DISCOVER CITY CENTER
A self-guided tour of points of interest and hidden treasures in the City Center neighborhood of Downtown San Diego
Copley Symphony Hall
Copley Symphony Hall. Click to expand.
Copley Symphony Hall was designed by California architects, Weeks and Day, who specialized in theaters and and cinemas. Opened in 1929, and originally called the Fox Theater, Copley Hall is now the home of the San Diego Symphony. The Hall features and enormous pipe organ that is built into five wailed chambers, which was recently restored to its original splendor.
Spreckles Theater
Spreckles Theater. Click to expand.
The Spreckles Theater was designed for philanthropist John D. Spreckles to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal. Built in 1912, it was proclaimed as "the first modern commercial playhouse west of the Mississippi." Originally created to host live theater performances, it was converted to allow motion pictures in 1931 and received Historic Landmark Designation in 1973. Since then, it has hosted world renowned musicians, performing artists, films and more!
Balboa Theater
Balboa Theater. Click to expand.
The Balboa Theater opened in 1924 and was designed by architect William Wheeler and constructed by the Wurster Construction Company for $800,000. After a 20-year closure, the City of San Diego's Redevelopment Agency funded a $26.5 million restoration in 2008. Since its restoration, the Balboa Theater has served as a community performing arts gem for the San Diego region.
Lyceum Theatre
Lyceum Theatre. Click to expand.
Built in 1912, this historic venue changed its name multiple times ranging from Liberty Theatre, Ballein's Theatre and many more! Ultimately, the venue was named the Lyceum Theatre. Inside holds two-state-of-the-art theatres, a two-level art gallery, and an intimate underground stage.
Civic Theater
Civic Theater. Click to expand.
Opened in 1965, the San Diego Civic Theater stage has been graced by notable and legendary performers such as Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Renee Fleming, Luther Vandross, Bob Dylan, Robin Williams among many, many others. Today, the Civic Theater is home to San Diego Opera, Broadway San Diego and California Ballet Company.
LCER Mural
LCER Mural. Click to expand.
A colorful mosaic mural made with hand painted tiles. The image depicts a seaside village on a sunny day with two ships and a fish.
Broadway Fountain at Horton Plaza
Broadway Fountain at Horton Plaza. Click to expand.
Broadway Fountain was designed by Irving Gill in 1910 and modeled after the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. Water pumps toward the central pavillion, held up by eight marble columns. The top of the fountain is a dome made of prismatic glass with the bronze filigree, creating rainbow effects. Colored lights illuminate the fountain at night.
Westgate Hotel
Westgate Hotel. Click to expand.
Opened in 1970, the Westgate Hotel was the most expensive hotel built in the country at that time for $14.5 million. Inspired by France's Palace of Versailles, the Westgate features Flemish and French tapestries, Baccarat crystal chandeliers, and exquisite Persian carpets. Opening room rates in 1970 were only $26.
El Cortez Hotel
El Cortez Hotel. Click to expand.
The El Cortez Hotel was the tallest building in San Diego when it opened in 1927 dominating the skyline. In the 1950s, the world's first outside glass elevator was built at the El Cortez. The building was threatened with demolition until the San Diego Historic Site Board designated it as a historic site in 1990. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Courtyard-Marriott Hotel
Courtyard-Marriott Hotel. Click to expand.
The Courtyard-Marriott Hotel, formerly known as the San Diego Trust & Savings Bank Building, was built in 1927, designed by architect William Templeton Johnson. Originally designed as a bank, the hotel boasts 245 guest rooms while keeping a majority of the original features and structure intact and is an excellent example of a successful adaptive reuse.
Sofia Hotel
Sofia Hotel. Click to expand.
Formerly known as the Pickwick Hotel, the building was constructed in 1926. In 2006, the building was reopened after undergoing major renovations and renamed the Sofia Hotel.
Hotel Churchill
Hotel Churchill. Click to expand.
The Hotel Churchill was a seven-story hotel constructed in 1914 in anticipation of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition near Balboa Park. The hotel reopened in 2016 to provide affordable housing for 72 homeless individuals, including 56 Veterans, with on-site supportive services provided by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. The 72 studio apartments are to remain affordable for up to 65 years.
