The Baron is back! Now that the Baroness and I are freeholders, I feel that my review needs an update, so here we go: Bosforo - Haven't been, but heard good things. Turkish pizza? Worth a try. Get a reservation; this place is always crowded. Sahara - Mediterranean takeout (with a couple of sidewalk tables). Decent beer selection, but read the label. They sell some NA brews. Caveat emptor! Nozaru - Their vegan ramen is on my list to try. Thai Joint on Adams - This jawn never disappoints. Their roots go back to Plumeria in University Heights, but they have vegan as well as omni menus. Dos Palmas Cafe - My sister said that this was the best breakfast sandwich that she has ever eaten. Hopnonymous Brewing Company - A welcome addition to the neighborhood. See my review. Rosie O'Grady's - They are back, and so are $5 draft Tuesdays! But, do they have live music anymore? Miss Shelly's Shack is slinging the grub, but if you are vegan, don't come hungry. See my review. Ska Bar - RIP Uptown Bicycles - Game Over Community Fridge - A free resource where we can share food and other resources with those of us who are less fortunate. It is in front of Normal Heights United Methodist Church. Adams Avenue Theater - Event space that sometimes hosts free comedy shows. I love Normal Heights. Normal Heights loves cool visitors. The Baron has spoken! read more

Normal Heights - Local Flavor Near Me - San Diego, California

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! read more

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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. read more

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. read more

Normal Heights - Local Flavor Near Me - San Diego, California

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. read more

Normal Heights - Local Flavor Near Me - San Diego, California

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... read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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. read more

i live here and i love it. There is so much to do on Adams, very nice friendly neighborhood. We moved here as renters and now we are looking to buy a home - that is how much we love this neighborhood. Over a year ago, this was mentioned in the San Diego Magazine as a great neighborhood to live in : ) You can walk to grocery stores, dry cleaners, restaurants, bars, pet stores, coffee shops, comic book store, car wash, post office, what more can you ask for? read more

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

Normal Heights - A "normal sight" around these parts. - Local Flavor Near Me - San Diego, California

