The Headquarters at Seaport

Fancy new place. I can imagine it looks nice in the day as well. But it didn’t seem like there was that much to offer store wise. 3 main restaurants and boutique-​y kinds of shops, at least one art gallery. To be fair, it was late, and during the holidays but it seemed pretty dead. Also, one of the stores showed a «shop closing» sign already. Hm… either they don’t have what people want or the location isn’t very good. The latter worries me. The valet parking is nice, but I can see the shared parking with seaport village being overstressed here.

We were delighted to find this extra little area near us while staying next door at the Hyatt. This is very unique as it is tucked into the the back of Seaport Village in an area called Headquarters. We were told it was once a police headquarters for San Diego. It’s a very nice area with other shops and restaurants around. It was decorated very nicely for Christmas when we were there in November. Be sure to check it out if you are in the area.

I’ve come here a couple times at night… All the lights make this place so pretty…
It’s cool how they made use of this space that was closed off for so long. But still respecting its past with the small «museum»… There are several shops to browse through and restaurants to eat at.
Spacious and clean. Also safe, with their security (police?) making rounds.
Right next to seaport village, you get a taste of the old and new. I love both!

We stopped by The Headquarters several times during our five-​day visit to San Diego as we were staying right across the street at the Hyatt.
We enjoyed meals at Puesto and Seasons 52 as well as a couple of coffee stops at Starbucks.
Several interesting shops are set on an inviting inner courtyard. Nicely landscaped and maintained.
Really love how the former police headquarters has been reinvented!

Got your taco happy hour spot, fancy cheese shop, Chocolatier, Variety of Gelato to sample, my fave — fire pits! 52 rotating wines. Short cut to Eddie V’s if you don’t want to drive out to La Jolla. This place has an art gallery from an award winning San Diegan with that beach theme going on. Boutique ‘s and if you’re into the Hollywood scene and where celebrities shop on Melrose, Kitson took up some real estate here. If you’re social media stalker found you. There are original jail cells to stick them in and take a selfie. Holiday season the moon was shining bright between a Xmas tree and palm tree. Cheers! Nice alternative to Gaslamp to dine. Your choices are: Puesto, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s and Cheesecake Factory. Not bad!

Ah, the old police station… it’s got an upgrade! With tacos and shops, fancy chocolates and a papierie it’s something to see. Great place to grab dinner and show the tourists about town. A nice change when you want to take a break from the mess that is Seaport Village. Sure the parking is a bit of a pain, but that comes with the neighborhood. Good spot to let the kiddies run about and close enough the Gaslamp for the grownups to go out afterward.

The backdrop here is simply stunning.
Downtown waterfront shopping and dining, it really doesn’t get any more beautiful.
Small selection of mostly independent shops selling lovely, high quality items, most locally made.
Great restaurants and I love the Jail Cells and Police Exhibit located by the bathroom, fun, informative and a great photo opp.
Super clean and well kept, nice for a stroll while in San Diego.

We explored here during the Unilocal Elite event. I didn’t even know this place was here! It features some jail cells near the restrooms (go in and take a pic!) as well as historical documentation of ye olden days. There are a couple of high end restaurants as well as Puesto, a fast-​casual Mexican joint that, with its outdoor seating and floor-​to-​ceiling windows, feels much fancier. There’s also a local chocolate chop, a cheese shop, and a gelato shop. The cherry on top is an artist gallery featuring the work of local ocean photographer Aaron Chang, where the salesman was more than happy to talk shop about the work.

The Headquarters is aptly named. It was once the main police station for the San Diego Police Department. It had a jail, not surprisingly, but it was also the repair garage for all of SDPD’s vehicles, even the undercover cars.
Well, now it’s a high-​end shopping center, anchored by several well-​regarded restaurants, Puesto, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s, and the Cheesecake Factory. There is also an eclectic mix of smaller retail shops, most notably, in my mind, is Venissimo Cheese. Lost sunglasses? No problem, there’s a shop to buy new ones. Oh, and also a chocolate shop !
The Headquarters could be considered an adjunct site to Seaport Village. In fact, the simplest way to park is to use the Seaport Village lot, and get some store to validate your ticket, thus reducing the cost. It’s a very short walk to The Headquarters.
It’s worth a visit, and if you are already planning to while away some hours at Seaport Village, be sure to allot some time to visit The Headquarters. Both shopping areas are more attractive after dark, due to the interesting lighting. You won’t be disappointed.

