We lived in San Diego for seven years but didn’t explore much of Golden Hill, San Diego, until more recent trips back after our exodus from the city. That’s our bad.
Golden Hill is hilly indeed, but it’s also super walkable despite the floors climbed with a diverse food scene to fuel all of that activity. If you’re looking for things to do in Golden Hill, San Diego, I’m happy for you.
You’ll find fewer tourists around here, and that’s always a good thing.
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Where is Golden Hill, San Diego?
Golden Hill, San Diego, is just south of Balboa Park. It’s surrounded by neighborhoods like South Park to the north, a part of the Greater Golden Hill Community, and Sherman Heights and Grant Hill to the south.
California State Route 94 serves as a dividing line just south and a great highway access point if you’re traveling to areas like Mira Mesa or Mission Hills.
The neighborhood is just east of downtown San Diego, so Golden Hill also offers easy access to Little Italy, the Gaslamp, and Bankers Hill, too. It’s basically perfectly situated for exploration in the area as a tourist.
If you’re in the real estate market and looking for a home in San Diego, it’s a decent place to consider if you like the amenities of downtown with a more community vibe.
Why is it called Golden Hill?
Golden Hill is called Golden Hill because of a name change in 1887. The neighborhood was originally called “Indian Hill” as a nod to the Native Americans who lived here before their displacement.
We’re all thankful for that name change, right?
Daniel Schuyler, the developer of the area, petitioned for the name change based on a poem he wrote. While he wasn’t a modest man, the poem was quite nice.
Here’s the line: “With the mountains’ proud peaks so lofty and still, ‘Tis a picture worth seeing, from Golden Hill.”
A Bit More History on Golden Hill
Back in its heydey, Golden Hill was considered one of the wealthier neighborhoods in the city. You can likely still tell that by the number of mansions and historic homes here that sprung up once development started in the 1870s and continued into the 1920s.
The network of streetcars running through the neighborhood helped keep it connected to the rest of San Diego. Unfortunately, those were retired in 1939 as people became obsessed with personal vehicles, turning San Diego into the car-centric community it is today.
Golden Hill itself fell into somewhat of a rut by the 1950s as many in the wealthier set left for the San Diego suburbs. Rezoning allowed for the development of more apartment buildings and density in housing, and apparently, that’s not a desirable trait in neighborhoods for some folks.
Revitalization efforts here kicked into gear by the 1990s. The Golden Hill of today is just as unaffordable as the rest of the neighborhoods in and around downtown San Diego and nearby Balboa Park. Do with that what you will.
How to Get Around Golden Hill
Golden Hill is a very walkable community as long as you don’t mind navigating the hills, but you’ll likely need to drive there initially. Parking isn’t as much of a challenge here as it is around North Park, South Park, or neighborhoods closer to downtown.
Stick to side streets off of 25th Street, the main business district in Golden Hill, for a good chance at free parking.
If you’d rather get around on public transportation, access Golden Hill on MTS Bus 2. This is the same bus that gets you around South Park and into downtown San Diego.
Things to Do in Golden Hill
Golden Hill is a great base for exploring San Diego, but there are also a few fun things to do in Golden Hill itself. Interested in a map of everything I’ll highlight here? Follow the Google link below:
GIMME MY GOLDEN HILL ATTRACTIONS MAP!
Grab a coffee at Influx Cafe.
Influx is my favorite Golden Hill coffee shop because I can get caffeinated while eating a delicious bagel sandwich. The service is also fantastic, even if you don’t know a chai from your elbow. They have locations in Little Italy and North Park, too.
If you want a few more options, there’s a Dark Horse Coffee Roasters location in Golden Hill and The Coffee Drop on Broadway further east. I haven’t been to that one, but it’s highly rated for its specialty coffees and atmosphere. Sometimes you need vibes with your coffee, right?
Hit the trails of Balboa Park through the Golden Hill Gateway.
You likely know that Balboa Park is home to San Diego’s museum campus, but it also hosts a network of interconnected trails that make you feel like you’re not at all in the city.
