East Village
Home of the San Diego Padres
Stretching all the way from the I-5 bordering Balboa Park in the north to Harbor Drive and the Convention Center in the south, East Village is comprised of 130 revitalized city blocks and is the largest neighborhood in downtown San Diego. Petco Park, home of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres, and host to everything from baseball games and concerts to special events, is the epicenter of this neighborhood and its rejuvenation. The ballpark’s infectious energy suffuses the entire neighborhood with a high-energy vibe and makes for a lively social scene that thrives within the many breweries, gastropubs, rooftop bars with Petco field views and hip boutiques that comprise its streets.
Petco Park’s Gallagher Square, also known as Park at the Park, provides a lush green space amid the urban sprawl, perfect for picnickers, children and pets alike. This park contains the Sycuan Stage, a permanent outdoor venue that hosts at least eight acts a year and allows for smaller-scale entertainment and festivals.
Faultline Park, inspired by the Rose Canyon Fault that runs through the heart of San Diego, offers more greenery and a unique artistic and scientific experience. On either side of the sidewalk are sizeable, polished metal spheres that allow viewers to observe the shifting of the tectonic plates over time by looking through a “sight” in the western sphere.
Educational and enrichment opportunities abound throughout the neighborhood, which is home to San Diego City College, UCSD Downtown Center, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, the NewSchool of Architecture and Design and the Central Library. The library, whose distinctive metallic dome houses a multitude of free educational and cultural resources, contains more than 5 million books, including audio-visual materials, and versatile workspaces like the IDEA Lab, which offers access to everything from sewing machines to 3D printers.
The Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, whose unique structure reminiscent of a sailboat sail, allows pedestrians to cross over a railyard and trolley tracks with ease, seamlessly connecting East Village with the waterfront and San Diego Convention Center.
