A Local Guide to North Park, San Diego (I Lived There!)

Brian and I liked North Park in San Diego enough that we bought a house there. We wanted a walkable neighborhood with lots to do (and eat and drink), and North Park easily fit that description.

Basically, it’s the best neighborhood in San Diego in my super-biased opinion if you’re young-ish, fun, and don’t need to be near the beach.

There’s so much more to San Diego than the beach. North Park is a great place to start.

Where is North Park, San Diego?

The heart of North Park is at 30th Street and University Avenue, where its iconic sign welcomes people in.

It’s bordered by Burlingame and South Park to the south, Normal Heights to the east, University Heights to the west, and Interstate 8 and Mission Valley to the north.

What is North Park known for?

North Park is known for its craft beer scene. It’s considered by many to be one of the best beer neighborhoods in San Diego, if not California.

It’s also known for its hipster identity. North Park has appeared on Forbes magazine’s list of hippest hipster neighborhoods, described by the magazine as a “bastion of creativity.”

North Park: A Brief History

North Park could have been a lemon grove. James Monroe Hartley purchased the land in 1893 for that purpose, but irrigation there was a pain in the neck.

I can vouch for that due to the size of the weak lemons that grew in my backyard despite my dog’s best efforts to tend to our citrus.

The neighborhood’s name comes from its original moniker: “Hartley’s North Park.”

What happened instead was fairly rapid growth that started in the early 20th century. The neighborhood’s first high rise building, built in 1912, was what is now Western Dental & Orthodontics on University Avenue.

The area’s development was fueled by the streetcar system built by John D. Spreckels that connected North Park to downtown San Diego.

Unfortunately, the streetcars were retired in 1949, but by that time, North Park had arrived as one of the city’s more vibrant commercial hubs. North Park’s architecture reflects various periods, from Craftsman-style homes to mid-century modern buildings.

I’ll end with something quite random that I wish I learned about sooner so I could have found some locals to describe this incident.

North Park was the site of an aviation disaster in 1978: the crash of PSA Flight 182. The commercial airliner crashed into a private plane, killing everyone on board both planes. Seven people on the ground were also killed, and numerous homes were destroyed.

How to Get Around North Park

North Park is a very walkable neighborhood, much like its neighbors South Park and Golden Hill, especially if you’re having yourself a brewery crawl.

You’ll find a lot of activity near 30th Street and University Avenue, the neighborhood’s main shopping district, and then up and down 30th Street.

If you drive to North Park, parking is available at the 29th Street Parking Garage, which is only a buck an hour during the day.

Additional street parking is available if you’re lucky. It’s much easier to park the further away you get from the main intersection of 30th Street and University Avenue.

If you want to get around on public transportation, MTS Bus 10, which originates at the Old Town Transit Center, will get you up and down University Avenue.

MTS Bus 2 goes up and down 30th Street. All route maps and schedules are available from the Metropolitan Transit System.

Do you feel like being more active? North Park is bike-friendly, with additional bike lanes being planned as we speak.

Things to Do in North Park

There’s plenty to do to fill up a day in North Park, especially with its proximity to Balboa Park. Save that behemoth for another day, though, and focus on exploring my old stomping grounds.

Catch a show at The Observatory North Park.

North Park’s historic music hall, The Observatory North Park, was independently owned and operated until recently, following a recent acquisition by Live Nation.

That’s kind of a bummer, but the move appears not to have slowed down the party if persistent noise complaints are any indication. Music venues are going to make noise, people!

If they didn’t, I’d ask for a refund.

Fun fact: North Park used to have two movie theaters, The North Park Theatre and the Ramona Theatre. Unfortunately, now there are none, although The North Park Theatre now exists as The Observatory North Park.

Go on a North Park mural hunt.

Much like street art-heavy cities like Bogotá, North Park is a haven for solid street art.

Go on a hunt for some of the neighborhood’s iconic murals yourself, or start with these:

• Greetings from San Diego postcard mural outside of Belching Beaver on 30th Street
• You Are Radiant outside Artelexia at Ray Street and North Park Way
• Kreashun wall at 30th and Gunn streets

Fun fact: The folks behind Kreashun have done other versions elsewhere, including a wall on the terrace level of the Del Mar Plaza. That one features a cute lil’ hummingbird.

Act like a kid at the Coin-Op.

North Park’s Coin-Op Game Room was the first arcade bar in San Diego.

Today, it has 25 games to make any visitor happy to linger for a while. (Me, I like Ms. Pac-Man or kicking everyone’s butt as Chun-Li in Street Fighter II.)

They also have a good tap list and snacks if you’re hungry from all that sick arcade game action.