The Florida Canyon Trail is an easy 2.2 loop that shows off the Florida Canyon and the native flora. There’s also a short half-mile trail that winds itself through Golden Hill Park along the road. This is where you’ll get some of the best views in Golden Hill.
A longer trail that starts at the Golden Hill Gateway takes hikers on an adventure through both Florida and Switzer canyons. That one is about 4.4 miles for the full trek.
Visit a very old fountain.
The Golden Hill Fountain Grotto is the oldest thing in Balboa Park, and that’s saying quite a bit. It was designed back in 1907 as a place to gather, but it’s currently in dire need of historic preservation.
Honestly, it’s become somewhat of a dump and what I imagine to be a hangout for wayward youths. There are some preservation processes underway, so I’m hoping it becomes less of a random thing and more of a, “Ooh, neat!” kind of attraction in San Diego at some point.
Explore Golden Hill Park.
On a sunny day, it doesn’t get more beautiful than this. The neighborhood came before the park, but we don’t have to hold anything against it. The green space is a great place to bring your dolma from the Kabob House — I’ll get into that later — or stroll the surrounding walking paths.
You’re super close to everything going on in Balboa Park, too.
Explore Balboa Park.
I have a whole guide dedicated to Balboa Park and all of the attractions there. I like to call it San Diego’s backyard because this is where everyone loves to gather. It’s my mom’s favorite place, too, and she’s rarely satisfied with anything.
Note: If you don’t want to check out that post, Balboa Park is where you’ll find big deals like the San Diego Zoo and San Diego’s museum campus. The San Diego Natural History Museum and the Museum of Us are my two favorites if you have trouble narrowing things down.
Don’t miss the skyline views from the top of Golden Hill Park.
Golden Hill Park isn’t just a great place to gather and indulge in Mediterranean snacks. You’ll get the best views in Golden Hill from here. There are likely hills involved in getting to those views if you’re on your feet, but you can also find easy parking at the park.
View the historic homes around the neighborhood.
One of my top things to do in Golden Hill was just stroll around the neighborhood and check out the architecture. I’m not going to send you on some wild goose chase, so here are a few you shouldn’t miss:
- Hayward-Patterson House: This 1887 home was built by a former president of the San Diego Yacht Club, and it certainly looks the part. The detail work on this one is lovely, from the stained glass at the front to the whimsical rails.
- The Leroy Wright House: This beauty, featured in the photo on the right in my gallery above, is often referred to as “The Senator.” I mean, it says so on the front. It was designed for California State Senator Leroy Wright at the time.
- Quartermass-Wilde House: This is the most recognizable historic home in Golden Hill. (It’s featured in the photo on the left.) This Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion was built in 1896 and was the former home of San Diego Mayor Louis J. Wilde.
Play a tune on the Crab Carillon Musical Bridge.
This is one of the more unique things to do in Golden Hill, San Diego. The Carb Carillon Musical Bridge is an interactive musical rail that “plays” a song if you run a metal rod across. Honestly, I couldn’t hear it, but the Google reviews say it’s real.
I wonder if someone is filming all of us trying it out and looking like dummies? Maybe.
In any case, it’s also not in the most attractive part of town, so do your thing and go on your way.
See the fruits (and veggies) of the Golden Hill Community Garden.
This neighborhood garden is modest in terms of its size, but it shows how Golden Hill has grown (get it?) as a community. Members here grow a variety of fresh veggies, herbs, and more for a nominal annual fee.
Visitors can come by just to meet the neighborhood growers or find themselves in a welcoming place among the fresh goodies.
Grab a drink at the Mothership.
This speakeasy wasn’t open yet when we were galavanting around Golden Hill, but if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you combined a tiki bar with outer space, it’s the Mothership. It looks completely wacky and right up my alley. It’s at the top of my list on a return trip to sunny San Diego.
Reservations are a necessity for San Diego speakeasies. Make one online before you head out.
Grab a drink to-go at the Best Damn Beer Shop.
I’m not usually one to promote liquor stores on this blog, but the Best Damn Beer Shop is a little extra. The selection here is ridiculous. While San Diego has a fantastic craft brewery scene, a shop that probably sells that rare whatever-you-want is always nice to have.
