San Diego County is huge. It is almost as big as the state of Connecticut, and reaches out from the East long before you can feel the cool ocean breeze it is known for, spanning 65 miles from North to South and 86 miles from East to West. The city, on the other hand, is a quaint, charming place with an upbeat character and lively locals. Whether you live in the vicinity, or your visiting for the first, second, or fiftieth time, be sure to check out some of the following attractions for a well-rounded Downtown San Diego experience.

Harbor Cruise

Downtown San Diego extends out to the San Diego Bay and Harbor, which means not only are there great seafood restaurants in the area, but also a mini cruise! The Harbor Cruise ship runs every hour on the hour and takes you over to Ferry Landing Marketplace on Coronado Island. The cruise does not take long at all, so it is considered a bit of a touristy trip, but it is always nice to shake things up a bit in your own town.

Padres Game

The San Diego Padres are not known for their World Series performances—primarily because they rarely show up in the Series. The Padres have won the National League title twice, in 1984 and 1998, but they lost the World Series both times.

With the new stadium, they have garnered much more attention from Southern Californians, and the games are always a great time. If you are not staying in the downtown area, do not worry; there are special event trolleys and coasters that run specifically for the increased traffic to the stadium. Additionally, if you want to avoid the high price of beer you normally find at baseball games, you are allowed to drink on the train ride there and back.

Nightclubs

For locals, heading out downtown usually means a night of clubbing. There are quite a few popular spots to hit if you have the wallet for it. Stingaree is one of the most popular spots downtown, and has events with local celebrities such as the Chargers player Shawne Merriman and reality show star Mike “The Situation.”

The Ivy Hotel’s rooftop is another popular place to spend some hard earned cash. Dancers put on a little entertainment sporadically, and there is plenty of room for large groups. With a pool surrounded by space heaters, and plenty of lounge chairs and couches, you are sure to enjoy yourself, and the rooftop view. Some other popular nightspots include SideBar, Thin, and Café Sevilla.

Broadway San Diego

Like any reputable city, San Diego has a lot of great theater opportunities. With two theater venues, The Civic Theater and Balboa Theater, as well as some big time shows, the city becomes a small version of New York’s real deal. Last season included Tony winners Wicked and The Lion King, while this year’s season has an impressive lineup, as well. The 2010-2011 season includes popular shows such as The Color Purple, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, Stomp, and Mama Mia. Whether you are Downtown for a family trip or a girls night out, be sure to check out a riveting show at one of these great historic theaters.

Holiday Special Events

Since the downtown area of San Diego is laid out as a grid, it makes for great outdoor events. This approximately six-by-ten block area regularly hosts restaurant tastings, as well as some of the most exciting special events in the county.

The San Diego Mardi Gras party may not rival New Orleans, but it is certainly full of excitement. With plenty of participating restaurants and bars, and generally favorable weather, the party is a success each year.

ShamROCK is the St. Paddy’s Day celebration that begins at 4pm and extends until midnight this year. They have three different bands playing, including an Irish folk band and a No Doubt cover band called No Duh. The twenty-dollar cover fee awards you a wristband that keeps you fed all night, and includes a designated driver program that will shuttle you to any home in San Diego County from 9pm-1am.