Brighton Heights offers amenities, parks in walkable area: A Guide to Pittsburgh

Overlooking the Ohio River, Brighton Heights is the largest neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s North Side.

“Brighton Heights is such a great neighborhood,” said City Councilman Bobby Wilson, who represents the area. “Once you get up the hill, it’s very walkable. You see a lot of people walking the neighborhood. It really brings people out of their houses to talk to each other.”

Biking, Wilson said, is also popular and many residents enjoy larger yards than their neighbors in other, denser parts of the city.

“My favorite thing about Brighton Heights is the people,” said Joseph Glassbrenner, president of the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation. “We have a diverse neighborhood, all walks of life. They take pride of ownership, of being a resident of Brighton Heights. They’re welcoming.”

The residential neighborhood boasts two small business districts — one on California Avenue and the other on Brighton Road.

Brighton Heights has amenities of its own but it’s also close to the city’s Downtown area and borders Riverview Park.

A large portion of the land that now comprises Brighton Heights was formerly farmland, Glassbrenner said. Another piece of land in the neighborhood previously housed a country club with a golf course.

An annual house tour, coming up July 30, showcases the historic homes of Brighton Heights and highlights their architecture and heritage.

The neighborhood offers several businesses and parks that attract people to the community, Glassbrenner said. For residents, basic needs are often met within walking distance.

“You can still walk to the barbershop,” Glassbrenner said. “You can still walk to the meat market.”

Food & drink

California Coffee Bar (3619 California Ave.) — The popular coffee shop offers a variety of coffees, as well as tea, lemonade, milkshakes, hot chocolate and smoothies. A small food menu features soups, bagels and sandwiches.

Pop’s & Son Pizzeria (3627 California Ave.) — In addition to standard pizza offerings, this pizza shop serves up specialty slices like BBQ chicken pizza, steak ranchero pizza and Sicilian buffalo chicken pizza.

Pittsburgh Fish & Chicken (1312 Benton Ave.) — The menu here includes chicken and waffle dinners, a variety of wings, perch fish and catfish dinners, plus pies and cheesecakes for dessert.

Miller’s Seafood House (3853 California Ave.) — Seafood lovers can find a variety of options at Miller’s Seafood House, ranging from lobster tails and stuffed shrimp to rainbow trout and broiled swordfish. Other options include veal, spaghetti and steak.

Shops & services

Tom Friday’s Market (3639 California Ave.) — Open since 1955, Tom Friday’s Market boasts a full selection of meats, produce and groceries. The shop touts itself as the last store in Pittsburgh to still carry fresh hanging sides of beef, and all of their meat — including lamb and veal — is cut and hand trimmed on site.

Mustard & Relics (3596 Brighton Road) — The shop sells vintage, handmade and local goods like art, glassware, clothing and collectibles.

California Cycle Path (3635 California Ave.) — For people of any fitness level, California Cycle Path’s certified trainers lead a variety of fitness classes, including indoor cycling, heavy bag training, indoor rowing and Zumba. There’s also open gym time. A portion of new client fees are donated to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Doggone Delightful (3621 California Ave.) — Doggone Delightful offers pet grooming for pups up to 40 pounds.

Jamie Lynne’s Hair Salon (3900 Brighton Road) — The salon offers haircuts, coloring and styling for special occasions. They also offer airbrush makeup services.

Interesting places

Legion Memorial Park (Brighton Road) — A small triangular site bordered by Brighton Road, Shadeland Avenue and Davis Avenue, the park features monuments dedicated to the Brighton Heights residents who fought in World War I, World War II and the wars since. A 25-foot granite sculpture called “Sacrifice” was erected in 1922 as a tribute to the community’s World War I veterans.

Brighton Heights Park (600 Brighton Woods Road) — During the hot summer months, Jack Stack Pool offers a place to cool off. The park also hosts softball and baseball programs through the Brighton Heights Athletic Association.

Marmaduke Park (3915 Oswald St.) — The park features a playground and a dek hockey rink that is home to Team Pittsburgh Dek Hockey.

Little Sisters of the Poor (1028 Benton Ave.) — Known as the James P. Wall Home for the Aged, the home offers independent living apartments for low-income seniors and nursing care. The nonprofit touts the site as “the hidden jewel of the North Side because of the serenity surrounding our property.”

All Saints Episcopal Church (3577 McClure Ave.) — Construction on this church began in November 1930 and the building was dedicated in October 1931. It is still an active church and supports several other nonprofits and community initiatives.

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