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First Avenue Bridge Photos

Recommended Reviews - First Avenue Bridge

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Newly restored First Avenue Bridge.
Gail P.

I have been going up to Banker's Hill a lot lately and have come to really appreciate the lovely First Avenue Bridge. It is a tall and graceful structure-an arch of steel- that is located in Bankers Hill on First Avenue between Nutmeg and Palm avenues. Its western walkway offers spectacular views of San Diego Bay, Coronado and Point Loma. The First Avenue Bridge is a" hinged truss arch steel bridge" according to a Bankers Hill historical website. It was built in 1931 under the Improvement Act of 1911 and was originally known as the Peoples Bridge since it was erected by the edict of local property owners. Up until just recently the First Avenue Bridge was closed to vehicle traffic as it underwent seismic retrofitting by the city. The project was approved in 2007 and included restoration of the bridge to its original 1931 appearance -- "railings and light standards will be reconstructed and the structure will be painted with the original bronze color," according to city engineering records. In fact, the newly restored vibrant color of this bridge really stands out. First Avenue Bridge architecturally fits in with the rest of the homes on Bankers Hill-many of which are historic sites and preserved showcases of residential beauty. Once upon a time, the most socially-ambitious and wealthy citizens of San Diego resided here. The Bankers' Hill neighborhood is, in fact, named for the important professionals who have had homes there since the area was developed in the 1890s. Underneath the bridge is Maple Canyon and various nature trails and walking paths. Someone told me there is some kind of meditation garden with some benches that allow you to sit down and take it the beauty of the Canyon environment. I really love having this cool arched structure to drive over and dig the views looking west towards Point Loma. As bridges go, First Avenue may not be the biggest or the longest bridge in town but it gives flavor and color to Bankers Hill---5 STAR YELP FLAVOR!

Adam S.

When I think of a landmark bridge, I think of something a bit more than just another roadway over a gorge. But First Avenue Bridge is just that, a simple roadway bridge in Banker's Hill with a nice view of the area and the San Diego harbor in the distance. It looks like it's been around a long time, which I'm sure it has since it is after all, a landmark. But there is nothing other than it's history which gives it any significance. But like I said, you get a great view of the area and you can look down into Maple Canyon as well.

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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18 years ago

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16 years ago

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12 years ago

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13 years ago

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14 years ago

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Gaslamp Quarter Association - Young Blood. A unique speakeasy bar where cocktails are made to your flavor preferences. Easily, one of the best bars I've been to.

Gaslamp Quarter Association

4.1(236 reviews)
1.6 mi•Gaslamp

We attended our FOURTH Taste of the Gaslamp, this is 2025!!! We have been coming since 2022!!!…read more It's a FUN San Diego Event. We started at Goodnight John Boy, which is a 1970's Nightclub!!! It was also STOP 1, serving PIZZA. We stopped at in on 16 RESTAURANTS!!! HERE IS HOW OUR DAY WENT: We proceeded over and up. We ate PIZZA again at PIZZA ON FIFTH. THEN, back down, BACK AND FORTH, and down some more. Back and Forth, AND UP!!! We had pizza and more pizza, a couple places had sliders. CHEESE BALLS at The Field!!! I ate both of our Cheese Balls, and they were large and filled with soft, creamy white cheese. When we walked into THE FIELD, the Staff approached us and took us to a table, the only empty table in the place!!! After that, they even exchanged the stool that was there with a backed chair. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! YUMMY, yummy Truffles at Sugarbear!!! We then ran into the MEXICAN REGION, with Rockin Baja and Hasta Manana, and Baja Rick's Cantina!!! We loved HASTA MANANA, in particular. It went all out MEXICAN FOOD, we had three different things to eat, including Chips and Guacamole, a Potato Taquito, and Arroz Con Leche. HASTA Manana was the HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY!!! At ROYAL India, we tried Chicken Marsala!!! We were thrilled to see CAFE SEVILLA again serving Paella!!! We were also thrilled to see SUGAR BEAR again serving DELICIOUS DESERTS!!! I have to say this about SUGARBEAR, we were greeted warmly by the owner, who was standing outside. It was JUST LIKE LAST YEAR. WHAT A DAY!!! I mean, this is a Classic San Diego LOCATION, location, location, the Gaslamp Quarter. Then, DID I MENTION, you get to taste the food at 16 Restaurants!!! TELL ME, what is better???

Very charming neighborhood of downtown San Diego! I stayed at the Sofia Hotel so walking and…read moreexploring the area was convenient and so easy. I loved getting to pass by all the historic buildings, most were constructed in the Victorian era. Also lots of restaurants and shops along the way to Harbor Drive

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Gaslamp Quarter Association
Gaslamp Quarter Association
Gaslamp Quarter Association - Chocolate Cremerie Desserts at Taste of the Gaslamp 2023.

