Bankers Hill - San Diego, CA Area Guide

Park West got its original name of Bankers Hill back in the 1890s, when the luxurious homes built there by the leading architects of the day housed wealthy businessmen. Park West, still considered one of San Diego's best neighborhoods, has since been updated and gentrified through the years and now contains a significant gay population, spilling over from Hillcrest to the north.

Although Park West itself doesn't contain any museums, just to its east is Balboa Park, home to the Museum of Man, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Reuben H. Fleet Space Center, the San Diego Museum of Art and the San Diego Air and Space Museum. The museums open for free during the annual December Nights events. Also in Balboa Park, you'll find the much-celebrated Old Globe, a replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatrein London, presenting Shakespearean plays and national tours of Broadway musicals.

Restaurants in Park West tend to be clustered along the north-south streets nearest to Balboa Park. End your afternoon in the park by choosing from several casual or more upscale options. Cucina Urbana on Laurel Street shows you don't have to be in Little Italy to get a great Italian meal. Start with the roasted baby beet/melon and quinoa salad, then follow it up with your choice of a giant meatball, pizza with truffle oil, or the spicy shrimp angel hair puttanesca. When it comes to dessert, the locals rave about the chocolate-Nutella donut. Make sure you arrive early enough to have the bartender create a unique cocktail just for you.

When life seems too fast-paced to sit down for a leisurely meal, Park West has you covered. Stop in at the Marketplace Deli on Fifth for a Christopher Columbus sandwich stuffed with turkey, avocado and Swiss cheese. If a burger suits your style better, grab a Doods Original from the back of The Balboa.

For special occasions, make reservations at Bertand at Mister A's. You may not even notice the stunning views of the city because you won't want to turn your attention away from the amazing food. Mister A's menu includes black truffle mac and cheese that puts an upscale twist to this basic comfort food. Patrons can also try the Kobe beef sliders as a starter. And for the main course, choose between the gorgonzola-encrusted New York steak, paella, and duck confit.

While much of downtown San Diego's rollicking night life clusters around the Gaslamp District, Bankers Hill still provides a few places to keep you happy on a late evening out. Head to the Balboa for live music from local bands with just a touch of that hipster vibe. Take a hint from the name of the bar so you won't be surprised to realize this place serves all its beers in cans. Caliph is a retro bar featuring lounge lizard music, vintage decor and karaoke on weeknights. And finally, head to the Cherry Bomb when you want a dive bar atmosphere with a great jukebox and pool tables in the back.

Public bus lines run through Park West to get you downtown easily. Once downtown, transfer to a trolley to get you around the area or down to the Mexican border in San Ysidro, or hop on Amtrak's Coaster train to head north along the beautiful California coastline. Taxis, Uber, private car services and airport shuttles are all available on an on-call basis.

Most Park West locals choose to get around the city by car. Park West provides easy freeway access to Interstate 5 and route 163, making it easy to head north or east. Parking in the neighborhood can be tough to find, thanks to the proximity of Balboa Park. Make sure you read all parking signs carefully so you don't inadvertently get a ticket, and crimp your wheels to the curb on the steep hills.

Bicyclists and walkers tend to head slightly east to Balboa Park to enjoy miles of dedicated paths and trails. The steep hills of Park West deter all but the most dedicated cyclists from tackling its streets.

Park West gets its name from its location along the west side of Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre park originally set aside in the 1870s. In addition to being filled with museums, Balboa Park also provides a home for the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Check out the Japanese Friendship Garden, the cactus and rose gardens, the puppet theater and the stunningly beautiful classic Spanish architecture, some of which dates back over 150 years. If you're a sports fan, take advantage of golf, lawn bowling, a pool, disc golf, tennis and more. On any sunny day, you can find hundreds of locals spread across the park's vast expanse relaxing, walking their dogs, or watching their kids play. While the park doesn't cost a thing to visit, various attractions do charge for admission, though each museum offers free days. Enjoy free concerts at the Organ Pavilion each summer, or pick up a season subscription to the Old Globe Theatre. Each year, Balboa Park provides a home for Earth Day in April, the San Diego Pride Festival in July, and several marathons or other races.

The cost of living in Park West runs about 6 percent lower than in San Diego overall. Park West residents find it easy to get to downtown, and doing so by bus runs $2.25. If you choose to drive, expect to pay about 10 percent more for gasoline than the national average.

You can settle into a one-bedroom in Park West for about $1,350 per month; you may pay a little more if you want to take advantage of the neighborhood's beautiful views. When you stroll down to the neighborhood pub for a beer, expect to pay about $6 or $7 for your favorite brew on tap.

Although most residents in Park West head downtown to centers such as Horton Plaza for their major shopping or up to La Jolla for high-end jewelry or clothing, Park West has plenty of small, unique shops, especially along Fifth Avenue.

Stop in at Hillcrest Optical when you're in need of sharp-looking eyeglasses or sunglasses. The shop has a huge selection of frames, and the personalized service ensures your glasses are just right, something you can't always count on when going to chain stores.

Brides-to-be in the Park West area know that the White Flower Bridal Boutique makes the task of shopping for a wedding dress fun and relaxing. The owners are patient and intuitive.