South Park

South Park is a charming and historic San Diego neighborhood with a lively business community. It has quiet, wide streets with plenty of parking and beautifully restored homes. Pubs and cafe’s, boutiques and salons, gifts and ice cream, pet pampering, European markets, foods of the world and international cinema – it’s all packed on a few warm and friendly city blocks.

South Park is located in the heart of San Diego, between GoldenHill and North Park.

Rich in San Diego history and built primarily between 1906 and the 1930′s, styles of homes include large Arts and Crafts showpieces and Spanish Colonial style homes. These include works by Irving Gill, William Hebbard and Richard Requa. Many of the houses are historically designated. Also feature modest and lovely Bungalows and some newer apartment and houses. Purple jacaranda, gold medallion and stately palm trees line the streets. A walk in the spring will delight garden lovers. The last years has been a time of extreme change with the loving restoration of most homes, the landscaping and rapid expansion in the business district.

You will find great views of the Downtown Skyline and Balboa Park from many homes and streets. The population is an eclectic mix of artists, professionals, singles, couples, young families and not so young families. The feeling of the South Park neighborhood is that of a small town within a big city. The little corner of the park includes a playground along 28th Street, the Grape Street Dog Park and the Municipal Golf Course. Albert Einstein Charter School is located on 30th and Ash Street and it’s a great feature in the South Park offers special events like quarterly Walkabouts and the famous Old House Fair. Its a great place to live, work, shop and relax.

North Park

The most sprawling of the urban neighborhoods, North Park is a hodgepodge. Cozy, tidy pockets of Craftsman homes on the north edge of Balboa Park , dense apartments, and the pre-interstate retail stretches of University Ave and El Cajon Blvd. define North Park.

In the late 1800′s, the James Hartley family bought 40 acres northeast of Balboa Park for growing lemons. Development in San Diego spread to the Hartley property, which became Hartley’s North Park. In 1911, son Jack Hartley developed the business district at 30th and University Ave., which is still the heart of North Park.

North park is a diverse neighborhood of single family homes, apartment complexes, businesses, and arts. It has a business district that is almost a downtown unto itself – unusual for a neighborhood. The intersection of University and 30th is a bustling central point of North Park. Besides its diversity, North Park is special for the architecture that predominates the neighborhood. North Park is synonymous with the Craftsman cottages and bungalows that reflect California’s era of suburban development. Recent years has seen a resurgence of North Park and the gentrification of its sub-neighborhoods.

North Park special events include North Park Festival of Arts, Toy land Parade, Taste of North Park, Ray at Night among others.

Golden Hill

Golden Hill is one of San Diego’s most historic and architecturally eclectic zones, with many pre-1900 homes and apartments. In the 1910s, it became one of the many San Diego neighborhoods connected by the Class 1 streetcars and an extensive San Diego public transit system.

These streetcars became a fixture of this neighborhood until their retirement in 1939. Artists and musicians have long favored the area more so since being priced out of areas like Little Italy, Eastern Downtown and Hillcrest. With its once stately old mansions, quaint bungalows and apartment buildings, Golden Hill is enjoying a rejuvenation.

On the southeast end of Balboa Park, Golden Hill (and adjacent South Park) has some fine views of downtown and pockets of really cool neighborhoods, like Burlingame.

Golden Hill is home to the Women’s History Museum and Educational Center which recently celebrated its 25th year as one of the only comprehensive women’s history museums in the country. Golden Hill is also host to two outdoor concerts a year, the Golden Hill Block Party and Kate Sessions Fest. Both outdoor concerts are free, all-ages events, organized by local artists and musicians, featuring local bands.

Mission Hills

Above Old Town and with views of the Downtown Skyline, Point Loma, and the Coronado Islands, Mission Hills is one of San Diego’s most idyllic neighborhoods with Craftsman style homes and lush canyons. First subdivided in 1908, many of its homes were designed by San Diego’s premier architects, including William Hebbard, William Templeton Johnson, Emmor Brooke Weaver, Cliff May and Richard Requa.

