13 Things You Only See In The Gaslamp Quarter

Robots and skulls and Godzilla, oh my!

1. Swanky lounge furniture in the middle of the sidewalk.

Courtesy of Double Standard

For when boring metal patio chairs just won't do.

2. A mystery rabbit-hole entryway to an Alice in Wonderland-themed bar.

Photographer: Andrew Jorgensen

Venture down the stairs and through the hedge to see just how far the rabbit hole goes...and then buy yourself a cocktail.

3. A Vegas-style EDM show in an old bank vault...with giant robots to welcome you.

Conor Corridan for Parq

Know what their favorite dance move is? If you guessed "the worm," then you're absolutely correct!

4. A wall of skulls.

Courtesy of Noble Experiment

OK, so this wall of bronze skulls at Noble Experiment isn't *technically* within the Gaslamp Quarter -- but it's only about a hundred feet away, and since it's so cool, an exception had to be made.

5. A rooftop bar with a view.

Dylan Patrick / Stanford Hotels Corp.

Q: What's better than drinks on a rooftop bar overlooking other rooftop bars and a baseball stadium?

A: If there were free drinks at that rooftop bar.

6. A Bloody Mary that's a full-on meal.

Courtesy of Cafe 21

Cafe 21 makes edible art served up in a glass. Now you can have your Bloody and eat it too.

7. This guy:

Courtesy of Ashi Fachler / Via Flickr: ashi

Ever wish your city had a shirtless man roaming the streets sporting a lucha libre mask and brandishing a Shakeweight? Well, the Gaslamp Quarter has one, and his name is Don Flores — or, as the locals call him, "The Beast."

8. A bathroom dedicated to Ryan Gosling.

Courtesy of Bang Bang

"Hey girl...I heard you like bathrooms. Be sure to wash those hands, girl."

9. A bathroom dedicated to Godzilla.

Courtesy of Bang Bang

There's only one thing men love more than Godzilla, and that's a bathroom with Godzilla posters plastered all over the walls.

10. A flock of Segway-ers.

Courtesy of Another Side of San Diego Tours

Observing a wild flock of Segway riders in their natural habitat is a rare treat indeed. And if you're really lucky, you might even be able to get one of them to eat peanuts out of your hand!

11. A nightclub on wheels.

Courtesy of Nathan Rupert, nathan-rupert.artistwebsites.com / Via Flickr: nathaninsandiego

Who needs a car when you've got a guy with strong legs and an awesome light-up pedicab?

12. A dog dressed as Santa Claus.

andy orin (CC BY 2.0) / Via Flickr: mr_skeleton

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you -- that is a pooch and her best friend dressed up as Santa Claus. In a wagon. Why, you ask? Oh, it's just the GASLAMP HOLIDAY PET PARADE. YEAH.

13. The hottest places to party.

Courtesy of Fluxx

Pounding bass. Intense strobe lights. LASERS -- the biggest names in EDM regularly flock to San Diego clubs like Fluxx, Omnia, Cake, Parq, and Bassmnt to put on shows that would make Vegas and Ibiza blush.

With over 16 blocks of sights, sounds, and tastes, the Gaslamp Quarter never ceases to amaze and delight. Visit sandiego.org to start planning your getaway!

Sponsored by the San Diego Tourism Authority, funded in part by the San Diego Tourism Marketing District Corporation with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District assessment funds.