For the uninitiated, San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System has four trolley lines. The Green Line runs from Stadium Station (Snapdragon Stadium) in Mission Valley to 12th & Imperial Station in Barrio Logan (just south of downtown).
Riders on the Green Line will encounter five downtown San Diego stops: County Center/Little Italy, Santa Fe Depot, Seaport Village, Convention Center and Gaslamp Quarter.
The trolley is ideal for exploring downtown. Here’s an overview of the highlights at each stop:
County Center/ Little Italy. San Diego has the largest Little Italy in the country (48 blocks), which holds 47 restaurants (70 if you include cafes, bars and dessert spots). There’s an always-packed Farmer’s Market that happens on Saturdays and Wednesdays. From the trolley stop, it’s a two-minute walk to Waterfront Park, home to a massive children’s playground and lots of concerts throughout the year. Nearby and atop the San Diego Bay is Portside Pier and its four dining concepts. The iconic Star of India, the world’s oldest sailing ship, is docked next door, part of the Maritime Museum.
Santa Fe Depot. This is a historic train station and a transportation hub in downtown that serves the trolley, Amtrak and the Coaster train (running along the coastline). Barrio Logan resident Yohan Hernandez is a regular user. “This is the easiest way to get to Pacific Beach,” Hernandez said. “Five bucks and I can get to work and back. It saves me a lot of money.”
Seaport Village. Located next to the bay, Seaport Village is a popular shopping and dining complex. It’s also home to a historic carousel. Right near the station is the (rebuilt after a fire) Kansas City Barbecue, made famous by the original Top Gun movie.
Convention Center. The sail-topped San Diego Convention Center is the temporary annual home of the legendary Comic-Con International. From July 23 to 26, more than 130,000 attendees – many dressed to cosplay in colorful, homemade costumes – will invade the convention center. On the other side of the tracks is the New Children’s Museum and the also new and actively used Children’s Park.
Gaslamp Quarter. This stop places you at the foot of San Diego’s Entertainment District. Pass under the iconic Gaslamp Quarter sign and discover 16.5 blocks of historical significance founded by city father Alonzo Horton. The Fifth Avenue main drag is wall-to-wall restaurants, bars and shops. Just a couple blocks to the east is Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. “I constantly take the trolley downtown,” says Nora Rosener, “It’s such an easy and accessible mode of transportation.”
For more information, go to: Green Line trolley schedule. SDSun
