Did You Say Mardi Gras? Go To Gaslamp Quarter!

More than 90 historic structures are seated and still in service with active tenants in the heart of this little, historic neighborhood of Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, California. During the late 1860's, it had been initially intended to convert this more or less 38 acres of land into a main business district in downtown San Diego. In that period, San Diego has a flourishing economy which eventually attracts group of gamblers and prostitutes. With this, Gaslamp Quarter too became popular because of its red light district and gambling halls and got its nickname "Stingaree". In 1912, city government started limiting the proliferation of nightclubs in reaction to the complaints of the public. This step triggered the 'death' of the red light district. But between 1950's to 1970's, pornographic theaters and saloons again emerged in the vicinity of Gaslamp Quarter. To entirely safeguard its historic aesthetic, residents and the city administration teamed up and initiated final actions to cleanse the district in 1974.

Subsequently in 1980, yet another history is going to become untold when Gaslamp Quarter is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. And then on, Gaslamp Quarter took back its long gone fame, now, not as a red light district, but one of the main sights in San Diego. Several enhancements and rehabilitations were made to further urbanized the district. The Gaslamp Quarter Foundation was later on established to manage the redevelopment and rehabilitation process. This non-profit charitable association, which was subsequently called The Quarter Historical Foundation by 1996, assisted to educate not only the San Diego residents but also the guests and vacationers, regarding the rich historical heritage of the district with the help of its more than a hundred volunteers.

Back in1986, the Gaslamp Archway initiative was conceived along 5th Avenue and L Street to serve as a symbol of declaration, not just for the Gaslamp Quarter but for the entire city of San Diego, for their eager devotion and perseverance to a continued redevelopment. The project initially started in 1988. The archway was designed by Arch. Harman Nelson and was built by Roy Flahive. And in 1989, the mission was officially finished and stood proud for its fame and its wonderful residents.

Decent and family-friendly business establishments started out to emerged which clearly indicates that the district's persona has changed. There are nearly 200 hotels on or next to the vicinity of Gaslamp Quarter in addition to lines of dining establishments, bars, nightclubs, lounges, boutiques, art galleries and shops. Unmistakably, Gaslamp Quarter is starting to make its own name in the sector of local and international tourism as one of the best getaways in the United States.

At present, fabulous events are being held in the district like The San Diego Restaurant Week - a twice a year culinary celebration, The Fallback Festival and the Children's Street Faire - celebrated every November, Michael John Houge Memorial Golf Tournament - a fund raising golf tournament held every May, The San Diego Film Festival - voted as among the hottest film festivals in the US; The Poinsettia Bowl Battle of the Bands, The 5th Avenue Auto Showcase, The KiFM Jazz Music Festival Memorial Day Weekend - held every Saturday of the Memorial Day Weekend, ShamRock St. Patrick's Day Festival - street party turned green as they celebrate the festival every the 17th of March and of course who could ever forget the Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration- celebrated every March. And do not be concerned about where to stay, there are many San Diego hotels in the area to select from which suits your style.

A little trivia about the district's name: The name "Gaslamp" came from the words "gas lamps". The place started to be called "Gaslamp Quarter" when four new gas lamps were mounted in the corner of Market Street and 5th Avenue before the start of the 1900's. This very same location and intersection today features a "Pedestrian Scramble", similar to a much larger Hachiko Square in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.

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