Top 10 Urban Neighborhoods

San Diego isn't exactly known as a city of neighborhoods, but they do exist in this bastion of suburbia. And unlike oh, say, Rancho Penasquitos, San Carlos, Mira Mesa and University City, these places have mucho character. Of course, these urban 'hoods like Hillcrest, North Park and Normal Heights sprung up before the age of post-war stucco and fake Spanish tile tract homes, shopping malls and auto-fueled exodus to what was once open space. Many of these neighborhoods have gone through stretches of hard times, but they've all come back as new generations discovered their unique qualities.

These are neighborhoods that encourage walking and invite you to frequent the local merchant. They are nighborhoods that are great fun to explore on a weekend -- and that you probably didn't even know existed. And they accomplish what modern suburban housing developers have failed miserably at: to foster a sense of neighborhood, in the true sense of the word. That's what makes cities like San Francisco, Seattle, New York great. And it's what San Diego still has a chance to achieve. Find out what are my Top 10 Urban San Diego Neighborhoods.