East Village - San Diego, CA

East Village, once a series of vacant warehouses, is now a thriving urban community with a strong arts and culture scene. The redevelopment of this neighborhood to become a desirable residential community began after the construction of Petco Park in 2004.

Residents attend book readings, film screenings and swing dance lessons at the Central Library. Root for the Padres at Petco Park, or enjoy various events, from holiday to food and wine festivals. Watch superheroes walk the streets of East Village every summer during Comic Con, a pop-culture convention that draws hundreds of thousands annually.

Allow your little ones to see art in new ways at The New Children's Museum with engaging contemporary art exhibitions, climbable sculptures and interactive workshops. Learn about Chinese culture at the Chinese Historical Museum, or attend the largest Chinese new year event in town for over three decades: the annual Chinese New Year Cultural Fair.

Dining in East Village provides a variety of choices sure to please any palate, from French cafes to artisan pizzerias.

Breakfast proves to be the most important meal of the day in this neighborhood. Indulge in blueberry cornmeal pancakes or the famous french toast at The Mission on J Street. One of three locations in San Diego, this busy restaurant serves locals a variety of breakfast favorites and Latino plates like their Mission Chilaquiles or breakfast quesadillas. Order a mimosa with your breakfast, or try the unique Vincent Vega, an iced espresso drink with vanilla syrup and Coca-Cola. In addition, Richard Walker's Pancake House makes an excellent choice for those craving a menu with an array of fluffy buttermilk pancakes and Belgian waffles piled high with fresh fruit, whipped cream and powered sugar.

Sip wine at happy hour or indulge in afternoon tea at the charming French bistro Cafe Chloe on 9th Ave. Savor a delectable meal of small plates perfect for sharing, like the bistro's famous Pommes Frites, white wine steamed mussels, or cheesy macaroni and pancetta gratin. The warm ambiance and comely candle-lit outdoor patio make for an ideal date night. For something a little more casual, Basic on 10th Ave serves an imaginative menu of pizza and local craft beer in an open, rustic space.

An exciting bar and nightlife scene can be found around almost every corner in East Village. Western-themed El Dorado on Broadway offers unique cocktails and live bands and DJs on the weekends. Prohibition-style speakeasy Noble Experiment offers an escape from the city bustle with their intimate space and reinvented classic cocktails. Be sure to make a reservation and find the secret entrance behind the fake wall of kegs inside the back of Neighborhood restaurant. For a spectacular view of the city and Petco Park, Altitude Sky Lounge on the rooftop of Marriott on K Street features a trendy nightlife scene, live DJs and dancing.

East Village remains an extremely accessible and lively neighborhood where most errands and activities can be achieved on foot. Parking downtown is difficult, and you should expect to pay for parking or find alternative options such as public transportation.

The San Diego Trolley in the heart of East Village services San Diego's most popular destinations with three different lines. Other options include the Coaster commuter rail, Amtrak rail and several bus lines. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System proves to be reliable, affordable and efficient.

Three highways connect or pass through downtown San Diego, including Highway 163, Interstate 5 and Highway 94. Although there are not many taxi cabs cruising the streets, Uber services the area as a popular option.

The San Diego bike loop gives cyclists safe access to several areas in the city, such as Gaslamp, Little Italy and East Village. This loop is seven miles long and also connects to venues like Pecto Park and Central Library.

Take the kids to nearby Waterfront Park where they can enjoy the spray fountains, cool off in wading pools and have fun in a play zone full of slides, swings and interactive structures. Pack a picnic and head to East Village Square, an urban park nestled in the busy city with views of Petco Park, or admire the palm trees and skyscrapers at Pantoja Park.

Your four-legged friends will love Grape Street Park, a 5-acre park in neighboring Golden Hill that is always full of frisky canines ready for playtime.

A less than 5 minute drive takes you to Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park, where endless opportunities await you. Explore one of the park's 15 museums or the performing arts venue. Visit the pandas at the San Diego Zoo, attend holiday events such as December Nights or the scary Haunted Trail, or visit the Japanese Friendship Garden.

The cost of living in downtown San Diego comes in higher than the city average. Residents can expect to pay an average of $1,400 per month for a studio or one-bedroom apartment. High-end and luxury condominiums average higher at around $2,200.

A ride on the San Diego trolley costs $2.50 one way or $5 all day, and gas prices hover right above the national average. Expect to pay around $6 for a pint of beer at a local bar.

East Village boasts an array of shopping options, from boutiques to thrift stores. Find unique, bold jewelry and lovely frocks at Ma Cherie Boutique on 10th Ave., and browse Amy Rae Boutique on Market for an assortment of casual to elegant apparel, darling accessories and fun novelty gifts.

If vintage apparel better suits your style, the neighborhood offers plenty of thrift and second-hand stores, such as City Digz, Goodwill and Humble Heart Thrift Store. Browse the impressive vinyl collection and artistic fashion of FeeLit on E Street, which CityBeat named San Diego's Best Record Store.

Walk or take a trolley over to Gaslamp District, where you can find even more boutiques, specialty stores and Westfield Horton Plaza mall. Next to Gaslamp and on the waterfront, you will find additional options in the premier shopping center The Headquarters and the quaint Seaport Village.

Get all of your grocery shopping done right in the heart of East Village at Albertsons or Smart and Final. Stop in Italian market and restaurant Bottega Americano for all you need to create a gourmet dinner at home, and stock up on house-made sauces, fresh pasta, sausage and meats, artisan chocolates, dressings and jams. Take home fresh pizza dough for family pizza night, and snack on a Caprese panini or Italian Cubano while you wait.