Things to do
Things to do in Hillcrest
The heart of LGBTQ San Diego, a Sunday farmers market, and a University Avenue corridor arguing about its own redevelopment.
Things to do
The Hillcrest signLandmark
The neon sign over University Avenue was first put up in 1940, rebuilt in 1984 and retrofitted with color lighting in 2023.
University Ave. and 5th Ave.
Hillcrest Farmers MarketMarket
A large weekly market run by the Hillcrest Business Association on the DMV grounds, with produce, prepared food and crafts.
3960 Normal St.
Pride Promenade on Normal StreetLandmark
A $30 million pedestrian project broken ground in February 2025, adding walkways, rainbow bike paths, a play area and 115 trees; completion is scheduled for late 2026.
Normal St. between University Ave. and Lincoln Ave.
San Diego LGBT Community CenterLandmark
The Center has been based in Hillcrest since 1980 and is a hub for services, meetings and events.
3909 Centre St.
Vermont Street BridgeLandmark
A 420-foot pedestrian bridge completed in 1994 over Washington Street, linking Hillcrest to University Heights and replacing a 1916 wooden trestle.
Vermont St. north of University Ave.
Rainbow crosswalkLandmark
Unveiled in January 2020 at the heart of the LGBTQ business district.
University Ave. and Normal St.
Balboa Park's northern edgePark
Sixth Avenue and Upas Street lead into the park's west mesa lawns and dog-friendly open space within a few blocks of the Hillcrest core.
Uptown nightlife on University AvenueNightlife
Hillcrest's bars cluster on University Avenue and Fifth, from Urban Mo's to neighborhood dives like Number One Fifth Avenue.
Eat & drink
Khyber PassAfghan
A University Avenue restaurant serving kebabs, pulau and mantu for roughly three decades.
Crest CafeDiner
The Robinson Avenue comfort-food diner that has fed Hillcrest into the late evening for decades.
Hash House A Go GoBreakfast
Known for oversized fried chicken and waffle platters and weekend lines.
Bread & CieBakery
The neighborhood's long-standing artisan bakery and café on Fifth Avenue.
Baikohken RamenRamen
A Michelin-recognized Hokkaido-style ramen shop on University Avenue.
Urban Mo's Bar & GrillBar and grill
An LGBTQ gathering spot known for brunch and dance nights.
insideOUTCalifornia-Mediterranean
A University Avenue restaurant built around a garden atrium.
Annual events
San Diego PrideJuly
The Hillcrest Block Party on Friday night and the Saturday morning parade open the city's largest civic event.
Hillcrest CityFestSummer
A street festival first held in 1985 that closes Fifth Avenue for food, music and vendors.
Hillcrest Farmers MarketWeekly, year-round
The standing Sunday gathering on Normal Street.