Our Editors live in Mission Hills and love sharing their favorite businesses with their neighbors, friends, and readers. Our "Spotlight" section will have regular features on the gems of Mission Hills and our nearby communities. If you think your business deserves to be in the spotlight, drop us an email and we'll come check out your business!
  • Mission Hills Masterpiece

    MarilouiseWayVHseMany views of Mission Hills homes are great paintings just waiting to happen so don't be too surprised if you see a painter on the sidewalk in front of your home someday. Larry Groff says he is attracted to painting homes in Mission Hills for the wide variety of visually interesting and historic architecture that are often framed with expressively shaped and colorful foliage and gardens. There is a striking Mediterranean quality to the light and luminosity to the shadows that is just breathtaking at times, particularly later in the day when he prefers to paint.

    Larry Groff often paints homes and other views in Mission Hills for his own artistic interest, not just for commissions, and says that when a home owner expresses interest in acquiring the painting he'll give them a significant discount since they didn't actually commission him.

    His prices start as low as $250 for an 11" x 14" oil painting and would make a great gift for a homeowner.

    His website, Abode Art, is dedicated to commissioned paintings of homes, gardens and other views but he also paints cityscapes and landscapes of San Diego and more that can be seen on www.larrygroff.com.

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  • Got some bees to get rid of?

    Local Bee RemovalDo you have an unwanted bee hive on your Mission Hills property? Did a bee swarm recently take up residence? Many of us that find ourselves in this situation don't want to kill the bees, which is usually what happens when you call a traditional pest control service, but live removal can sometimes be costly.  Well, I met a neighbor in Pioneer Park the other day who does live bee removal as a hobby - he even has his own bee suit!  His name is Robert Lakosil and often assists Diane Bush with live bee removal.  A donation is suggested for their time and effort, but it is much cheaper than a traditional bee removal company. You can reach Robert at 858-882-7414 to see if they can help you with your bee problem.  You can also check out the San Diego Bee Keeping Society website for other live removal specialists: http://www.sandiegobeekeepingsociety.com/swarm-list.php

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  • Mission Hills' very own Bed & Breakfast

    IMG_4748Did you know there was a Bed & Breakfast in Mission Hills?  We didn't either, until we heard about it at a neighborhood party.  It is called Crone's Bed and Breakfast in an historic craftsman at 1302 Washington Place (corner of Washington Place and Ingalls).  It is run by the very friendly Joan Crone and staying there feels like staying at a dear relative's home. 

    She has two rooms available, one with a standard double and ensuite half bath and one queen with full bath just outside the door.  She gets Bread & Cie muffins for breakfast and you can use the laundry room, library/tv room,  as well as store leftovers from a night out in the refrigerator.  If you are going through a home renovation it is an ideal place to stay as you will be close to home and she offers reduced rates for long term stays.  Normal rates are $165/night for 2 people or $150 for 1 person (3 night minimum).  She has been in business for 18 yrs and is listed in the Frommer's guide book.  Reservations can be made by phone: 619-295-4765. Cash or checks - no credit cards.

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  • Personalized Pampering in Mission Hills

    Facials and massage in Mission HillsAs a new mom, I certainly need time out for a little pampering and relaxation. But, as a new mom, I also don’t have a lot of time to spare. So, I was thrilled to sneak away on a recent afternoon for a massage and facial just a few blocks from home.

    Tucked away in an upstairs suite of a shopping complex, is the shared home of Isabela Skincare, and Heather Brandon Massage. The space is simple, but touches such as the shabby-chic chandelier in the common area make it inviting.

    The thing that struck me most about my facial with Isabela was how attentive she was to my individual skincare needs. Past facials have sometimes left me in the dark about what was being applied to my face, and wondering if the exact same products were used on every client, regardless of skin type. Isabela carries several product lines, including Skinceuticals, Jan Marini, and her own brand, so is not married to any specific facial regimen. For me, she chose mostly natural and gentle ingredients and explained each product she applied and why she had selected it for my skin. That’s not to say it was all talk, as there was plenty of time for relaxing. The facial felt thorough, without overdoing it on vigorous extractions or rough scrubbing. When I emerged my skin looked clear and revived- not an easy task for a sleep-deprived new mom.
     
    Next on my relaxation agenda was an hour-long massage with Heather Brandon. Fairly new to the neighborhood, you may have seen Heather offering chair massages at local events such as the Mission Hills Farmers Market and Mission Nights. She specializes in a combination of energy work and traditional massage, and incorporates the long and flowing strokes of the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi technique. However, this is not a one-size-fits-all massage routine and, again, I found the experience to be highly customized to my needs. Rose essential oil offered a pleasant aroma without overpowering the senses. Heather paid special attention to my trouble spots, and was very sensitive to my comfort level with level of pressure she applied. The result was a firm, focused and very therapeutic massage. When the hour was up, I felt rested, energized, and tension-free.

    If you are looking for the full day spa experience, this simple setup may not be for you. But for customized treatments at great prices, Isabela Skincare and Heather Brandon Massage are great options. And the best part is, since they are right here in Mission Hills, you won’t get re-stressed while driving home. For more information, including pricing and treatment menus, click on Isabela and Heather’s business listings here at ourmissionhills.com to find their websites and location on the map.

    UPDATE - Heather is now located in Bankers Hill, but still serves Mission Hills.  Click here for her new address.

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  • A slice of Olde England in Mission Hills

    Afternoon TeaYou are probably already familiar with Shakespeare’s Pub on India St as a favorite spot to watch sporting events or test your trivia skills, but have you discovered the hidden gem located just behind the pub? Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe carries a huge assortment of foodstuffs and gift items from the UK as well as delicious homemade treats.

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  • Fresh and Natural Beauty at Lavish

    For an indulgence you can feel good about, look no further then Lavish Aromatic Botanical Products in the heart of Mission Hills. This store, run by two sisters, sells a variety of natural handmade products based on botanical and essential oils. Here at OurMissionHills.com we love to support local businesses and it is hard to get more local than Lavish, where their products are made on-site.

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  • A Saturday Shopping in Mission Hills

    Your Neighborhood Editors just spent a great afternoon in downtown Mission Hills.  First stop was lunch at Cafe Bleu for some sandwiches with perfectly crisp fries.  Then it was on to Lavish for some hand-crafted moisturizers that they make right there in the store.  On to Sausage King where all meat is smoked on-premises for some country style bacon, cervalet and liverwurst to bring to my grandfather on Monday.  Where to get a present for the 4 year old's birthday party we're attending tomorrow?  Hillside Artisans Children's Boutique of course!  And not to forget our own pup, a stop at Howlistic to stock up on all-natural dog food, bones, and toys. It sure is nice to not have to leave the neighborhood or drive all around - just another day in Mission Hills!

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  • Saffron Thai

    Saffron Thai

    Enjoy the fresh preparations and healthy ingredients of authentic Thai cusine at this pair of restaurants on India Street's restaurant row.  A Mission Hills and San Diego favorite for many years, owner Su-Mei Yu's restaurants reflect the cuisine of her native Bangkok, including her renowned saffron-marinated chicken.

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Upcoming Events

Wed Feb 08 @03:00PM - 07:00PM
MH Farmers Market

Sat Feb 11 @11:00AM - 01:00PM
MH Moms & Dads Group First Event

Tue Feb 14 @06:30PM - 07:00PM
Pajama Storytime

Wed Feb 22 @06:00PM - 08:00PM
Uptown Plan Meeting

Wed Feb 29 @06:30PM - 07:30PM
Free Landscape Lecture

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