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    The Old Globe

    4.4 (374 reviews)
    Closed • 12:00 pm - 7:00 PM

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    We took my parents to see this fantastic show - BEGIN AGAIN
    Samantha P.

    This was my first time at the Old Globe. We loved it!!! I went with my husband and parents to see BEGIN AGAIN!!! We will be back to this wonderful theater.

    Ian C.

    The Old Globe produces some incredible theatre in San Diego. I have seen around 10 productions since moving here and I am a big fan of the work they do. They staff and leadership team is incredible. Support regional theatre!

    Exterior
    Norbert K.

    The Old Globe in Balboa Park is a must-do for lovers of live theater. Its exterior architecture was inspired by Shakespeare's original Globe Theatre in England. The size and shape of the orchestra and balcony brings the audience close to the actors for a great experience. Acoustics are excellent. Earlier this month, we saw Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" here with Katie Holmes starring in the title roll. She was terrific. Our seats in the 4th row were We arrived early with friends and enjoyed the outdoor patio area before the doors opened. Every staff member we encountered -- from ticket office to ticketed to usher -- was personable and helpful . The Old Globe sits behind the Museum of Us. There's valet parking, but self-parking is a 5-10 minute walk away. Restrooms in the theater are on the lower level

    Inside the theater
    Ben B.

    While visiting San Diego we wanted to see a show, and were lucky to see Kim's Convenience at The Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park. Parking on the weekend can be difficult so we took an Uber. The theater is beautiful with great site lines, and comfortable seats. The restrooms are downstairs, but there is an elevator which I appreciated.

    Jennifer V.

    Always so great here watching all the many plays! The staff are wonderful and helpful. One of my favorite plays I watched was in their outdoor theater, "The Taming of the Shrew" by W.S. Boy oh boy, was it phenomenal! Tonight, I watched, "Kim's Convenience" and this play knocked my socks off!!! Come early for parking or get dropped off at the entrance

    Adam A.

    What an interesting Theatre.... No bad seat in the house. Historic. Almost feels like you have entered another country

    Christmas tree at the Old Globe.
    Lynn O.

    Ticket booth people are so patient and informative - they were having a tech problem with sending out digital tickets, but were very good about explaining the problem and how it would be solved that my concerns were gone even though I never did get them on my phone. The central plaza was decorated beautifully for the season. Concessions and gift shop were both open, and seating was readily available about an hour before the show. We saw Scrooge's Big SD Christmas. The one liners with a SD touch were hilarious! These actors are true pros, and the intimate venue meant there wasn't a bad seat in the house. I'm so thankful we have such talent in our city!

    The Grinch!
    Danny W.

    The Old Globe located in the beautiful Balboa Park is a must if you like going to musicals. I went to the Grinch and it was sooo good! This is a smaller venue and great because it is more intimate. Parking is scarce and is they are charging now at Balboa Park. Overall, I would check this venue out and maybe walk around Balboa Park before or after the show.

    Outside the theater
    Amy M.

    Such a magical venue to see shows! Always a great experience coming to the theater, always feels intimate! We are so lucky to have a spot like this in town!

    Bill S.

    The Grinch is one of our favorite SD holiday traditions. The Old Globe is so festive this time of year. Shout-out to Matt P in group sales for making it easy for our group to secure tickets.

    Steph S.

    First time at this theater. We had balcony seats and I really don't think there is a bad seat in this house. Everyone there was personable and attentive. The interior was beautiful with pleasant details around. Saw Regency Girls and if you have a chance, go see it before it leaves.

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    4 months ago

    I love this theatre. Great plays in a smaller intimate theatre. Every seat has a good view of the state.

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    2 years ago

    Cool venue. We watched a show in the round. Small cozy and intimate theater. Can't wait to return.

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    The Old Globe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Old Globe

    How is the seating at the Lowell Davies outdoor theater? If you're in "A" at the top is the stage very far away? Or still easily viewable?

    Hello Ciel! The stage is very viewable from throughout the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. It is… 

    I'm interested in watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Can someone please give me their review of the play?

    I'm a middleaged woman- a volunteer usher for the Globe- and I loved it! I certainly don't have to say this. I've seen a few "stinkers" here over the years. By and large, though, the Globe produces the best theater in San Diego and the Grinch was… 

    Is it indoors or outdoors

    The theatre is indoors, but you wait in a courtyard outside before the show.

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Old Globe

    “After the last three musicals I've seen, these are the things I've noticed about The Old Globe theater.”

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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

    4.2(238 reviews)
    1.5 mi•Gaslamp

    IT WAS OUR FIFTH YEAR, straight. I can honestly say that it has progressively gotten better Year…read moreafter Year!!! It had fantastic start, THOUGH INCREDIBLY TRICKY FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME WITH A WALKER (elevator. Curving Lines, Waiting, STAIRS DOWN/UP, Standing to Eat). We, HOWEVER, got a nice taste on Top of the AC HOTEL!!! As we were sitting there, a nice young girl, came over with some non-Alcoholic BEER AND KEYCHAINS. SO, so NICE!!! It was then off to the races ( SO TO SPEAK). We began at WHISKEY GIRL for Tacos and Margaritas. At BARLEYMASH, we had Chicken Ceasar Sliders. We were downstairs in a beautiful ARTDECO ROOM w/ a strong AC and a Tin Roof. NEXT, El Chignon and Havana 1920, BOTH WERE SO-SO. I thought HAVANA 1920 was better last year and the year before, with the sandwiches!!! DISAPPOINTED. We tried Bagel bites and Cream Cheese with Iced Coffee, at SPILL THE BEANS at 555 Market St. I want to say that my partner impressed with the look of TACO CENTRO, especially with the taste of the Genuine MEXICAN CORN. We will be back. We didn't make it to Bucca di Beppo, but we're glad to hear it was open. As Havana 1920 was a disappointment, so too was Cafe Sevilla. We couldn't even eat the Paella, we were served. OVERCOOKED, and blackened. We enjoyed SHRIMP, however, across the street at ROCKIN' BAJA LOBSTER!!! As I was leaving the LOO, I ran into the same girls giving away NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER. FINALLY, it was time for DESSERTS!!! First, we went to Galata ICE CREAM. We walked into the store, and were served by the owner's son. I had COCONUT GELATO, and my partner had RASPBERRY GELATO!!! YUMMY. As not to be outdone, SUGARBEARS SWEET PROVISIONS were giving out WHOLE CUPCAKES!!! I got a S'more Cupcake, and my partner got a Carrot Cake Cupcake. BOY, oh, BOY, what a TREAT!!! BOTH WERE A GREAT WAY TO END THE DAY!!!

    Home of Petco Park, mornings are pretty quiet, and easier to get parking…read more A typical downtown venue, it has its varieties of peoples. Cute little bistros with sidewalk dining. As the day progresses, the activity amps up. Weather was warm and awesome as San Diego can be.

    Photos
    Gaslamp Quarter Association
    Gaslamp Quarter Association
    Gaslamp Quarter Association

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    The Homecoming Statue

    The Homecoming Statue

    4.4(11 reviews)
    1.8 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 - With the many parts of the Horton Plaza Park there is under construction of the outdoor theater and the Ampitheater.

    Horton Plaza Park

    2.9(52 reviews)
    1.3 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.

    Photos
    Horton Plaza Park - Outside

    Outside

    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.

    The Old Globe - theater - Updated September 2026

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