Living just outside the Gaslamp Quarter is perfect because I am 2 blocks from the action, but get to come home to a quiet place to sleep. And by action I mean restaurants, bars, night clubs, shopping, street festivals, live music and more!

Let’s start with the restaurants. Gaslamp is home to some of the finest restaurants in downtown San Diego. If you’re in the mood for amazing, hand-made pasta, I highly recommend Operacaffe on 4th Avenue across the street from the entrance to the Horton Plaza shopping center garage. The Spaghetti Pomodoro is the best spaghetti I have ever tasted, other faves include the Penne Strascicate and the Ravioli Boscaiola. Another must-go is Searsucker on 5th! Try the Spicy Baja Shrimp + Bacon Grits and the Crabcakes on the Starters menu – they’re fantastic! The menu offers a variety of unique starters, salads, seafood, meats and sides. It’s a happening place, so I recommend getting reservations. Want to taste the best burger you’ve ever sunk your teeth into? Try Nicky Rottens their burgers are 100% organic, hormone and antibiotic free, and 100% delicious! And if you’re game, you can try “Da Ultimate Burga Challenge!”

In addition to having great restaurants, many of them offer amazing Happy Hour deals! Nicky Rottens has all night happy hour on Mondays 3-close, 4-7pm Tuesday-Friday and 11am-2pm weekends with ½ price appetizers and great drink specials! La Puerta has an awesome happy hour 7 days a week from 3-7pm and 10pm-close with ½ off drinks and appetizers, Monday it’s all night happy hour and Tuesday is “Taco Tuesday.” Donovan’s Circle of 5ths offers happy hour daily from 3-7pm, which features ½ price Small Bites $3 beer selections, $5 wine selections, $7 cocktails and $8 martinis. The Palm is another good happy hour find with Prime Bites for $4.50 and select drink specials. Morton’s “Power Hour” Sunday-Friday from Open-6:30pm and 9pm-close features $5 beer, $6 wine and $7 martinis and cocktails, and delicious Bar Bites $6-7.

Dessert anyone?? Chocolat on 5th has delicious crepes, gelato, chocolates and desserts. How about a cupcake? Try Heavenly Cupcakes on 6th has fantastic cupcakes, but they don’t have every flavor every day, so you may want to check their Flavors of the day on their website. And don’t forget Ghirardelli Chocolate Company  if you want an amazing hot fudge sundae.

In addition to food, Gaslamp also has an awesome night life. If you’re looking for a night on the town you may want to hit up Stingeree, which was voted San Diego’s best nightclub 4 years in a row. Another hot spot is FLUXX. In addition to night clubs there are a seemingly endless supply of bars – Float at the Hard Rock Hotel, ALTITUDE Sky Lounge at the top of the Marriott, The Ivy, and too many more to list…check this out!

Gaslamp is also home to can’t-miss annual events like Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp, San Diego’s version of the Fat Tuesday celebration. Even Gaslamp’s streets are green for ShamROCK, the awesome St Patrick’s Day block party. Other festivals include Taste of Gaslamp, San Diego Film Festival, the children’s Fallback Festival, and the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade which is this weekend (Sunday, December 12, 2010)!  Halloween is another great night to be in the Gaslamp – even if you don’t want to partake, the people-watching and seeing all the great costumes is lots of fun!

Well it’s no secret that Gaslamp has a lot to offer. It is a bustling place and some people love living right in the middle of all the excitement. As for me, I love living right next to all the excitement…in the quieter East Village.