U.S. Grant Hotel
U.S. Grant Hotel. Click to expand.
The U.S. Grant Hotel first opened its doors in 1910 after 5 years of construction and a budget of $1.9 million. It was one of the most famous hotels of the Roaring 20s during the hotel's prime.
Centre City Building
Centre City Building. Click to expand.
The Centre City building, formerly known as the Medico-Dental Building, was one of San Diego's first skyscrapers. Opened in 1927, it was the city's tallest building at the time.
Sister City Sign -Civic Center Plaza
Sister City Sign -Civic Center Plaza. Click to expand.
This unusual group of signs lists San Diego's sister cities. A sister city relationship is a recognized partnership between two communities in two countries. Pointing in almost every direction, the signs indicate distances in miles and kilometers to each of San Diego's sister cities.
Agua Caliente Mural
Agua Caliente Mural. Click to expand.
Look up! The Agua Caliente mural on the westside of the historic California Theater dates back to the early 1960s.
E St. United States Post Office
E St. United States Post Office. Click to expand.
This USPS location is the largest and oldest post office in Downtown San Diego constructed in 1936. Built in the art deco style of the time, it features nine exterior terra-cotta panels by artist Archibald Garniner titled Transportation of the Mail. Gardiner's art was selected through a Department of Treasury Section of Painting and Sculpture competition.
Horton Plaza Park
Horton Plaza Park. Click to expand.
Built in 1870 by Alonzo Erastus Horton, Horton Plaza Park is one of the oldest public spaces within the City of San Diego. Today, Horton Plaza Park remains as a symbol of the original San Diego. Filled with art and plenty of seating at the heart of the city, the plaza is a must-see location when visiting Downtown San Diego.
Copley Symphony Hall
Copley Symphony Hall was designed by California architects, Weeks and Day , who specialized in theaters and and cinemas. Opened in 1929, and originally called the Fox Theater, Copley Hall is now the home of the San Diego Symphony. The Hall features and enormous pipe organ that is built into five wailed chambers, which was recently restored to its original splendor.
What's Nearby?
Spreckles Theater
The Spreckles Theater was designed for philanthropist John D. Spreckles to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal . Built in 1912, it was proclaimed as "the first modern commercial playhouse west of the Mississippi." Originally created to host live theater performances, it was converted to allow motion pictures in 1931 and received Historic Landmark Designation in 1973. Since then, it has hosted world renowned musicians, performing artists, films and more!
What's Nearby?
Balboa Theater
The Balboa Theater opened in 1924 and was designed by architect William Wheeler and constructed by the Wurster Construction Company for $800,000. After a 20-year closure, the City of San Diego's Redevelopment Agency funded a $26.5 million restoration in 2008. Since its restoration, the Balboa Theater has served as a community performing arts gem for the San Diego region.
What's Nearby?
Lyceum Theatre
Built in 1912, this historic venue changed its name multiple times ranging from Liberty Theatre, Ballein's Theatre and many more! Ultimately, the venue was named the Lyceum Theatre. Inside holds two-state-of-the-art theatres, a two-level art gallery, and an intimate underground stage.
What's Nearby?
Civic Theater
Opened in 1965, the San Diego Civic Theater stage has been graced by notable and legendary performers such as Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Renee Fleming, Luther Vandross, Bob Dylan, Robin Williams among many, many others. Today, the Civic Theater is home to San Diego Opera, Broadway San Diego and California Ballet Company.
What's Nearby?
LCER Mural
A colorful mosaic mural made with hand painted tiles. The image depicts a seaside village on a sunny day with two ships and a fish.
What's Nearby?
Broadway Fountain at Horton Plaza
Broadway Fountain was designed by Irving Gill in 1910 and modeled after the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates . Water pumps toward the central pavillion, held up by eight marble columns. The top of the fountain is a dome made of prismatic glass with the bronze filigree, creating rainbow effects. Colored lights illuminate the fountain at night.
