San Diego/Mid-City
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Mid-City is the eastern part of the city of San Diego, bordered by I-8 and Mission Valley to the north, National City to the south, Downtown, Balboa Park and Hillcrest to the west, and La Mesa to the east. Mid-City has trendy urban neighborhoods, like Kensington, North Park, Normal Heights, and University Heights, and quieter neighborhoods, such as Golden Hill and South Park. Mid-City consists of a number of interesting neighborhoods - those of particular note are:
- City Heights, a historic and ethnically diverse community, centered around the intersection of Fairmount and University Avenues.
- College Area, on a plateau overlooking Interstate 8 on the northeastern corner of the Mid-City area, home to San Diego State University (SDSU).
- Golden Hill, a small, quiet neighborhood of historic homes, directly east of Downtown and south of Balboa Park.
- Kensington, a trendy neighborhood with many shops and restaurants, centered around Adams Avenue east of Interstate 15.
- Normal Heights, an urban community that's home to plenty of unique stores and festivals, centered along Adams Avenue between Interstates 805 and 15.
- North Park, an urban neighborhood north of Balboa Park, centered around El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue near 30th Street.
- South Park, a quiet residential neighborhood southeast of Balboa Park, along 30th/Fern Street north of SR-94.
- Talmadge, a historic neighborhood with eclectic architecture situated between Kensington and SDSU.
- University Heights, a scenic urban neighborhood centered on the intersection of Park Boulevard and Adams Avenue, filled with restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and art studios.
Get in
By car
Given the size of the Mid-City, traveling by car is the most reliable way to get around. SR-94 passes east-west along the southern edge of the area, providing quick access to Downtown to the west and the suburbs to the east, while I-8 cuts across the northern edge of the area through Mission Valley. SR-15 and I-805 pass north-south through the area, crossing each other in Mid-City. Major east-west streets include El Cajon Boulevard, University Avenue, and (in the northeastern part of the region) Montezuma Road. Major north-south streets include Fairmount Avenue, Euclid Avenue, 54th Street, and College Avenue.By public transit
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates transit service in the city. Frequent routes serve Mid-City, but given the size and often sprawling nature of the area traveling by bus can be time-consuming. Plan your route carefully. Frequent routes include the #7 and #10 on University Avenue, the #1 and Rapid #215 (stops only at major intersections) on El Cajon Boulevard, and the #11 on Adams Avenue, all of which connect either to Hillcrest or Balboa Park to the west, with some continuing on to Downtown. North Park is also served by the frequent #2 to South Park and Downtown and the #6 to Mission Valley. A transit center at SDSU is served by many bus routes as well as the San Diego Trolley Green Line service from Downtown and Old Town to the eastern suburbs.See
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phone: +1 619-283-3227address: 4061 Adams AveWatch an independent or classic film in this old style theater here. They play one movie per week, with the occasional one-time screenings and premiers. The only single screen movie theater in the city. This also the home to the LGBT FilmOut festival, which runs in mid April.
Do
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San Diego State University Aztecs
address: SDSU campusCollege basketball enthusiasts may be familiar with "The Show", SDSU's famously rowdy student section. They play their home games at the Viejas Arena (formerly Cox Arena) in the SDSU campus. The Aztecs college baseball team plays at Tony Gwynn Stadium (also on the SDSU campus) and the college football team plays at SDCCU Stadium in Mission Valley. -
phone: +1 619-282-7329address: Adams AveHeld over the last weekend in late September, showcases local business and organizations, various food and tchotchke vendors, and six stages of live music across the three blocks of this main drag in Normal Heights.
KensingtonCentered along Adams Avenue east of CA-15, is a small community with much charm. Instead of going here for excitement, you should go to to relax. Take some time to walk around the neighborhood and see all of the old houses and their well kept gardens. Get a cup of coffee at Kensington Cafe and then enjoy it at the park that surrounds the local library. Around dinner take the time to eat at the local restaurants and then either have a few drinks at the Club Kensington or see an indie or foreign film at the theater or rent one from Kensington Video.
Buy
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Discount Fabrics
phone: +1 619-280-1791address: 3325 Adams AveWell-known fabric store converted from a former theater. -
phone: +1 619-584-7725address: 4067 Adams AveIf you want to rent or need a rare video that the chain stores do not carry this is the place to go. If they do not have it they will find it for you. A definite stop for the movie buff.
