Ahhhh, a walkable lifestyle. Nothing brings me greater pleasure than avoiding my car in favor of using my feet. Living in downtown San Diego nurtures this habit, and we have high Walk Scores to prove it. Hoofing it to shops, restaraunts and grocery stores is not only beneficial to the environment but our waistlines as well (statistics say those of us who live in neighborhoods considered ”walkable” weigh less…nice). So just what is it that makes a downtown San Diego loft or condo’s neighborhood score high marks a  ”walkable”?

Consideration for scoring is based on a city’s center (main street or public space), people (lots needed for businesses and public transit), mixed income/mixed use, parks, pedestrian design, schools, workplaces along with streets completed for bikes, pedestrians and transit. Stir these all together and you’ve earned a Walk Score.

What can you walk to living in downtown San Diego? Check out how these downtown San Diego real estate developments and neighborhoods scored on walkability (scores based out of 100). Then open the score link and feast your eyes on your walk-worthy lifestyle.

M2i/East Village~94  Walker’s Paradise

The Grande/Columbia District~88  Very Walkable

Trellis/Gaslamp~97  Walker’s Paradise

La Vita/Little Italy~91 Walker’s Paradise

Pinnacle/Marina~92 Walker’s Paradise

Harbor View/Banker’s Hill~68 Somewhat Walkable

Solara Lofts/Cortez Hill~92 Walker’s Paradise

Living on the top floor of The Mark, with sweeping views of downtown San Diego and it’s bay, has become available and let me tell you, it’s one heck of a view…and opportunity. There are only a half dozen of these types of units downtown so it is unique to say the least.

Part of the “uniqueness” of this penthouse is the fact that it is a cement shell. Blank canvas. Open space. Design as you wish kind of place. Customizing this home could potentially cost you anywhere from $400 to $800 a square foot. You hold complete control of it’s inner creation. Complete control of it’s design. Complete control of room placement. Complete control of view enjoyment.

Aside from the awe-inspiring views, this penthouse is two stories with just under 2,000 square feet of terrace space. Keep this in mind-the lower penthouses are about that size and you have that in outdoor space. Just more room to admire the scenery. Within it’s concrete shell, there is just over 3,700 square feet to work with. Lots of space, inside and out, to design.

All of the above sound like an advantage to you? If so, this just might be the place for you.

One of the top ten hottest film festivals in the U.S. is almost here. Feel like partying for four days and nights with Hollywood’s hottest celebrities? Over 75 films will be hosted including American & International films, documentaries, short films and music videos.

The San Diego Film Festival has earned more than 12 awards, including Best Beach Fest, Best Regional Film Fest, Best Festival and coveted spot as one of the country’s Top 10 Film Festival Vacations – and it all happens in the Gaslamp District in Downtown San Diego on September 29th to October 3rd, 2010. 

This year’s event will also include exclusive parties, panels and lounges that even those new to the film world won’t want to miss. For more info and to buy your ticket visit San Diego Film Festival.

To read 92101 Urban Living’s last years blog click on San Diego Film Festival in the Gaslamp District in Downtown San Diego 2009!

16 years ago the Little Italy District in Downtown San Diego opened its streets to San Diego residents and many other communities throughout the nation. A festival was organized by the Little Italy Association and a small group of community members to celebrate Italian culture and different types of vendors were allowed to display their wares along India Street. Today, the yearly festa is one of the largest single day Italian American festivals west of Mississippi that welcomes over 120.000 people.

Don’t miss out on the festivities that take place on Sunday October 10th, 2010 from 10am to 6pm. To read more about this event please click on Little Italy Festa.
   

Walking down 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp District is always entertaining. Whether you are of the people watching, bar hopping or food searching variety, each can always be found. My favorite find on a Gaslamp juant-a new restaraunt venue under construction.

Donovan’s Steakhouse, on 6th Avenue and K Street, has an expansion project-Donovan’s Circle of Fifths. Now, it would be likely that most would assume fifths has something to do with alcohol (and let’s be honest, the Gaslamp has lots of alcohol related venues) but, this kind of fifths refers to musical scales since music is a focus of this dewy joint.

