Things to do
Things to do in Mission Hills
Canyon-edge homes above Old Town, a compact Washington Street business strip, and the best-preserved early architecture in the city.
Things to do
Presidio ParkPark
About 40 acres of lawns and trails on the hill where Spain established its presidio in 1769; George Marston bought the land in 1907 and gave the park to the city in 1929. The grounds include the Fort Stockton site and a marker for the palm Junipero Serra is said to have planted.
Junipero Serra MuseumMuseum
William Templeton Johnson's Mission Revival building at the top of Presidio Park, with exhibits on the city's founding and a tower view over Mission Valley and the river mouth.
Mission Hills NurseryShopping
The garden center Kate Sessions founded in 1910, still selling plants from its lot on Fort Stockton Drive and describing itself as the oldest garden center in the city.
1525 Fort Stockton Dr, San Diego, CA 92103
Pioneer ParkPark
A neighborhood park that occupies the former Calvary Cemetery, San Diego's early Catholic burial ground.
Sunset Boulevard and Fort Stockton Drive historic homesLandmark
A self-guided walk through the Mission Hills Historic District passes houses by Hebbard, Requa, Johnson and John Lloyd Wright, many dating from the 1910s and 1920s.
Paseo de Mission HillsLandmark
The small commercial block at Washington and Goldfinch anchored by the 1913 Ace Drugstore building and the 1929 Funcheon Building, the neighborhood's historic main street.
Allen Road Canyon TrailTrail
One of the public canyon trails that drop off the mesa edge, a short, shaded walk through native and ornamental vegetation below the houses.
Washington Street and Goldfinch Street shopsShopping
The neighborhood's business district, with independent restaurants, salons, a pub and service businesses organized under the Mission Hills Business Improvement District.
Eat & drink
Farmer's BottegaFarm-to-table Italian
A Washington Street fixture for brunch and handmade pasta built on locally sourced produce.
Lefty's Chicago PizzeriaChicago-style pizzeria
The Goldfinch Street shop is a neighborhood standby for Chicago deep dish and Windy City street food.
The Shakespeare Pub & GrilleBritish pub
Open since 1990 and billed as San Diego's original British pub, it takes part in neighborhood events like Taste of Mission Hills.
Lucha Libre Taco ShopTaco shop
A wrestling-themed shop on West Washington Street known for queso tacos and attention from the Michelin Guide and food television.
El IndioMexican restaurant and tortilleria
A family-run India Street institution associated with popularizing the taquito in San Diego.
Annual events
Taste of Mission HillsOctober (Oct. 14, 2026)
A walking tasting event across the neighborhood's restaurants, run by the Mission Hills Business Improvement District.
Mission Hills Garden WalkMay
The Mission Hills Garden Club opens private gardens to ticket holders; the next walk is scheduled for May 8, 2027.
Mission Hills Heritage Home TourAnnual (date varies)
Mission Hills Heritage's long-running tour of historic houses, now in its 19th edition.