Best Golden Hill, San Diego, Restaurants
Golden Hill is a great neighborhood for a bite, whether you’re here for San Diego takout or a sit-down meal. Check out my picks for the best Golden, San Diego, restaurants.
55 Thai Kitchen Golden Hill
Don’t mind the liquor store you’ll pass to get to 55 Thai Kitchen. This counter service spot is a local favorite for all the Thai favorites you can handle. I’m a sucker for curry, so it’s Massaman chicken all day for me, friends.
If you love your meal, there are two more locations for this one on the SDSU campus and in Pacific Beach.
Counterpoint
I treated Brian to a birthday dinner at Counterpoint one year, and the meal did not disappoint. Pair comfort foods like fried chicken sandwiches and cheese steaks with pretty legit fried cheese curds and you’ll have an enjoyable evening yourself.
Their drink list is great, too, especially if you love a good wine list.
Giorgino’s
Philly natives, you’ll probably still complain, but Giorgino’s serves up some pretty delicious cheesesteaks in my humble opinion. Yes, I’ve had legit Philly cheesesteaks.
Fun fact: They fly rolls in from Philadelphia and use Dietz and Watson cheeses in their sandwiches (or Cheez Whiz) on their sandwiches. Does that help?
They’re almost as well-known around here for their pork rolls. This is apparently a staple of New Jersey, but I’ll have to take their word for it.
Golden Hill Cafe
This diner serves up a great breakfast with more reasonable prices than some of the more hipster brunch spots around the city.
Fun fact: I love both diners and hipster brunch spots without apology.
This place is in the pop culture record, too. The movie K-9 starring Jim Belushi was filmed here. I missed that flick, unfortunately. More importantly, you can find an autographed picture of John Stamos on the wall here.
Humberto’s Taco Shop
There are days or nights when you need tacos really late or early. If you relate to that premise, Humberto’s Taco Shop is there for you 24 hours a day. Ignore a somewhat wild menu of sub sandwiches and fruit salads in favor of their tacos or burritos. You’re here for the classics.
There’s a second location in Southcrest, a neighborhood bordered by Barrio Logan and Logan Heights if you find yourself down there.
Kabob House
It doesn’t seem like much next as it’s right next door to a 7-11, but the food at Kabob House is generous and yummy. It had to be a falafel pita for me and a chicken shawarma wrap for Brian and also me because it was huge enough for seconds the next day.
The dolma, or grape leaves, are really where it’s at. This is a great takeout spot, but they do have a modest dining area if you want to eat in.
Kingfisher
Kingfisher is still on my wishlist, as is often the case with places that are a bit fancier. It’s a regret I have, but my credit cards are happy about it. The food here is what sounds like a delicious blend of French and Vietnamese, and now I’m sad all over again.
Reservations are a good idea and are available online.
Mutual Friend Ice Cream
Mutual Friend Ice Cream is actually a side project of Dark Horse Coffee Roasters, a super popular coffee chain here in San Diego. Try their Dark Horse Coffee flavor as a nod to that relationship or go rogue with a scoop of their Cultured Shock.
If you love lemon curd anything, you will love this lovely treat with a lemon curd swirl.
Pizzeria Luigi
Sometimes you just need a slice or two, and Pizzeria Luigi fills that need. You’ll get New York-style pizza here with a variety of toppings. If you want a full pie, the Frenchie includes ham, pear, caramelized onion, and blue cheese. It’s indulgent and it’s friggin’ huge.
Turf Supper Club
If you’re into DIY, you’ll love the Turf Supper Club. This is a grill-your-own-steak spot with old-school charm and 16-ounce cuts of beef. You don’t need to go that hard if you’re cutting back on the red meat. You can grill up some skewers, too.
Oh, you’re not into meats at all? They have a solid cocktail and beer list for you to peruse to avoid the meat sweats.
Golden Hill Events
You may want to plan your visit to Golden Hill around some of their regular events, or you may want to avoid them if you don’t like crowds.
Note: Kate Sessions Fest is listed online as a popular annual event in Golden Hill, but I haven’t been able to confirm its existence in recent years. Leave me a comment at the end of this post if you’ve been recently!
