Central North Park (By Lisa Field/SanDiego.org)
Accolades, North Park

All Eyes Are On North Park

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

The global, online TravelMag has zeroed in on 16 of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in the U.S. — and North Park made the cut.

In devising the list from dozens of dynamic neighborhoods around the country, curators took into account the number of “cool cocktail bars,” “fancy coffee houses,” and “trendy eateries” that have emerged within certain hoods over the past few years. They also noted LGBT-friendly spots, vegan eateries, and unique boutiques.

A number of cherished businesses were cited in the summary for North Park, such as Verbatim Books as being “a hub for gently used titles;” The Observatory, which was built in 1939 and serves as a destination venue for live entertainment; the French-inspired Smoking Goat restaurant; and City Tacos, which is known for its innovative takes on Mexican street food.

“North Park is as much a place for families as it is for singles,” the write-up states in part.

Neighborhoods in other cities that made the list include Frogtown in Los Angeles, Edgewood in Washington, D.C., and Pilsen in Chicago.