Daddy’s Birthday Bash didn’t end after we checked out of Hotel Palomar San Diego, A Kimpton Hotel! Another reason we stayed at the hotel is because one of my friends and colleagues Bianca Jaime is the founder and owner a very unique and interesting tour company, So Diego Tours.
So Diego Tours offers unique experiences that allow people to tour San Diego like an insider, immersing them in the culture, way of life, and the city itself. They have a variety of exciting wine and culinary tours throughout San Diego at affordable prices perfect for date night or celebrations like birthdays, or group events. Not only do you get to sample great food from multiple restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter, but you will come away with loads of historic facts about downtown San Diego. Even as a local and native San Diegan, I learned more than my week at Old Town in elementary school!
Thankfully, Bianca was our tour guide. We were impressed with her knowlege of the past, present and future of the Gaslamp Quarter. The tour was about 2.5 hours and included five stops at local eateries, breweries and ice creameries!
I took Daddy on the Brothels, Bites and Booze Tour! Each tour is a little different depending on what time of day you go, but they are all amazing. Our particular tour went like this…
Horton Plaza Lyceum Theatre
Everyone taking the tour met at the Horton Plaza Lyceum Theatre where we learned about Alonzo Horton, and how he purchased land in San Diego for .33 cents an acre! How’s that for a real estate market?! Horton Plaza was built in 1985, just 3 years after I arrived. That’s not too long ago 🙂
Did you know that the Gaslamp Quarter is defined by brick? From the corner of 4th & 5th street, all the way to Broadway out to the Convention Center is covered in brick!
Want to know a funny Story about the Historic Balboa Theatre…go on the tour! This beauty was recently restored only a few years ago after remaining formant for several years.
Historic Balboa Theatre
Find out why this building, once popular brothel was called, “The Golden Poppy.”
The Golden Poppy
My favorite story was about how Croce’s Restaurant came to life, reconnected two loves, and marked the beginning of a better downtown San Diego! It almost brought me to tears!
Okay, so you’re wondering when we get to the food! I’m telling you, you will be amazed at the historic knowledge you will gain from this tour! The history was just as good as the food. And I’m not a big fan of history, but when it’s about your hometown, you just listen. Here we go!
Bite M.E. serving high quality, Mediterranean food with some American attitude. We sampled a delicious felafel wrap, baklava and their amazing Mint Lemon Mojito, made with fresh hand squeezed lemonade.
Tequila 100 a Mexican eatery known for you guessed it…tequila. We got to try their chicken tacos and watermelon mojito!
Rock Bottom Brewery, the only brewery you will find in the Gaslmap! Daddy and I got a sample of it all!
Royal India has a $12 lunch buffet! Can’t beat that. We tried their chicken masala over rice.
Crunch Time I am so glad we came here. I am a huge fan of carmel corn, and hands down, they have the best! We love to support local moms and pops establishments, and this is one we will be coming back to.
Daddy enjoyed the tour and his birthday weekend as a whole. (Daddy: I hope you can attest to that by leaving a nice comment!) At the end of the tour, our belly’s and our minds were full! We tried places we might not have even known existed. We learned about the brothels of the past, how some places got their names and how recent it actually was when the city started cleaning up. We also learned about new developments regarding the San Diego Convention Center’s expansion and plans for a park at Horton Plaza.
I can only tell you so much, you have to experience it for yourself. So Diego Tours will reveal the true beginnings of San Diego–layer by layer…while you eat several layers of delicious bites!
The Brothels, Bites and Booze Tour runs on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday It last approximately, 2.5 hours and costs $45 per person. Visit So Diego Tours for more exciting tours!
Disclosure: I was provided a complimentary tour, however all opinions are my own.