An incredible neighborhood, nestled between San Diego’s most incredible neighborhoods. That’s what you get when you live in Normal Heights. With the canyons lining the edges, you can even get away from the noise, without being more than a stone’s throw away from the action. That, coupled with being within walking distance to the North Park, University Heights, and Kensington neighborhoods is why we, and many, many others, love this area. If you wanna know what exactly “the action” is, then read on friends, because we are going to dive into what to do in Normal Heights now.
1 | Eat your way through some of San Diego’s best foods.
When a night-out calls upon most of us, we look to good eats to get us started. Normal Heights does not disappoint. With its racial diversity, the rich culture shines through the dining experiences. You can grab Vietnamese food at Dao Fu, nom on some pub grub at The Rabbit Hole, enjoy the trendy vibes of Nozaru Ramen Bar, or grab a pizza at the Normal Heights staple, Di Mille’s. There is Thai food, Mexican, vegetarian, and even poke. So, if there is a picky eater in your family, there is no way they are gonna make it home with a growling stomach.
2 | Enjoy the nightlife (or day-drinking-life if you are into that sort of thing).
San Diego is known for its microbrewery scene and great nightlife, so you will more than likely be hard-pressed to have a bad time anywhere you go. Normal Heights offers all of the conveniences of a night out on the town without the enormous crowds. We just so happen to love Blind Lady Ale House where you can enjoy brews from Automatic Brewing Co. and delicious pizzas fresh out of the oven. Rosie O’Grady’s offers live music and has been a Normal Heights staple since 1983. Triple Crown Pub gives you that local-pub-vibe with ping pong, shuffleboard, pool and the like to enjoy with your friends inside. Finally, Soda Bar offers an unpretentious place to sit back and enjoy some sips. What’s your vibe? We are confident you’ll find a place that suits you here.
3 | Shop til’ you drop.
Are we gushing? Okay, we’re gushing. Because these shops in Normal Heights are the creme de la creme. You can walk Adams Ave and find some incredible places to shop, like Rove, a boutique outdoor store in Normal Heights where you can find gear and gifts for your most adventurous friend. (Or, ya know—yourself.) La Loupe Vintage, Kiko and Sven, and Uptown Bicycles are all perfect places to pop your head in and look around.
4 | Coffee all day, every day.
If you are like us, you’ve had those days where you need to be at the airport by 3 am or are coming home at an odd hour and just…want…coffee. That can be very hard to find considering coffee is a daytime drink for most, but Lestat’s fixes that problem because they are open 24/7. Their baristas are friendly, the coffee is delicious, and their shop is connected to a space that they also use for comedy nights that will make you laugh til’ you fall out of your seat. You can also grab a delicious cup of joe at the famous Dark Horse Coffee Roasters or Dos Palmas Cafe. If coffee is not your thing, then head over to Adams Avenue Tea House, where they offer delicious boba and loose-leaf teas, treats, and even host tea parties for your next corporate or birthday event!
5 | Enjoy the outdoors.
Vavi leagues occupy the baseball field with kickball and softball leagues every week. You can join by visiting here and make friends in your neighborhood. Pro-tip: social leagues are, well—social, and they even come with a free brew each week. You can also just enjoy long walks. The canyon views are gorgeous north of Adams and south, west, and east of Adams are San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods. There is so much to do that you might never leave the central area again!
6 | Adams Avenue Street Fair
Though this event is only once a year, it is worth a mention. If you are considering moving to Normal Heights, the street fair may be the perfect time to visit. The Adams Avenue Street Fair is Southern California’s largest free two-day music festival. You can enjoy the sights, sounds, vibe, and flavors of this area over those days and really get a feel for this fantastic neighborhood. Check out the schedule and plan a visit!
If you are looking for the perfect neighborhood to call home, check out our Community Spotlights. We want to make sure that your home is somewhere that you love to be! Reach out to us if you are looking to buy, sell, remodel, or lease your home, or if you want to know more about the neighborhoods in San Diego. We cannot wait to get to know you!
To find out more about some other incredible San Diego neighborhoods, click the links below: