Our coastal downtown offers stunning San Diego Bay views and urban panoramas…despite infrastructural decline on the horizon.
Yes, the city is preoccupied with a quarter-billion-dollar deficit. Plans for a pedestrian-friendly Gaslamp Promenade and a re-envisioned City Hall complex are on an indefinite pause. The revamped Campus at Horton could face foreclosure. And don’t look now, but the Little Italy Food Hall recently closed.
Despite the fiscal flaws, downtown San Diego still has a silver lining in its skyline. From the tops of downtown’s tall buildings to restaurant tables abutting the bay, we can still point around town with some pride.
The San Diego Sun went on a mission to remind ourselves about the best city views worth fawning over. This visual tour runs from our highest and lowest vantage points. Smile as we climb to the top of The Manchester Grand Hyatt, Mister A’s, the Palihotel and the Central Library; say cheese and take a seat at Portside Pier, C Level Lounge and Centennial Park in Coronado.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
As the third-tallest building in San Diego, the Hyatt’s Harbor Tower has 40 floors and rises to nearly 500 feet. The top floor of the tower includes a bar aptly named “Top of the Hyatt.” Located near Seaport Village, you can gaze out over The Rady Shell music venue and our neighbors across the San Diego Bay in Coronado, or take in a commanding view of the city’s urban core. 1 Market Place
Mister A’s
This fine-dining restaurant in Bankers Hill serves up beautiful food and beautiful views. Mister A’s is located on the 12th floor of the Manchester Financial Center, where diners can check out Balboa Park, the North San Diego Bay and every airplane that lands at San Diego International Airport. 2550 Fifth Avenue
Palihotel Rooftop
Formerly the St. James Hotel, and more recently a Ramada, this updated hotel has a rich, 113 year history. After the Palihotel concierge teaches you how to use the antique elevator, ride it up to the 11th floor to view the historic Gaslamp Quarter (and the towering Hotel St. James sign). There’s a rooftop bar now. It’s closed in the winter but the couches and plants are still cozy and quaint. 830 Sixth Avenue
San Diego Central Library
The Central Library has nine floors, with most available for public access. No membership is needed to head up to the eighth and ninth floors and catch a glimpse of the East Village skyline. The sights create a calming atmosphere, making this the perfect place to study or read in a spot that’s “above it all.” 330 Park Boulevard
Portside Pier
Dine at one of the four restaurants in the newish Portside Pier complex on the Embarcadero. This location allows you to observe the multitude of boats floating atop the bay. Right next door to the Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar: The historic (built in 1863) three-masted Star of India. 1360 N. Harbor Island
C Level
Drive out to the bay-adjacent Harbor Island to get a look back at the San Diego city skyline. Harbor Island is home to standout eateries, like Coasterra and C Level Lounge/Island Prime, which have picture-perfect views of the west side of downtown San Diego. 880 Harbor Island Drive
Centennial Park
Day or night, this Coronado observation post has wide-angle views of downtown. Centennial Park offers a penetrating look at the Gaslamp Quarter, which separates East Village and the Marina District. Take the ferry to Coronado to arrive at this vantage point. 1101 First Street (Coronado) SDSun
