Join the welcoming and vibrant community
As the center of San Diego's LGBTQ+ community, Hillcrest is a welcoming place where many residents love living. This vibrant and bustling neighborhood offers many unique dining destinations and local attractions to keep you busy. This includes independent specialty stores and locally-owned cafes and clubs.
What to Love
- Extremely welcoming for all
- Wide variety of locally-owned shops and eateries
- Home of the San Diego Pride Parade
Local Lifestyle
You’ll always feel welcome in Hillcrest! A plethora of parades and events get held here throughout the year as a way for everyone in the neighborhood to come together and celebrate their similarities and uniqueness all at once. Plenty of popular attractions are available daily, whether you want to dine at luxurious places or shop to your heart's content.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Hillcrest offers ample dining opportunities. Try Tajima Ramen Bar if you're in the mood for Japanese cuisine. You can also experience ramen noodles in entirely new ways than what you're used to at home. There's a fun atmosphere at this well-loved spot in town.
If you prefer Californian cuisine or Mediterranean-inspired dishes, then insideOUT is the place for you. This lively restaurant offers a main dining area, an open-air atrium, and ample outdoor seating. It's especially popular during Happy Hour, Tuesday through Friday, between 4 and 6 pm.
The hip restaurant Hash House A Go Go serves creative takes on American fare and is known throughout the city for its bloody Mary drinks. Though you can visit for breakfast, the joint is most popular for brunch and dinner. Many comfort food dishes are favored here, including chicken pot pie, meatloaf, and a fried chicken sandwich.
Barrel & Board is yet another well-loved establishment in Hillcrest. They're generally open for dinner and drinks in the afternoon through late night. Many enjoy the "build your own board" selection, where you can choose a few of your favorites for the chef to create the ideal charcuterie for you.
Fashion Valley is the shopping center you don't want to miss when you want to spend hours hitting the shops. A movie theater is even on-site, so you can catch a flick before, after, or even during your shopping excursion.
Things To Do
The San Diego Pride Parade takes place in Hillcrest. It is the largest event of its kind in the region and has been known to draw more than 300,000 people to the area. The organizers of this parade host and help with many other events throughout the year to always keep the pride going. Try the CityBeat Festival of Beers in the spring. It combines the love of craft beer with live music. You'll make your way to North Park to participate. Nightmare on Normal Street takes place in the Pride Plaza in October.
The art scene is also on point in Hillcrest. The Studio Door is a favored art gallery that features local artists. There are rotating exhibits and special events to attend throughout the year. When you want to see some history, The Abbey on Fifth is a go-to spot. This wedding venue and event space spans 10,000 square feet and has been enhanced significantly inside since it was built in 1910.
Many community members also get together each week for the Hillcrest Farmers Market. It runs each Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm and features more than 175 vendors selling fresh produce, arts and crafts, and other unique creations. More than 10,000 people are in attendance each week while local musicians play live. It's a fun event for all ages.