Normal Heights, thank you for being there. I know we haven't been hanging out as much these last few years, but your down-to-earth ways mean that's okay, too. We'll make up for lost time, I promise. What do you say about the place that has served as the backdrop for the love affair of your life? A place that has seen three separate great loves enter it? Plenty, old friend. I remember meeting Crystal's mom at Merrilee's on Cherokee, before it was closed under some other name. Remember Crystal? Wow, what a bombshell. Thanks for giving us that condemned house by the incoming 15 freeway for a weekend, complete with electricity and a fireplace. We needed the privacy and, at 17, we couldn't get a room. She broke my heart, but you immediately introduced me to Rebecca, who turned out to be perfect until we both joined the service, and called it off with a gentle fondness and a sweet last night together in her apartment on 34th. Let me know if you see her around. Remember Tina, the little girl in the wheelchair who was in Hillcrest Receiving Home with me? She lived on Bancroft? Yeah, that one. I remember the look on the faces of her foster parents when I came by to see her that day. Her foster mother said "She wondered why you hadn't written." To see her self-selected big brother come visit in his Navy uniform, that made her day, and you were quite the host, Normal Heights. Everyone helped me track her address down. Everyone was looking out for her. You're still like that, almost 20 years on. Of course you knew Marcie. Wow. You were the setting for the greatest moments in our love life, and you kidnapped us and moved us in. She was the one, for sure. Remember the street fair? Marcie and I danced and just ignored everyone else as we connected. We rode bad rides and ate worse food, bought baubles and then caught the diverted 11 and headed home in complete love with each other? That was the moment, man. On the bus, right at the bridge. "I love you," she said. And the world was good and I was red-eared again. I kissed her. One month?! Are you kidding me? But, you seemed to know this one was for real, and you made it a point to invite us in as a couple all the time. We came back for Valentine's Day at DiMille's, which I of course wrote about (http://somemomentsofmarcie.blogspot.com/2008_02_10_archive.html ), and a tradition began. We ate Mariposa ice cream, drank coffee and scoured you for books constantly, even though we lived elsewhere and had to walk quite a ways. I remember moving in at our little house on Wilson. You sent the welcoming committee to help me drag things into the casa. The locals on the street made sure we knew we were family, and we settled in. It took 11 years, but we were now a part of the inner circle. Thanks for letting us in. We had grand designs at first. We would eat at Villa Del Mar for rolled tacos, Golden Donuts, all the rest of our delights would come from the stores nearby. An old professor pal or two showed up. Some school chums surfaced along with all those really cool folks who you introduced us too. Life was good, Norm! Really good! Then she was sick, and we stopped going out as much. I know, I know, I was a little shell shocked. Still, I could run to Rite Aid for supplies, Vons for food and things I had forgotten. Your streets, especially Mountain View and the canyons around it, made for a wonderful running track as I lost the time to surf and swim. I remember walking her gently through the neighborhood, making our rounds to see her cat pals (http://somemomentsofmarcie.blogspot.com/2008/02/cat-visit.html). She was always so tired. They all came out to greet us and our neighbors were, as usual, wonderful and good to us. Then she was gone, after 14 years it was just you and I again, Normal Heights. I hid, I know. I didn't talk to you much, old friend. But when I finally came out again, when I finally emerged from my little cocoon, there you were. This time I learned about Rosie O'Grady's and the Ould Sod, I reconnected with Lestat's and the Thai/Laotian place Marcie loved so much. Triple Crown has been fun and I might try the vegetarian cult place... you let me know, Norm. You cheer me up, even if everything I do and drink and eat and hear turns out like, tastes like, feels like and sounds like Marcie is with me when I do them. Actually, you cheer me up especially because of that, Norm High. Really. I promise I will try and be a better friend, which you deserve. You've always been there for me. But stop hugging me, because I'm beginning to feel a little weird and you smell like bum. It's cool, but man, do you need a shower. read more

Normal Heights, I hate you and love you at the same time. You can make me sick and perfectly happy within the same hour. Normal Heights, where I call home, is a strange place. We are separated by University Heights and Kensington, arguably two of the more affluent areas within the city limits. Yet, here we sit, kind of stuck in between a ghetto and paradise, with one half of the street dedicated to million dollar homes, and the other half littered with dilapidated apartment structures. Some of the neighborhoods are quite nice, yet, they are nearly impossible to walk due to the condition of the sidewalks. Only in Normal Heights can you walk to a nice eatery, a wine bar, and potentially get mugged on your way home. Sure, other neighborhoods have crime too, but we got it down to a science. Cops? Who needs em? Normal Heights, where car horns are used like no other area. Waiting on a friend? Why knock? Just honk. Honk until that person comes out of their home, even if it takes the better half of the day. Like Car alarms? We Got em! Normal Heights: Culture, Beauty, Charm, Crime, Noise, Frustration, Delight. read more

I am more than positive SD natives are familiar with this little pice of town just southwest of El Cajon. As a fairly recent transplant, and devouring all that could help me assimilate to my new home, this place made me feel at one with my inner weirdo. For those of you on holiday, scouring your Yelp app looking for something just east of commonplace, Normal Heights ( not exactly a fitting name) would make Austin,TX, who's unofficial slogan is "Keep Austin Weird", downright proud. Host of events such as Dine on Adams and Adams Avenue Street Fair, this little 'burb boasts an eclectic mix of restaurants from high end American Bistros to late night, drunk off your ass, nasty eateries, watering holes both Irish and other, and a sprinkling of other private, "Main Street" style businesses. For those weary travelers jonesing for a little corporate injection, the city has allowed a couple to hang out, as long as they behave. Normal Heights may not be all that normal, but if you tend to march to the beat of your own drum, have your head in the clouds, and enjoy the eclectic, artistic side of life then maybe this place is exactly what what it say it is. read more

