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    Normal Heights

    4.3 (63 reviews)

    Normal Heights Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Normal Heights

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    Vincent C.

    I like NH and never had any problems here unlike some people. Probably not as popular as North Park but almost has the same vibe. NH may not be as hipster as North Park but at least you can find a parking spot here. I've been hanging out in Normal Heights because North Park is just way too crazy even on a Tuesday. Some things you just can't get in NH but I like it here and one of my favorite spots is Viva Pops(popsicles). They have some outrageous flavors that are delicious and refreshing. I know there's a lot about NH that I don't know about but in due time I will.

    Jessica W.

    Best. Neighborhood. Evar. (And not just because *I* grace it with my habitation... but I'm sure that helps, right?) I've been here for 5 years now and never want to leave. I basically park my car on Friday nights after work and don't move it again until I have to go to work again on Monday morning. I can't even walk down the street (which I do quite often since everything you need is within a few blocks) without being greeted by neighbors and/or local business owners/employees. It's a wonderful community that I am so happy to be a part of. I try my best to patronize the local businesses as much as possible, which is not difficult because they are mostly awesome. There is plenty of great food, beverage, entertainment, nightlife, and other various sundries to be found along Adams. My main complaint is how swamped we get with "tourists" from east county and other areas of SD because of all of our great food and night life to be had... but it's only for the weekends... for the most part, we have it all to ourselves during the week. I never want to leave. Never.

    Peace Rose from my garden...
    Frank A.

    Living in the High Desert of California. I'm retired now from years as a mental health therapist and my partner and I and our 3 dogs live close to Joshua Tree National Park. Settling in from a pretty wild Life practicing extremes, but clean and sober and mellow these days...

    Justin A.

    Between chic upper middle class Kensington and ultra cool North Park lies Normal Heights, my brand new San Diego neighborhood! A neighborhood that I'm told only a few years ago was infested with gangs and druggies. The last of that element seems to have been squeezed out to the east, pushed right against the 15 freeway that divides N.H. from Kensington's manicured perfection. Vestigial dealers still appear to work Ward canyon park, but the open-air violence that residents tell me was once the norm is now replaced by quiet (ish) singles and families living just outside societies norms. Adams Avenue cuts through the neighborhood, and upon this ample boulevard lie some if the most interesting businesses in the city including Lestats coffee house, a Freemasonry temple, several bookstores, an old theater turned fabric store, and plenty of other establishments dedicated to the metaphysical. Indeed, Normal Heights bares witness to the city's occult and metaphysical yearnings, declaring proudly that "Yes, San Diego, despite its incredible vapidity, has a soul and that soul is damned interesting. I consider it one of the few respectable places a mystic, witch, or light-worker could live in the city, any one of which you might find at the Triple Crown or Cairo's. See you there, friends!

    A "normal sight" around these parts.
    Matt D.

    "Stinks like a$$ but ill still miss her..." -Officer Rod Favre, when asked about Normal Heights.

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    7 years ago

    I love the scallops oysters. One of my cuties turned me on. Her name is sharon michelle.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Normal Heights

    Review Highlights - Normal Heights

    There is plenty of great food, beverage, entertainment, nightlife, and other various sundries to be found along Adams.

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

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    Kensington

    Kensington

    4.8(11 reviews)
    0.7 miKensington

    I was recently notified that I am now the Baron of Kensington. I had better review my barony before…read moreI get usurped. I am the Duke of the following: Kensington-Normal Heights Branch Library Refer to my separate review. This place is too cute. Stehly Farms Market I reviewed this place, too. I was once the Duke of Kensington Mini Park This one, too! In addition to the above, I can also recommend Kensington Club, Earthwell Refill, and Stella Jean. The Ken Club is one of the oldest bars in San Diego and they are old school. Cash only! I have seen bands here and I have sung Louis Prima and Faith No More during Sunday night karaoke. Check out their calendar of events. Earthwell Refill is a zero-waste shop that sells household and hygiene products. Bring in your empty bottle or purchase or borrow one from the shop. We get our shampoo here. Stella Jean has good ice cream. They do a few vegan flavors. I want to try the Date Shake Cake. Warning: Burger Lounge uses beef tallow to cook their French fries and their onion rings. Enjoy your visit to my barony, a community in which I would never be able to afford to live!

    From the many travels that I have taken there is one place that when you walk through the many…read moreparts of the town there have been many places that have been places that have been stuck in time and the places that have the great food and he many smaller places that you can sit outside. The history of one place that has the many places that have the many places such as a cheesecake factory that was only used by Merv Griffin which is one place you may say is what is the place and the many things to discover. There are many that like to take trips through the many older neighborhoods which can be declared as some of the older neighborhoods are some of the many where the older times of San Diego can be found. I had taken the bus from the SDSU neighborhood and wanted to see the many other parts of San Diego that had remained hidden for many for some you have to take the bus to get to. To have taken the bus the travel to the area was a time of 25 minutes I had seen the many stops that when you travel on the San Diego Transit route 11 to the area of Kensington Adams Ave parking you can't find much. From the many years that when you look at Kensington the history of Kensington was the history and the background of Adams Avenue that had a Spanish background in the many house that were during the years of 1926. For many that knew Adams Avenue was streetcar row that in 1913, a massive trolley car barn was built, to store and perform and complete minor services to several hundred trolley cars would exit and enter if through a series of switches off. When you take a look at Adams Ave you are seeing the many areas that was the main track system that would take you to the many stops that would be along the many stops from the Antique Row and further on down Adams Avenue. With the many areas of Kensington, you are on a history walk that takes you to the many areas of the park and the many areas of the neighborhood that you see many of the art works that are still on the walls you see from the tattoo shops and the Lastat's coffee shop no that's not the Vampire it might be. The city of Kensington is one place that you can take a bus up to the area you can walk amongst the many locations and take connecting busses that can take you downtown and over to the area of North Park the many areas people do drive by and not know they have passed by history of the North Park area. As a Yelp Elite is take a day and take the bus you can save gas and time where you can visit the park and the many shops of Kensington and the many areas of Hillcrest you can ride the city bus number 11.

