Kensington is an upscale enclave situated on the southeast rim of Mission Valley. Comprised of California Spanish-style homes by real estate developers in 1926, Kensington is a picturesque and peaceful pocket amid the hubbub of the inner city.
Sitting high on a dry mesa, this desirable neighborhood is surrounded by chaparral-wooded canyons, overlooking a bustling valley and cooled by breezes blowing in from the Pacific Ocean to the west. A charming commercial district is situated along Adams Avenue consisting of restaurants, coffee shops, a small park and a public library.
The neighborhood we think of today is actually a collection of five original subdivisions: Kensington Park, Kensington Park Annex, Kensington Park Extension, Kensington Talmadge and Kensington Heights. Kensington Heights was the last of the parcels to be developed and consisted of 115 acres.
The Kensington location was first considered for development in 1909 as a potential site to construct luxury homes for retired executives of the Santa Fe Railway Company. The land was part of the ex-mission ranch owned by Santiago Arguello. The property changed hands through the years and eventually a parcel of 157 acres became the property of the Kensington Park Land Company in 1910 who divided and sold tracts of land to developers. The tracts were then subdivided into lots and sold to buyers wishing to build their homes however they pleased.
The Davis Baker Company of Pasadena, Calif. who originally planned to build homes prior to selling the vacant lots had a vision of creating a conforming neighborhood consisting of California Spanish-style homes. Requiring that homes built by others conform to certain aesthetic standards, the community was, and is today set apart from the surrounding developments.
With winding streets and sidewalks, exceptional architectural details and exceptional landscaping plans, Kensington was destined to become one of San Diego’s most desirable communities.
In the early 1900s Kensington became one of the many San Diego neighborhoods connected by the Class 1 streetcars and an extensive San Diego public transit system that was spurred by the Panama-California Exposition of 1915 and constructed by John D. Spreckels. These streetcars became a fixture of the neighborhood until their retirement in 1939. Some of the streetcars are slated for re-instatement for the upcoming centennial celebration of the Exposition.
Located in the heart of the community is the neighborhood Kensington neon sign which hangs over Adams Avenue within the business district. The sign was erected in 1953 and paid for by the citizens of the community. The sign was designated a historical landmark April 24, 2008 by the Historical Resources Board.
Kensington is also known for its sense of community. Highlights include an annual Memorial Day parade as well as a Christmas lighting contest open to all wishing to decorate the exterior of their homes. There is also a garden concert series featuring professional musicians and hosted by varying homeowners with food provided by local restaurants. Finally, there is an active neighborhood association known as Ken-Tal which hosts monthly dinner meetings.
This community is truly a must-see segment of beautiful San Diego County and worthy of an afternoon driving tour.
Until next time … don’t dream it, live it!
Ron Monigold is a Licensed Real Estate agent and a Certified Real Estate Appraiser. He is a member of the National, California, and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Ron at The Metropolitan Group @ 619.990.4631 or at ronmetro@cox.net. DRE License # 01865841.
It’s hard to come by educated people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks