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Neighborhood guide · 22 of 56
Normal Heights
Dives, old vinyl, and 2am pints along Adams Avenue.
7
lists reference this hood
9
ranked places
Fri–Sat evenings
best time to come
START WITH
The 12 Best Ice Cream Shops in San Diego, Ranked →
22Normal Heights is the strip San Diego forgot to polish, and that's the point — a mile of Adams Avenue where the Irish pub has held its liquor license since 1940, the record shop has been spinning since 1984, and the coffee house pours until 11pm. Be honest about what's gone: Antique Row is down to one dealer, DiMille's closed after 47 years, and Lestat's shuttered its music room. The bars never blinked. Come on a Friday — vinyl DJ set at Blind Lady, last pint at the Ould Sod.
The essentials — if you only do 5 things
1browse
Nickelodeon Records
2drink
Blind Lady Ale House
3landmark
Adams Ave sign
4morning
Lestat's
5late
The Ould Sod
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Normal Heights · exact locations
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Read the lists — 4 lists cover Normal Heights
The index — ranked places, by category
EAT1 ranked
1
Mariposa Ice Cream
homemade scoops · Wed–Sun only · $
Mariposa turns restraint into an advantage.
DRINK4 ranked
1
Blind Lady Ale House
#1 citywide beer bar · beer-hall pizza · $$
2
3
4
DO1 ranked
1
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Street fair: Adams Avenue Street Fair, Sep 19–20 — SoCal's biggest free music festival; the street closes
Parking: street only — Adams fills first, so try the numbered side streets
Tuesdays: Blind Lady is closed Tuesdays; vinyl DJ nights run Fri–Sat 7–11pm