Located at the city center and often referred to as Centre City, Downtown San Diego is a popular business and residential district. The area is actually considered the main San Diego business district. With a height limit on all buildings in downtown due to the airport, the district has adapted into a charming business district without large towers or skyscrapers dominating the skyline. Downtown has not always been the bustling and thriving community it now is, but gives its thanks to a 1975 redevelopment plan to increase investment and business in that area, which led to the building of the San Diego Convention Center, a popular center that hosts many different kinds of events and conventions, drawing millions of visitors each year.

Named after the historic figure, Charles Lindbergh, who tested his first airplane, the Spirit of St. Louis, at the city’s original airfield, The San Diego International Airport or Lindbergh Field is located 3 miles north of downtown. Lindbergh Field is the busiest single-runway commercial service airport in the country and, after London’s Gatwick Aiport, second in the world. Offering residents around 300 departures each day to national and international destinations, the airport enhances the already booming downtown business district.

Made up of a number of smaller communities, including Columbia, Core District, Cortez Hill, East Village, Gaslamp Village, Little Italy, Marina, Horton District, and Seaport Village, the Downtown district of San Diego adds a diverse and colorful element to San Diego County culture.

The Old Town district in San Diego is known as Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and is between Mission Valley and Downtown San Diego. Preserved in this area are many old San Diego facilities and buildings that date back to the 19th century during the Mexican War of Independence. Another popular area is Balboa Park, which goes from 6th Avenue in Downtown to 28th Street. Balboa Park hosts many museums and other popular tourist and resident destinations in San Diego, including the San Diego Zoo, which is famous for its size (over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species) and progressive attitude.