San Diego county real estate
City: Downtown San Diego


San Diego Central gleams and glistens with new high rises and towers. It also has a number of carefully restored vintage buildings notable for their intricate facades and window treatments. The mix of old and new gives downtown its unique character and remarkable skyline. Facing the bay, San Diego Central overlooks a busy Embarcadaro, the airport and an ever changing parade of navy, civilian ships and pleasure craft.

Since Lindbergh Field, San Diego's airport, is five minutes from downtown, visitors are already close to hotels and the attractions of Balboa Park when they land. The Convention Center sits on the edge of the bay under a dramatic roof of sails. The Gaslamp is steps away and offers a variegated mix of restaurants and nightlife. Many of San Diego Central's vintage buildings are located here and walking this district is an architectural feast.

The Star of India, moored along the harbor, offers visitors views and tours of the worlds oldest active sailing ship. Visitors can also tour the Maritime Museum's other ships--the steam yacht Medea and the Berkeley, a former San Francisco bay ferry. Californian and Pilot were recently added to the historical fleet and are also on view. In the near future the carrier Midway will also be moored along the bay and opened to visitors. Stately cruise ships are often docked at the Cruise Terminal adding a festive note to the waterfront. One or two carriers are usually visible across the bay at North Island.

Shopping is as varied as the buildings, many boutiques and shops also call San Diego Central home. Horton Plaza, located at Broadway and Fourth, mimics an Italian hill town in its architecture and contains a collection of brand name shops and stores.

The Little Italy section of San Diego Central is the place to go for a tasty sandwich or an authentic pizza. The hills above the city are a mix of apartments, condos and old Victorian houses loaded with gingerbread and cupolas. Many of these shingle confections have been restored as homes or offices. The views are spectacular and residents don't seem to mind the airplanes overhead.

The new downtown ballpark, home of the San Diego Padres, is rising rapidly in East Village in order to be ready for opening day in 2004. The new ballpark will be surrounded by new development, parks and other amenities.

The Coronado Bridge ends its graceful arc in Barrio Logan and Chicano Park. The park is central to the area's heritage as one of the largest Mexican-American barrios on the West Coast. Thirty-three years ago the park and its colorful murals turned the area blighted by the bridge's pylons into a neighborhood gathering place and recreation area. The murals were painted by residents, and they transform the gray freeway abutments with brightly colored art. The murals are a now San Diego Historical site and have an international reputation.

Other neighborhoods in San Diego-Central include Grant Hill, Harborview, Logan Heights, Marina, Memorial, Park West, Sherman Heights, South Park and Stockton.