Normal Heights

We randomly and luckily stayed at an Airbnb in this neighborhood.

There are great coffee shops, breakfast sandwiches at Lestats, ice cream and plenty of craft beer and hard liquor bars. Look carefully and there are custom painted electric boxes around this walkable neighborhood.

Plus, there is a grocery store and pharmacy at the east end of the neighborhood.

The name Normal Heights cracked me up every time I saw the sign. Why be normal?!

Life is good!

I have been officially appointed the Baron of Normal Heights. What an honor! I had better review my barony before I get stripped of my peerage.

I feel privileged to be a resident of Normal Heights. My wife and I love it here.

Keep in mind that, unfortunately, I am most familiar with the Heights under COVID restrictions. I really hope that we don't have to return to that. Please get vaccinated if you haven't already.

Food

Blind Lady Ale House - This is a great brewpub with fantastic beer, pizza, fries, and other tasty victuals. Two of the original owners were vegan, and the menu reflects this. Check out their schedule for jazz bands, DJ's, etc. BLAH is one of the best things about NH.

Zia - More great pizza. Not as many vegan options, but what they do have are delicious. Same goes for the beer. Owner is cool, too.

Dao Fu - Here's a Japanese-Vietnamese fusion restaurant that makes its own tofu! Why do I not eat here all the time? It's not clear what is vegan here and what isn't. You will have to ask the staff many questions. If you are patient, though, you will be rewarded.

Jyoti-Bihanga - I haven't tried this place yet, but I must pay tribute to the oldest vegetarian restaurant in San Diego. Vegan options are available. It is run by the followers of Sri Chinmoy, so maybe you'll see Carlos Santana here the next time he's in town (ask your parents).

Drink

Little Miss Brewing - Drink at the bar, on their back patio, or even at a table on the sidewalk. Tasty brews served by friendly bartenders. Bring your dog. Everyone else does!

Sycamore Den - What did cool, bachelor pads in the 70's look like? Much like Syc Den, I would imagine. Good beer on tap and cool cocktails. Check their schedule for live music and for pub quiz.

Rabbit Hole - Best bar in San Diego County? Well, I wouldn't go that far, but it is the home of the West Coast Swoop Nation. What's that? Why, it's the local Philadelphia Eagles fan club! They congregate on the back patio, so you can watch other teams on game day, but, please, no Cowboys jerseys. Just some friendly advice from the Baron! Oh, yeah, before I went vegan I had brunch here. Pretty good, but I can't eat here anymore.

Triple Crown Bar - This is our local dive bar, but, because this is Normal Heights, it's a dive bar with class. Good beer is on tap. They host pub quiz on Tuesday nights. That should be interesting!

Ska Bar - Haven't had the pleasure yet, but it looks fun, especially the rooftop bar. No vegan options, though. Get with the program, Ska Bar! That is my message to you, Rudy.

Bine and Vine - Good bottle shop, if a little pricey. The beer selection is a bit more extensive than their wine selection.

Lestat's - This is a nice cafe in which to do work, or just relax with a cup of coffee. Oh, wait, no one does that anymore. Let's bring that back.

Dark Horse - Dark Horse is a popular coffee roaster and café. It has limited seating, so people line up here most mornings for to-go orders. I wasn't too impressed the only time that I visited. Perhaps my fault. I'll give them another chance when I get around to it.

Events

This review is too long, so I'll lump Adams Avenue Street Fair, Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll, Holiday on Adams Avenue, and Adams Avenue Unplugged all together. Simply put, we citizens of Normal Heights like to party. Everyone is welcome, but please be respectful of all and party responsibly.

Other

Carmelite Monastery - I think it's interesting that there is a monastery in Normal Heights. I hear the garden is lovely. You can check it out if you attend Mass here, which is open to the public. For me, it is not worth the trade-off. I'll try looking it up on Google Earth.

Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park - Bring your sprog to the playground here. Bring your dogs to the dog park. Shoot some hoops. I'm not sure if the local Buddhist center is still doing this, but they used to have meditation classes here. The city just brought back Summer Movies in the Park, and there are even festivals held here occasionally.

Mountain View Mini Park - This is the smallest park that I've ever seen. You can see the 805 from here.

Normal Heights Open Space - This is not a park, exactly, but you can walk around here and view the 15. You may even see a coyote.

Uptown Bicycles - This is a cool bike shop that lets you use their air pump free of charge. They also lead hardcore bike rides that my mountain bike can't handle. OK, fine, that I can't handle.

People - Cool people live in Normal Heights. In fact, this just might be the best neighborhood that I've ever lived in. Interestingly, the ethnic diversity of Normal Heights closely matches that of the city as a whole. Come visit and see for yourself.

Tell them that the Baron sent you!

A cool part of San Diego :) lots to look at and easy to get around. All the businesses are packing in tightly so lots of things are close to each other.

Moved in late summer 2022. Lots of nice new apartments in the area. At night, on Adams, especially in the winter, it does feel gritty and ominous. Like another reviewer mentioned, there are lots of bars, but not the best ones. At around 11pm in late December a guy in a pickup truck drove by and threw a fountain drink out his window at me as I was walking down the street, and sped off. it has a Starbucks and Vons, but the Vons is not a nice store. Getting to gas lamp and Ocean Beach feels close (If no traffic), Pacific beach feels far. it's nice you also have access to North Park, but I would not stay in this neighborhood if I can help it.

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.

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...

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!

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.

Whether you call it Normal Heights or Abnormal Heights, its still a great neighborhood.

I love that the houses in the area are older and that gives it character.

I love that Adams avenue is a real town center for us, filled with local restaurants, bars, pubs, shops, anything you need. It really has a Main Street feel to it.

I love that there is a real nightlife here, even on weekdays. And with the addition of some newer restaurants, it can only get better.

I love that there the neighborhood mascots: Poodle Man, who is ALWAYS walking his old poodle at all times of the day. Bicycle Man, who is ALWAYS riding his large handle-bared bike at all times of the day in no particular direction. Oh, and now the brat pack skateboarders who flock to the new skateboard shop (?) on Adams. Oh man, I know there are more, please forgive me beloved mascots.

I love that is like driving in a video game driving down Adams. People pulling out of driveways without looking, stopping in the middle of the road, people crossing the street without care of oncoming traffic, opening cars doors into oncoming traffic and leaving them wide open...good times.

I love that there is a "Mini Park" off Mountain View Drive that is only like 10 square feet in area.

I love that our neighborhood has a big neon sign with its name on it. Although they come a dime a dozen in our parts, but still really neat. And, unlike our neighbor Kensington, our sign is always working.

Most of all, I love that its MY neighborhood.

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