Back in the years that San Diego was growing up around Old Town, nothing was happening on the mesa above it, part of which is today’s Mission Hills. A subdivision map was finally filed for the area in 1888. The new community was called Johnston Heights in honor of a sea captain who bought land there to build a home. Johnston Heights didn’t catch on, but the area was more successfully subdivided again in 1910 and called Inspiration Heights — thanks to the views, no doubt. Many homes were built during that period. Local merchant George Marston purchased and developed 22 nearby acres and called his area Mission Hills. That eventually became the name for the entire community.

In Mission Hills, you'll find everything from neat bungalows to stately mansions. Most homes are old; many have spectacular views from La Jolla to Mexico. You'll see lots of Spanish-style architecture. Beloved local architect Irving Gill designed many of the homes.

Mission Hills's boundaries are roughly north of Washington Street to the rim of Mission Valley and west of Brant Street to San Diego Avenue. Because there's no room to grow, the population has remained steady for a couple of decades.

Hillcrest got its start in 1907, when developer William Wesley Whitson bought the 40 acres from First to Sixth Avenue and University Avenue to Lewis Street. His Hillcrest Company put in all the streets and curbs and built the houses. The single-family homes — built by Whitson and later developers — look similar to those in North Park and other older parts of the city. They're mostly charming California bungalows or Spanish style. Many are being renovated; others have been replaced by condos.

This community is a popular office location for doctors (it's sometimes called "Pill Hill") because the community has two major hospitals — Mercy and UCSD Medical Center.

In the last couple of decades, Hillcrest's commercial district has become very trendy. You'll find some of the hottest restaurants and chicest boutiques. But many small Hillcrest businesses have been around for years, so the area holds onto that villagey neighborhood charm.

Hillcrest attracts a wide variety of residents. There are retired folks who have lived there for decades, plus many young professional singles and a large gay population. Like Mission Hills, it's an ideal residential choice for people who work downtown or love the downtown nightlife because of its proximity.

Hillcrest's tree-lined streets are dotted with charming and quirky shops and boutiques, galleries, and antique stores. It's also known for its specialty bookstores. Hillcrest has some of the finest restaurants in the county, particularly on Fifth Avenue. When the sun goes down there is plenty of nightlife — clubs, live music, and art films at the Hillcrest Cinemas.