Moved here from Washington D.C. with my fiance about a month ago without knowing anything about San Diego or California other than what I saw on t.v. Googled 'record stores' because I figured any neighborhood that had a lot of record stores was gonna be all right in my book ... North Park came up. I checked out North Park, and it was all pretty vibrant around University and 30th Street, but couldn't find an affordable place to rent that had a garage in that area. I checked out Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach, but it was a little too cool for me. Next up was Normal Heights ... found a place quickly that had a garage, backyard, walking distance to a lot of pubs and restaurants, and a 2/1 spanish type pad ... well under $2K! Within a few days me and my fiance met all of our neighbors, got invited to several bbq's, and treated like part of something instead of just another asshole from outta town. A woman down the street kind of adopted my fiance. I went to the Ould Sod one night, and it was packed, so I took a stand at the end of the bar to get a drink. There were some guys down there who gave me sh!t, so I ordered them a drink, we started talking, and next thing I know they're buying drinks for us! A cat named Fiji John sang us a song on karaoke, and welcomed us to the neighborhood. Normal Heights seems like that kind of place ... where a situation could end up with you lying on the floor in a puddle of your own blood and teeth, or slamming shots of Bushmills with a pub full of folks singing songs for you. I dig it. read more

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

Say the name a hundred times and it never stops being funny. Awesome independent businesses (a cafe on every block practically); friendly, diverse people; beautiful homes and gardens of every variety; lots of animals (cats and dogs esp) including a couple eccentrics such as the lady who walks her enormous dog (and by walks, i mean she walks and holds the big ol' thing) or the poodle guy who constantly walks up and down Adams at all hours of the day. So glad to be here! read more

Normal Heights. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. But seriously, you're cool... aside from all the petty thieves, drug dealers, life-long alcoholics, meth addicts and coke whores. Just stay away from those people and you're good to go. read more

Keep the riff raff out, keep the hood clean. I live out here, so don't go here. read more

I have been anxiously awaiting this review... very few times have I wanted to give ten stars on a review.. but a hood like Normal Heights deserves it!! I am not an native of San Diego but I am born and raised Southern California girl whos lived all over (mostly Temecula lol) and this neighborhood is the most inviting, welcoming, uniquely awesome place I have ever lived. No house is the same, no apartment is the same, no friendly dog walker is the same, but one thing that is always the same here is the amazing people! I have never walked to the corner store to grab a taco and NOT got a friendly smile or hello from a stranger. Every place you can walk to... and every place is worth the walk. You will fall in love with Adams Ave every time you step foot on it. I will be celebrating my 1 year here in Normal Heights and you better believe this wont be the last... I am here to stay! read more

Just when I was starting to really like it here, it KNIFED ME... in the tire. *Literally.* :-( I live south of Adams and north of Meade. My parking spot is in a carport in the alley behind my small building, and someone sliced my front tire. I was really starting to fall in love with the neighborhood -- it's generally really quite, the people have been friendly enough, and I had just discovered all of the cute shops, bars, and eateries on Adams Ave. Hoping this was a fluke and in a couple of months I can come back and give it a better review, but for right now, I have buyer's (er, renter's) remorse. read more

Whats not to like about Normal Heights ? You have Lestats, the Sod, Rosies, and a bunch of other cool businesses in the area. The Adams Ave Street Fair kicks ass. Theres plenty of decent restaurants and the PB folks still havent invaded this area yet so hurray for that. I dont care what anyone else says about this area. I like it. Its close to City Heights and North Park and the people seem to be very chill . I am definitely a fan. I could even live here dammit. In fact I almost did. read more

Hands down the best neighborhood in San Diego. A "neighborhood" in the truest sense; pretty small, you see the same people around, you have everything you need and all within walking distance. The best part is everything is one street (easy for riding bikes) something I don't think is true in any other neighborhood in San Diego. I just wish our farmers market was better. read more

