I loved Normal Heights from the start. Not as pretentious as neighboring communities you will find people from all walks of life. I love it so much we bought a home and opened a business on Adams Ave. (Heights Optometry) There is a true sense of community here and I feel lucky to get to be part of it all read more

There is so much diversity and fun and quiet corners and louder blocks... great mom-and-pops, inexpensive housing, vs some very pretty houses. There are some waaay over-priced rentals, but get to know people, and you will find a steal of a place. This works for me, I guess, even if some hipsters I see over-pay when they first arrive (it helped I stayed with friends first). It is not University Heights or Kensignton, it's rough around the edges, but also full of great people, music, etc.... One item that makes this hood great is the 11 bus line (also the 15). The 11 goes from SDSU to Normal H, to Uni Heights, to Hillcrest, off to Balboa Park, Downtown, then east along the south end of the city. (Currently a shuttle serves Kensignton, which has a library, and the 15 runs along El Cajon.) South of Adams is by no means dangerous but by no means slick. North of Adams are some lovely homes and a few condos. I like the mix, I live one block away, with central air and not much more pricy than a louder and a bit more run-down place. Beware unprofessional land-lords, instead have a great time with nice folks who want you around and you can tell. Again, South of Adams can be dicey, not dangerous, just loud, we are talking east of the 805. Enjoy the cool shops, including a cool fabric shop, enjoy Viva Pops, LeStat's, find the amazing bar scene. Music happens on corners and store-fronts, art is everywhere, and people are mostly kind. We sometimes call it 'abnormal heights' too lolll that turns heads. read more

It's weird writing a review about a section of the city but Normal Heights kinda warrants it. It has more than its share of good places and interesting people. In my opinion it's way better than Gaslamp. Sure it might not be as fancy but it definitely has intriguing places to try. Walk down Adams and you'll find something. Parking is the typical residential scramble though. Be prepared. read more

It's a beautiful vortex ... that I have fondly named the barbershop district. Get your hair did, grab a drink and then see a show. Yes. This is my hood. read more

Normal Heights is the new cool place to hangout, even if you aren't trying to be cool and are trying to be a hipster, this is the place for you. Old and young alike, there is plenty for people to do here from great restaurants to cool little dive bars to parks and playgrounds. South of Adams can be a little questionable and there are pockets north of Adams that have fantastic houses. Again, something for everyone! read more

This place is still a bright spot on a rather dark future. With the population proliferating at such great pace and corporate greed building a world of futilitarianism and social suicide this is a life raft in that overwhelming ocean current. There's true art in this gemstone neighborhood. This place keeps me hopeful and happy when I'm walking the streets, with the knowledge that I can still find a place with soul. read more

Eclectic. A proud neighborhood, with some transiency...but with a solid core of residents. People are unpretentious. Food options abound. Pubs are good. Lots of housing options. Free WiFi at many places. Community gardens. Schools. Firehouse. Police respond to resident concerns. Good stuff. read more

Restaurant and culture-packed hood. Lots of cafes also. Really good vibe from all of em. Highly recommend Tao and Pinto for food, videos from Completely Video, Lestat for coffee, Cafe Cabaret for a place to study read more

I have lived here for 5 years now, and I must say Normal Heights has improved a lot. I no longer have some dumb ass tagging his stupid name on my house. There are plenty of bars within stumbling distance. Even if the bars around here aren't the best bars around, and we don't have any ladies of the night walking up and down Adams Ave. Just wish the bars around here would be a little bit better. Overall it's one of my favorite neighborhoods in SD. Also we are getting an El Zarape on Adams soon! Yum! read more

I work near here but always come to Adams Avenue to check out restaurants to eat at like DiMille's for Italian or Mariposa for good ice cream from a mom and pop shop or Greek food at Country Kabob. Lots of good places to eat at, bars, coffee shops or whatever tickles your fancy. Nice diversity! read more

I'm a Normal Heights resident I've been here over 20 years love it and hate it!! It's just become very trendy hipster but its home :)

Give me positive vibes! I might be moving here I'm soooo excited to get to know all of the fabulous places this area has to offer!!!!

