North Park San Diego
North Park San Diego is one of the hippest, most sought-after neighborhoods in America to live in, as mentioned in several magazines throughout the past several years. Once you visit the community, it is easy to see why living in North Park is so exciting for many. The homes for sale are typically an eclectic mix of Craftsman Houses, Spanish-style homes, and California Bungalow homes.
Investors pouring into the North Park San Diego real estate market are building a mix of modern homes, with some retaining some elements of old-world charm. Their aim is to resell these properties quickly for a profit, known as ‘Flipped Homes.’ However, many longtime homeowners in the area have expressed discontent with these investors, believing that they are eroding the neighborhood’s character.
In 1893, North Park was intended to be Lemon Grove. Providing enough water for the lemon trees was always a problem. In the early 20th century, the area began to develop as one of San Diego’s first residential and commercial districts. Due to its central location and robust business community, North Park has always been popular with home buyers. No matter your home style, you’ll enjoy a close-knit community that values its status as a burgeoning metropolitan area while maintaining its small neighborhood vibe. The city is home to young families, artists, business professionals, college students, retirees, and the ever-present urban hipsters.
Schools
North Park San Diego is home to three public elementary schools: McKinley, Jefferson, and Garfield. There is also St. Patrick’s, a private elementary school, and two private high schools: St. Augustine for boys and the Academy of Our Lady of Peace for girls. Nearby are two public high schools: Crawford High School and Hoover High School.
Dining and Shopping
New restaurants, bars, boutiques, nightclubs, cafes, and art galleries are springing up over North Park. Once, it was just a sleepy and historic neighborhood. North Park is now hitting its stride as a cultural and residential hot spot. One feature that makes North Park such a hip and desirable neighborhood is its walkability. Leave your car at home and stroll to any of the various coffee shops. For lunch, visit one of the “foodie-approved” food trucks. Then, stop at the farmers market to pick up locally grown ingredients for your dinner. Or, have your dinner at any of the many locally-owned restaurants.
Afterward, have a drink at a charming and locally owned bar. The Underbelly is a Restaurant located on 30th Street and Upas that the locals love. The seating is outdoors, which is good because San Diego has fantastic weather year-round. The Bluefoot is a local bar across the Underbelly, another local favorite. If you are into watching international soccer, you will love this place. The locals come in to have a beer and watch the games, which can be very exciting, depending on what team wins.
There are also many microbreweries in the area. North Park is a very self-sufficient neighborhood. Several banks, drug stores, grocery stores, specialty boutique shops, and clothing stores exist. Businesses are such an integral part of the neighborhood that all your day-to-day needs can be met without leaving the area besides all the entertainment options.
Pigment, a boutique shop located on 30th Street near University Avenue, is a local place. It carries a ton of cute gifts and accessory items. This makes it fun to visit and hard to leave. Simply Local is another excellent shop nearby that brings local artists and inventors together to exhibit their work under one roof. About 85% of the products in this store are from San Diego. If you like skateboarding, then don’t forget to go to Overload. This is an art gallery and event space that happens to have amazing skateboards and skateboarding attire.
North Park Entertainment
Many North Park restaurants and bars near or on 30th Street offer small appetizers for $3.00 once a month. This is an excellent way of tasting your way through all of the Restaurants and getting a feel of the different foods they have to offer. Most of the Restaurants offer this amazing special from 5-6 pm.
Every Thursday, North Parks Farmer’s Market takes place on North Park Way (between Granada Ave and 30th Street). Enjoy walking through and seeing the different vendors selling arts and crafts, various types of fantastic food, and treats. There are also live local bands playing an assortment of tunes.
North Parks Birdrock is where free summer concerts take place. It is a great place to meet your neighbors and spend time with the community in a family-friendly environment. The concerts typically take place from 5-7 next to the Morley Field Sports Complex. There are tons of people who walk towards the park at Thorn Street and 28th Street with their summer chairs and picnic baskets.
Parks and Recreation
North Park is adjacent to Balboa Park. Here, you’ll find museums, gardens, restaurants, the renowned Old Globe Theater, and a municipal golf course. Morley Field has tennis, swimming, and a place where dogs and kids can have fun. Many smaller community parks are sprinkled throughout the area, including the North Park Community Park and Montclair Neighborhood Park.
Commute
North Park has easy access to Interstate 805, Interstate 5, Interstate 8, and connectors to the 163 and Interstate 15. You are likely to be 10-15 minutes away from wherever it is that you would like to be daily. There is also easy access to the MTS bus service- routes 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 215.
Time Machine: North Park’s Vintage Vibes
Imagine strolling down the streets of North Park, not as it bustles today, but as it was in the sepia-toned era of the ’70s. I recently stumbled upon a treasure—a video that captures the essence of our neighborhood during that iconic decade. It’s a visual journey that showcases North Park’s enduring charm, a reminder that before it evolved into the vibrant community we know and love, it had an allure all its own.
The footage, a rare find, is like flipping through a well-worn photo album. Each frame is a portal to a time when the pace was slower, the trees younger, and the skyline less crowded. The ’70s painted North Park with a different brush, one that colored it with the hues of nostalgia and simplicity.
So, I invite you to join me in this captivating look back. Let’s appreciate how far we’ve come without forgetting the roots that ground us. North Park’s journey through time is a testament to its enduring spirit, a neighborhood that has always known how to blend the warmth of tradition with the promise of progress.
This is more than just a video; it’s a celebration of North Park’s soul. And as we watch, let’s pay homage to the cool, quaint, and quintessential slice of history that set the stage for the dynamic and diverse enclave we cherish today.
Are you thinking of buying or selling a home in the North Park area? If so, contact the McT Real Estate Group now. We will be happy to speak with you. We will find out your goals and put a strategic plan in place to help you achieve them.