Officially subdivided on August 6, 1888, University Heights is one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods and home to the former Mission Cliff Gardens, Bentley’s Ostrich Farm, San Diego Silk Mill, Adams Avenue Carbarn, the first reservoir for the city’s municipal water system, and the San Diego Normal School, forerunner to San Diego State University.

The University Heights Historical Society is delighted to offer a new booklet, Mission Cliff Gardens, A Memoir, by Carole Bryant, great-granddaughter of John Davidson who was the superintendent of Mission Cliff Gardens in University Heights.

Celebrate National Preservation Month by learning more about our historic community, founded in 1888. Take a guided or self-guided walking tour, have your home's historic architecture evaluated, buy an ostrich house plaque, learn more about John Spreckels, or just read about the early history of University Heights!

At 135 years old, University Heights is one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods and home to the former Mission Cliff Gardens, Bentley’s Ostrich Farm, San Diego Silk Mill, Adams Avenue Carbarn, the first reservoir for the city’s municipal water system, and the San Diego Normal School, forerunner to San Diego State University.

At 134 years old, University Heights is one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods and home to the former Mission Cliff Gardens, Bentley’s Ostrich Farm, San Diego Silk Mill, Adams Avenue Carbarn, the first reservoir for the city’s municipal water system, and the San Diego Normal School, forerunner to San Diego State University.

Three new historic markers were installed on May 18th by the University Heights Historical Society with a grant from the County of San Diego, and in partnership with the City of San Diego, the University Heights Community Development Corporation, and the University Heights Maintenance Assessment District.

Join Kristin Harms with the University Heights Historical Society for a live, virtual walking tour via Zoom of the early history of University Heights from the comfort and safety of your own home!

Starting in 1890, a series of successive cable car companies developed the park land at Park and Adams to attract riders up to the barren University Heights. The San Diego Electric Railway Company purchased the property in 1898 and transformed it into the magnificent Mission Cliff Gardens.

Since 1997, the University Heights Historical Society has worked to preserve the architectural, cultural, and historic resources in University Heights through research, education, and advocacy.

On March 24, 2020, the City of San Diego Code Enforcement Department issued a notice of violation to the owner of 1608 Mission Cliff Drive for illegally replacing the 122 year old wood gate and railing atop the historically-designated cobblestone wall on Adams Avenue between the deadend and Mission Cliff Drive.

John Davidson was the Scottish-born landscape gardener who transformed Mission Cliff Gardens into a 38-acre botanical wonder.