South Park stands out in San Diego for its tree-lined streets, compact blocks, and walkable business district. Predominantly a single-family residence area with some bungalow courts and small apartment buildings, it is noteworthy for its fine and varied collection of Spanish Colonial Revival and Craftsman style homes built between 1905 and 1930. Many of the houses are historically designated.

South Park has been gaining repute for its small businesses since the 1990s, and has long been home to a group of residents diverse in income, age, sexual orientation, and race. Pedestrianism, like in other urban mesa neighborhoods north of Balboa Park, is high relative to the rest of San Diego. 30th Street forms its main business district and has been called the nation’s best craft beer boulevard by Men’s Journal. South Park can be found off 30th Street via car or bicycle and is served by the number 2 line bus.

South Park is bounded roughly by Balboa Park on the west, Switzer Canyon on the north, SR 15 on the east, and A street on the south. The southern portion of South Park shares the 92102 zip code with Golden Hill and the northern portion shares the 92104 zip code with North Park.