Mission Hills is a neighborhood of San Diego, California, USA. It is located on hills just south of the San Diego River valley and north of downtown San Diego, overlooking Old Town and San Diego Bay. It was subdivided on January 20, 1908 as a smaller portion of what is now referred to as Mission Hills. The City of San Diego describes Mission Hills as being the area north of Horton Avenue, South of Mission Valley, West of Goldfinch Street and Reynard Way, and East of the Old Town community area.
Some of the popular restaurants and bars include Shakespeare’s Pub for English grub and ales, Saffron for Thai food, El Indio and Lucha Libre for authentic Mexican, Bar Dynamite for a small watering hole with live music and DJ’s , as well as the Aero Club for a night a t a bar. Gelato Vera boasts espresso drinks and gelato and for a wine bar, 57 Degrees is the place. The newly opened Regal Beagle has games and fun for the night out crowd and the Lamplighter hosts Karaoke nights. Mission Hills offers something for everyone. This is not a complete list but a taste of what the community is about.
Mission Hills has come to be synonymous with some of San Diego’s finest examples of historic architecture. Its first home, Villa Orizaba, was built in 1887 and subsequent subdivisions such as Avalon and Inspiration Heights were developed in the early 20th century. Now collectively known as Mission Hills, these homes were built in a variety of styles including Craftsman Bungalows, Prairie Homes, and Spanish and Mission Revival, just to name a few. Some of San Diego’s finest architects worked in the area, such as William E. Hebbard and Richard Requa. The architectural diversity of the neighborhood is one of its finest features today.
The abundant greenery and beautiful gardens of Mission Hills are also famous throughout San Diego. Much of the neighborhood owes thanks to Kate Sessions, also known as the Mother of Balboa Park, who opened a nursery in the neighborhood in 1910. Still in business today, the Mission Hills Nursery is San Diego’s longest running nursery and a gathering point for community green thumbs.
