In 2024, San Diego and Tijuana were selected for the World Design Capital program, a biennial designation recognizing cities that use design to drive social, cultural, economic and environmental development.
As part of that program, there were free walking tours along a stretch of Park Boulevard, from the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge to Balboa Park at Presidents Way. I participated in one of these tours and learned some new facts about my East Village neighborhood.
I’ll walk you through – pun intended – some of the more architecturally interesting sights within the first half-mile of the walk (starting at the bay).
About the route. Originally the vision of urban planner John Nolen, the “Bay to Park Paseo” describes the walk along Park Boulevard from the glistening San Diego Bay to San Diego’s cultural gem, Balboa Park. It’s just shy of two miles, one-way, and the walk towards Balboa Park entails a slight incline, with most of the elevation gain in the final half-mile.
For those with mobility issues, note that the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge elevator is rarely operational. If you’re truly starting at the bay, you’ll either have to navigate the bridge’s staircase or detour all the way to Fifth Avenue at Harbor Drive. If you venture further than the half-mile route described here, you’ll also have to cross the trolley tracks at Broadway (near the City College transit station). A stretch of the sidewalk between Broadway and C Street is blocked (and has been ever since I moved downtown several years ago).
Since everything I highlight below is found in the first half-mile of the journey, you could make this a 1-mile round-trip walk if you turn back after visiting the UCSD Park & Market venue.
Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge and Petco Park. Despite the constantly malfunctioning elevator, the stair climb up the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge is worth the effort. Atop the bridge you’re treated to great views of the bay, as well as Petco Park (more on that next). If you happen to know a train enthusiast, it’s fun to watch trains and trolleys travel underneath the bridge in and out of downtown.
The bridge is self-anchored and suspended from a single pylon set into the ground at a 60-degree angle. This iconic structure, with its curved concrete deck, is a popular spot for film and photography. I once spied Nike filming videos here with models running behind a videographer on wheels. I’ve also seen too-many-to-count photoshoots for music bands, prom nights, families and more.
From the bridge, you can’t miss Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. In recent years, USA Today has ranked it the number-one Major League Baseball stadium in the country. The stadium blends historical elements of surrounding East Village and Gaslamp into its architecture. From some sections of the park, you have incredible views of downtown and the nearby bay. When there are no games or concerts happening, the playground is open to the public and is a much-needed family-friendly resource in East Village.
Further along Park Boulevard. Another early stop in the walk is the San Diego Central Library. Sadly, this is when you’ll start to clearly notice the homelessness problem plaguing East Village.
As you walk along the sidewalk, you can peer into the library through glass windows that remind you of open books. The exterior of the library doesn’t quite do it justice, so consider a tour of the interior. Designed by renowned architect Rob Quigley (who also happens to be an East Village resident), this nine-story structure is unmistakable with its lattice dome. Under that dome you’ll find a quiet reading room with epic views of the Coronado Bridge.
Looking for a unique gift or an affordable used book? The ground floor of the library features a gift shop run by the nonprofit Library Foundation, as well as a used bookstore operated by an all-volunteer group called The Friends of the San Diego Public Library. A shopping spree that supports the library system is win-win.
Park & Market. At the intersection of Park Avenue and Market Street is a trolley stop and a state-of-the-art UCSD venue. Avoid the trolley stop due to prolific drug activity; the UCSD venue is well worth a visit.
As you’re passing the venue but before you reach G Street, look for the outdoor amphitheatre. It’s situated slightly away from the sidewalk and easy to miss. Its walls are covered in public art, and it’s a great outdoor spot to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee (perhaps from the new Bird Rock Coffee that just opened inside).
You might see signs on or around the building for a “Digital Gym. It’s not a fitness center. It’s a cinema…but it’s not your typical movie theater. You won’t see Disney or Marvel movies here. This is a cinema for people who know cinema.
While the proper “Bay to Park Paseo” continues all the way to Balboa Park, the UCSD venue is where I’d turn around. Should you continue, the grassy slopes of City College along Park Boulevard are a real delight amidst the endless concrete of downtown. SDSun
Deanna Ratnikova is the creator of The GO Deck – grab a deck today and be inspired to Get Outdoors and GO on new adventures.