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    Kensington
    Kensington
    Kensington

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    Little Italy

    Little Italy

    4.4(342 reviews)
    4.0 miLittle Italy

    The walk through the Little Italy area the walk through the many parts the many parts you can see…read morethe many older buildings for the area of Little Italy was the center of the boat building and the tuna industry that had ties to the Seaport Village. Little Italy has the early years of the history for the many sailors that have anchored at Little Italy for the docks there were of the docks that the US Navy trained the sailors to patrol for submarines and train those that helped the baby and supply ships. For the early years of Little Italy the many older buildings and the chapel of the Rosary which was the parish the sailors would come to ask for protection for the many fishing boats and sailors protecting the fleet. From the history of little Italy you can find find that the many neighborhoods from the foods and the chalk art that is famous in the country of Italy. With the many areas of San Diego over the years during the war airplanes were shipped there and vehicles shipped over seas from the ports of San Diego. The fishing Industry that came from the Little Italy the tuna Industry that was produced here in San Diego through canneries were connected to the fishing fleet docks. For the Little Italy area the history runs long with the connections to the years of the assembly of San Diego. With the city it has the many food and art festivals that show so much the chalk art is one that shows the many years of the history of Italian Art and the History Little Italy . As a Yelp Reviewer there are so many things there is to see if Little Italy the chapels which has the history of Little Italy. The food they serve is the road of the food they served and the fish that was used from the sea making a great history.

    The wife and I came here in 2018 and liked it so much that we returned. Thus, I decided to update…read moremy review. This time in 2025, I avoided food poisoning and did not go back to the restaurant that made me deathly ill in 2018. It is still open and still serves gelato. My impression this time was much more favorable. There are so many restaurants to choose from, it is hard to imagine how we made our choices last time. It's a pizza lover's dream. I think you could eat pizza at a different restaurant every day for half a year. There are cute little shops and food stores that sell Italian foods and pasta. The Little Italy is quite large, I think larger than the one in NYC, so you can spend a lot of time walking, eating and drinking, and people watching.

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    Little Italy
    Little Italy
    Little Italy

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    Taste of North Park - Tasting Cups

    Taste of North Park

    4.1(25 reviews)
    1.2 miNorth Park

    Tasting Event We…read morewanted to combine my birthday and my friend's birthday by having a September birthday celebration! I've been seeing these tasting events throughout San Diego so we decided to check out the Taste of North Park. North Park is in hipster neighborhood with fun energy. They have really cute boutiques, cozy coffee shops, trendy bars, and craft breweries. Each restaurant has so much character and charm! We only managed to complete 32 out of 50 restaurant tastings in 3 hours before tapping out. It was such a fun experience exploring each place and seeing what kind of food they have to offer. Now I'm intrigued to check out the other neighborhood tasting events too!

    Pleasantly surprised with Taste of North Park. The event was incredibly organized. People are given…read morewristbands and a passport book that includes a map that shows all participating locations. It was even color coded if the business was giving out food or drinks. Pros: -great way to visit and sample different venues in North Park -lots of businesses were really generous with their portion sizes -there was a good mix of food and alcoholic beverages -although I am not vegan, I appreciated that they had places that gave out vegan friendly items -some venues were a little further than others so I was happy that they had a complimentary EV ride that came on a regular basis. Cons: -none Overall, solid event! In the future, I'll need to remember to bring water.

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    Taste of North Park - Louisiana Purchase

    Louisiana Purchase

    Taste of North Park - Sliders

    Sliders

    Taste of North Park - Tasting ticket map

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    Tasting ticket map

    Balboa Park - Outside the Botanical Garden

    Balboa Park

    4.8(2.9k reviews)
    2.8 miBalboa Park

    I spotted this tree that spoke to me while riding on the way to breakfast at Hash House. After…read moreleaving breakfast, we came back to Balboa Park it was a peaceful and grounding experience before heading to the airport to return home. That moment honestly made me decide the park was a must-visit. I ended up stopping by afterward just to walk around, release some stress, and enjoy the calm energy. I even found myself just sitting in a tree, hugging two or a few, and taking in the quiet; especially in the Trees for Health Garden, which felt fitting for the whole experience. It was a simple but meaningful stop that added a peaceful pause to the end of the trip before heading back to the airport. I even met a squirrel that I chat with; I named him James. While I was chatting with him, he even place his paw on his chest as if he was asking me "are you speaking to me?" It felt great speaking to my own little grandma Willow tree moment.

    Yes - park and museums are lovely, but for me, I just didn't love Balboa Park…read more Didn't hate it but if you are someone with just a weekend in town, I think there are better options for afternoon activities in the zillions of things there are to do in SD. All I'm saying is don't get fooled making this a top of your list, must do-thing. Go if you REALLY want to, but don't feel like you missed out if you made a different selection.

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    Balboa Park - Nativity Display

    Nativity Display

    Balboa Park - 04-11-2025 Natural History Museum admission $24 adult, $14 child, $20 military

    04-11-2025 Natural History Museum admission $24 adult, $14 child, $20 military

    Balboa Park - Botanical garden

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    Botanical garden

    Normal Heights - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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