Neighborhood Guide: Live Like a Local in East Village, San Diego

An aerial view of a baseball stadium in East Village.

Good weather, delicious food, and beautiful beaches. These alone are enough to understand why San Diego is called America’s Finest City. In San Diego, you’ll get to spend a lot of time outdoors, have sunny days for the majority of the year, and live a couple of minutes away from the beach. Sounds appealing, right? 

If you want to live in a neighborhood that will allow you to make the most of the city, we have a recommendation for you  — East Village.

What is it like to live in East Village, San Diego?

The largest urban neighborhood of San Diego, East Village consists of 130 blocks from Seventh Avenue East to 18th Street. Although it wasn’t a popular area before, more and more people started living there after Petco Park opened in 2004. Today, it’s one of the most exciting neighborhoods of San Diego, with a lot of restaurants, cafes, rooftop bars, and independent shops.


East Village is especially popular among young professionals who want to live in modern apartments set in a bustling area. With upbeat and trendy vibes everywhere on its streets, it’s not hard to find local food, cool cafes to work at, or events to go to. Only a few minutes’ walk away from San Diego’s best nightlife and green spaces, East Village is also considered one of the most walkable places in the city. This makes the neighborhood even more attractive for remote workers, relocators, travel nurses, or digital nomads who don’t necessarily own a car.

What to do in East Village

If East Village is your next workation destination or your next stop as a digital nomad, you’re in for a great time. Here are the top things to do in San Diego’s hip neighborhood.

1. Visit Petco Park.

With amazing views of the San Diego skyline in the background, Petco Park is more than a baseball stadium — it is also used for concerts, soccer, golf, and rugby. If you’re into baseball, there’s no better time to watch a San Diego Padres game at their own home. You can also hang out at the park, enjoy the green space at Gallagher Square, or check if there are any upcoming events.

2. Go on a night out at the historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Another fantastic and fun San Diego neighborhood, the Gaslamp Quarter is only a short walk away from East Village. It’s full of Victorian-era buildings, world-class restaurants, and the city’s liveliest nightlife. If you just can’t get enough of the San Diego city views, heading to a rooftop bar at Gaslamp Quarter is a great way to see more. Check out The Pool House, Upper East Bar, The Nolen, and The Rooftop by Stk.  

3. Enjoy the high-quality restaurant scene.

The food scene in San Diego is incredibly rich. From Mexican to Greek food, it’s possible to find all sorts of cuisines. East Village in particular is one of the best San Diego neighborhoods for top-class restaurants.

If you’d like to visit a place where fine dining, American grills, and western vibes meet, make sure to head to Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop. The first of its kind in San Diego, this restaurant is famous for its steaks. Mediterranean restaurant Callie, Japanese restaurant Tajima Ramen East Village, and breakfast place The Mission is also among the area’s favorites.

4. Explore the craft beer scene.

If you’re a beer lover, East Village is the place to be. The craft beer scene in the neighborhood is developing quickly, with a bunch of amazing options to sample. Some award-winning breweries include Mission Brewery, 10 Barrel Brewing, and Half Door Brewery.

5. Discover the cool shops.

When it comes to shopping, East Village has it all. From big malls to independent vintage shops and antique stores, you will find everything you need. That said, while in East Village, you won’t need malls much — the neighborhood boutiques will get you a distinct, hip style, be it for clothing or for accessories.

6. Visit San Diego Central Library. 

This award-winning public library is right next to Petco Park. One of the biggest libraries in the state of California, San Diego Central Library has a rich collection of books, affordable printing services, and an art gallery. If you are looking for a place to work remotely that’s not your home, you might enjoy working here. 

7. Explore San Diego on foot.

East Village is super conveniently located. A 25-minute walk toward the south can take you to Embarcadero Marina Park South where you can chill at the harbor. If you head to the north, you can walk to Balboa Park in about 20 minutes. It’s not only the largest park in the city, but it’s also a cultural center — it has a zoo, a golf course, several gardens, and 17 museums. You can easily spend the whole day there.

How to find accommodation in East Village

Furnished apartments in East Village by Anyplace

While you’re exploring the neighborhood and deciding how long you want to stay there, you’ll probably be too busy to find an apartment, deal with a landlord, and sign a lease. This is where a short-term lease can come in handy. By renting out an apartment on flexible terms, you give yourself time to test out the city. 

Anyplace has fully-furnished flexible apartments in East Village, a few steps away from Petco Park, San Diego Central Library, and various restaurants and bars. All the apartments were designed with remote workers in mind, which means that they are equipped with high-speed WiFi, a comfortable home office setup, and tasteful furnishings. 

You’ll also have access to additional amenities like fitness centers, coworking areas, rooftop terraces, and more.

San Diego is waiting for you!

East Village is one of the best bases you can have to explore San Diego. In this vibrant neighborhood, you’ll be at the heart of the city and always close to the action. So what are you waiting for? It’s never been easier to move to San Diego and see what it has in store for you.


Where to next? Find monthly rentals designed for remote workers on Anyplace.

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