Old City Hall, San Diego
It'd be fair to say that San Diego's Old City Hall has seen more makeovers than a Hollywood starlet. In the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, this four-story Florentine-Italianate beauty dates back to 1874. It started humbly with just two floors before getting another two added in 1887 to host the San Diego Public Library. Among other distinct features, it boasts 16-foot ceilings, 12-foot arched windows, and a wrought-iron elevator that looks straight out of a Victorian drama.
By 1891, the city decided this gem deserved a new role. And thus it became San Diego鈥檚 civic nerve center: the mayor and staff ran the show upstairs, the police held down the first floor, and the council debated away on the fourth. If only those walls could talk, they鈥檇 probably be snickering...
Speaking of secrets鈥攖here鈥檚 a 鈥渓adies鈥� room鈥� in the basement with a surprise. Behind one stall鈥檚 decorative paneling hides what used to be a secret exit鈥攐nce used by officials who wanted to slip out unnoticed. When the wall came down during renovations, they simply kept the escape hatch鈥� and dressed it up.
In 1955 someone tried to 鈥渕odernize鈥� the exterior with stucco, which worked about as well as painting over marble. Thankfully, later restorations peeled it all back, revealing the building鈥檚 ornate brickwork and iron detailing once again.
Nowadays, this historic showpiece has traded politics for parties. It鈥檚 privately owned, housing a restaurant, bar, retail spaces, and stylish lofts above. And if you stay past 10:30 p.m., the old City Hall sheds its prim Victorian manners entirely, turning into a thumping nightclub. Because in the Gaslamp, even the most dignified landmarks know how to let loose...
By 1891, the city decided this gem deserved a new role. And thus it became San Diego鈥檚 civic nerve center: the mayor and staff ran the show upstairs, the police held down the first floor, and the council debated away on the fourth. If only those walls could talk, they鈥檇 probably be snickering...
Speaking of secrets鈥攖here鈥檚 a 鈥渓adies鈥� room鈥� in the basement with a surprise. Behind one stall鈥檚 decorative paneling hides what used to be a secret exit鈥攐nce used by officials who wanted to slip out unnoticed. When the wall came down during renovations, they simply kept the escape hatch鈥� and dressed it up.
In 1955 someone tried to 鈥渕odernize鈥� the exterior with stucco, which worked about as well as painting over marble. Thankfully, later restorations peeled it all back, revealing the building鈥檚 ornate brickwork and iron detailing once again.
Nowadays, this historic showpiece has traded politics for parties. It鈥檚 privately owned, housing a restaurant, bar, retail spaces, and stylish lofts above. And if you stay past 10:30 p.m., the old City Hall sheds its prim Victorian manners entirely, turning into a thumping nightclub. Because in the Gaslamp, even the most dignified landmarks know how to let loose...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Diego. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 911爆料网 App
Old City Hall on Map
Sight Name: Old City Hall
Sight Location: San Diego, USA (See walking tours in San Diego)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Diego, USA (See walking tours in San Diego)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Diego, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Diego
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Diego is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Embarcadero Marina Walking Tour
Adjacent to downtown San Diego and the picturesque San Diego Bay is a vibrant waterfront area. Embarcadero Marina, a testament to the region's colorful maritime heritage, houses several outstanding ship museums and is home to other notable sites. The abundance of shopping and dining options, complete with the pristine views of the city skyline, delight numerous locals and tourists and make... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Old Town is the oldest settled area in San Diego which claims to be the first site visited by Europeans on the West Coast of modern United States.
The Native American culture in the area, however, goes back thousands of years. Historically, this land had been a home to the Kumeyaay people who settled on the banks of the San Diego river since around 1000 AD. The first European explorer to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
The Native American culture in the area, however, goes back thousands of years. Historically, this land had been a home to the Kumeyaay people who settled on the banks of the San Diego river since around 1000 AD. The first European explorer to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Balboa Park Walking Tour
Balboa Park, named after Spanish explorer Vasco N煤帽ez de Balboa, is one of the largest and most culturally significant urban parks in the United States. Established in 1868 as 鈥淐ity Park,鈥� this 1,400-acre area began as undeveloped public land before its transformation in the early 20th century into a center of art, culture, and recreation. Its evolution truly began with the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Historic Gaslamp District Walking Tour
Downtown San Diego鈥檚 Gaslamp Quarter is vivid proof that history doesn鈥檛 have to sit quietly in a museum鈥攊t can dance, dine, and light up the night! Stretching across 16陆 lively blocks, this historic district is where Victorian architecture meets craft cocktails and neon signs. With over 90 preserved buildings, the Gaslamp is one of the largest collections of Victorian commercial structures... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 14 Gifts That Say San Diego
San Diego is known for its beautiful, temperate climate, but you can鈥檛 take the weather home with you. If you want a piece of San Diego as a souvenir, it鈥檚 best to shop with the natives. Whether it is made locally or just made famous locally, following are 14 perfect gifts that capture the...