VINTAGE DOORS OF THE GASLAMP QUARTER

WILLIAM HEATH DAVIS HOUSE

    Today, I enjoyed a leisurely morning walk to observe the many architectural wonders in the Gaslamp Quarter. There are 94 historical buildings in the 16 block area in downtown San Diego. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  A walk along 5th and 4th Avenues, between Harbor Drive and Broadway, is the best route to observe the many Victorian-style buildings.
     One of the earliest residences is the William Heath Davis house, built-in 1850, which currently houses the Gaslamp Museum--if you need a rest, Pocket Park is right next door.
     In the late 1800s the Gaslamp Quarter was the heart of entertainment for the city--it was known for gambling, saloons, gunmen, prostitutes, and speculators along with hordes of tourists and sailors.

WYATT EARP

LOUIS BANK BUILDING &
GREELEY BUILDING

    
    


HORTON GRAND HOTEL

     Between 1885 and 1887, Wyatt Earp and his third wife Josie moved to the Gaslamp Quarter (called Stingaree district in the 1880s). They leased four saloons and gambling halls. The most famous was the Oyster Bar located in the Louis Bank Building at 837 5th Avenue. They lived in the Horton Grand Hotel, 311 Island Avenue, most of the seven years they were in San Diego. Earp and his wife left in the 1890s to travel the racehorse circuit.
     Today the Gaslamp Quarter is filled with hundreds of shops, restaurants, services, hotels, and nightclubs. It offers a great opportunity to look inside renovated 100-year-old buildings. Considered the entertainment center of San Diego, in the evenings it is crowded and a bit raucous. This "vintage traveler" prefers visiting in the morning with a cup of coffee in hand.


FUNKY GARCIA'S AT SUN CAFE

At 421 Market Street, there is the Funky Garcia's at Sun Cafe--originally a shooting gallery that served soup on the side. The soup became so popular that it became a restaurant owned by the Obayashi family. This Japanese family was sent to an internment camp in 1942. Fortunately, a friend operated it until they returned. The Obayashi's sold the cafe in the 1960s.
     Goorin Bros. Hat Shop on 5th Avenue is full of any kind of hat you can think of.
     The Cafe 21 on 5th Avenue is the busiest place in the morning (other than Starbuck's)--it gets good reviews for healthful food.

     There is almost no end to the interesting places you can take a peek at--especially when the San Diego sun is shining, and you have plenty of time to explore.

DUBLIN SQUARE

CHINESE MUSEUM

I.O.O.F. BUILDING

GOORIN BROS. HAT SHOP

SAMUEL I. FOX BUILDING