Join the hip community with an artsy and creative scene
The North Park neighborhood within San Diego is well-loved for its unique atmosphere. While there is an artsy and creative scene, there is also plenty of boutique shopping, food choices, and healthy lifestyle facilities. There is truly something for everyone here.
What to Love
- A creative community with a focus on art
- Plenty of dining choices
- A variety of activities and locales to meet everyone's fancy
- A lively music scene
Local Lifestyle
Everyone can find something to love in North Park. A variety of activities and locales make up the area to ensure there is something for any person to do. Whether you enjoy the arts and want to visit a cultural center, or you prefer music and want to attend a related festival, North Park has it all.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Plenty of dining opportunities abound in North Park. Encontro is a bar and grill serving American fare in an industrial-chic spot. They're open daily to provide you with lunch and dinner selections such as fresh greens, sweet potato tots, truffle fries, or pulled pork sliders.
Louisiana Purchase is a Cajun restaurant that focuses on seasonal fare. Enjoy dishes like the jerk chicken skillet, shrimp po'boy sandwich, crawfish garlic parmesan wings, and lemon pepper catfish. Tabu Shabu is another favored spot. You can choose your own selections of broth, protein, and grains or noodles to complete your meal. You even get to cook it yourself right at your table.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters is the place to visit when you need a pick-me-up. They're open daily between 7 am and 5 pm. Except, this isn't your average coffee shop. Instead, you can grab a bag of coffee to take home or shop their merchandise. You can sign up to have a coffee subscription where you get your beans delivered right to your door.
Many residents prefer heading to Fashion Valley when they want to shop at several places. The center is surrounded by palm trees and flowing fountains to bring you tranquil surroundings. Otherwise, you can stay right in North Park and visit the many boutiques and eclectic shops for unique finds. Artelexia is a great gift shop in the area.
Things To Do
North Park Music Fest takes place each year in the spring or early summer. It's a two-day event that gives you the opportunity to hear many local bands with three different stages set up. You can pick and choose who you want to listen to or stick by one stage to hear the full line-up there for the day.
The Observatory is also a music lover's dream. This 1939 theater has been restored and reclaimed as a live music venue. Many people head to the adjacent West Coast Tavern for a bite to eat before a show.
If you're into art, the Queen Bee's Art and Cultural Center is the place for you. This multi-purpose venue is the site of weddings and special events, as well as art shows, dance classes, and even open mic nights. There's something for everyone here.
Yet another top destination nearby is Balboa Park. The full area includes a variety of museums, gardens, and even a zoo. It spans 1200 acres and can keep you busy for hours on any given day, with something different to do each time you visit. Walk the park trails and see the gardens, watch a musical, see the art center, or take a guided tour. This is one of San Diego's most popular spots to visit and draws in major crowds any time it's open.
