Bookended by University Heights to the west and Kensington to the east, the community of Normal Heights is rapidly becoming a San Diego hot spot. Situated above Mission Valley between Interstate 15 and Interstate 805, this diverse and rejuvenated community is bursting with coffee shops, restaurants, antique stores and affordable pubs.
The “Normal” part of Normal Heights refers to the State Normal School, which is the predecessor to San Diego State University, formerly located in nearby University Heights. The State Normal School building now serves as the Eugene Brucker Education Center, the central office for the San Diego Unified School District.
Normal Heights was founded in 1906 and began as a grid of dirt roads and streets plotted by the University Heights Syndicate under the direction of D.C. Collier. It was originally more than a mile away from the end of the only trolley line which ended in nearby University Heights. By the 1920s Normal Heights was considered to be a working class community with two churches, modest bungalows and a variety of smaller businesses.
Like other urban mesa neighborhoods north of Balboa Park, Normal Heights has a high rate of pedestrian activity and a unique mix of nationalities resulting in a rich sense of diversity. This is reflected in the multitude of shopping and eatery choices which line the main corridor, Adams Avenue.
One of the many unique and favored aspects of the community is the lack of larger, chain department stores making way for smaller, locally owned and operated businesses.
Three important San Diego events take place in Normal Heights. The Adams Avenue Street Fair typically takes place the last weekend of September. It is a city favorite and is the largest free music festival in Southern California. Other neighborhood highlights include A Taste of Adams Avenue and Art Around Adams, both of which occur in June.
With canyons running throughout the community, The Friends of Normal Heights Canyons (FONHC) volunteer group works on habitat restoration/preservation, trail plans, clean up efforts, and canyon tours. FONHC is part of the citywide Sierra Club Canyons Campaign. The group meets the second Wednesday of every month, 7 p.m., at Café Cabaret, 3739 Adams Ave.
There are three parks situated within the Normal Heights boundaries. Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park was originally constructed in 2003. Situated at 39th and Adams Avenue, it was originally named 39th Street Park until the name change in 2008. Mini Park is the smallest of the three and is situated between two residential lots on North Mountain View Drive. Adams Park is utilized by the Adams Avenue Recreation Center and is located on Adams Avenue between Mansfield Street and 35th Street.
Recent sales within the neighborhood range from $325,000 to $769,000 with an average market time of 42 days which includes short sales and foreclosures.
If you are looking for a new and exciting way to spend an evening out on the town, check out the nightlife of Normal Heights. From pubs to pasta, this laidback neighborhood offers something for everyone!
Ron Monigold is a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser and a California Licensed Real Estate agent. 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 Licence #01865841.
