two stops away from Town & Country Resort)
Old Town State Historic Park marks the site of the first Spanish settlement on the U.S. West Coast and represents San Diego’s Hispanic heritage from 1821 to 1872. Easily accessible from the Cruise Ship Terminal by taxi or trolley, the six-block park features 12 acres of Mexican lore and historical sites presented in popular shops, restaurants, museums, a theater, and several carefully preserved or restored historic adobe and wooden buildings. www.parks.ca.gov
Little Italy – (Trolley Blue Line)
Little Italy is a quaint and lively neighborhood filled with patio cafes, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, hotels and shops. On Fir Street, a block of colorful cottages house boutiques that offer ultra-stylish options including independent designers of women’s clothing, accessories and shoes. On India Street, shoppers find imported accessories of all kinds in an array of stylish boutiques. www.littleitalysd.com
Downtown San Diego/Gaslamp Quarter - (Trolley Blue Line, Fifth Avenue stop)
In the 16.5 blocks of downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, grand Victorian-era buildings house more than 100 of the city's finest restaurants, 35 nightclubs and bars and 100 retail shops. Just a leisurely stroll from the Cruise Ship Terminal, it’s a perfect spot for a casual alfresco lunch, afternoon shopping spree or fascinating historical walking tour. Then, when the sun sets, the area's nightlife sizzles, attracting thousands of diners, theatergoers and nightclub patrons to the neighborhood. www.gaslamp.org
Coronado Island – (Trolley Green Line to Old Town stop + 901 Bus OR Trolley Green/ Blue line to Santa Fe Depot stop + Coronado Bay Ferry)
Quaint and charming, Coronado is a family-favorite neighborhood known for its sparkling beaches and the famous Hotel del Coronado. Its downtown district is reminiscent of Main Street USA with 1950's-style storefronts and a median strip adorned with beautiful gardens and sculptured topiaries. www.coronadovisitorcenter.com
Seaport Village – (Trolley Green/Blue/Orange Line)
Seaport Village, a 14-acre waterfront shopping and dining complex, recreates a California harbor setting of a century ago. Amid cobblestone pathways, ponds, fountains and lush landscaping, Seaport Village offers themed shops, restaurants and cafes. www.spvillage.com
Pacific Beach and Mission Beach – (Trolley to Old Town Transit Center + 8/9 Bus)
Pacific Beach, or P.B., is a seaside mecca and surfer's paradise for college students and the younger set with boisterous bars, cafes and casual restaurants aplenty. Located just south of P.B. and connected by a three-mile boardwalk, Mission Beach is another popular surf spot and hip hangout for the younger set. www.sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches
Where not to go on the trolley: Orange Line (City College stop thru Spring Street stop). After the Orange Line’s downtown stops, there is nothing of interest, just residential neighborhoods on this trolley line. The Orange Line’s Fifth Avenue and Civic Center stops can attract some sketchy characters at night. There is always security there, but just beware of your surroundings and don’t take trolley alone at night.
Under 21
Dave and Busters (Mission Valley) www.daveandbusters.com
6 minors to 1 one adult, maximum. Adult has to be at least 25 years old. D&B is close to hotel, but not within walking distance and not safe walking conditions from trolley stop (no sidewalk). I would recommend to take a taxi, would be a short ride.
2931 Camino del Rio North
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 280-7115
Static Lounge (Downtown San Diego) www.myspace.com/staticloungeandcafe
Static Lounge and Café
634 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
619-544-1609
SOMA (Sports Arena/Point Loma area) www.somasandiego.com
This is an all-ages concert venue that has daily music performances of cutting-edge rock bands. This is located in a business area along the 8 freeway (the same freeway that the Town & Country sits along) heading west to the coast. It is about a 5 minute drive there via freeway; they could take a bus there, but I would recommend taking a taxi back.
3350 Sports Arena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
619-226-7662
Gaslamp Quarter Dining suggestions
Royal Thai Cuisine – 467 Fifth Avenue
Thai, vegetarian
Chopahn Restaurant – 750 6th Avenue
Authentic Afghan Cuisine – delicious!!
Croce’s Restaurant - 802 Fifth Avenue
Contemporary American Cuisine, tribute to Jim Croce
Lou & Mickeys - 224 Fifth Avenue
Steak and seafood, located right at the gateway to the Gaslamp Quarter
Red Pearl Kitchen – 440 J Street
Pan Asian cuisine with a hip, contemporary bar scene
Marble Room – 535 Fifth Avenue
Local ingredients, tapas-style menu
Asti Ristorante – 728 Fifth Avenue
Italian cuisine
Osteria Panevino - 722 Fifth Avenue
Country Italian cuisine
Bandar Restaurant – 825 Fourth Avenue
Persian cuisine
Blue Point Coastal Cuisine – 565 Fifth Avenue
a 1940’s-style supper club, seafood
ROOFTOP BARS - SIP UNDER THE STARS
Located both downtown and along the beaches, spectacular rooftop lounges treat revelers to chic atmosphere paired with spectacular city and ocean views. With year-round, near-perfect weather, San Diego is the ideal place for the stiletto set to kick it up outdoors in style.
- On the 4th floor of the Se San Diego Hotel, SIREN offers a sophisticated setting for drinks and lounging. Guests enjoy a unique selection of cocktails and light cuisine in open-air luxury alongside an infinity-edged pool, or reserve a poolside cabana with bottle service for a more intimate gathering. www.sesandiego.com
- Overlooking San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, Float is a revolutionary rooftop bar and lounge atop the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego that serves as a stylish hangout with a poolside bar, fire pit seating and private VIP cabanas. www.hardrockhotelsd.com
- The luxury Ivy Hotel, adjacent to San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, boasts Ivy Rooftop, a sultry rooftop lounge with a swimming pool, swinging chairs and beds for reclining. www.ivyhotel.com
- High atop the roof of the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, located 22 stories above downtown’s streets, Altitude offers music and martinis with breathtaking views of downtown, San Diego Bay and the Padres’ PETCO Park. www.altitudeskybar.com
- Located in a historic warehouse in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter, the luxury Stinagree boasts the ultimate blend of high style and excellent service with three stories, floor-to-ceiling waterfalls and translucent floating staircases leading to a rooftop bar retreat. www.stingsandiego.com
- On the fourth floor of Kimpton’s Hotel Solamar in downtown San Diego, night owls can find LOUNGEsix, a rooftop oasis where sexy singles sip fresh fruit cocktails and lounge by a sparkling pool and roaring firepits. www.jsixsandiego.com
- On the roof of the W San Diego hotel near Little Italy, BEACH comes complete with a heated sand floor, firepit and private tented cabanas that bring a seaside vibe downtown. Downstairs, LIVING ROOM, a bustling lobby bar with high-energy music, caters to the see-and-be-seen crowd. www.whotels.com
- The Firehouse Lounge in Pacific Beach offers a spacious rooftop patio with double-wide chaise lounges, an elegant firepit and amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. www.firehousepb.com