My family moved to this neighborhood at the beginning of this year and we completely fell in love with it. The restaurants, parks, coffee shops, book & thrift stores, pretty much everything. All of our neighbors are friendly and welcomed us with hellos and bagels. I feel comfortable letting my kids loose to explore and my son was amused to discover the Mountain View "Mini Park". On subsequent walks we've noticed the book exchange boxes, the "Beatles House" and the monastery which boasts incredible flower gardens. I'm sure there's plenty more funky and eclectic people and sights we've yet to experience here. Viva San Diego! read more

I was wondering if anybody remembers the placque that was on the little mini wall by the park on Mansfield and Adams? It was right on the corner in Bronze and it has been stolen. The community would like to replace it, however nobody remembers what it said or has a pic of it. If anybody has a pic of it please leave a message on here please. read more

Normal heights ain't workin the word normal all too well. Its half way outside backwards and forwards. But its got some kind of mutated soul you have to love. read more

Normal Heights really is a great understated neighborhood. It has all the community loveliness of Kensington but its much larger of an area. If you look there's tons of hidden gems in Normal Heights. Much of the area is still old and suffering from City Heights/Boulevard neighbor syndrome but as North Park gets nicer it influences much of the Heights areas north of El Cajon Blvd. You'll find lots of older homes here north of Adams and south of Adams has become more populated (similar to Kensington) with complexes and multiple unit residences. As a result parking can be a huge fight for. But it's all worth it when considering the amount of things and diversity that exist in Normal Heights. And all very friendly. You can find the eclectic, trendy, hipster, normal and cultured all in one place and all your basic amenities and resources are here. There are a lot great hang outs here...bars, clubs, coffee places. It's also like Kensington with regards to being off the #11 bus line with closer connections to Texas Street and 30th Street and its very centrally located without being in the middle of overpopulation or chaos. Despite the bars on windows and some abandoned store fronts (leftover from the olden days when Normal Heights was just another small business neighborhood affected by the economies in the 60s and 70s) it still shows its even older history with still being progressive into the 21st century. You many have some riff raff that flow over from neighboring poorer neighborhoods which are within walking distance, but that's to be expected. It's only a matter of time that those areas too will improve as North Park, Normal Heights and all the other surrounding areas improve as well. It's infectious. And soon enough with that those better around will get even better and more desirable. But for now you have to get a little adventurous and visit Normal Heights with a sense of bravery that will within moments become unnecessary as you realize how great, friendly and community oriented Normal Heights really is. If you come to Normal Heights, pick a great eatery, bar or coffee place to check out and then cruise around the local shops. And if there is something missing in the area, there is plenty of available storefronts that can offer a new home to any new small business. You'll find the area lacks the corporatism and big box-dom like that of Mission Valley with the exception of maybe the gas stations, grocery stores and drug stores, what you'll find here is other types of small businesses: auto mechanics, thrift stores, antiques, art galleries, parks, indie coffee houses, pubs and bars, small venues and clubs, mom&pop specialty stores, florists, bookstores, pawn shops, appliance stores, pretty much everything a Main Street can offer without going the mall route. You get a real sense of small town homeyness in Normal Heights. The area is great for pretty much everyone. read more

trying to find parking here is like trying to find a virgin in a crowd of people on the dance floor at any club in downtown san diego

i live here and love it, at least 3 street fair a year. tons of tacoshops vons and coffee bookstores and bars. love my hood

