As San Diego’s premier shopping, dining and nightlife destination, the Gaslamp Quarter is home to the region’s most diverse restaurants, retailers and entertainment venues. Representing 400 businesses in 16.5 blocks located in the heart of Downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter Association (GQA) is the non-profit 501(c)6 merchants organization of the Gaslamp Quarter. The GQA is the second oldest business improvement district in the City of San Diego. Though the GQA was officially chartered in 1982 by the City of San Diego under State Law, the Gaslamp Quarter’s Merchant Association goes back several decades and the historic commercial district that would become the Gaslamp Quarter began as William Heath Davis’ New Town in 1850. With its colorful history as San Diego’s “redlight” district seguing to a post-redevelopment period of booming commerce serving as the colorful tapestry for today’s thriving Quarter, there is much to experience in the Gaslamp Quarter. With over 100 restaurants and entertainment venues and more than 100 boutiques, spas and salons, fine art galleries and artisan shops, the Gaslamp Quarter offers countless opportunities to indulge, entertain and amuse even the most discerning visitor. The district’s 90+ historic buildings creates the breathtaking backdrop for a stroll through Downtown San Diego, or for the GQA’s annual special events throughout the year.