SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — For many years, beloved News 8 reporter Larry Himmel did a series on different neighborhoods throughout San Diego County showcasing the charm and unique aspects of each. "Larry Himmel’s Neighborhood" covered areas big and small from the coast to East County and everywhere in between.
Last week we presented a handful of the series and this week we have even more from the early 1990s. There will be additional editions to come so stay tuned!
Bankers Hill
In 1992, Larry visited one of San Diego's oldest neighborhoods - Bankers Hill. A bit hard to find and hard to define, the area sits just south of Hillcrest. One of Larry's stops in the neighborhood was the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge which was built in 1912 and still offers wonderful views today. Bankers Hill was built before World War I by some of San Diego's top architects which is clear from the beautiful homes seen in the area in this clip and if you take a drive there now.
Bird Rock
In this 1992 edition, Larry profiled the coastal community of Bird Rock. One of the residents he talked to said it was like living in paradise, the nicest place in the world. That's hard to dispute. Breathtaking views, tidepools to peruse--Larry called it one of San Diego's very special neighborhoods.
Burlingame
In 1992 he visited the beautiful urban enclave of Burlingame. The sidewalks were pink and the architecture distinctive. One resident described it as quiet, calm, and friendly. Another said it was close to everything. Tucked in between South Park and North Park and east of Balboa Park, this neighborhood built after World War II, is indeed, well worth a visit.
Encanto
This piece from 1992 features the southeastern San Diego neighborhood of Encanto. One local middle school teacher described it as a place full of families and children of different backgrounds. He noted that crime in the area was balanced by all the good coming from the neighborhood as well. Larry called it a neighborhood of hope, despite its spotty reputation.
Encinitas
In this 1993 edition, Larry profiled the North County coastal community of Encinitas. He said it had a winning combination of being fresh yet familiar. The clip features several landmarks that remain in the area as of 2020 including La Paloma Theatre and Pannikin Coffee & Tea. Of course, another attraction of Encinitas is Moonlight Beach where Larry found sun worshippers and plenty of surfers.