With a lite menu, appetizers, drinks and live music, this new gig is bound to be a hit. You can consistently find a spot in the Gaslamp with thumpin’ music but this music, it’s of the jazzin’ variety. And since I am not of the bar hopping variety any more, this jazz and drinks notion is darn appealing.

After six months of environmental remediation work the 150 spaces surfaces parking lot in the corner of 7th Avenue and Market Street in Downtown San Diego is now reopened. The site will be managed by Sunset Parking and the daily rates will range from $4-to $17/day depending on if there is a Petco Park event or some other event in Downtown.

CCDC (Centre City Development Center) who is working on behalf of the San Diego Redevelopment Agency says it was important to reopen the lot as soon as possible and that it is a priority for them to provide affordable and convenient parking to help meet the increasing demand in Downtown.

A majority of the remediation work was funded by the Orphan Site Cleanup Account Program (OSCA). To read more about this project visit www.ccdc.com.

Wondering if you should get a dog, or bring a dog, to live in downtown San Diego? Well, here’s a statistic for you-in 2008 approximately 13,000 pooches were cohabitating in downtown San Diego‘s lofts and condos. 13,000! Clearly, downtowners love their dogs.

That adoration of canines has been recognized in this here city of ours. Take for instance, Lucky Dog. Located in the historic Gaslamp District, this pet boutique sells unique toys, organic and raw diets, strollers (I’m still trying to figure out why a dog needs a stroller) and of course doggy fashion…again, why? But hey, people love their dogs so why not?

Hounds living in downtown San Diego, with owners who work all day, need some care too. Being cooped up in a loft or condo without a yard can be tough. But don’t you fret, Camp Diggety Dog, Furry Tales and Walk N Roll Doggie are here to help! With locations in Little Italy and the East Village, Fido won’t be neglected while you’re busy bringin’ home the bacon. Your pooch can go to day care, play with friends, go on walks (to the Park at the Park or the newly approved East Village Dog Park) and heck, there’s even hotel services if you plan on going off to one yourself. Fido is in good hands living in downtown San Diego.

Speaking of good hands, Market Street Veterinary Clinic will be sure your four legged friend has a clean bill of health. So really, if there is any doubt in your mind about moving Rover downtown with you, just remember-13,000 downtown pooches. 13,000!

Want to explore and get to know the neighborhoods in Downtown San Diego? This self guided walking tour through the streets of the Gaslamp District, the Little Italy District and the East Village/Ballpark District on Wednesday September 1st from 5pm to 9pm will get you started. Enjoy over 60 restaurants that provide tastes from all around the world. Buy your ticket in advance for $30 here or pay $35 on the day of the event. 

Taste of Downtown benefits the Downtown San Diego Partnership. This organization is responsible for promoting and enhancing the community through programs such as the Downtown Clean and Safe Program and the Downtown Walking Map. This year’s event is sponsored by Cox Cable and www.signonsandiego.com.

For information, call McFarlane Promotions at 619.233.5008 or visit www.dtsd.org.

Do you want to go for a bike ride over the Coronado Bridge and around the San Diego Bay? In 2009 more than 2400 people came out to support the “Ride the Bay” event. This event is for riders in all levels and is a 25 mile route that passes through Downtown San Diego, Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, National City and finishes at the Embarcadero Marina Park.  

Come join the fun and enjoy a festive celebration with food, entertainment and a Karl Strauss beer garden. This year’s event will take place on Sunday,  August 29th, 2010. For more information visit www.bikethebay.net.

Raise your hand if you like cubicles…that’s what I thought. You gotta hand it to the creative minds behind The Hive in the East Village, here in downtown San Diego, because they have literally thought outside of the box.

Imagine designers, artists, consultants, and film makers in a communal, loft-like workspace that supports independence and a desire for communal interaction. Spaces are available on a monthly, daily and hourly (think meeting space) rate and are categorized by names so very appropriate for this anti-cubicle berth…The Colony, The Swarm, The Nest and The Comb-clever, isn’t it? Read over their events too. You’ll want to pollinate there.

There are two Hives located in the East Village (one on 11th Ave and the other on 14th Ave) that are bound to stick a sweet image, in your innovative mind, of the possibilities of working outside of the box. Fly over, with laptop in hand, to a Jelly session and see what the buzz is all about.

{photo via the hivehaus}