San Diego Symphony spokesman Stephen Kougias says the symphony does a lot of marketing to Downtown residents. (photo/lambertphoto.com)

There’s more to Downtown entertainment than taking in a game at Petco Park.

Arts groups including the San Diego Symphony have recognized the need to attract Downtown residents to their performances, says symphony spokesman Stephen Kougias. “We do a lot of marketing to Downtown residents as Downtown continues to grow,” says Kougias.

In particular, the San Diego Symphony promotes its regular “symphony socials” to locals through direct mailing campaigns that target the 92101 ZIP code. Patrons are invited to show up early to the Thursday night performances, drink wine, eat appetizers, meet the guest artist and socialize with their neighbors. The next social will be April 21.

Downtown residents also frequent the symphony’s Summer Pops Series, which runs from the Fourth of July weekend to the Labor Day weekend. Held outdoors at Embarcadero Marina Park South, the performances feature less classical and more popular music — from Motown to Burt Bacharach — followed by a fireworks display.

Interior designer and Downtown resident Marsha Sewell prefers the entertainment venues in her neighborhood to anywhere else in the county. She goes out for coffee and a book, visits a movie theater or catches a jazz performance at one of the Gaslamp Quarter’s many nightclubs. “It’s a fabulous lifestyle,” says Sewell.

Lorena Gaxiola, who also lives and works Downtown, likes the proximity of her neighborhood to other places of interest. She can take a quick drive to Point Loma, cruise the harbor or hop the trolley to many other places. “I try not to go out on Fifth Avenue on the weekends — those aren’t the locals. Those are the people living in PB who see it as a point to go on weekends,” Gaxiola says. “I’d rather do it on a Tuesday.”

Centre City Development Corp. President Peter Hall says new Downtown residents continue to move in for the entertainment options. “You’re moving into an area where the entertainment is not in your home, but in your entire neighborhood,” Hall says.

— Jennifer McEntee