Neighborhoods to explore for architectural appreciation?

Question

I’m accompanying my husband to San Diego on a work trip this month and I’d love some ideas on neighborhoods to explore interesting architectural styles. I’ll be staying near the convention center and solo most days but I’ll have a car and would love to get out of that area and spend a bit just driving and looking at houses/neighborhoods with history and character.

Answer

San Diego has a rich variety of architectural styles, ranging from historic Spanish Colonial Revival homes to mid-century modern gems. With a car, you can easily explore neighborhoods that showcase character, history, and interesting designs beyond the downtown convention center area.

Here are some neighborhoods worth visiting for architectural appreciation:

Mission Hills: Just north of downtown, this neighborhood has many early 20th-century homes with Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor, and Craftsman styles. Tree-lined streets and well-preserved estates make for a picturesque walking or driving experience.
Hillcrest: Known for its charming Craftsman bungalows, early 20th-century apartments, and eclectic residential streets. It’s also a lively neighborhood, so you can combine architectural sightseeing with cafés and small shops.
North Park: This area offers a mix of Craftsman and Spanish Revival homes, as well as some early California Modernist architecture. Walking along streets like 30th Street provides a good sense of historical character.
La Jolla: Coastal La Jolla has elegant Mediterranean and Spanish Revival homes, along with some mid-century modern beachfront residences. Even a scenic drive through these streets is rewarding.
Point Loma: Older parts of Point Loma feature historic homes with classic California designs, including Mission Revival and Cape Cod-style residences, as well as charming cottages and hillside views.
Coronado Island: A short drive over the bridge, Coronado’s neighborhoods include iconic mid-century modern homes and historic Spanish Colonial-style estates. The architecture around Orange Avenue and the Glorietta Bay area is particularly notable.

If you prefer a scenic drive, you can combine neighborhoods with coastal or hilltop views, which will also give you insight into how architecture interacts with the landscape. San Diego’s varied topography allows you to see homes with different styles in unique settings.

Tip: Bring a camera and plan your driving route in advance to hit several neighborhoods in one outing. Many of these areas are pedestrian-friendly, so short walks along streets can reveal architectural details you might miss from a car.

Neighborhoods to explore for architectural appreciation?

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