Paradise Hills Tutors

About Paradise Hills

Primarily a residential area of San Diego, Paradise Hills is just north of Chula Vista and east of National City. Originally included in the land connected with Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the area which is now Paradise Hills was later part of Rancho Otay owned by José Antonio Estudillo and María Magdalena Estudillo, children of Spanish Captain José Maria Estudillo who came to California with Gaspar de Portolá and Father Junipero Serra. Long an important name in San Diego history, the Estudillo’s lived in Old Town where they built a large adobe house, Casa de Estudillo, which still stands and is thought to be one the oldest surviving buildings in California. Casa de Estudillo, now part of San Diego State Historic Park, has been restored to the way it would have looked during the old rancho period. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark. For many years, the Estudillo’s raised large herds of cattle on Rancho Otay and Rancho Janal to the south of Old Town. In fact, for a time in the early 1800’s, beef was cheaper than salt. After the U.S.-Mexican War of 1848, California became part of the United States and although some of the ranchos continued to exist, their days were numbered as more and more American settlers gobbled up the land in and around San Diego. The term “Paradise,” referring to the Valley and the Hills, goes back to 1869 when a sea captain by the name of Crain came to the area after a particularly long and difficult voyage around Cape Horn. The excellent climate and beautiful rolling hills prompted Crain to name the place paradise. Today, Paradise Hills has a diverse population with large numbers of Hispanics and Asian-Americans.

It’s likely that a Paradise Hills tutor will keep you ahead of the academic curve so you can take time out from your studies to enjoy the things to do in Paradise Hills and the greater San Diego area. For outdoor enthusiasts, Sweetwater Summit Regional Park is just a few miles east of Paradise Hills. The 500-acre park offers modern campsites, hiking, biking and equestrian trails and fishing in Sweetwater Reservoir. The park also has a pavilion with kitchen facilities, a campground amphitheater and a 13-station exercise course.

To the west, the 2,620-acre San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife habitat which seeks to protect the natural environment including the marshes along the bay and more than 200 species of birds. The refuge encourages visitors and has a half mile walking and biking trail as well as ample opportunities for photography. The best time of the year for wildlife observation happens in spring and summer when thousands of migrating waterfowl return to the bay. The refuge also offers programs to educate children on the bay’s wildlife and expose them to the unique plants, animals and ecosystems that live there.

For shoppers, the Westfield Plaza Bonita mall is just a short drive south from Paradise Hills. The Westfield features two levels in a beautiful indoor setting. Popular stores include the Disney Store, Bath and Body Works and Aeropostale. Diners can catch a bite at popular eateries such as Applebee’s, Hooters and Panda Express.