Harborview - San Diego, CA

Downtown San Diego began to grow in the 1860s with the beginnings of San Diego Harbor. Its growth continued rapidly into the 20th century thanks to the coming of the railroad. However, by the 1960s, most of downtown had fallen into disrepair.

The neighborhood began to turn around in the 1980s when redevelopment took over the Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park and Horton Plaza were built. The Harborview neighborhood benefited from this turnaround, with young professionals moving in to the area. The Maritime Museum of San Diego lets you explore ships as varied as the classic four-master the Star of India and a real naval submarine. Just outside Harbortown's borders, the Mission Federal ArtWalk each spring invites visitors to get to know local artists. The San Diego Brewers Guild Festival each November gives you a chance to sample amazing microbrews.

Harborview's proximity to Little Italy means you can find the best Italian food close at hand in this neighborhood. You have plenty of other choices as well, including sushi, seafood and Mexican restaurants, among others.

Head to the Flight Path when you want to pair unusual wines with wonderful small plates. Order by the glass or bottle, or choose a flight of wines. Appetizers at this relaxing wine bar include bacon and brie sliders on pretzel buns, Caprese salad and vegetable ceviche.

Within walking distance of Waterfront Park, residents frequent Shino Sushi + Kappo. This hidden gem serves the freshest fish in town. Locals rave about the way the otoro nigiri and salmon sashimi melt in the mouth, or try the honeymoon special: an oyster shell filled with uni and topped with a quail egg.

For nightlife, most Harborview residents head to downtown San Diego's nearby Gaslamp Quarter to enjoy its streets packed with bars and clubs. If you want a more mellow evening closer to home, check out the Waterfront Bar and Grill, one of the oldest bars in San Diego and the place to be during the World Cup. Things liven up Thursday through Saturday, when DJs spin hot dance music. Grab some free popcorn with your fireball shots.

Just a couple of steps into Little Italy, Craft and Commerce combines the vibe of a speakeasy with the feel of a modern gastropub to make evenings flow smoothly. Deep-fried mini-corn dogs go perfectly with your craft beer or signature cocktail, and locals consider this pub a hipster's paradise.

If you're looking for some cool live jazz, slide over to 98 Bottles in Little Italy. With many bar areas or private rooms to choose from, this gastropub has become a popular choice for parties. The craft beers are especially popular when discounted at happy hour, and the Thursday night trivia contents tend toward the epic.

The San Diego Trolley provides easy, clean public transportation for much of downtown San Diego. Use the trolley system to get to the Gaslamp District and Petco Stadium, East County and the Mexican border. If the trolley doesn't go where you're headed, the bus system can probably get there, whether you're going to La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Balboa Park or just to the nearby Charles Lindbergh International Airport. You can pick up Amtrak's Coaster train at the downtown Santa Fe Depot, just south of Harborview, and take it all the way up the coast.

Most Southern Californians consider a car a necessity, and San Diegans are no exception. Street parking downtown tends to be metered, and there are plenty of pay parking lots to be found. The closer you get to the water, the more difficult it can be to find parking, including in Harborview. Cabs, Uber and Lyft are all available on an on-call basis, as are private car services and airport shuttles.

Harborview provides a wonderful environment for the walker or bicyclist. Walk or bike the whole way down the coast to the Convention Center, or follow the Bayshore Bike Path from Coronado all the way to National City, passing right through Harborview on its way.

Waterfront Park takes up a large portion of the south end of the Harborview neighborhood, and locals love it for the entertainment options and high security. With lots of little pools and fountains, this park provides kids a perfect place to run and splash; you may see some adults playing in the water as well or be tempted to join in yourself. Enjoy the views of San Diego Bay laid before you. The park's completely free, and the city keeps it clean. Take a long walk along the waterfront or a run if you want to turn it into exercise, and let your kids have fun on the playgrounds. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.

Although the park itself doesn't host any regular events or festivals, it's one stop along the way for the Midnight Madness Fun Bicycle Ride. Hop on your bike in August to join thousands of others for a flat, late night bike ride. If you prefer, wave from the balcony of your Harborview apartment as the riders rush by.

The cost of living in the downtown area of San Diego in general runs about 6 percent lower than that of the San Diego region as a whole. Although the city center can be considered walking distance, taking the trolley one way runs you $2.50. If you've decided to drive instead, plan on paying about 11 percent more than the national-average price for gasoline. Once you've decided to settle in as a Harborview resident, expect to pay about $2,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, though you may find one-bedrooms hard to come by.

Because Harborview exists as a primarily residential neighborhood, stroll toward Little Italy to find any neighborhood shops. For major shopping excursions, head downtown to Horton Plaza or drive north on Interstate 5 to the high-end boutiques and shopping centers of La Jolla.

Closer to home, check out Irelia Fine Jewelry when you need a special gift for a special person. The jewelers there can help you resize rings, pick out gemstones or have a custom-designed piece made just for you.

When you want to decorate your apartment with some south-of-the-border flair, head to Casa Artelexia for unique home decor pieces and artwork. Not only can you find stunning folk art and furniture, you can release your inner artist by signing up for various painting and decorating workshops.

While Harborview itself doesn't have any supermarkets, most residents head to the Albertsons just a little closer to downtown. Just a few blocks away in Little Italy, however, locals love the neighborhood Italian markets. Stop in at the Market by Buon Appetito for fresh pasta, specialty Italian chocolates, imported olive oils and fresh produce. Pick up a fresh meatball sandwich at Mona Lisa Italian foods, and stock up on olive oil, freshly butchered meat and Italian cheeses while you're there.

The nearest farmers market also has an Italian flair. Every Saturday morning, Little Italy Mercato opens its doors to the whole neighborhood. Not only can you find the freshest produce here, but enjoy local seafood fresh from the sea as well. Keep an eye out for amazing sea urchins. Local cheese, honey, salts and hummus make this farmers market one you shouldn't miss.