The Sofia Hotel: Modern Chic Awaits You in Downtown San Diego

By George Medovoy, Editor
Contact George at
Tpostcard@aol.com

History lives in downtown San Diego at the 211-room Sofia Hotel on West Broadway - a hotel you could say is at the center of the exciting revitalization in the city's West End.

Staying at this stylish hotel just a stone's throw from the historic Gaslamp Quarter and the wonderful Marina neighborhood can give you a taste of what things used to be like in this part of the city…and how much things have changed and continue to change.

(The Sofia Hotel offers comfort with a modern, chic feel)

Our suite had a comfortable, modern chic feel to it, with windows that looked out on Broadway and Horton Plaza shopping across the street.

An Interesting History

The Sofia has a very interesting history going back to 1927. That was when the Pickwick Hotel first opened its doors at First and Broadway in May of 1927.

The Pickwick's two towers and Gothic Revival styling made it one of the most luxurious hotels in San Diego at the time, and because it was the first hotel in San Diego to be built with "en suite" bathrooms, it was known by the slogan, "A Room and a Bath for Two and a Half."

(A comfortable bedroom at The Sofia Hotel)

In 1928 two additional towers were added, and in the same year the Pickwick Corporation bought San Diego radio station KFBC, changing the station's call letters to KGB and moving its studios to the hotel.

By 1933, the station's staff included a little-known announcer named Arthur Gordon Linkletter - THE Art Linkletter of later TV fame - who originated "Man on the Street" shows on the station.

It's interesting to view the historic photos on the walls along the hallways inside The Sofia for a glimpse at early San Diego history going back to the 1920's.

In 2005, The Sofia underwent a $16-million renovation and has been a part of downtown's urban revitalization, including new shopping, restaurants and condominium living down by the marina.

Taking a Walking Tour of Downtown

The hotel offered tours of downtown San Diego, including the Gaslamp Quarter, with San Diego actor David Tierney, so off the two of us went one morning to see downtown.

(The imposing Spreckels Theater across the street from The Sofia Hotel. This was the first stage theater west of the Mississippi)

We walked down Broadway, where Tierney pointed out the majestic Spreckels Theater across the street. The imposing Spreckels was actually the first stage theater west of the Mississippi, and, as Tierney pointed, when it staged "Ben Hur," it actually used live horses pulling chariots across its stage.

Horton Plaza for Shopping

Our tour took us across the street passed Horton Plaza - a great shopping mall with an airy, San Diego feel to it - and then through the Gaslamp Quarter, which once had a reputation for brothels and opium dens, which drew many of the sailors who would put into port in San Diego.

The area is made up of a little over 16 city blocks between Broadway to Harbor Drive and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Great Restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter

(Today the Gaslamp Quarter is filled with a variety of modern cafes and restaurants of all types)

In the 1880's, the area, sometimes compared to the Barbary Coast's Stingaree District, boasted 71 saloons, and 120 bawdy houses. But by 1973, things had started to change for the better, especially with the addition of the multi-level Horton Plaza.

Today, besides Horton Plaza, the Gaslamp Quarter offers a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars, cool shopping, and art galleries - many of which are housed in lovely old Victorian buildings.

(If your taste goes to Spanish taspas, you can find them in the Gaslamp Quarter, too)

Of the 90 or so restaurants, there is cuisine of all kinds, including Brazilian, Indian, Persian, Mexican, Japanese and, of course, American. Jimmy Love's Bar also happens to be the old city hall. PETCO Park, the home of the San Diego Padres baseball team, is nearby in East Village.

Back at the hotel after our brisk walking tour, it was relaxing to take in the Sofia's 24-hour yoga studio, which features audio and video surround sound, yoga mats and an on-call yoga instructor.

(The Sofia Hotel's exercise room with modern equipment)

The hotel also has Star Trac cardio equipment, free weights and hoist-strength training equipment inside its 24-hour health center.
The fireside lobby has comfortable armchairs, and you can also enjoy a meal at the American Brasserie, the Sofia's restaurant.

For more information about The Sofia Hotel, visit www.Thesofiahotel.com, or call (800) 826-0009.

Check out these special deals at The Sofia:

"Pacific Life Holiday Bowl" NCAA College Football Package:
Includes a two-night stay on Wednesday, December 26 and Thursday, December 27, 2007, plus two Field Level Holiday Bowl Game tickets at Qualcomm Stadium.

The package includes deluxe queen room accommodations, two premium admission Field Level tickets to the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl game Thursday, December 27 at 5 p.m. Package price, $350 plus tax.

(The Victorian look and feel of the Gaslamp Quarter)

The Sofia's "Pampered Paws" Package: When you arrive at the hotel, you'll receive information about the hotel's dog services, dog-walking routes, pet-friendly restaurants and area pet services.

(Shopping is great at the Horton Plaza)

The package includes a deluxe suite with a queen bed and queen size sofa sleeper for two nights, special amenity gift bag with a special toy, treat and other essential dog items, bowls for food and water, luxurious two-night stay in a deluxe pet bed, one-hour off leash group dog adventure, during which your dog will be picked up at the hotel and taken on a one-hour off leash excursion in a safe dog-friendly setting. Cost is $600 plus tax for you and your dog.