Normal Heights - Local Flavor Near Me - San Diego, California

Yes, I am a fan. I am a native San Diegan - lived in PB, Clairmont, Rolando, Scripps Ranch, Carmel Valley - Danced all around mid-city until about a year and a half ago - and suddenly, I was clear I wanted to live "up on the hill" as I call it. And I love it. Sure, it can be a bit sketchy after dark, but Adams Ave rocks. As others have said, it has everything you need on it. (Love Discount Fabrics!) LOVE being just 15 minutes away to nearly everywhere in the city. I also appreciate the sense of community that exists here. Wonderful. read more

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Normal Heights!!! What an awesome neighborhood! Walking distance to everything... Grocery stores, bars, restaurants, coffee shops and barber shops! In the year I lived there you can tell the area has been trying to improve. read more

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Near perfect. Food, drink, parks, people, community, families. Everything you could need and want. read more

Normal Heights - Adams ave. - Local Flavor Near Me - San Diego, California

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Cute area IF YOU'RE ONLY VISITING FOR LESS THAN TWO HOURS! You cant find parking but miles away and they only have a two hour parking limit. Oh and every single side of the street has not only a different street sweeping day but hours as well so you're never safe where you park! That's how the SD city and police station make their money, buy ripping off the people who live or visit here!! read more

How can you not love the avenue?! Working in normal heights has been amazing. The community is great and I love the all the events. I do have to say that the homeless population seems to be growing and as much as I have been getting to know, making new friendships and enjoying my conversations with some of the homeless community there are a few that are mean and down right scare me. All in all Normal Heights is a great place to work and live :) read more

Located on Adams Avenue primarily between 30th and 35th street, Normal Heights is a great neighborhood for a low-key, casual night out. Normal Heights can be surprisingly charming . . . http://www.motionsonline.org/2010/12/01/the-neighborhood-normal-heights/ read more

I've lived in the Bermuda Triangle area that is North Park, Kensington and Normal Heights and love all the areas. I've been here for about 11 years. I would never want to move to what people call the "clean" areas in apartment and condo Hades, around Mission Valley and other areas. I wouldn't want to deal with the drunk college kids and zero parking of living by the beach. I wouldn't want to deal with a suburban area that has no charm and only has chain businesses. I would be sad in an area an hour out of the city, that has no sidewalks or places to walk to. There is a reason San Diego started in these neighborhoods. The weather is cooler and you don't have to run a heater in the winter or AC much in the summer. It may be older, but older is better, at least to this history loving girl. And in San Diego, it is hard to find history, they tend to tear it down. :) There is a lot to do here. Music festivals. Book stores. Antique stores close by. Cute mom and pop eateries and stores. Large green parks, usually with large pine and other trees, reaching to the sky. A well located, if not small, post office. A decant library in Kensington and much other nice stuff there. Seasonal events. Farmer's market, so you can get Julian pies within a walk! :) Easy walking or bus to everything, you wouldn't even need a car here. And it is easy to get to Balboa Park and other areas of the city too. I don't know why people call this "lower middle class". I know a lot of people who fit middle class who work here and own places. Normal people, some college educated, some not, all interesting. I guess lower middle class would be middle or upper middle class anywhere else in the country, since property value here is so high! Maybe it is all where you live. I never see people here who look have crazy eyes or are on something. I have had guys catcall me and even follow me a couple of times, but maybe that is because I am a hot mess! But that doesn't happen often (like twice in 11 years) and there are plenty of stores to duck into if that happens. I assume it is just city living. Anyone with a hint of street smarts can get around here fine, like I say, if you want trouble you can find it, if you steer clear of it, you won't find it. I think that happens just about anywhere though, even in the clean suburbs. I do predict that Adams Ave. is being groomed to be a hipster haven. With the addition of a townhouse complex that is three floors high and has units 2500 sq. ft. big (so what happened to all the "affordable housing" this area was supposed to be making?) with a sushi restaurant and bar under it, I feel other bars and places will move in, giving the place more income, yet taking away its charm and making it more of a party place college kids that don't want to go to beach will go. It's a fear of mine. The Subway on Adams used to be an art gallery, the place torn down to make the three level townhouse place used to be an art gallery...see what I mean? I guess we can live without art or book stores as long as we have beer and partying! :( Ugh. That all these charming houses and business buildings that have been around since the 50s or earlier will be torn down to make way for "progress" and make buildings that block out the sun and nature, so they can load more "upper middle class" hipsters into them. Plus, I wonder if Subway won't bring in more corporations if the store on Adams does well. I moved here to get away from mini malls and box stores. :) read more

