Cortez Hill, San Diego facts for kids
Cortez Hill is a neighborhood in the northeast part of downtown San Diego, California. It's known for being one of the city's oldest residential areas and offers amazing views!
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Where is Cortez Hill?
Cortez Hill is located in a busy part of San Diego. It sits south of Bankers' Hill and north of the main Core District of downtown. To its east is Balboa Park, a huge and famous city park. To the west, you'll find Little Italy, a lively area with many restaurants.
The neighborhood covers about 111 acres, which is like 30 city blocks. The actual "hill" part of Cortez Hill rises east of Sixth Avenue. The flatter area to the west is sometimes called Cortez West.
The History of Cortez Hill
Cortez Hill gets its name from the famous El Cortez Hotel. This historic hotel is a big part of the neighborhood's story.
Early Buildings
One of the oldest buildings here is St. Joseph's Church. It was built way back in 1875 at Third Avenue and Beech Street. Later, in 1936, it became St. Joseph Cathedral. This means it's now the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. Even though it has been rebuilt and made bigger over the years, it's still in its original spot.
The El Cortez Hotel
The El Cortez Hotel itself was built between 1926 and 1927. It officially opened its doors on November 26, 1927. For many years, it was the tallest building in San Diego! It held that title until another building, the Executive Complex, was finished in 1963.
Modern Developments
Since 1973, the California Western School of Law has had its campus in Cortez Hill. This brings many students and a lively atmosphere to the area.
In 1992, city planners had a vision to make Cortez Hill even better. They wanted to add more homes and mix in some shops and businesses. Today, the western part of Cortez Hill has many schools and churches. It's also a great place for walking around. You can find shops and cafes along Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Ash Street acts as a gateway, leading you towards the waterfront.
Because Cortez Hill is one of the highest points in downtown San Diego, it offers incredible views. From here, you can see the city, Balboa Park, San Diego Bay, and even the Pacific Ocean! Recent improvements include new retail spaces, many new homes, and the Cortez Hill Neighborhood Park, also known as Tweet Street.
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