Horton Plaza and Fountain, Historic plaza and fountain in downtown San Diego, US

Horton Plaza is a public square in downtown San Diego featuring a historic fountain with granite finishes and interactive water elements. The space includes an amphitheater area designed for gatherings and performances.

Alonzo Horton sold the land to San Diego in 1895 for guests of his Horton House Hotel. In 1909 the site was chosen for a U.S. Weather Bureau kiosk, with the center reserved for a fountain funded by Louis J. Wilde and designed by Irving Gill, completed in 1910. The city designated the plaza a historical landmark on March 19, 1971.

The fountain's frieze reads "Broadway Fountain for the People," a name that replaced its original title, the L. J. Wilde Electric Fountain. The plaza hosts concerts, movie screenings, and celebrations, and a booth run by the San Diego Performing Arts League sells tickets to local attractions.

The plaza sits at the corner of 4th Avenue and Broadway, bordered by 3rd Avenue to the west and the former Westfield Horton Plaza mall site to the south. It is split into three sections: South Plaza, Amphitheater and Historic Park. The 23-foot Luminaries light sculptures and the pop-jet fountain are the landmarks to orient by.

In January 1913, the fountain froze solid during an unusual cold weather event, drawing crowds of curious residents eager to witness this rare occurrence. This memorable freezing remains part of local stories.