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phone: +1 619-281-3330address: 3502 Adams AveThis is one of the few remaining book stores on Adams Avenue. The easy to recognize green tarp welcomes you to a large two-story store stocked with everything from literature to theology. Soothing classical music plays and the two friendly house cats never fail to brush up against you. Look out for the old kitchen on the second floor stocked with recipe books and the large children's section in the back.
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phone: +1 619-282-7833address: 3072 El Cajon BlvdEstablished in 1967, Folk Arts Rare Records specializes in folk and country, but has a great variety of styles and genres in stock (from Surf to Pop, Blues to Metal, Zydeco to Rock).
Eat
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phone: +1 619-234-5789address: 3003 Grape StThis restaurant is so named because the kitchen is bigger than the rest of the restaurant. "Judy The Beauty (on Duty)" is usually there serving up great food (mainly breakfast, but also lunch), with a cheerful attitude. Take time to appreciate the bumper stickers and celebrity posters on the walls - Whoopi Goldberg once worked here.
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phone: +1 619-255-4167address: 4090 Adams AveCharming, rustic neighborhood French brasserie in the heart of Kensington. They feature a prix fixe Bohemian menu every night from 5-6PM, all night on Tuesdays. Try the moules frites in Roquefort sauce.
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phone: +1 619-282-4413address: 4050 Adams AvePonces has been renovated, offering a bar and better seating but it still offers some of the best American Mexican food in San Diego. Not authentic Mexican food, but good American Mexican food. Get there with enough time to wait and if you don't want dine in call for take out.
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Red Fox Steakhouse and Piano Bar
phone: +1 619-297-1313address: 2223 El Cajon BlvdCharming place where it's easy to imagine you've time-traveled to the early 1970s. Don't expect cutting-edge cuisine, but when your parents or grandparents wanted to have a nice evening out, they probably went somewhere like this. The bar furnishings came from a 17th-century English pub - think mood lighting and lots of dark leather and oak. Also a good place for a cocktail or two. Live music nightly. -
phone: +1 619-284-4320address: 3311 Adams AveZias is home to some of the most unique and tastiest pizzas in all San Diego. You can order by the slice or a whole pie. The types of pizza range from the traditional cheese (three types) to the most famous, eggplant (cranberries, walnuts, yogurt, and eggplant). All food served is kosher and halal and there are vegan options as well. The owner and head chef constantly walks around and asks how everything tastes.
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phone: +1 619-298-4007address: 2312 El Cajon BlvdRussian and Georgian (the country, not the US state) food. Highlights include adjaruli (a bread boat filled with cheese and egg), borscht, and excellent cabbage rolls.
Drink
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phone: +1 619-255-2491address: 3416 Adams AveWith a pub vibe and aesthetic, BLAH's a fantastic place to drink a wide selection of local craft brew and munch on some pizza. During the week it's not nearly as crowdedyou'll be able to find a spot on the long wooden tables. If you ride your bike there, you can get a 10% discount when you show your helmet at the bar.
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Club Kensington
phone: +1 619-284-2848address: 4079 Adams AveA quaint hipster bar that offers music on the weekends. -
phone: +1 619-640-0494address: 4141 Adams AveThis coffee shop, loved by the locals, serves coffee, tea, food and even spumoni.
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phone: +1 619-282-0437address: 3343 Adams AveLestat's never closes, ever. Aside from the specialty coffee drinks and the local pastries, the walls are covered with art for sale, and the next door stage has nightly shows and open mics. Free wifi attracts all sorts of local characters and the back is always packed with people. They have a sister location in University Heights along Park Avenue.
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phone: +1 619-286-8434address: 5900 El Cajon BlvdA regular neighborhood coffee spot that's a popular study space for many college students given its proximity to SDSU.
Sleep
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Best Western Lamplighter Inn & Suites
phone: +1 619-582-3088address: 6474 El Cajon Blvd -
phone: +1 619-296-2101address: 2223 El Cajon BlvdHistoric hotel that was at one time a preferred San Diego destination for Hollywood's elite. The Olympic-sized pool was designed by Johnny Weismuller of Tarzan fame. On summer weekends they host often fairly raucous pool parties.