Normal Heights

Welcome to Normal Heights

Diverse mid-city neighborhood with youthful energy.

Normal Heights is a diverse mid-city San Diego neighborhood located on a mesa to the south of Mission Valley. Bordered by I-15, I-8, and I-805, the beach, San Diego International Airport, and Downtown San Diego are all easily accessible. The neighborhood is named after State Normal School, which later became San Diego State University in neighboring University Heights. Residents sometimes jokingly refer to the neighborhood as Abnormal Heights for its hip local businesses, music festivals, and close-knit community atmosphere.

The real estate mix includes many renovated 1920s Craftsman homes and Spanish-style bungalows. Some of these older properties have been replaced with larger contemporary single-family homes. Other housing options include numerous apartment complexes and multi-family units.

What to Love

Relaxed and walkable
Ward Canyon Park
Trendy local businesses
Annual festivals and events

People & Lifestyle

Normal Heights has a youthful energy with many young professionals, families, and trendy businesses. The neighborhood is easy to navigate on foot and is accessible from all of San Diego’s central areas. Normal Heights also offers outdoor recreation areas and a variety of community events. For families, the elementary schools here are highly-rated.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Adams Avenue is Normal Heights’ main commercial stretch. Known as Antique Row for its concentration of antique dealers and vintage stores, highlights include La Loupe Vintage for stylish retro fashion. Other businesses consist of cool cafés, craft beer breweries, and diverse restaurants. The Rabbit Hole is a hip gastropub serving elevated bar eats alongside a wide choice of beers and craft cocktails. Blind Lady Ale House has one of San Diego’s most impressive craft beer selections as well as wood-fired pizza and other pub eats. Laid-back Triple Crown Pub offers happy hour drink specials and a variety of bar games. The Adams Avenue location of local chain Dark Horse Coffee Roasters pours specialty espresso beverages and signature cold brews. DiMille’s is a laid-back Italian restaurant that has been in the neighborhood since the 1970s. There’s also authentic Mexican eats at Rolberto’s Taco Shop, delicious chocolates and desserts at Paleo Treats, and creative flavors of homemade ice cream at Mariposa Ice Cream.

Things to Do

Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park is a beautiful green space in the northeast corner of the neighborhood. This park has a basketball court, playgrounds, picnic tables, and grass areas. It also hosts numerous events, such as outdoor movie nights. Normal Heights’ biggest event is the Adams Avenue Street Fair on the last weekend in September. This two-day festival is the largest free music festival in Southern California. As well as live music, the Adams Avenue Street Fair features several beer gardens with craft beer from 16 leading breweries. In April, Adams Avenue Unplugged features 100 performances across 30 stages inside some of Adams Avenue’s many coffee shops, bars, and restaurants. June’s Art Around Adams sees this lively area lined with art exhibitions as well as street entertainers, live music stages, and a kids zone. Trolley Barn Park at the University Heights’ end of Adams Avenue hosts free music performances during its Summer in the Park Concert Series.

Schools

Normal Heights is served by the San Diego Unified School District.