The last Sunday of every month is a free play day, all day long!

Support small businesses.

Much like its neighbor University Heights, North Park is known for its eclectic shopping and art galleries.

• Pick out a unique gift, like beautiful stationery or home accents, at Pigment.
• See how home design can blend with loving your pet at Home & Hound.
• If you love vintage records with the option for cocktails as you peruse, head to Part Time Lover.
• Browse the goods at the gallery and art school Art on 30th.
• Embrace Mexican art and home décor at Artelexia.

You can also just window shop at the North Park shops and see what strikes your fancy!

Go on a brewery crawl.

There are over a dozen North Park breweries or tasting rooms in a little over a one-and-a-half-mile stretch in this part of town. Drinking beer in this neighborhood is a favorite hobby of its residents, and is on most San Diego bucket lists if you’re at all into craft beer.

READ MORE: Learn about North Park’s best breweries and the San Diego craft beer scene in my San Diego brewery guide.

Here are my favorite breweries in North Park:

• Belching Beaver: First of all, the name is hilarious. That doesn’t make the beer served up there any less delicious. Belching Beaver boasts some of my faves, e.g. Brut Willis and Me So Honey. It’s all so cheeky!
• Fall Brewing Company: This was often our go-to neighborhood brewery thanks to its proximity to our old house. My favorite beers there are the different versions of their sour Jazz Hands. Yes, I do a little hand dance when I’m drinking it.
• Mike Hess Brewing: They keep expanding, but Mike Hess retains a welcoming, neighborhood bar vibe. They now have additional locations in Imperial Beach, Miramar, Ocean Beach, and Walnut Creek.
• Modern Times (The North Park Flavordome): This place is a little bit wacky with the upside-down lampshades decorating the ceiling. You can bring in whatever food you want, though, which makes this a fun lunch stop.
• North Park Beer Company: This one is huge and a great place to meet up with large groups. If you have social anxiety, there are enough dark corners to meet your needs, too. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Rip Current Brewing North Park: Their main brewery is in San Marcos, but that’s pretty far away if you’re down in the city. Their tasting room boasts some great neighborhood vibes and 29 beers on tap.
• Second Chance Beer Lounge: Give Second Chance a first glance, if only because I offered this rhyme to you. Expect friendly staff and excellent people watching along 30th Street at their outside tables.
• Thorn Street Brewery: This one is a little off-the-beaten-path if you’re on a North Park brewery crawl, but good beer comes to those who stray off of 30th Street. Pull up a stool, grab a board game, and sip their rotating beers.

Try North Park’s cider, too.

Bivouac Ciderworks has a full dinner menu available. I LOVE what they have going on with their cider — so many dry cider options, which are my favorite! — but I think their food is overpriced for what it is.

As I wholeheartedly recommend their delicious cider, though, I’m leaving it here for a fun beer alternative while you’re in North Park. You can try a few by the flight, which will help you determine whether you like the dry stuff or the sweeter stuff.

Have yourself a delicious taste test.

Visit the neighborhood’s best cocktail bar at Polite Provisions.

Polite Provisions is a cocktail bar that’s one part retro, one part hipster, and one part adorable bartenders in suspenders. They have a lengthy cocktail list, but can also whip something up for you based on your mood.

Whatcha got that’s slightly salty?

Note: Beware of the absinthe-laden Zombie, which they limit to two per customer. Many have fallen into gutters thanks to that one.

Where to Eat in North Park

I was pretty lucky to live in a neighborhood with so many yummy eateries, and eating should be at the top of your list of what to do in North Park. The food offerings are exceptionally diverse and come at a variety of price points.

READ MORE: Love a diverse food scene? San Diego has Polish food! Learn about it from a Polish girl’s perspective.

Here are my top picks for where to eat in North Park on your next visit to San Diego.

Alexander’s on 30th

You don’t need to go to Little Italy for delicious and authentic Italian food.

Alexander’s on 30th in North Park is one of my favorites. They have pink penne pasta with prosciutto, which is both yummy and difficult to say three times fast.

Reservations are available online for Alexander’s North Park.

Atypical Waffle

Something sweet? Something savory? A bit of both?

I passed by this random place several times before finally stopping in. Atypical Waffle is tucked away a bit off the street, but once you’re inside it opens up into a nice outdoor eating area. The waffles may seem small at first glance, but the toppings are rich.

Breakfast Republic

You cannot speak of the best brunch in North Park without mentioning Breakfast Republic. Try their mashed potato omelet or Jurassic pork eggs Benedict and tell me I’m wrong.

They continue to expand, with locations now in Ocean Beach, Liberty Station, Encinitas, East Village, Carmel Valley, Mission Valley, and Pacific Beach.