We always bring out of town guests here because of the history with the jail and the nice shops. You have Eddie V’s, Vennisimo cheese, gelato, Puesto, the chocolate shop all in one place. Plus, you can hop over to Seaport Village, a stone’s throw away. Then walk along the boardwalk and point out all the different aircraft carriers in port. Your relatives and friends will be jealous that you live in such a cool place.

This is a cool little area to hang out. Convenient parking lot right next to it. It’s a couple dollars with validation for 3 hours I think. Definitely worth it instead of trying to find parking else where.
The jail cell is a cool place to take pictures! Also there are a lot of cute shops and restaurants! Definitely would recommend making a stop here if you are already wandering Seaport Village.

What a great little addition to the Seaport Village area.
This is where Puesto, Cheesecake Factory, and Seasons 52 are located. Its right across the street from Seaport Village. You can park closer to the Headquarters or just park in the Seaport Village lot and just walk across the street.
Its cool because its where the old jail used to be and there is still an area to check out the history and jail cells used for the inmates.
There are also a few shops. I noticed a cheese, chocolate, and sunglass shop.
This new area is great because it’s not over populated yet and when you get bored of what Seaport Village has to offer its a great alternative.

I recently came here to eat at Seasons 52 located inside of the headquarters. It was my first time here. This place is located next to the hyatt hotel and is really close to seaport village. There is valet parking in the back for $ 15 but if you get it validated, drops it down to $ 13. There are a few shops inside of this area and also a few restaurants like Cheesecake Factory and Seasons 52. This area is nice especially at night since all the lights are on and nice to walk outside at night. This place is relatively new so it’s nice to come check out if you’ve never been here before.
I’d probably come back again to check out the area to see what else is over here. It’s something nice to stop by at night and just walk around and enjoy downtown San Diego.

Was looking forward to this area but it’s super tiny and just a bunch of small vendors camping inside the formal Police department selling not so interesting things. Ended up spending like less than 10 minutes there and ended up scrolling around Seaport Village instead. Only places that would be worth your while are Starbucks, Seasons 52, Puesto, Pizzeria Mozza, and maybe Cheesecake Factory. Yup, only food places. Stopped by Kitson store to browse around but not really worth buying anything there.
Disappointed and after seeing what they had to offer, would not want to proactively come here again. It’s 3 bucks for 2 hours if you buy something over $ 10 else I think it’s $ 8 an hour. Believe parking is Credit Card/​Debit Card only, no CASH.

A couple notes about this place:
The stuff for sale here is nicer and better quality than neighboring Seaport Village.
Also, the restrooms, for being public, San Diego restrooms, are remarkably clean. And that’s saying a lot, because if you’ve ever needed a restroom in a San Diego public park, wow. You’re better off just unloading in the trunk of your car.
Also, do not valet park unless you are ok with paying double the Seaport Village lot and 3 – 4 times more than the curbside credit card meters.
I like this place. Good shopping, good history, good concept.

Throughout all the years I’ve visited Seaport Village, I’ve always wondered what was inside those old structures across the parking lot, hidden behind the chain linked fence.
Now, I know.
Once a shoreline police station and jail, the Headquarters has a new lease on life as an outdoor shopping mall. It’s past history is intriguing and fascinating.
Today, it offers locals and tourists (mostly tourists) new flavors, tastes and sights to ponder and explore.
There’s even valet parking.
When you’re done doing your «lap» around Seaport Village, give this place a visit.
You’ll be glad you did.

