Anchor ads are not supported on this page.
Print Edition
Classifieds
Stories
Events
Contests
Music
Movies
Theater
Food
Life Events
Cannabis
April 24, 2024
April 17, 2024
April 10, 2024
April 2, 2024
March 27, 2024
March 20, 2024
March 13, 2024
March 6, 2024
February 28, 2024
February 21, 2024
February 14, 2024
February 7, 2024
Close
April 24, 2024
April 17, 2024
April 10, 2024
April 2, 2024
March 27, 2024
March 20, 2024
March 13, 2024
March 6, 2024
February 28, 2024
February 21, 2024
February 14, 2024
February 7, 2024
April 24, 2024
April 17, 2024
April 10, 2024
April 2, 2024
March 27, 2024
March 20, 2024
March 13, 2024
March 6, 2024
February 28, 2024
February 21, 2024
February 14, 2024
February 7, 2024
Close
Anchor ads are not supported on this page.
The fall of Horton Plaza
Horton Plaza really brought about the beginning of the end of the old downtown San Diego. When I came to the city in 1981 at age 23 I was kind of shocked that this big city did not really have a downtown, at least the kind of downtown that I was familiar with in other big cities. But I realized that San Diego was a different type of city that provided a different lifestyle and I was ok with that; I embraced the city's personality. NOBODY went downtown to do ANYthing, unless you were interested in porn shops and arcades. Well, my friends and I found a small handful of cool places where we could eat, drink and be entertained along with like-minded people and that was good enough. Then when word spread of the planned construction of a MALL, everyone was looking forward to it. I don't remember the general opinion of the mall 'style', but in my circle we all liked it. Horton Plaza was a very different mall in style and vibe and yes, it was packed with shoppers, locals and tourists. And, the rest is history. Now the Gaslamp and surrounding areas are often so packed it looks like Times Square. Thank you, Horton Plaza. I am sad about it's demise. I understand the need for change; perhaps this is a necessary change. But I have a feeling that really bad decisions will be made.— October 14, 2018 10:44 a.m.