Take a stroll through the neighborhood, and you will appreciate its rich architectural fabric. In contrast to ubiquitous cookie-cutter subdivisions, Mission Hills presents a community where historic preservation and restoration are neighborhood topics of interest.

If you are looking for a quintessential neighborhood with home choices ranging from charming cottages to impressive estates, you will love the eclectic feel of Mission Hills. With easy access to downtown nightlife, beaches, Balboa Park and the airport, Mission Hills is a convenient and favored address.

In addition to its warm residential feel, Mission Hills has an active business community offering fine dining, shops and services within walking distance for its residents. Local business owners join residents as active members of the community, evidenced through multiple annual events celebrating the neighborhood’s great history and continued success like Summer Concerts in the Park, Garden tours, Halloween, 4th of July with a neighborhood parade.

Hillcrest

Hillcrest is located just North of Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. As one of San Diego’s oldest communities, Hillcrest celebrated its Centennial in 2007.

In 1906 this neighborhood was called “University Heights” along with much of San Diego’s uptown area. William Wesley Whitson purchased the Hill Estate and subdivided its 40 acres north of University Avenue to Lewis Street and opened a “Hillcrest” sales office at Fifth & University to sell building lots. The name caught on and the rest is history!

Hillcrest has everything that exemplifies a pedestrian-friendly, lively, urban neighborhood. It has blocks and blocks of restaurants, bars, entertainment, shopping and services, so residents and visitors can do pretty much everything in Hillcrest. Combine it with lots of color and character. Hillcrest is a very unique and diverse area of San Diego. The residents of Hillcrest pride themselves on being part of of one of the hippest and most open minded communities in the nation.

Hillcrest is San Diego’s de facto gay community and they are proud of their diversity. That characteristic is what gives Hillcrest its color and vibrancy: it is an inclusive neighborhood. The property in Hillcrest can be from fairly cheap housing developments up to very large upscale communities. With a rich history of community and spirit Hillcrest has much to celebrate. Special events include Hillcrest Mardi Gras, LGBT Pride with the city’s largest parade, the CityFest and Toast to Hillcrest.

Point Loma

The Point Loma peninsula is a four mile stretch of land located at the entrance of the San Diego Bay.

In 1852 the peninsula was designated to the Navy for research and training. Surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the San Diego Bay, this beautiful seaside community combines the charm of early San Diego with the warmth of a small town seaport. The peninsula is the breezy sentinel overlooking the gateway to America’s Finest City. The Spanish word for hill is loma. Blessed with views of ocean, bay, city, and mountains, the Peninsula is one of Southland’s most unique locations. The areas natural beauty and genteel neighborhoods make Point Loma a highly desired piece of San Diego real estate.

Reminiscent of a sleepy little fishing village of old, Point Loma has retained much of its original charm as when it was one of San Diego’s earliest communities. Loma Portal and Plumosa Park are made up of charming homes with historical identity.

Beginning in the early 1900s, all of the homes were custom built to include Spanish, Craftsman, Tudor and Colonial styles. Roseville is the neighborhood with smaller single-family homes, condos, and apartments. The community is home to many first generation of Portuguese immigrants. Closer to Shelter Island, this was the ideal place for a tuna fisherman to live when the tuna fishing industry was flourishing. Fleetridge began in its construction phases in the mid 1950s.

Some of Fleetridges lots boast stunning views of Downtown, Coronado and San Diego Bay. La Playa features some of San Diego’s best views with bay front homes and private docks.
Point Loma features one of the most iconic landmarks in California: the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which was first lift in 1855. Also is home to the Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego Yacht Club and Pt Loma Nazarene College.

Special events include Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay which is one of the most well known outdoor concert venues in the state of California.