I swore I’d never go back to jail, but this is different. No cops, no handcuffs or any of that stuff. Just some old pictures of days gone by. A past life if you would, for both of us… See now, nothing to be afraid of.
I always wondered what they would do with this place so when construction started I was pretty anxious. Though I couldn’t make the opening I’ve come back on a few occasions both day and night to get a good feel for the place. It’s most certainly unlike anything we have downtown. It reminds me of when people first step onto MCRD or Liberty station, there is still this «barracks» vibe, but here it’s also mixed with some great views. Why on earth would we waste such great real estate and views on a police station? It’s bigger than I remember it. More open, but not overly. It almost reminds me of a spa, golf resort with their own shops on site, not an actual shopping center and without the grass and landscaping. It’s still new, but it’s touted as food and entertainment. I’m not sure there is or really will be entertainment here, unless you like to people watch.
Food. Cheesecake factory, can’t say I’m surprised, but with such great places nearby that are much more local in flavor, this is for the tourists. Eddie V’s, Starbucks, ok now they’ve gone too white bread on us. Are we at an outlet mall? The saving grace is Puesto who is doing big things (more to come in my separate review). This is the only not corporate cookie cutter place. Pizzeria Mozza is Mario Batali’s creation from Hollywood, sorry bud, I think we do plenty fine with our pizzas down here. Gelato Paradiso will be popping off when the summer comes (gelappe over starbucks is what I’m thinking). It’s not an eaters paradise and without the entertainment your left trying to soak up the location. Can we say «where is the brewery?»
Soooooo shopping. I’m probably unlike most people in that half the shops I would never go into and the one’s that have men’s items are certainly not my style. Kitson’s is basically Zara which is H&M’s less hipster brother. Life is Good is fun if you’re an optimist looking for zero originality. Simply Local is constantly changing and should be checked out from time to time. Lots of art, lots of home decorations and design, but literally void of things in my demographic Stationary? Really? Madison is where girls go to buy something for the man in their life for which they should go to a specialty store. Sunglass Hut just doing it’s thing. Urban Beach house is filled with clothing that someone not from San Diego thinks we San Diegans wear.
There are some strange design flaws with this place, perhaps remnants needed for previous tenants. Don’t worry, the official figures on how many inmates died here are unsubstantiated, so really the odds of this place being haunted can really only be cleansed of any juju with a proper brewery and bar, neither of which have. Puesto does however have a full bar, but more a restaurant. Summer nights will be fun walking around here from the Embarcadero where parking is cheaper and easier to find.

Love this place. Great location. I can always find parking.
The food places are some of my very top favorite in all of San Diego.
It’s a close walk to a few other beautiful places.
… And they have a creepy preserved jail cell complete with old felon photographs.
You can also stand in a line up and get your picture taken.
I’m so glad they didn’t tear this place down.

Although this place is small, it has the right stuff to offer. From the small boutiques and specialty shops for shopping, to the mêlée of restaurants, including Seasons 52, Puesto, The Cheesecake Factory, and Pizzeria Mozza, this place will also provide you with some great places to eat.
Built around the old police headquarters dedicated in 1939, (
) the place architecture remains with that old school San Diego look with historic south of the border feel with colonial overtones. (
) I really like the opened center plaza that reminds me of a market plaza from deep down Mexico or South America. All the shops and restaurants are on the perimeter and easy to find and get to. (
)
If you eat here, spend at least $ 10 and park at Sea Port Village, you can validate your parking for 2 hours at a $ 3 charge. There is always security present and there is a Starbucks, for when you are in need.
Great little mall.

Wow! Superb new place to not only go shopping but strolling at night (or during the day, but I like my ‘urban hikes’ when in Downtown at night. I went during Thanksgiving night and everything was closed, however I got an extremely good impression about the location and the businesses that chose this area. I did not even know this existed. The architecture reminds me a little bit of colonial Mexico, a little bit of Southern Spain, very alive and full of charm.
Being this the headquarters of the old San Diego Police Department brings that historical component that you don’t find in other malls. Very stylish and spacious. I am looking forward trying out all restaurants and checking the stores there, so I can comment on each individually. Overall, this shopping center is like fresh air to refresh even more the area guiding people towards wonderful Seaport Village. Great architectural job and I hope San Diegans and visitors will enjoy for years to come.