It's always fun to have a reason to take a journey through a part of town without having to have some unemployed halfway house veterans wearing a mask and trying to jump out at you. However, the Normal Heights street fair was a disappointment vs. last year. Last year, I not only received a solid buzz and a perma-smile, with a good dose of vitamin D production, but I also saw a fair share of lovely ladies and had some fantastic viddles to add to the memory vault. This year, however, the lovely ladies thought it was February 2nd and they had a chronic shadow phobia, and the food court must have had a 2nd strike from the salmonella inspectors. On a more positive note, if you have a passion for used Nintendo games or a strong, strong urge to buy some low-budget Milgard windows, you were definitely closer to heaven than Mickey Rourke at a plastic surgery free open house. The blind lady had a couple of good ambers to try but the street fair was disappointingly immemorable. Hopefully, the North Park fair pulls the slack for Normal Heights this year. Add positive comment here (). read more

I always said that North Park was my favorite part of San Diego, but that was before I moved to Normal Heights. We've lived here for over a year now, and I cannot say enough about NH. The first thing that I noticed (besides all the bars and restaurants) is that most people are friendly, saying hello when you pass. That was refreshing. As I've said, NH has a plethora of bars and restaurants to choose from. The only "chain" establishments are a Starbucks, Vons and Rite Aid. Everything else is "mom & pop". NH is central to everything. Both the 805 and the 15 freeways are close. There are a lot of nice parts of NH to walk around in, which is especially nice during the Christmas season when everyone has their Christmas lights up. Did I mention that there always seems to be something going on here? The Roots festival in the spring, the Art Around Adams in June, Taste of Adams in July, and Adams Avenue Street Fair in September. Walking around NH, you truly feel like you are in a small town (take it from someone from a small town). I hope to always live in this area. read more

I cant believe how lazy these people are the lady in the deli assured me someone would be right with me as she was to busy wandering around aimlessly. Apparently their not very interested in selling groceries or doing much of anything else for that matter. read more

I bought a craftsman on Mountain View in February and I've been so impressed with this fun, funky hood. My neighbors are friendly and in the evening and weekends, it seems everyone is out walking their dogs. Prior to moving to Normal Heights, I lived in a townhome in Mission Valley. It was such a plain vanilla neighborhood, without the great texture of a real neighborhood. One of the things I like about living here is being able to walk to all the stores and shops along Adams Street. Lestats, Taos, The Thai Pot, Blind Lady Ale House, Pet Me Please for dog food and treats, Vons for groceries, the farmer's market....lots of great places! I like to have "no car weekends" where I park my car and walk everywhere. The houses in the neighborhood are eclectic which makes walks interesting. I'd recommend this neighborhood for anyone looking to buy a house with charm in a real neighbohood and for anyone looking for a way to spend a fun day. read more

One of the best urban neighborhoods of San Diego. You will find folks of all walks of life. A true melting pot. Lots of independent business, minimal, if any, fast food or junk, fun antique and consignment stores, a blend of creative coffee houses, specialty top notch cuisine, a small array of night clubs, marvelous dive bars and neighborhood pubs, bicycle shops, hip salons and bro barbers, alternative health offerings, dog friendly areas and affordable grooming and pet supplies, theatre, a funky way cool fabric store, an active neighborhood community association, plans for an enclosed dog park and community garden in the works, skateboard shop, a tattoo parlor or two, a coupla art schools with affordable classes. A plethora of small bungalows with postage stamp yards. Cute as a bug casitas. There is also the noise. Sirens and helicopters looking for bad people or lost souls. Some streets are beautiful with darling well-kept yards. Others are a mix of 6-pack apartments with a little riff raff here and there. My street is a mix. A quiet couple with PhD's on one side and a few rentals with comings and goings on the other. I have a front yard vegetable garden and meet many neighbors out for a stroll when working in the garden. I love it ALL. Still... Sometimes I long for more quietness. I get it by retreating to the beach or mountains with my restored vintage trailer. I call it my "Fort". I love Normal Heights. I have the best of both of my worlds. I am grateful I don't live in Kensington which is right next door. Just take a look on their posts on NextDoor and it is enough to make one puke. Go live there if you want entitled whiteys surrounding your every move. Normal Heights is truly the flavor off urban San Diego read more