Wow, wow, wow! Another bonus to finding Viva Pops was discovering the neighborhood it is located in...Normal Heights. Never heard of it before. It was a quaint street with cool eateries: greek, vegetarian, mexican. There is also a cafe called Lestat's which look very goth with gargoyles perched on the sidewalk and on top of the roof....Awesome. Down the street there was a pub called Blind Lady Ale House which has a pretty good draft beer selection. You can tell it is in transition and maybe in a few years it will get more busier. It kinda reminded me of Silverlake with its eccletic vibe. Can't wait to come back and check out the restaurants and Lestat's. This is how I like to explore when I travel, finding awesome neighborhoods like Normal Heights. read more

I moved here with my husband and baby about a year ago. At first I was worried that there wouldn't be many other families, but I was definitely wrong! There are at least 6 other families with toddlers on my street alone. Everyone is really friendly, and during the summer we have a lot of street and block parties. I feel like I am living in a small town within a big city. A lot of the businesses are owned by neighborhood locals. How cool is that?! read more

Oh Abnormal Heights, how I love you so. Filled with different walks of life at any time of the day, there is never a dull moment when you are in this area. I think the zest of the different people walking around really add to the flavor and charm of this neighborhood. read more

I still love Normal Heights but watch out. There's a Subway on Adams now. First Starbucks, now this. I hope this isn't the beginning of a slippery slope toward BK and MCDs popping up everywhere. If that happens, I might have to move to University Heights. read more

The people who live here seem to love it, but when I passed through, I didn't understand. The houses are all really cute, but many of them have bars covering the windows. Although some of the shops seemed kind of cute, most of them seemed a bit run-down and deserted. I'm not saying it's a bad place, it's just not a place that I would like to be in. read more

Wretched hive of scum and villainy...no wonder why I feel at home here! I could spend the rest of my life not leaving Adams Ave. Great workout , check: Get Fit with Tamara. Great Bars, check: Triple Crown and the Ould Sod. Put that together with unique restaurants to go along with the unique people and it's all around good times. read more

This place is the best. Adams Ave. has so much to do. The nightlife is laid back and fun. Theres good food nearby. Usaully an older more matur crowd than PB or Downtown. read more

Is anyone still in Normal Heights who remembers Baba Yaga, the head shop with the two-story high mural of the Russian witch Baba Yaga painted on the east side of the building? "Free box" out in front, a spot to take anything you needed, and leave stuff for others? Next door-ish to DeMille's, one block west of Adams Avenue Books ... very early 70s ... read more

Normal Heights...you grow on me. I just moved here from Hillcrest aka the gayborhood...it worked for me being gay and all. But, I like Normal Heights...it reminds if all the old BFFF's I left behind in Alabama...tattoo covered, hipster kids drinking way too much trendy beer until they're a hot sloppy mess, stumbling blindly into their next PBR with torn stockings and smeared lipstick...I miss my friends. read more

I love Normal Heights and it's not just because I convinced six of my friends to move out here with me. The neighborhood has a strong community feel, and people from all walks of life live here. The businesses around here are great, and it's so nice to shop places other than chain retail department stores. Some people think the neighborhood is a little "rough", but I've never had a problem here and feel safe walking the streets at night. My neighbors look out for me and I look out for them. Word. Don't mess with Normal Heights. read more