Bankers Hill

Bankers Hill

Bankers Hill is an uptown San Diego neighborhood named for its historic reputation of being home to the city’s financial elite. Today, Bankers Hill is seen as a perfect example of how to preserve heritage while embracing progress.

Its streets are lined with a charming mix of elegant century-old properties and attractive modern apartments and condos. It’s also home to some of San Diego’s best-loved restaurants, both old and new. Balboa Park forms Bankers Hill’s eastern border, meaning this enticing neighborhood is immediately adjacent to some of San Diego’s biggest cultural attractions.

Irving Gill and other notable architects designed Bankers Hill real estate from the late-1800s onwards, and contemporary developers have been careful to ensure more recent additions don’t detract from the neighborhood’s distinctive charm. Bankers Hill’s elevated topography provides breathtaking views over the city, the bay, and Mount Soledad.

Having garnered a reputation for the homeplace of bankers in years past, Bankers Hill remains affluent but is today home to a much more diverse populace. The neighborhood’s prominence as a San Diego culinary hotspot has grown considerably over the past decade, and many young urban professionals have moved into what has become one of the city’s trendiest places to live. With Balboa Park on your doorstep and a truly distinctive architectural mix, Bankers Hill uniquely combines historic refinement with contemporary flair.

Bankers Hill’s seamless blending of old and new extends to its restaurant scene. Mr. A’s has mesmerized visitors with its unbelievable rooftop views since 1965. Whether stopping in for a cocktail or enjoying a leisurely dinner while watching the sunset, Mr. A’s is a Bankers Hill must-visit.

More recent stylish additions to the neighborhood include CUCINA Urbana, which combines a restaurant specializing in creative spins on Italian classics with a wine shop that features over 200 labels from around the world. Azuki Sushi and Hane Sushi offer exceptional Japanese dishes alongside an extensive selection of sake, beer, and cocktails. For coffee, James Coffee Co. is a popular spot offering handcrafted artisanal blends.

Spanning 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is undoubtedly Bankers Hill’s star attraction. Established in 1835, Balboa is one of the nation’s oldest dedicated public parks. Experience its history by visiting sites remaining from major expos in 1915 and 1936, visit one of the numerous museums or San Diego Zoo, or simply relax with a stroll through its grounds or a picnic on the grass.

Balboa Park events include a springtime cherry blossom festival, major gatherings for San Diego Pride and Earth Day, and musical performances spanning many genres as part of the Twilight in the Park Summer Concert Series.

Bankers Hill Art & Craft Beer Festival has become an anticipated event since it began in 2011, bringing beers from over a dozen local breweries together with installations from local artists. Another unique attraction is Spruce Street suspension bridge. Straddling a deep ravine, this footbridge has fantastic views.

Bankers Hill is zoned to the San Diego Unified School District. Highlights include: