Welcome to Mission Hills
Beautiful historic neighborhood with exceptional homes
Mission Hills is a beautiful historic neighborhood with gorgeous homes designed by some of early 20th-century San Diego’s most renowned architects. The neighborhood’s hillside setting provides mesmerizing views over Old Town and Mission Bay to the west, and Downtown and the San Diego Bay to the south. Development of Mission Hills began in 1908, and the neighborhood soon became one of San Diego’s most sought-after areas. Most homes were built between the 1900s and 1930s, with the later addition of mid-century modern homes overlooking canyons in the 1950s and ‘60s. This mostly residential neighborhood features boutiques and great local restaurants.
Mission Hills features an eclectic array of architectural gems. Housing styles include charming Craftsman bungalows, distinctive Prairie School homes, elegant vernacular properties, and stately Spanish Colonial Revival residences. Notable architects who contributed to Mission Hills’ outstanding architectural mix include William Hebbard, Richard Requa, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, John Lloyd Wright.
What to Love
- Gorgeous historic homes
- Mesmerizing views
- Parks and nature trails
- Neighborhood restaurants
People & Lifestyle
Mission Hills is an enchanting neighborhood with unique homes lining every street. The neighborhood offers a peaceful residential atmosphere close to the more bustling areas of Old Town and Downtown.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Mission Hills’ main commercial area is concentrated around the intersection of Goldfinch and Washington Streets. Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar is a neighborhood favorite for brunch specials, with bottomless mimosas and a daily happy hour until 6 pm. Harley Gray’s menu includes signature burgers made with Gold Canyon Angus beef and seafood options such as mahi-mahi fish tacos. Farmer’s Bottega is another great brunch choice. The farm-to-table menu at Farmer’s Bottega includes elegant Italian-style appetizers and mains served in a rustic space decorated with iron chandeliers and wine barrels. The Red Door is an upscale but welcoming spot serving American and Italian comfort eats prepared with garden-fresh ingredients. Lefty’s Pizza boasts some of California’s finest deep-dish Chicago pizzas. Izakaya Masa’s wide-ranging selection of Japanese fare includes sushi, ramen, and udon alongside a drinks menu featuring many varieties of sake, soju, and beer. Fort Oak offers a refined selection of raw items, seafood towers, prime steaks, and wood-grilled kielbasa. This stylish eatery features a U-shaped bar mixing excellent cocktails. Options for caffeinated beverages in Mission Hills include drip and pour-over coffees at Heartwork Coffee Bar and iced and flavored teas enjoyed alongside bacon and waffles at the roadside Meshuggah Shack. The southern edge of Mission Hills, where Washington Street meets Hancock Street, has some great vintage shopping options. Consignment Classics Home Furnishings has a huge showroom with an eclectic array of new and used furniture, while Team Amvets Thrift Store is one of the best places in San Diego to shop for vintage clothing. In Hancock Street’s historic 1910s Mission Brewery Plaza building, Latchkey Brewing Company is a fine choice for sampling San Diego craft beer.
Things to Do
This attractive San Diego neighborhood features several trails and greenspaces. Mission Hills Park offers a rolling tree-lined lawn, tennis courts, and a children’s playground. Also known as Pioneer Park, Mission Hills Park was originally one of San Diego’s first cemeteries, and it contains numerous tombs and gravestones dating back to the 1800s. Robyn’s Egg Trail and Allen Road Nature Trail each provide scenic views of Mission Hills’ canyons. Mission Hills Nursery was founded by influential landscape architect Kate Sessions in 1910. Sessions’ work includes extensive contributions to the beautiful layout of San Diego’s Balboa Park. This family-run nursery and garden center has a huge variety of plants and other garden supplies. Mission Hills Nursery also offers landscape design services and educational events. Harper’s Topiary Garden is a unique neighborhood attraction with stunning living artworks. The work of Mission Hills native Edna Harper, the garden features plants sculpted to look like pyramids, dinosaurs, Buddha, and a whole menagerie of animals.
Schools
Mission Hills is served by the San Diego Unified School District.
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Ulysses S. Grant Elementary, Public, K-8.
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Point Loma High, Public, 9-12.
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San Diego High, Public, 9-12.
