About Mission Hills

Our History

Captain Henry James Johnston came into San Diego Harbor on a regular basis back in the mid-1800s because he was the captain of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company’s S.S. Orizaba. The Orizaba was a wooden side-wheel ferryboat steamship that operated between San Francisco and San Diego beginning in 1865. Every time he came into port, the captain looked up to the barren hills overlooking the harbor. He eventually decided to purchase the land in the hope of building a home there when he retired.

Historic Districts

Learn about Mission Hills Heritage efforts to preserve what cannot be replaced through the judicious creation of historic Districts, and see a map to learn more:

Architectural Styles in Mission Hills

Mission Hills was largely built between the end of the 19th century and 1940.  Following are examples of the primary architectural styles prevalent during that period.

Lost Forever

Lost forever is a section we add to show the loss of ambiance, original architecture or overall outright loss as the result of insensitive, inconsistent or inappropriate development.

Restorations

Ending On a high note, just a few examples of the remarkable restoration work, labors of love and conservancy to preserve one of San Diego’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods for future generations.