Check out some regular Golden Hill events in the neighborhood below:
- Golden Hill Block Party: You know you love a good block party. Golden Hill does it up each fall with their version, complete with live music, local eats, and DJs to entertain you in between musical acts.
- Reader Burgers & Beer: Much like the taco event below, this one is hosted by the San Diego Reader. The purpose is simple: Find and vote on the best burgers, and drink a bunch of beer.
- Reader Tacotopia: This all-you-can-eat taco event hosted by the San Diego Reader is held in Golden Hill Park each spring. Eat all of the tacos you can before voting on the city’s Best Taco Award. It’s an honor and a privilege.
Where to Stay in Golden Hill
We were San Diego locals for a while, so didn’t need overnight accommodations in Golden Hill. That doesn’t mean I’ll leave you hanging here.
While you won’t find traditional hotels in Golden Hill proper, you’ll find a number of short-term rentals and apartment-style accommodations. Use the map below to get you started:
If you want to be in a traditional hotel, there are options in nearby downtown San Diego.
I’ve heard great things about Staypineapple at Hotel Z, especially if you’re traveling with your pooch, and the Moxy San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. That second pick boasts a bit of a younger vibe, which you may be into if you’re already interested in staying in the Gaslamp.
Golden Hill FAQs
Is Golden Hill a good area of San Diego?
Golden Hill is a good area of San Diego. It’s accessible to anywhere you’d want to visit in the city, fairly walkable despite the hills, and safe. There’s also a diverse food scene and a good sense of community here.
Is Golden Hill, San Diego, safe?
Golden Hill, San Diego, is safe these days, despite a rough patch in the 1990s. Crime here overall is below the national average, but the usual precautions apply as with any larger city.
Keep valuables out of sight in your car. Lock your doors, both at home and in your car. Be a little extra vigilant at night, especially on streets that aren’t well-lit. Practice solid street smarts and you’ll be fine in Golden Hill.
What is nightlife like in Golden Hill, San Diego?
Nightlife in Golden Hill, San Diego, is pretty casual. The best places to get a drink in Golden Hill are in the neighborhood’s eateries. Kingfisher and Counterpoint have a great bar scene. You can also crack open whatever you buy at the Best Damn Beer Shop.
Is San Diego a good place to visit right now?
San Diego isn’t just a good place to visit right now. It’s a good place to visit anytime. That’s especially true if you’re able to dig into neighborhoods like Golden Hill that aren’t on the main tourism circuit!
Ready for San Diego?
Your Flight: I use a variety of tools to find cheap airfare, but if you’re looking to book during a particular period of time, especially during busy times (e.g. school breaks), start with Skyscanner. It’s a great tool for when you’re more flexible, too, as it allows you to compare travel based on length of travel, departure date, etc.
To navigate San Diego, you’ll likely need to rent a car. It’s best then to just book a rental car from the airport using an aggregator like Hotwire or Priceline.
Adventurous folks may love subscribing to Going, formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights. You’ll get all kinds of deals in your inbox throughout the year. Who knows? You may get a sweet flight alert to San Diego that way.
Your Accommodations: Scroll up for my recommendations for accommodations in and around Golden Hill. I generally recommend Booking.com and Hotels.com as your main options for accommodations in San Diego, and Vrbo as an Airbnb alternative.
Seeking even more wallet-friendly accommodations? Try Hostelworld. Their picks are heavily vetted and reviewed to offer you a safe experience on a budget.
Etc.: For general travel goodies, visit my Favorite Things page. For more information on planning your travel, visit my Travel Tools page.
You want to visit Golden Hill, San Diego, right? Pin me!
Looking for more San Diego content? Check out my guides below:
- Visit San Diego’s Most Haunted House Ever
- Top San Diego Waterfalls & Waterfall Hikes
- Take a San Diego Day Trip to Julian
- Taste-Test San Diego’s Best Polish Cuisine
- How to Plan a Day in Temecula Wine Country
Learn more about San Diego’s best neighborhoods:
- Your Best Guide to University Heights
- Things to Do, See, and Eat in Old Town
- Why Carlsbad, California, Should Make Your List
- Eat Your Way Through San Diego’s Sushi Scene
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