Urban Oasis' Guidebook
Our Neighborhood
University Heights is a cute, safe, historic and walkable neighborhood. We have a great selection of restaurants and bars all within walking distance of the Urban Oasis.
There are some quirky landmarks, as well as historic remnants from places and things that originally helped populate the area and develop it's character
46 habitants recommandent
University Heights
There are some quirky landmarks, as well as historic remnants from places and things that originally helped populate the area and develop it's character
Lancer’s is our local dive bar. It’s a time capsule. Worth a drink and shooting a game of pool.
13 habitants recommandent
The Lancers
4671 Park BlvdLancer’s is our local dive bar. It’s a time capsule. Worth a drink and shooting a game of pool.
Trolley Barn Park was the best idea the residents of University Heights ever had! This is a gem of a park, literally right around the corner from the Urban Oasis. It has play equipment and swings for the smaller kids and lots of grass to run around on, or have a picnic on. In the Summer, there are concerts on Friday at 6:00. Take a blanket and pick up some take-out food from one of the neighborhood eateries and enjoy the music. Mrs. Frosty’s soft-serve ice cream truck is usually there to provide dessert.
56 habitants recommandent
Parc Trolley Barn
1943 Adams AveTrolley Barn Park was the best idea the residents of University Heights ever had! This is a gem of a park, literally right around the corner from the Urban Oasis. It has play equipment and swings for the smaller kids and lots of grass to run around on, or have a picnic on. In the Summer, there are concerts on Friday at 6:00. Take a blanket and pick up some take-out food from one of the neighborhood eateries and enjoy the music. Mrs. Frosty’s soft-serve ice cream truck is usually there to provide dessert.
Food scene
A neighborhood gem. Sit in the main, open-air restaurant, or in the bar area. Great cocktails and everything is good on the menu. Architectural award-winning space.
58 habitants recommandent
Madison
4622 Park BlvdA neighborhood gem. Sit in the main, open-air restaurant, or in the bar area. Great cocktails and everything is good on the menu. Architectural award-winning space.
Kairoa has been a nice add to the neighborhood selection of restaurants. Awesome rooftop bar and dining with mostly open-air seating. The beer and menu have a New Zealand spin. Try the Barbacoa Fries, they're tasty!
29 habitants recommandent
Kairoa Brewing Company
4601 Park BlvdKairoa has been a nice add to the neighborhood selection of restaurants. Awesome rooftop bar and dining with mostly open-air seating. The beer and menu have a New Zealand spin. Try the Barbacoa Fries, they're tasty!
If you can afford a splurge, get the Omikase 8-course meal for $135. Soichi is a Michelin Star restaurant and books about 3 months out, so make a reservation early for a very special dinner.
12 habitants recommandent
SOICHI
2121 Adams AveIf you can afford a splurge, get the Omikase 8-course meal for $135. Soichi is a Michelin Star restaurant and books about 3 months out, so make a reservation early for a very special dinner.
This vegetarian Thai restaurant has proven itself to be a personal favorite. Just remember the "meats" are all mock versions of chicken, duck and fish.
98 habitants recommandent
Plumeria Vegetarian Restaurant
4661 Park BlvdThis vegetarian Thai restaurant has proven itself to be a personal favorite. Just remember the "meats" are all mock versions of chicken, duck and fish.
Stella Jean's has unique and flavorful homemade ice creams. There is usually a line outside the door, but it's worth the wait.
17 habitants recommandent
Stella Jean’s Ice Cream
4404 Park BlvdStella Jean's has unique and flavorful homemade ice creams. There is usually a line outside the door, but it's worth the wait.
Bahn Thai is a very popular fast-food restaurant for Thai food enthusiasts. It's very small and there isn't much seating, but it's great for take-out.
95 habitants recommandent
Bahn Thai
4646 Park BlvdBahn Thai is a very popular fast-food restaurant for Thai food enthusiasts. It's very small and there isn't much seating, but it's great for take-out.
Sometimes you just want a good steak. Go to Rare Society. Great cocktails and aged beef selection.
8 habitants recommandent
Rare Society
4130 Park BoulevardSometimes you just want a good steak. Go to Rare Society. Great cocktails and aged beef selection.
This restaurant is family-run, using mama's recipes from Ethiopia. It is authentic Abyssinian food that you eat with your hands, (wipes provided). Very unique flavors and spices combine to provide a special meal.
57 habitants recommandent
Muzita Abyssinian Bistro
4651 Park BlvdThis restaurant is family-run, using mama's recipes from Ethiopia. It is authentic Abyssinian food that you eat with your hands, (wipes provided). Very unique flavors and spices combine to provide a special meal.