I promise this is no Denny’s. The North Park location gets very busy during peak times. No, they do not take reservations.

Caffeè Calabria

Caffeè Calabria is big on coffee as the longest-serving roaster in North Park.

As I’m not big into putting real pants on to get coffee, I’m here for their pizza rather than the coffee shops.

Their Neapolitan pies are wood-fired and very special, boasting the freshest ingredients. They serve up calzones, too, if you’re feeling like additional carbs.

Cantina Mayahuel

Come for the tequila — they have more than 200! — but stay for the carnitas.

Cantina Mayahuel is a delicious place to sip margaritas and munch on tacos. If you’re feeling fancy, their seafood stew is a decadent delight.

If you’re there on Taco Tuesday, treat yourself to discounted margaritas and taco plates.

Chris’ Ono Grinds Island Grill

Say “aloha” to your diet because you’re about to make some macaroni salad and huli huli chicken happen.

Note: You can smell that chicken so aggressively down the block it’s as if they pump it into the air.

If you’re not into the giant mounds of rice that come with most of their plates, do as I do when I’m at Ono Grinds: huli huli chicken, sweet potato medallions, macaroni salad. Hold the rice. You’ll thank me later.

City Tacos

Tacos are my go-to in San Diego. There’s so much variety that it’s not a problem to try a different kind every day.

The Taco Tuesday deal at City Tacos is made that much better because they usually have a DJ on site, and I like to shake that booty when I’m eating my tacos.

Access to this place keeps getting easier. In addition to their existing shops in La Mesa and Imperial Beach, they have FIVE additional locations in the works. I’m hopeful quality stays high with that big of an expansion.

Dunedin New Zealand Eats

Dunedin comes to North Park from the same people who brought you Queenstown Public House in Little Italy.

Expect similar menus if you’ve been to that one, including one of my favorite things in all of San Diego, their Bare Lamb Burger. It’s indulgent and delicious, and features beets, which I’m always a fan of.

Reservations aren’t necessary but are available online on the restaurant’s website.

Et Voilà! French Bistro

That exclamation point is well-deserved at Et Voilà!

When my pandemic birthday rolled around, I could only think of a few places that I knew could serve up a delicious yet still fancy takeout meal to celebrate the strange occasion.

They have all of the French staples for all of the Francophiles out there — yes, even snails — making the bistro perfect for date night or an evening out with the parents. Reservations are available online via OpenTable.

The Friendly

They have pizza, I guess, but once you have a bite of one of their no-frills, greasy-as-all-heck dirty flattop burgers, you won’t be thinking about any pizza at The Friendly.

The smell alone wafting from their typically open door will make your mouth water.

We also recently tried their latest burgers-only venture, The Friendly Tavern. I was kinda ticked off that they replaced our neighborhood Carnitas’ Snack Shack until I stopped by for a burger. No pizza here, but they do offer more burger options.

Just don’t ask for modifications at either location, because they don’t do that. If you do ask for modifications despite them telling you they don’t do them, you’re a dummy.

Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream

In a place with year-round mild temps, you’ve got to know where the good ice cream is hiding.

Hammond’s offers flights of mini ice cream cones so that you can feel good about tasting up to a dozen different kinds in one sitting. They have two other locations in Pacific Beach and Point Loma.

Saiko Sake and Sushi Bar

San Diego has lots of delicious sushi options, but Saiko is next level, namely because of its omakase option.

Yes, you can buy rolls and all of your favorites à la carte, but if you’re feeling adventurous (or celebrating a special occasion, as sushi adventures come with a steeper price tag), trust the chef to feed you. Ordering a flight of sake will help you digest any new flavors.

If you’re exploring Coronado, there’s another location there, as well. Reservations for both locations are recommended and available on the restaurant’s website.

Senor Mangos

Senor Mangos took so much of my money.

Not only do they make the best smoothies this side of Thailand, but they have a more substantial menu if you’re hungry that includes tortas, açai bowls, and fruit salads.

They take call-ahead orders if you’re not able to wait around for perfection.

Shank and Bone

Vietnamese food served in a modern way is what Shank and Bone does best. If you’re looking for that comfort food a bowl of pho provides on that rare, chilly San Diego evening, you can’t do better than a bowl of their seafood version.

Crab, calamari, and shrimp float in their signature chicken broth. Oh, heck…it’s delicious no matter the temps.

Solomon Bagels & Donuts

We waited for Solomon’s to open for a looooong time. They were under construction for soooooo long. Then they opened and the New York-style bagels have been flowing in an aggressive manner.

