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In the mid-19th century, Gaslamp Quarter was the heart of a new city, but within 50 years it had fallen prey to gambling halls, opium dens, and houses of prostitution, and within another 50 years, had become a broken-down slum. Now the Gaslamp Quarter sparkles as it looks to a brilliant future. During the day, the gloriously restored historic buildings, each an architectural highlight, attract history buffs and shoppers. By night, crowds line up to dine in fashionable restaurants, listen to music, or sip the latest martini concoction (see Gaslamp Quarter).

For those arriving by ship or train, the Embarcadero is San Diego’s front door. Passengers disembark from gleaming white cruise ships tied up at B Street Pier or pass through a 1915 train depot, eager to enjoy the city’s attractions. But unlike most cities, the Embarcadero is an attraction in itself. Pedestrian-friendly walk-ways pass by historic sailing ships, museums, shopping centers, and parks. Serious and quirky public art works and a splendid harbor filled with maritime life define this lively district (see Embarcadero).

Home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, 15 unique museums, theaters, countless recreational opportunities, and exquisite landscaping, Balboa Park creates an indelible impression. No matter the time of year, vibrant flowers bloom in profusion and pepper tree groves and grassy expanses provide idyllic spots for picnicking. Allow a minimum of a few days to soak in the park’s attractions (see Balboa Park).

White floss silk tree flower at the Zoo

When it opened in 1985, developers kept their fingers crossed that this unique shopping center would draw visitors to a declining area and help spear-head a downtown revival. An immediate hit, people loved the Plaza’s inward-facing design, tiered shopping levels, and the 43 unusual colors of paint on its walls. Covering several city blocks, the plaza features more than 140 shops, movie theaters, and stage productions at the Lyceum Theatre (see Lyceum Theatre). In the near future, the Balboa Theatre (see Balboa Theatre) will be open for live performances (see Horton Plaza).

Formerly a Victorian village that fell into neglect but survived as a warehouse district and artist colony, this is downtown’s newest redeveloped area. Petco Park, the 2004 state-of-the-art baseball stadium and home to the San Diego Padres (see San Diego Padres), is the neighborhood’s latest focal point. Check out the 1909 Western Metal Supply building: architects incorporated the vintage building into the stadium’s structure. A new Children’s Museum of San Diego, a new main library, shops, restaurants, artists’ lofts, and 4,000 new dwellings are currently under construction.

One of the more recent neighborhoods to undergo revitalization is also one of San Diego’s oldest. Genoese fishing families were the first Italians to settle along the waterfront in the 1860s. Along with Portuguese immigrants, they founded San Diego’s prosperous tuna industry. Little Italy, sometimes also known as Middletown, has now become a fashionable address. While retaining its Bohemian character, Italian restaurants, antique and design stores, and hip cafés distinguish its streets.

An eight-block area that overlaps part of the Gaslamp Quarter designates the former center of San Diego’s Asian community. The Chinese came to San Diego following the California Gold Rush and took up fishing and construction work; others ran opium dens and gambling halls. Filipinos and Japanese soon followed. This is the home of Chinese New Year celebrations, a farmers’ market, and an Asian bazaar. Pick up a walking-tour map at the Chinese Historical Museum (see San Diego Chinese Historical Museum), and look out for the Asian architectural flourishes on the buildings you pass by.

A satellite location of the museum in La Jolla (see La Jolla), galleries here present rotating exhibits from emerging and established contemporary artists, as well as selected pieces from the museum’s permanent collection. Marking the entrance is the 18-ft (5.4-m) Hammering Man at 3,110,527 , a steel and aluminum sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky. The museum also hosts lectures, workshops, and family activities, including the popular “Thursday Night Thing,” where the public can meet and mingle with local artists.

Planner Max Schmidt used the idea of functional public art to create this 1/4-mile (0.4-km) promenade along Harbor Drive. Described as a “serape” of colors, textures, and water-works, the grassy promenade celebrates San Diego’s multi-cultural heritage. Granite stones in the sidewalk bear quotes by civil-rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King.

This whimsical Queen Anne home features a variety of architectural elements, including gables, relief work, and a Baroque tower. Outstanding stained-glass windows depict Shakespeare, Mozart, Beethoven, and St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians. Redwood and walnut paneling lines ornate Victorian-era interiors. Operated by the San Diego Historical Society, docents give tours.