Our Home

University Heights, a historic streetcar suburb of San Diego, is known for its charm, walkability, and strong sense of community. Bordered by Highway 163, Mission Valley, Texas Street, and Lincoln Street, it has grown from a well-kept secret into a lively destination. Visitors and residents enjoy its eclectic mix of cafés, restaurants, shops, and markets, along with art, music, theater, and special events. With excellent schools, parks, and local businesses, University Heights offers a welcoming, vibrant neighborhood full of character and community spirit.

Our History

One of San Diego’s oldest districts, University Heights has played a key role in the city’s history for over a century. Its name comes from an ambitious 1880s plan to establish a southern campus of USC, which never materialized. Instead, the State Normal School was built, later becoming San Diego State University before relocating east. The neighborhood’s unique character is also reflected in its mascot, the ostrich—a nod to the early 1900s Harvey Bentley Ostrich Farm, where visitors once rode these great birds. This rich and colorful history continues to shape the charm and identity of University Heights today.