DK Travel : San Diego : Architecture

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Cabrillo Bridge

Built as an entryway to the 1915–16 California-Panama Exposition, this cantilevered and multiple-arched bridge has a 1,500-ft (457-m) span. The best view of the bridge, especially during Christmas, is from the 163 Freeway below.
California Building & Tower

Bertram Goodhue designed this San Diego landmark for the California-Panama Exposition of 1915–16, using Spanish Plateresque, Baroque, and Rococo details. The geometric tile dome imitates Spanish Moorish ceramic work. An iron weather vane in the shape of a Spanish ship tops the 200-ft (61-m) tower (see California Building).
El Cortez

This landmark was once the tallest building and most famous hotel in downtown San Diego. A glass elevator once led to the romantic Sky Room. Ornate Spanish details decorate the reinforced concrete structure, which is now a private apartment building.
Geisel Library

Named for famed children’s author, Dr. Seuss (see Theodore Geisel (1904–91)), and designed by William Pereira, tiers of glass walls are supported by reinforced concrete cantilevers. Filmmakers have used the library as a backdrop for sci-fi television shows.
Guardian of Water

A 23-ft (70-m) high granite sculpture depicts a pioneer woman.
Homecoming

A bronze sculpture depicts a sailor, wife, and child in a joyous homecoming embrace.
Horton Plaza

Inside Horton Plaza is a wonderful hodgepodge of bridges and ramped walkways connecting six staggered levels, embellished with towers and cupolas. Its distinctive sherbet color scheme has been copied on many renovation projects throughout San Diego (see Horton Plaza).
Horton Plaza Fountain

Flowing water and electric lights were a technological breakthrough in 1909. Bronze plaques honor city notables.
Hotel del Coronado

Designed by James and Merritt Reid in 1887, this hotel was once the largest in the US to be built entirely of wood. Advanced for its time, the hotel had running bathroom water, telephones, and a birdcage elevator (see Hotel del Coronado).
Louis Bank of Commerce

Builders of the Hotel del Coronado, the Reid brothers can also take credit for one of the architectural treasures of the Gaslamp Quarter, a stately, four-storey twin-towered Victorian structure (see Louis Bank of Commerce). Built in 1888, it was San Diego’s first granite building. Of special merit are the ornate bay windows that project from the façade.