Golden Hill

Like many other parts of Southern California, Golden Hill has a storied history. Prior to Europeans landing on the West Coast and establishing mission settlements throughout California, Native Americans lived in the area. The Kumeyaay tribe were the primary residents here during the 18th century, and they made their homes in small rancherias.

As European settlements began to crop up and overtake the existing Kumeyaay population, the size of these rancherias diminished, gradually replaced with the nearby construction and expansion of one of the first Californian communities, “New Town.” By the time California became part of the United States in 1848, they had all but vanished. In 1867, when Alonzo Horton purchased the 1,000 acres of land that would eventually become Downtown San Diego, there were significant changes on the horizon for the neighborhood.

Investors followed Horton’s lead, purchasing property in the area and spurring development. Eventually, the California Southern Railroad linked the settlement to the Santa Fe line and the rest of the transcontinental railroad in the 1880s, which ushered forth an economic development that helped to modernize the area.

At this time, two local developers, Daniel Schuyler and Erastus Bartlett, launched a campaign to name the area that overlooked the city “Golden Hill.” They decided on this name because of the way the sun lit up the area at dusk, which is a phenomenon you can still see to this day.

Golden Hill remained affluent and populous throughout the beginning of the 1920s, but the Great Depression hit the area hard. Many people left the area, and the lack of funds left the town’s development stagnant, leaving many of the buildings in disrepair. This continued until the 1960s and 1970s, when things started to turn around for Golden Hill residents once again.

Golden Hill started to flourish as a cultural center soon after. It was the site of the first Gay Center in San Diego, and many working-class residents moved to the city thanks to its more affordable property values and a streetcar line. Residential life flourished, Craftsman-style bungalows started replacing older mansions, and an architectural renaissance led to the creation of many of the buildings that can still be seen throughout the city.

Balboa Park

Golden Hill is just outside Balboa Park, which is full of exciting activities for visitors. You can visit over a dozen different museums located in the park, including The Fleet Science Center, the Air and Space Museum, and the San Diego Natural History Museum, to name a few. Each museum features educational opportunities spanning from San Diego’s distant past to the present day, and they all offer hours of family-friendly fun, interactive exhibits and shows.

If you’re looking for something else fun to do in Balboa Park, check out local art culture at The San Diego Museum of Art, or visit the incredible, exotic Japanese Friendship Garden. You can even go on a guided walking tour of the Balboa Park area, or enjoy a pleasant picnic in the park.

Gaslamp Quarter

For more history-focused attractions, head about 10 minutes south to the Gaslamp Quarter, where you can see real buildings from as far back as San Diego’s founding that have been restored and maintained. Don’t forget to take a trip to The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House, the oldest structure in all of Downtown San Diego, where you can experience San Diego as it was at different points since the house’s construction in 1850.

If you have kids, The New Children’s Museum is a great way for them to learn about art with hands-on exhibits sure to engage them.

East Village

East Village is just a five-minute drive from Golden Hill, and it’s another must-see neighborhood in the area. It contains Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, which you can tour. It’s also a hub of restaurants, food trucks, breweries, and live music venues, making it an exciting stop on any vacation or weekend trip.

As always, no trip to Golden Hill and the surrounding neighborhoods is complete without the Go San Diego Pass, which is a great option for anyone looking to save on the cost of the attractions in this area. Whether you’re planning an all-day museum tour, an evening of local dining and bar-hopping, or even a quaint stroll through the parks and gardens, the Go Pass ensures you’re getting the most bang for your buck in San Diego!