Hillcrest, San Diego

Located just a few minutes north of Downtown San Diego, Hillcrest sits in the heart of the city, offering an eclectic mix of bars, restaurants, coffee houses, boutiques and specialty shops that can’t be found elsewhere. Hillcrest has long been recognized as San Diego’s queer community, and is celebrated for its pedestrian-friendly streets and incredible dining scene. The colorful, vibrant and diverse neighborhood has continuously transformed over the years but has always maintained its unique queer factor. Hillcrest is an older neighborhood, where many of the streets are lined with trees. There are Craftsman homes and Mid-Century Modern condo buildings that give the neighborhood a vintage architectural feel.

Eat

With an abundance of cafes, bistros and five-star dining restaurants, Hillcrest is a foodie’s dream destination. With over 200 restaurants lining the streets of Hillcrest, there is something for everyone, including those looking for rich flavors of Brazil, Ireland, Afghanistan, France, China, Thailand and India. For those looking for fine dining, head to Arrivederci, Lotus Thai, or Pardon My French. Late night eats can be found at Crest Cafe, Saigon on Fifth, Bronx Pizza, and many others.  You can feast on grass fed beef from Cali “O” Burgers, or sip on craft cocktails from Concept Two-Seven-Eight, or Uptown Tavern.  And don’t forget to treat yourself to decadent sweets from Babycakes or Chocolat.

Play

Since Hillcrest is dominated by a majority of youthful residents, the neighborhood has a thriving reputation for its unique nightlife within San Diego. Hillcrest is obviously known for its progressive attitude and extremely active queer community so a night out here could lead to various scenarios, like seeing a famous artist performing at the intimate Martini’s Above Fourth, or perhaps the Divas San Diego drag show at Rich’s Nightclub. Or watching the latest San Diego Gull’s or San Diego Padres game at Flick’s Sports & Video Bar. Hillcrest is also home to The Merrow, a fun, hip bar where you can catch San Diego’s best bands, comedians, artists and DJ’s. Visit the San Diego LGBT Visitors Center at the foot of the Hillcrest sign to discover the area’s best tours and attractions to write your own Hillcrest story.

Stay

Hillcrest is located next to all of San Diego’s top tourist attractions, right in the heart of the city, minutes away from downtown, the waterfront, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego’s best beaches. It’s an urban paradise with easy access by three of the area’s five major freeways, making it a perfect place to lay your head at night, between all your sightseeing. Wake up in the vibrant, urban neighborhood of Hillcrest. From Uptown to Downtown, the Hillcrest Bed & Breakfast is a great base location for exploring all San Diego has to offer.  Looking to make some memories? Check out Hostel Habibi, or the International Travelers House Hostel. For an extended stay or corporate travel, make sure to visit Vantaggio Suites, located on University Avenue.