On the octagonal base are four plaques, three with portrait busts of important men from San Diego's history - Father Serra, Alonzo Horton, and Juan Cabrillo.
What's Nearby?
Westgate Hotel
Opened in 1970, the Westgate Hotel was the most expensive hotel built in the country at that time for $14.5 million. Inspired by France's Palace of Versailles, the Westgate features Flemish and French tapestries, Baccarat crystal chandeliers, and exquisite Persian carpets. Opening room rates in 1970 were only $26.
What's Nearby?
El Cortez Hotel
The El Cortez Hotel was the tallest building in San Diego when it opened in 1927 dominating the skyline. In the 1950s, the world's first outside glass elevator was built at the El Cortez. The building was threatened with demolition until the San Diego Historic Site Board designated it as a historic site in 1990. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
What's Nearby?
Courtyard-Marriott Hotel
The Courtyard-Marriott Hotel, formerly known as the San Diego Trust & Savings Bank Building, was built in 1927, designed by architect William Templeton Johnson. Originally designed as a bank, the hotel boasts 245 guest rooms while keeping a majority of the original features and structure intact and is an excellent example of a successful adaptive reuse.
What's Nearby?
Sofia Hotel
Formerly known as the Pickwick Hotel, the building was constructed in 1926. In 2006, the building was reopened after undergoing major renovations and renamed the Sofia Hotel.
The building was designed by master architect, Wilbur Peugh, and was distinguished by its Gothic Revival style. The building also showcases a unique crenelated roofline, terra cotta and plaster embellishments that remain intact today. It was inducted into the National Trust for Historic Hotels of America in 2008.
What's Nearby?
Hotel Churchill
The Hotel Churchill was a seven-story hotel constructed in 1914 in anticipation of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition near Balboa Park. The hotel reopened in 2016 to provide affordable housing for 72 homeless individuals, including 56 Veterans, with on-site supportive services provided by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. The 72 studio apartments are to remain affordable for up to 65 years.
What's Nearby?
U.S. Grant Hotel
The U.S. Grant Hotel first opened its doors in 1910 after 5 years of construction and a budget of $1.9 million. It was one of the most famous hotels of the Roaring 20s during the hotel's prime.
In 2003, the hotel was purchased by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, who closed the doors for 21 months to renovate. It reopened in October 2006 and is now operated by Marriott Hotels & Resorts. The hotel is designated a historic landmark and still hosts presidents and celebrities today.
What's Nearby?
Centre City Building
The Centre City building, formerly known as the Medico-Dental Building, was one of San Diego's first skyscrapers. Opened in 1927, it was the city's tallest building at the time.
As the historical name suggests, the building housed medical and dental offices and was recognized in 1979 as San Diego Historical Site #135. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
What's Nearby?
Sister City Sign -Civic Center Plaza
This unusual group of signs lists San Diego's sister cities. A sister city relationship is a recognized partnership between two communities in two countries. Pointing in almost every direction, the signs indicate distances in miles and kilometers to each of San Diego's sister cities.
What's Nearby?
Agua Caliente Mural
Look up! The Agua Caliente mural on the westside of the historic California Theater dates back to the early 1960s.
The horse racing advertisement has become an iconic relic of yesteryear on C Street. Historical preservationists hope the 40' x 80' mural remains for San Diegans to enjoy for years to come.
What's Nearby?
E St. United States Post Office
This USPS location is the largest and oldest post office in Downtown San Diego constructed in 1936. Built in the art deco style of the time, it features nine exterior terra-cotta panels by artist Archibald Garniner titled Transportation of the Mail. Gardiner's art was selected through a Department of Treasury Section of Painting and Sculpture competition.
What's Nearby?
Horton Plaza Park
Built in 1870 by Alonzo Erastus Horton , Horton Plaza Park is one of the oldest public spaces within the City of San Diego. Today, Horton Plaza Park remains as a symbol of the original San Diego. Filled with art and plenty of seating at the heart of the city, the plaza is a must-see location when visiting Downtown San Diego.
What's Nearby?
