Discover Hillcrest in San Diego
Nestled uptown from San Diego's bustling downtown district is the trendy and hip neighborhood of Hillcrest. A hub of locally owned businesses, visitors will find a diverse and eclectic collection of boutiques, thrift stores, diners, restaurants and bars. Hillcrest offers an authentic, local San Diego vibe, where locals and travelers alike mingle to enjoy the colorful community offerings.
The most popular dining and shopping hot spots in Hillcrest are concentrated in "The Village" area that runs along Washington and University Avenues, between Fourth and Fifth Avenue. But there are plenty of hidden gems scattered throughout the neighborhood.
Also home to San Diego's LGBT community, Hillcrest hosts a variety of events and festivals each year, including the festive Gay Pride Parade in the summer. Enthusiastic supporters of the arts, Hillcrest's LGBT community has helped launch a number of excellent restaurants, cafes, art galleries, bookshops, boutiques and furniture stores. The Hillcrest Landmark Cinemas offers independent and foreign films, both classic and obscure. Welcoming to both LGBT visitors and all others are the collection of predominantly LGBT bars, coffee houses and book stores.
Uptown Area of San Diego
Surrounding Hillcrest in the broader Uptown San Diego area are the up-n-coming neighborhoods of South Park, North Park, Mission Hills, University Heights, Normal Heights and Kensington. Each one of these communities are home to unique and authentic San Diego eateries, offering everything from farm-to-table menu options paired with locally craft beer, to quaint French restaurants, legendary Mexican outposts and burger stations.
One-of-a-kind boutiques line the streets of 30th Street and Adams Avenue. You'll find plenty of shopping options, from special interest stores such as bicycle shops (The locally preferred mode of transportation), to art galleries, record stores and locally owned salons.
Balboa Park
Nearby Hillcrest is the world-famous Balboa Park. Built in 1915 for the Panama-California Exposition and expanded in 1935 for the California Pacific International Exhibition, Balboa Park the largest urban park in North America, and home to 85 museums and cultural institutions. Walk along the main promenade to see water fountains, gorgeous Victorian architecture, stunning and colorful gardens, playgrounds for the kids, and plenty of open grass area. Balboa Park is also home to the world famous San Diego Zoo. Exploring everything that the Park has to offer may take a few days, so give yourself plenty of time to explore.
Hillcrest, Uptown and Balboa Park offer the perfect combination of culture, food and fun from the morning well into the evening.
What we Love:- Shopping in the many boutique stores along University Avenue
- Having a picnic in Balboa Park
- Walking through Balboa Park at dusk when the lights come on
- Hillcrest Farmers Market every Sunday in the DMV parking lot
- Hillcrest, Uptown and Balboa Park are great places for arts and culture
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What to Know:- Hillcrest is known for its parking challenges, especially during the weekends
- There is always something going on in Balboa Park, especially on the weekends. Always check to see what fun you can have
- There are not many places to stay in Hillcrest and Balboa Park. Downtown, Old Town and Mission Valley are good and close alternative options
- The majority of shops and boutiques in Hillcrest are along University and 5th Avenues
- The surrounding Uptown neighborhoods are a quick drive or bike away from Hillcrest and Balboa Park
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Getting to Hillcrest
From the North: Take 163 South to University Avenue, which places you in the heart of Hillcrest. If you are heading to Balboa Park, continue south on 163 to Park Boulevard. Exit and left onto Park and follow signs.
From the South: Head north on the 5 freeway to the B Street/Pershing exit and exit onto Pershing. Turn left Florida Drive, left on Zoo Place, and right onto Park Boulevard. Balboa Park will be on your left. To explore Hillcrest, continue on Park and turn left onto University.
Getting to Balboa Park
From the North: Off the I-5 southbound, take the 10th Avenue Exit. Turn left on "A" Street and left again on Park Boulevard. Follow the signs to Balboa Park. Off the Highway 163 southbound, take the Park Boulevard. exit. Turn left on Park Boulevard. Follow the signs to Balboa Park.
From the South: Off the I-5 northbound, take the B Street/Pershing exit to Pershing Street. Take Pershing and then left on Florida Drive. Turn left on Zoo Place to Park Boulevard. Left on Park Boulevard.
