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6AM City In-house

The Gaslamp’s future is bright 💡

Gaslamp Promenade poised to transform downtown San Diego
Gaslamp Quarter sign
A greeting from the Gaslamp Quarter. | Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday
The Gaslamp Quarter is getting ready for the next chapter in its history. The Gaslamp Quarter Association has outlined its vision for a new promenade that aims to improve pedestrian access and create an environment where businesses can thrive.

The Gaslamp Promenade will stretch along Fifth Avenue from L Street to Broadway, and offer a new look and experience — but preserve the area’s history and charm.

🧱 Paving the path

The initiative was first introduced in October 2019 with the goal of increasing the area’s appeal, attracting more businesses, and creating more space for dining and entertainment. To do this, the promenade will be closed to vehicular traffic daily, 11-3 a.m. — except at cross streets. This will impact Broadway to K Street, but Fifth Avenue from L to K streets will always remain open to vehicles unless there’s a special event.

The area will also undergo construction resulting in:
  • The formation of eight distinct plazas along Fifth Avenue — so the area is better suited for pedestrians
  • Repaved streets that preserve historic elements
  • New trees for shade and street lights
  • The removal of curbs, whenever possible
  • New art, sculptures, and street furniture
With this transition, parking spaces will be removed. To address the limited parking available downtown, Fourth Avenue is in the process of creating more spaces by converting from parallel to diagonal parking.

Gaslamp Quarter history

A current look at the sidewalks, art, and streets in the Gaslamp Quarter. | Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

🚧 When are changes coming?

Drivers can expect access to be restricted beginning in June. This week, crews continued construction along Fifth Avenue to install bollards that will block vehicles from entering the spaces. The city is also working with MTS to retain access for bus routes 3 and 120, which run along Fifth Avenue and serve thousands of locals daily.

But, traffic is only one element of the project. The final completion date is still up in the air, but the promenade has been included as a priority in San Diego’s drafted budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year with hopes of finishing it by the end of this time frame.

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, March 7
  • The Flower Fields | Through Monday, May 15 | Times vary | Carlsbad Ranch, 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad | $12-$23 | It’s Flower Fields season, y’all — with 55-acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers, tractor wagon rides, and more.
  • Memories at the Museums Virtual Tour | Tuesday, Mar. 7 | 2-3 p.m. | Timken Museum of Art | Free | Trained museum docents guide an interactive virtual tour for participants with memory disorders and their caregivers; pre-registration is required.
  • Escondido Farmers Market | Tuesday, March 7 | 2:30-7 p.m. | Heritage Garden Park, Between Grand Avenue and Juniper Street, Escondido | Free | Buy small, local, and fresh at this weekly North County market.
  • SKEGSS | Tuesday, Mar. 7 | 7 p.m. | The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave., San Diego | $75 | The Australian surf and garage rock trio wave hello to North Park.
Wednesday, March 8
  • WomanHouse: Movie and Craft Night | Wednesday, Mar. 8 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Women’s Museum of California Education Center, 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego | $12-$24 | Make a craft inspired by the feminist art movement of the 1970s and enjoy a screening of the historical documentary, “WomanHouse.”
  • Regina Spektor | Wednesday, Mar. 8 | 7 p.m. | The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon | $67-$350 | The singer, songwriter, and pianist brings her talents to San Diego.
Thursday, March 9
  • Art & Beer Night Market | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 5-10 p.m. | AleSmith Brewing Company, 9990 AleSmith Ct., San Diego | Free | Browse small businesses and local artists while enjoying craft beer.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

YOUR PATH TO MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 57º | Cloudy morning, sunnier afternoon | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 6:09 a.m.
  • Set: 5:50 p.m.
Tide
  • Low: 2:57 a.m. + 3:31 p.m.
  • High: 8:59 a.m. + 9:44 p.m.
  • Water Temperature: 56°
Civic
  • The San Diego Police Department is hosting a series of public meetings through this Friday to answer questions and concerns over the proposed use of Smart Streetlight and Automated License Plate Recognition technologies. The surveillance technology is often built into streetlights and will be used to investigate crimes. 📹
Opening
  • Bankers Hill will get a taste of Japanese cuisine at Kinme, a new restaurant that will offer kaiseki — a multi-course meal that showcases culinary arts. The 10-seat, reservation-based eatery will open Wednesday, March 15, and offer 10-course meals at 5 and 8 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. 🍱 (Eater San Diego)
Transit
  • Gas prices in San Diego County are pumping up once again. The average cost of a gallon of regular, self-serve gas hit $4.907 on Friday, March 3 — the highest since Dec. 1, 2022. Since then, prices continue to climb. Yesterday’s average was $4.934. ⛽️ (Times of San Diego)
Ranked
Sports
  • Mark your calendars. San Diego State University Aztecs Football released their 2023 fall schedule, and the season kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Snapdragon Stadium against the Ohio Bobcats. Ticket sales have not yet begun, but you can join the waitlist for season passes. 🏈
Announced
  • Starlights, camera, action. The Rooftop Cinema Club, the outdoor theater on the fourth floor terrace of the Manchester Grand Hyatt along the Embarcadero, will reopen on Thursday, March 16. The new season will soar into action with a showing of “Top Gun.” 🍿
Trending
  • A new telephone pole popped up in Pacific Beach, replacing the “bubblegum pole” at the corner of Garnet Avenue and Bayard Street. The previous pole had been collecting gum for years, amassing thousands of chewed up wads, and it’s unclear how long the bare pole will stick around. 🍬 (CBS 8)
Wellness
  • Our go-to product to relieve tension and decrease under eye puffiness: an ice roller. Not to mention, it’s the perfect way to cool off your face after an intense workout or morning run. These ice globes are also a great skincare addition to help soothe and depuff. *
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It’s a flippin’ competition 🍔

March Madness: Vote for the best burger restaurant in San Diego
SDtoday Best Burger March Madness bracket
Vote for your favorite spot to get a burger. | Graphic by 6AM City
The votes are in. After a close battle, Rocky’s Crown Pub has been named the best burger restaurant in San Diego by our readers.

Congrats, Rocky’s. 👏

Friendly competition, anyone?

With the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments just around the corner, we’re joining the fun of bracket competitions with a face-off of our own. Last year, y’all helped us name the best beach: La Jolla Shores. Now, we need your help to decide San Diego’s best burger restaurant.

Not a sports fan? No worries. Our bracket will focus on a hot topic among San Diegans: burgers.

In order to get our initial lineup of eight contestants, we want to know your favorite burger spots around town. Tell us with this survey + stay tuned to learn how to participate in the tournament.
CAST YOUR VOTE
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Michael.

Editor’s pick: Good morning, San Diego. Last week, I visited Balboa Park for the first time in a while. Of course, I haven’t been able to get into the Botanical Building due to the ongoing construction, but I could see it from a distance. The structure was completely bare, and while I’m upset I can’t visit the plants, I also feel like I’m looking at history — we may never see the insides of the structure again.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? What to know about the 2023 Desert Bloom in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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