University Heights Tutors Come To You

Laidback, hip, quirky and creative—that’s University Heights, a neighborhood in central San Diego. The “university” in the name goes back to the 1880s, when the city planned to build a branch of University of Southern California (USC) near the corner of today’s El Cajon and Park boulevards. Instead, it built the State Normal School, which was the precursor to San Diego State University. Currently, the San Diego Unified School District offices are located at the site.

Adjacent to Hillcrest, Normal Heights, and North Park, University Heights is convenient to downtown, Balboa Park, Mission Valley, the airport, and SDSU. Residents love the area’s eclectic selection of boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, and artists’ studios, found primarily on Park Boulevard and Adams Avenue. But there’s plenty of other things to do in University Heights. Students who hire a University Heights tutor have more free time to enjoy their neighborhood and its special activities.

Trolley Barn Park
The park exists at the former location of a massive brick trolley barn that was used for maintenance of streetcars in the first half of the twentieth century. Once streetcars were retired in 1949, the barn was converted into a warehouse for the San Diego Paper Box Company. The warehouse was demolished in 1979, and the land lay vacant for years. However, developer Hooper-Goode was eyeing the site for new housing comprised of ninety-six condominiums. In 1983, the developer decided it wanted to build 136 apartments instead. However, a group of University Heights residents lobbied the city to utilize the space as a park. A year later, Hooper-Goode upsized its development plans for the space and announced new plans to build two five-story, seventy-five-unit towers. By then, the community was riled up, and nearly 200 people turned out for the inaugural meeting of the University Heights Community Association. Finally, in 1985, the city council approved the purchase of the land to create a park, which was completed in 1991. The park is now a gathering place for young families and a part of the neighborhood’s identity.

Summer in the Park
Trolley Barn Park is truly the community’s hub, and this is obvious during the free concerts held there. On Friday nights during summer, residents bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy music while socializing, dancing, or eating a picnic supper.

University Heights Arts Open
This annual event allows visitors to view local art studios and artist venues. Painters, potters, poets, sculptors, and musicians give talks and demonstrations. The free event is often held in conjunction with Taste of University Heights, which requires a ticket and provides delectable samples of University Heights restaurants.

J.A. Cooley Museum
This attraction happens to be in North Park—but close enough! The museum holds fifteen cars dated from 1886 through 1933 and hundreds of antiques. Guests receive a personal tour from owner and curator Jim Cooley. The museum’s collection helps University Heights tutors, teachers, and students to imagine life in San Diego many generations ago.