Today’s newsletter is presented by San Diego Theatres.
Hello, Downtown!
The concept of “going down a rabbit hole” is different now than it was in the 1860s for San Diego founding father Alonzo Horton.
Today, the Alice In Wonderland-inspired term implies getting sidetracked while browsing the internet. For Horton, it could have literally meant stepping in a rabbit hole. Before he helped modernize downtown San Diego, the area was jokingly called Rabbitville, per the vast number of bunnies hopping around the dusty plains.
The Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is celebrating this history by pulling all sorts of rabbits out of its hat.
On the actual National Bunny Day (Sept. 26), the Hilton is celebrating with a Bunnies & Brunch event at its Wild Hare Bar Garden (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Expect live music, a pop-up jewelry shopping opportunity and some surprise “bunny encounters.” No, not the Playboy kind.
Do expect to meet Hip Hop, the Hilton’s bunny mascot and unofficial mayor of Rabbitville. (Sorry, Mayor Hip Hop doesn’t have a leg up on reducing downtown parking meter fees.)
Legend has it that as Horton built up downtown San Diego, the bunnies hopped away. Except for one, who maintained a hole under what is now the Hilton.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find any rabbits living downtown today. There are, however, lots of rabbit-inspired details to be found throughout the Hilton, including a Rabbitville exhibition made up of 15 vividly painted fiberglass rabbit statues.
Those who want to get in the spirit of the day with an adult beverage can bounce over to the Wild Hare Bar Garden and order a Lucky Foot (with mezcal), I’m All Ears (vodka), Hop To It or the Hare Raiser (tequilas) and a Templeton Rye-infused What’s Up Doc.
Ron Donoho
Downtown News newsletter host
Downtown story spotlight
The fate of concerts at Gallagher Square nears trial in case brought by residents fed up with the noise
By Dorian Hargrove • Times of San Diego
Residents living near Gallagher Square will head to court in October in hopes of quieting down Gallagher Square concerts.
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