May is National Preservation Month! Celebrate by learning about the early history of University Heights, one of San Diego’s oldest communities. Hear about the grand Normal School—predecessor to San Diego State University, how Trolley Barn Park got its name, why there once was an ostrich farm in University Heights, and more.

University Heights is fortunate to have four historic districts, which are defined by the City of San Diego municipal code as a geographic concentration of buildings (or other resources) that collectively convey a shared significance under one or more of the City’s designation criteria.

The University Heights Historical Society is pleased to offer new members a free printed copy of our new self-guided walking tour of the Valle Vista Terrace Historic District.

Per Tyler Renner in Councilmember Chris Ward’s office, “We have received confirmation from Development Services that the property owner will be required to either restore the historic gate and fence if the original materials are still available or reconstruct these elements based off of photo documentation they have.

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.

Sadly, the historically-designated gate and wood railing atop the cobblestone wall west of Mission Cliff Drive was replaced by the owner of 1608 Mission Cliff Drive.

As one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods, University Heights has many historical landmarks. One of the most significant is the site of the Normal School, which was built in 1898 and was the forerunner to San Diego State University.

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

The University Heights Street sign, one of our community’s most distinctive landmarks, was designed by Kevin Whaley and installed in 1997.

Claimed to be the largest municipal elevated water tower in the United States on its completion in 1924, the University Heights Water Tower was instrumental in the development of the surrounding neighborhood.