The Azalea Park neighborhood is a community within City Heights in the greater San Diego, California area. Secluded and canyon-laced, located on top of a plateau 3 miles east of San Diego Bay, with an elevation of around 300 feet. Bordered to the North by Manzanita Canyon (Lexington Street, officially, paper street at bottom of canyon), Fairmount Avenue to the East, Interstate 805 to the West and Hollywood Park to the South.
Azalea Park Neighborhood enjoys a very moderate climate avoiding the overcast conditions along the coast and the extreme heat of the inland areas. A strong "ocean" breeze helps to keep Azalea Park cool in the summer due to its location at the edge of the plateau.
Azalea Park was once, and still "officially" known as Lexington Park. Azalea Park was a real estate sub-division and in mid-1980s the Lexington Park Neighborhood Association decided to begin using Azalea Park to refer to themselves. The Lexington Park Neighborhood Association soon disbanded due to members moving, dying, or otherwise losing interest.
In 1993 residents started the Azalea Park Neighborhood Association. Many of the association members, some of whom are gay, decided to "market" the neighborhood at the local gay pride celebration. In July, 1993 a small band of supporters, most of them were straight, gathered together and marched along side a red Volkswagen Cabriolet with faux plants sticking out the back and carrying hand painted banners and signs touting "Canyon Homes under $60,000". And thus began the continuing run of the Azalea Park entry in the San Diego Gay Pride Parade. Many new lesbian and gay residents, young married couples, families, and single "first time" homeowners have now added to the diversity of the neighborhood.
Many residents have been in the community for 50 years or more. A large percentage of the homes in Azalea Park are owner occupied. New arrivals have significantly improved both the physical appearance and the community spirit here.
There is a tradition of strong community involvement. In addition the resident regularly join together for canyon clean-ups, neighborhood paint-outs, toy drives and other community related activities. Azalea Park has one of the largest and most active neighborhood associations in San Diego.