Kensington

Kensington is one of the three mid-city urban neighborhoods whose main thoroughfare is Adams Ave. It is at the eastern end of the strip that begins with University Heights at the western end, with Normal Heights in-between. Of the older urban neighborhoods in San Diego, it is one of the most desirable to live. It is distinguished by the classic neon “Kensington” sign that spans Adams Ave.

The street names may sound like Olde England — Marlborough, Canterbury — but this San Diego neighborhood is more old California with an abundance of classic Spanish-style architecture. Its quiet, winding streets, beautiful homes and canyon views set Kensington apart from the surrounding city.

Known for its distinct California Spanish-style single family homes, The Kensington area was first developed in 1910, but it wasn’t until mid-1920s that the neighborhood’s signature style emerged. The Davis Baker Company of Pasadena developed much of the original homes. Famous local architect Richard Requa, who was associated with Davis Baker, brought his distinctive California architectural theme, which had Mediterranean influences.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most Kensington homes were built in Spanish Revival style: red tile roofs, terra-cotta tiling, arched doorways, white stucco and wrought-iron work. The homes on the southern side of Adams are generally smaller. The northern side, a larger area surrounded by canyons, is considered more exclusive and desirable.

Homes and yards are bigger and many houses are on cul-de-sacs or looping some overlooking canyons. Annual events include neighborhood Memorial Day parade and the Fourth of July block party.

University Heights

University Heights is located between Hillcrest and North Park. Similar in ways to both it is a mix of Craftsman bungalows, cottages, condominiums and apartments. Its small retail area is at the north end of Park Blvd. where it turns into Adams Ave.

The name “University” (both for the neighborhood and nearby University Avenue) comes from a plan in the 1880s to build a university in the area. It came to be the State Normal School, which evolved into what is now San Diego State University. That’s why the word “university” is prevalent in this part of town, even though there is no university around!

University Heights is one of the three mid-city urban neighborhoods that whose main thoroughfare is Adams Ave. It is at the wester end of the strip that begins with University Heights at the western end, with Normal Heights in-between and Kensington at the east end. Like its fellow ‘hoods, it is distinguished by a neon “University Heights” sign that spans Park Boulevard.

The smallish business district has your usual assortment of amenities – the area is filled with a number of restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and artist’s studios primarily on Park Boulevard and Adams Avenue. Live entertainment can be found most nights.

There’s also nearby Trolley Park, which serves as the neighborhood playground for families.

Del Mar

Founded in the late 1800s, the city of Del Mar, California was named by settlers Ella and Theodore Loop. Inspired by the breathtaking coastline, the Loops decided to use the Spanish term Del Mar, which means “by the sea.” Since its inception, Del Mar, California has grown to become an incredibly popular vacation destination, as well as home to more than 5,000 individuals. It truly is a spectacularly gorgeous beachfront town, and one that you should consider living in and visiting soon!

Del Mar is one of the most beautiful destinations along the Western Coastline. The City is comprised of two square miles of coastal land, located north of La Jolla and adjacent to Torrey Pines State Beach. This quaint village features boutique shoppings and many of the County’s finest restaurants.

The city of Del Mar is known for its spectacular beaches, fairgrounds, and thoroughbred club “where the turf meets the surf!”. Del Mar is a small yet beautiful city with which you can’t help but fall in love! Whatever it is about Del Mar that attracts people, they all have one thing in common. They each want to own a piece of Del Mar’s charm. They want to have the Pacific Ocean in their front yard. They want to sit on the beach with a cool tropical drink and watch dolphins pass by while playfully surfing the waves. They want to provide their children with the opportunity to attend award winning schools available in only a select few areas of the country.

Of the millions of visitors, existing residents, and new residents, only approximately 264 of them can become Del Mar property owners here in San Diego. That’s because each year, only approximately 6.6% of all Del Mar properties, or only 264 properties, are sold. That means on the average, each Del Mar property only becomes available once every 15-years in San Diego, CA. This chic beach town is also home to the Del Mar Racetrack and San Diego County Fair.