The donuts are wonderful, too, with both daily specials and traditional cake donuts available on the regular. Try the red velvet variety if they’re on the menu, as red velvet’s never a bad idea.

SukhoThai Extraordinaire

SukhoThai Extraordinaire, previously known as Chi Extraordinary Kitchen, was our favorite Thai place in San Diego. It just so happened to be down the street from our house. They describe themselves as pescatarian, but there are other proteins on the menu.

The fish, though, is the star.

Case in point? Try their signature fried catfish fillet, served up in this red curry paste concoction that is somehow both spicy and pleasing to my delicate palate. It’s a dish I crave regularly. Their curries aren’t slouches, either.

Tabu Shabu North Park

If you’ve never had a Japanese-style hot pot, you haven’t eaten elevated comfort food. Get to your closest Tabu Shabu, please.

The menu’s simple, but the flavors are complex. You’ll be choosing your own broth, proteins, and grains, a customizable belly-warming experience.

Tajima Ramen North Park

Tajima is my go-to for when I’m feeling under the weather.

I don’t want to make it seem like it isn’t good otherwise, but there’s something about a hot bowl of ramen that makes one feel whole again.

I live for their classic Tajima Ramen. Brian likes to sweat it out with their Spicy Sesame Ramen. Whatever you do, you’ll want an extra egg.

Tajima has additional locations in Hillcrest, East Village, Kearny Mesa, and one on Convoy Street. You can join a waitlist for a table at the North Park location on their website.

Tribute Pizza

Tribute Pizza starts out with a fun concept. The pizzas on the menu are all inspired by or a tribute to pizzas the owners have fallen in love with over the years. That doesn’t mean they’re just a schtick.

Their pies are delicious, too. Try the Brooklyn Best on a sesame crust or their weekly tribute, a fresh pie each week boasting seasonal ingredients.

Oh, and the location’s unique, too. Tribute operates out of an old post office and has kept much of the old signage.

URBN North Park

We found ourselves at URBN quite often for both sit-down meals and take-out. If you’re a potatoes-on-pizza connoisseur like I am, URBN has a mashed potato and bacon variety that is SO good.

If you’ve got some picky individuals in your party, they can do a build-your-own New Haven-style pie for their comfort. Oh, their wings are awesome, too. Reservations are available on their website.

North Park Events

Since we lived in North Park for years, I became well-acquainted with how fun North Park events could be. They also meant crowds and traffic.

You may want to plan your visit to explore North Park things to do around some of these or skip the trip, depending on your tolerance for other people.

Here’s my North Park events list:

• North Park Festival of Beers: This annual event is held each spring. Your ticket will get you unlimited tastes of dozens of beers. Food vendors and live music are also on the docket.
• North Park Music Fest: This two-day event continues to expand with a welcome event the evening before the main acts. Visitors are treated to live art demonstrations, multiple music stages, food vendors, and beer for sale.
• North Park Thursday Market: Every Thursday, rain or shine, this farmers market offers up local treats for folks in the neighborhood. In addition to the 90 tents on hand, you can expect live music, too.
• Shop Local Saturday: North Park’s best fall event celebrates the neighborhood’s small businesses by inviting visitors and residents to explore their wares and open doors. The hub of the event is at Ray Street and University Avenue.
• Taste of North Park: If you want an overview of all the delicious things North Park has to eat, this event from North Park Main Street is a great way to do it. You’ll be offered dozens of tastes and craft beer samples along the way.

North Park Safety

Trendy North Park has crime stats that fall well below the national average. Petty theft is a concern, but commonsense safety tips — locking up your car and home and being observant about your surroundings — will get you far.

The neighborhood is also a tight-knit community with locals who have lived in North Park for decades. Folks watch out for one another around here.

Where to Stay in North Park

We lived in North Park, so we didn’t need to be seeking out accommodations here. You won’t find hotels in North Park with the exception of The Lafayette Hotel on El Cajon Boulevard.

The hotel has historical significance and has hosted the likes of Bob Hope and Ava Gardner. It’s also well-reviewed.

The map below will give you your apartment-style accommodation options in North Park. For traditional hotels, zoom out to see more budget-friendly options in areas like Mission Valley:

North Park is a great place to live.

I loved living in North Park. Its walkability was great, and the access to some of our favorite restaurants and breweries made our life there pretty fun.

On visits to North Park since, though, I’ve noticed that the city has boosted the density in this part of town significantly with new housing. San Diego needs affordable housing, but I’m not sure that’s what’s happening here. I foresee parking in North Park will only get more intense with new residents coming in.

If you’re young and fun and desire a hip, walkable neighborhood in San Diego, North Park can fill that need. We’ve been priced out of North Park since selling our home there, but I’ll always love to visit!

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