East Village offers a broad range of local arts and culture attractions from independent galleries and shops to dive bars and upscale restaurants. It's one of the largest urban neighborhoods in downtown San Diego, just a few minutes east of the Gaslamp Quarter and southeast of the Core District. The entire village covers 130 blocks of space and is home to over 700 businesses.
Recently, it's seen a massive redevelopment effort with many condominium developments and public spaces, including a library facility that opened in 2013. It's the home of the Padres MLB team, major pedestrian bridges, and educational institutions. The neighborhood offers an eclectic blend of sleek modern high rises tucked in among classic Victorian buildings, outdoor public spaces, and trendy, bohemian establishments. If you're on vacation in San Diego, this is one neighborhood that begs to be explored.
East Village - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in San Diego (Read all about San Diego here)
Highlights of the East Village
Arguably, the two major structures that dominate the East Village are the Petco Park baseball stadium and the towering Central Library. The ballpark is certainly a major attraction, and many baseball fans who visit this city can't leave without catching a Padres game, assuming it's in season. The Central Library was opened in 2013 and includes not just a vast public library space with reading rooms featuring Bay views, but houses its own art gallery as well.
The East Village is also packed with rooftop bars, sidewalk cafes, independent art galleries, boutique shops, and live music venues. A few highlights include Altitude Sky Lounge, Andaz San Diego, the Upper East Bar, the BASIC industrial lounge, and Hotel Solamar. Notable shopping establishments include Wild Dove Boutique, Rosewood San Diego, and 5&A Dime, all of which have become local staples over the years.
photo by Roman Eugeniusz (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
History of the East Village
The East Village for decades was just a series of warehouses and vacant lots, not used for much outside of storage, and a sign of urban decay. By the 1990s, the potential of this neighborhood came to the attention of local artists, and they started to move in, developing the old properties into galleries and shops. It grew to become known for dive bars, art colonies, and colorful culture, though the area still struggled economically and socially.
By 2004, PetCo Park was constructed here and became the home of the San Diego Padres. This resulted in a revitalization of the neighborhood, and today it's home to trendy shops, upscale restaurants, major art galleries, and popular public spaces. By the time of the $185 million Central Library's opening, the community had grown its numbers nearly 40,000 people, many living in lofts and condominiums.
photo by Roman Eugeniusz (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
What to know about East Village
Despite its rapid growth and gentrification over the years, East Village still has issues with homelessness and crime. It's largely a safe place to be, but it's best to stay in populated areas and with groups. Like any vacation spot, if you exercise basic caution and logic, it's a fun and exciting place to visit for everyone. Even today, it's a neighborhood that's still being revitalized, and a visit here lets you see an exciting developing neighborhood in action.
Many businesses here are accessible to people with disabilities, though some housed in older buildings may not have 100% amenities. It's a good idea to call ahead about any accommodation you might require. Likewise, while service animals will be welcome almost anywhere, it's usually best to keep your pets in public areas on leash. If you have questions about Fido, call ahead to make sure bringing your dog is okay.
photo by Roman Eugeniusz (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
East Village
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