Mission Hills is located above Old Town on the rolling hills that overlook the harbor. The area was home to many of San Diego's pioneers and many of the homes are historical.  Architect Irving Gill designed many of the houses that are now lovingly preserved and renovated.  There are California bungalows, craftsman homes, Spanish Revival and Mission-style homes and many other one of a kind residences.

Kate Sessions, the landscape artist for Balboa Park, started the Mission Hills Nursery over a century ago in the area and it still functions as the center of the neighborhood. Washington and Goldfinch Streets are the commercial center of the neighborhood and provide residents with shopping and services.  Small cafes and specialty retail shops line the streets and offer unique goods.