Normal Heights
Dives, old vinyl, and 2am pints along Adams Avenue.
Start here
9 in total
Neighborhood DiningThe 8 Best Restaurants on Adams Avenue8
Things to DoThe 12 Best Vintage and Thrift Stores in San Diego12
RestaurantsThe Best New Restaurants in San Diego Right Now10
Things to DoThe 9 Best Spas in San Diego9
Breakfast, Bakeries & SweetsThe 12 Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in San Diego, Ranked12
Pizza, Burgers & SandwichesThe 12 Best Pizzas in San Diego, Ranked12
Every list that covers Normal Heights
Updated as places change- 8 rankedNeighborhood DiningThe 8 Best Restaurants on Adams AvenueUpdated Aug 2
- 12 rankedThings to DoThe 12 Best Vintage and Thrift Stores in San DiegoUpdated Aug 2
- 10 current entriesRestaurantsThe Best New Restaurants in San Diego Right NowUpdated Aug 2
- 9 rankedThings to DoThe 9 Best Spas in San DiegoUpdated Aug 2
- 12 rankedBreakfast, Bakeries & SweetsThe 12 Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 31
- 12 rankedPizza, Burgers & SandwichesThe 12 Best Pizzas in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 27
8 rankedBreakfast, Bakeries & Sweets8 Brunches Without a 90-Minute WaitUpdated Jul 24
11 rankedGlobal KitchensThe 11 Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 23
12 rankedBreakfast, Bakeries & SweetsThe 12 Best Ice Cream Shops in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 19
The neighborhood itself
14 verified places · 7 eat & drink and 2 things-to-do listsNormal Heights is the strip San Diego forgot to polish, and that's the point — a mile of Adams Avenue where the Irish pub has held its liquor license since 1940, the record shop has been spinning since 1984, and the coffee house pours until 11pm. Be honest about what's gone: Antique Row is down to one dealer, DiMille's closed after 47 years, and Lestat's shuttered its music room. The bars never blinked. Come on a Friday — vinyl DJ set at Blind Lady, last pint at the Ould Sod.
If you only do 5 things
1Nickelodeon Recordsbrowse2Blind Lady Ale HousedrinkKnow before you go
Street fair: Adams Avenue Street Fair, Sep 19–20 — SoCal's biggest free music festival; the street closes
Parking: street only — Adams fills first, so try the numbered side streets
Tuesdays: Blind Lady is closed Tuesdays; vinyl DJ nights run Fri–Sat 7–11pm
Where they are — 14 verified places
The index
Ranked places pulled from all 9 listsA family has been making ice cream on Adams Avenue since 2000, and the philosophy has not moved: made in the shop, nothing waxy, nothing that coats your mouth on the way down.