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!

A 97-year-old Spanish Colonial gem sits at the west end of Madison Avenue in University Heights and was once owned by Samuel Mason. Mason was president of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Directors of the 1935 Panama California International Exhibition in Balboa Park, and vice president and general manager at both the San Diego Electric Railway and the San Diego & Coronado Ferry companies.

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.

One of the hottest ongoing debates in University Heights is our geographic boundaries. The boundaries of University Heights vary, depending on which map you consult. Check out our new map of University Heights subdivisions.

Wondering if your older home qualifies for up to 50% property tax reduction through the Mills Act? Properties must be historically designated properties in order to qualify for the Mills Act. The University Heights Historical Society can help owners of older properties decide if their home may be potentially eligible for historic designation.

Student sports were in their infancy in 1900 at San Diego Normal School but the college we know today as San Diego State University was eager to launch competitive sports. From its campus on Park Blvd. in University Heights, the one-year-old school was ready for football.

Founded in 1897, San Diego State University (SDSU) is celebrating 125 years of history this year, which includes its first campus in University Heights in 1898. This post focuses on the Normal School from 1910 to 1920.

Founded in 1897, San Diego State University (SDSU) is celebrating 125 years of history this year, which includes its first campus in University Heights in 1898. This post focuses on the Normal School from 1898 to 1910.

One hundred years ago this week, a dispute between the San Diego Electric Railroad and the city of San Diego over street paving came to a head in the so-called Battle of Adams Avenue.

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.

This beautiful Queen Anne Free Classic style home at 1086 Hayes Avenue in University Heights built in 1908 was historically designated by the City of San Diego Historic Resources Board on May 26, 2022.

Show your love for University Heights with our new, 7” diameter, bronze color plaque made from 14-gauge steel, sanded smooth, and coated with a durable UV powder coat to endure the elements for many years to come. Perfect for proudly mounting on the front of your house or business.

A little bit of University Heights history was uncovered in early April when an old hand-painted sign for “Johnston’s Variety Department Store” was revealed under the sign for the former Small Bar at 4628 Park Blvd.

At 133 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.

Check out the new self-guided walking tours of University Heights including historic churches and the Normal School site.

Like everyone, the pandemic has required that we be a little more creative in finding safe ways to educate the public about our community's significant history. With your support, we would like to raise $600 to design and print some new self-guided walking tours of University Heights.

The University Heights Historical Society and University Heights Community Association need the community’s help to eradicate the deadly South American Palm Weevil, a destructive pest that is killing Canary Island Palms throughout San Diego including University Heights

2020 has been a busy year for the University Heights Historical Society. We created new historic walking tours, videos and maps, and advocated for preservation of historic landmarks and trees in University Heights.