Downtown San Diego

Downtown Price Trends 

Downtown Condo Complexes

Downtown San Diego has come a long way in the past 30 years.  Once suffering from deterioration, crime and homelessness, it is now known as San Diego’s hip epicenter.  Some of San Diego’s best restaurants, shopping, art and culture can be found right here in Downtown.  Every major transportation option converges in downtown.  It’s easy to use and expansive public transportation system encourages green living by eliminating the need for personal transportation.

Downtown is ever expanding and continually improving.  The Center City Development Corporation has many public improvement projects in the works.  Their goal of increasing green space through the development of parks and the general vision of making Downtown a truly walkable environment makes this area a friendly working and living enviornment for all.

Downtown is characterized by six distinct residential neighborhoods.  Below you will find a brief  description of each.

If you have any questions about living in Downtown please feel free to contact me anytime!

Little Italy 

Once the home of San Diego Bay’s thriving tuna fishing industry, Little Italy now represents some of San Diego’s finest urban living.  Revitalized in the 1990's, it offers bay views, great restaurants and cafes as well as galleries and specialty shops. 

Little Italy is an urban neighborhood with single-family homes, condominiums and apartments.  It is also home to over half a dozen art and cultural festivals annually.  Washington Elementary School with its Amici Park are important institutions in the area.

The Marina District

The Marina District is located in Downtowns Southwest corner.  It is bordered  by the San Diego bay, the Gaslamp Quarter and the Columbia District. It was once comprised of warehouses and vacant lots. After its redevelopment which began in the 1980’s it now offers high-rise and mid-rise condominiums, apartments, townhouses and lofts. 

The Marina District is one of Downtowns most sought after area’s because of its proximity to the Bay.  In fact, it is just a short walk to Seaport Village, the Children's Park with its urban forest, reflecting pond and fountain; the Embarcadero Marina Park and the waterfront boardwalk.

The Columbia District

Downtown's Columbia District is bordered by Little Italy to the North, the Marina District to the South, Union Street to the East and the San Diego Bay to the West. This neighborhood has a mixture of residential and commercial units.  The Columbia District is just a short walk to Little Italy and San Diego Bay. 

The Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego's Historic Gaslamp Quarter has become one of San Diego's most popular neighborhoods, featuring a blend of old and new building’s, residential and commercial units, upscale hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, movie theatres, shops, offices, galleries and lofts. 

In 1976 the Redevelopment Agency drew upon the historic character of the Gaslamp Quarter to "preserve the distinctive character of the original commercial architecture found in the Gaslamp Quarter”.  Horton Plaza, which opened in 1985, was the first major successful redevelopment in this area. 

It was from this District that Downtown's redevelpment began.  Those of us native to San Diego remember the days before the revitalization of Downtown took place.  Before 1985 Dowtown was known only for violence and crime. Today it is  "the" place to be in San Diego.

Every year the Gaslamp District is home to great events such as Street Scene, the Mardi Gras Celebration, ShamRock, Taste of Gaslamp, and Cinco in the Gaslamp.

East Village

East Village is Downtown San Diego's largest and most rapidly developing neighborhoods. Before its redevelopment was initiated in 1992 East Village suffered from deterioration, crime and homelessness.  Now former warehouses and other old buildings have been transformed into charming residential units and lofts.  New elegant high rises like Smart Lofts and Vantage Point are scattered throughout the area. 

East Village has four distinct areas; Northwest East Village boarders with the Gaslamp District and Cortez Hill, Northeast and Southeast East Village run along Interstate 5 and Southwest East Village encompasses the Ball Park Area. 

East Village is also home to San Diego’s Artist District.  It is spotted with artists’ galleries, shops, studios and homes as well as a police station and schools.

Cortez Hill

Nestled between Little Italy and Interstate 5 "The Hill" has drawn residents for over a century.  The original Victorian style dwellings of its first residents have now become part of its charm.

Named after the historic El Cortez Hotel, this district is one of San Diego's oldest and most distinguished residential neighborhoods. The Redevelopment Agency began creating a mix of residential and commercial projects in 1992.  Sidewalk cafes, shops, schools and churches line the streets throughout the district.  At its highest point Cortez Hill commands views of Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park and the San Diego Bay.