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Chocolate Cremerie Desserts at Taste of the Gaslamp 2023.

The Homecoming Statue

The Homecoming Statue

4.4(11 reviews)
1.6 mi•Downtown

Pretty iconic statue along the boardwalk before you get to Seaport Village. There's not really a…read morequeue to take your picture in front of it, so hop in while you can. When I visited, there was yellow tape in front of the statue roping it off. Not clear on why.

this statue seems to be mistaken for the Unconditional Surrender statue a lot by reviewers…read more Unconditional Surrender is tall and in color, while the Homecoming statue is life sized and bronze. They could not be more different. You will find this statue on a grass patch along the street. Parking here to get a closer look is relatively simple. There is a huge metered lot within a reasonable walking distance of this statue. It is a simple statue that depicts a sailor being embraced by a woman, that I assume to be his wife and a small child that I assume to be shared by his wife. The sculpture is the work of Stanley Bleifeld, whose intent was to express the joy of the reunion between a family when a sailor returns from a long deployment. The statue not only honors the service member, but the sacrifices made by families during challenging periods without their loved ones. The San Diego sculpture is a replica of the original one in the US Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. You will find other copies in Virginia and South Carolina. The statue is about 7 feet high and was dedicated in August 1998. It is showing its age a bit, but still looks pretty good. It is a powerful sculpture and you can really feel the reunion. Be sure to check out the expressions on the sculptures' faces, especially the kid's. Anyway, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. There are a ton of statues and memorials in that area including the USS San Diego Memorial, The Bob Hope Salute, The Aircraft Carrier Memorial and the Unconditional Surrender statue. I would also consider visiting the USS Midway Museum, as well.

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The Homecoming Statue
The Homecoming Statue - Love this

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The Homecoming Statue - Iconic

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Iconic

Horton Plaza Park - Outside

Horton Plaza Park

2.9(52 reviews)
1.4 mi•Gaslamp

For the nany groups that gatgerwd at the park you would find the shore patrol that patroled the…read morestreets for the times were early with the servicemen that would have time in the city on shore leave. For the Horton Plaza pigeon park fid have its bad sidez wgen the mall storez started changing it caused the park to be cleaned up. The Pigeon Park gad a tunnel that ran under the park that connected to the old Grey Hound Station that is locat at 1st and Broadway. The Banking Building tgat is located at the front it was one of the many that handeled the many stores for the Wells Fargo handled the businesses of Horton Plaza as the shopping center was changing. When planet hollywood was at the mall the rsstaurant was the support for the ma with the vest food and surprising dishes. Horton Plaza Park was the front row seats to the many premeres of the msll the park was one you saw the many speakers the park was the center of the visitors and the news conferences that would be broadcasted from the park. The founder and the one that developed the many properties i the fathers of the Gaslamp anx the Spreckles theater Alonzo Horton the founder of the gaslamp and the many of thr New City the firzt bame for the city of San Diego. Horton Plaza Park the centwr of the historical landmarks for the Horton Pkaza Park was an empty field before the mall was built the Spreckles Theater one of the first musical and the first Black and White theater. With the US Grant Hotel tht oldest of San Diego it was the business hotel the hietorical loxation that oversaw the openinfband the dedication of the park. As a Yelp Elite Reviewer the historical locationd of the Broadway the main street that runs down the middle of the city. From the trip that I toom down to San Diego the park been changed with i dustrial blowers and generators for the theater was started but was never finished. The company that was doing the demo and the remodel the problem there is no money the demo and remodel had ruined the Historical Landnark seeing this the city has ruined the Histotical welcome to visitors.

I work a block away from this parking lot and the late night parking attendant tonight was much…read moremore rude than usual. He told us to basically go to a different parking garage since they were experiencing issues tonight and only have one lane open versus 3 lanes. After I thanked him for dealing with everything he didn't say anything except "next time park it on market" it's always the guy with the hat late night that is so quiet and rude to all myself and all my coworkers. There has been one lovely late night lady and she's the best!!! 5 stars for her. Bring her around more often. Not this mean guy that hates literally everyone.

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Horton Plaza Park - With the many parts of the Horton Plaza Park there is under construction of the outdoor theater and the Ampitheater.

With the many parts of the Horton Plaza Park there is under construction of the outdoor theater and the Ampitheater.

Horton Plaza Park - With the Horton Park the one hotel that has the ties to the park is the US Grant hotel which donated money to the building of the park.

With the Horton Park the one hotel that has the ties to the park is the US Grant hotel which donated money to the building of the park.

Horton Plaza Park - The many areas of the Horton Plaza Park and the site of the Horton House which you can see the site as the right.

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The many areas of the Horton Plaza Park and the site of the Horton House which you can see the site as the right.

First Avenue Bridge - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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