If you want a great sandwich or salad, try BFD. It's a great corner lunch spot, with indoor and outdoor seating. The owners have a long history of working in the food service industry and they do a nice job.
39 habitants recommandent
Big Front Door
4075 Park BlvdIf you want a great sandwich or salad, try BFD. It's a great corner lunch spot, with indoor and outdoor seating. The owners have a long history of working in the food service industry and they do a nice job.
Try any of these pop pies, (AKA pot pies). They offer a vegetarian Jackfruit pie option, as well as traditional chicken, but no gluten free options.
26 habitants recommandent
Pop Pie Co.
4404 Park BlvdTry any of these pop pies, (AKA pot pies). They offer a vegetarian Jackfruit pie option, as well as traditional chicken, but no gluten free options.
Great Maple expanded into their whole parking lot during the pandemic and they've tripled their dining capacity. They offer some amazing fresh Maple doughnuts with bacon and their French Toast Logs with bacon are terrific! Lunch is also great here, but parking can be tough because the DMV is on the next block.
144 habitants recommandent
Great Maple
1451 Washington StGreat Maple expanded into their whole parking lot during the pandemic and they've tripled their dining capacity. They offer some amazing fresh Maple doughnuts with bacon and their French Toast Logs with bacon are terrific! Lunch is also great here, but parking can be tough because the DMV is on the next block.
Sightseeing
The San Diego Zoo is one of the top zoos in the country. They are constantly expanding and remodeling to make it even more amazing. Plan to go for most of the day - it's a pricey entrance fee. Ride the Skyfari from one side of the zoo to the other for an awesome view from above. The best dining (and beer) is at the Treehouse.
2510 habitants recommandent
Zoo de San Diego
2920 Zoo DrThe San Diego Zoo is one of the top zoos in the country. They are constantly expanding and remodeling to make it even more amazing. Plan to go for most of the day - it's a pricey entrance fee. Ride the Skyfari from one side of the zoo to the other for an awesome view from above. The best dining (and beer) is at the Treehouse.
Balboa Park is magical to walk through, (especially at night). The buildings are remnants from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The museums are top-notch. The newest building is the recently reopened Mengei Museum, also known as the Folk Art Museum. If you are an architectural fan, Jeniffer Luce was the skillful architect of this space. The Natural History Museum is terrific, as well as the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Air and Space Museum is always a favorite as well. Visit the Prado restaurant, or Panama 66 for lunch.
3290 habitants recommandent
Parc Balboa
Balboa Park is magical to walk through, (especially at night). The buildings are remnants from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The museums are top-notch. The newest building is the recently reopened Mengei Museum, also known as the Folk Art Museum. If you are an architectural fan, Jeniffer Luce was the skillful architect of this space. The Natural History Museum is terrific, as well as the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Air and Space Museum is always a favorite as well. Visit the Prado restaurant, or Panama 66 for lunch.
Coffeehouses
Neighborhood coffee houses
If you're in the mood for a fantastic cup of joe and a cozy atmosphere, look no further than Good Omen Coffee. It's conveniently located just a couple of blocks from the house, so it's the perfect spot to start your day or take a leisurely break.
Good Omen Coffee Co
If you're in the mood for a fantastic cup of joe and a cozy atmosphere, look no further than Good Omen Coffee. It's conveniently located just a couple of blocks from the house, so it's the perfect spot to start your day or take a leisurely break.
Meraki Cafe is an absolute must-visit if you're looking for a charming spot to enjoy a delicious meal or a rejuvenating cup of coffee. Located within one block of the house, it's the perfect destination for breakfast, brunch, or a casual lunch.
Meraki Café
1735 Adams AveMeraki Cafe is an absolute must-visit if you're looking for a charming spot to enjoy a delicious meal or a rejuvenating cup of coffee. Located within one block of the house, it's the perfect destination for breakfast, brunch, or a casual lunch.
Groceries
If you're looking for a convenient spot to grab groceries during your stay, we highly recommend Sprouts Farmers Market. It's less than a mile from the house, so you can easily pop over whenever you need something. The walk there is quite pleasant, taking about 15 minutes, and you can soak in some of the local scenery along the way.
Sprouts carries fresh and healthy food options, making it a great choice for stocking up on essentials or picking out some delicious treats.
Sprouts Farmers Market
If you're looking for a convenient spot to grab groceries during your stay, we highly recommend Sprouts Farmers Market. It's less than a mile from the house, so you can easily pop over whenever you need something. The walk there is quite pleasant, taking about 15 minutes, and you can soak in some of the local scenery along the way.
Sprouts carries fresh and healthy food options, making it a great choice for stocking up on essentials or picking out some delicious treats.