The Hillcrest neighborhood is a popular and safe neighborhood that is best known for its LGBTQ+ community and exciting events. Here are some of our favorite things about Hillcrest.

Safe and Welcoming

In Hillcrest, everyone is welcome. The center of the San Diego LGBTQ+ community, Hillcrest has made a name for itself as a place for people of every identi ty to be at home. With plenty of LGBTQ+ friendly bars, clubs, and vibrant nightlife, Hillcrest is a great neighborhood to meet people and participate in a kind community.

Adding to the welcoming atmosphere, Hillcrest is one of the lowest-crime neighborhoods in downtown San Diego. San Diego as a whole is considered one of the safest cities in the U.S., which means that, as a resident of Hillcrest, you should feel secure in your home and travels.

Festivals and Events

San Diego Pride is the largest civic event in the region, and Hillcrest is where it all starts. As many as 250,000 people attend the parade, which embarks on a mile-long route through the Hillcrest neighborhood. Parade participants include colorful floats, activist groups, community members, and much more. The official celebration is a two-day festival, but events are happening all around Pride Week in Hillcrest; She Fest is a Pride kickoff event centered on LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people. 

Another famous Hillcrest festival is CityFest, a street fair in August that features live bands, arts, crafts, and plenty of food. The art and music festival takes up 9 city blocks of Hillcrest, and is nicknamed “Pride-Light” by locals.

For movie buffs, the San Diego Italian Film Festival is a great event to learn about and view Italian films. The organization behind the festival hosts events throughout the year to celebrate Italian film and culture, and it’s a great way to learn about filmmaking around the world.

Recreation

There is more to do and see in Hillcrest than can ever fit onto one list, but here are a few of our favorites:

Hillcrest’s Broadway San Diego is a member of the nationally recognized Nederlander Producing Company of America. In the past, they’ve brought blockbuster shows like The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King to Hillcrest, and their upcoming season is full of a mix of classics and stunning new performances.

If you can’t get enough music, the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus is always up to something. They produce choral shows three times a year, and can be seen singing at community events. With over 100 dedicated members and hundreds of alumni, the SDGMC is a fundamental presence in the musical history of San Diego. 

Every Sunday you can head on over to Normal Street to walk through the massive Hillcrest Farmer’s Market. The largest Farmer’s Market in San Diego is also the oldest, and you can peruse over 175 vendors selling food, arts, crafts, flowers, clothes, and more!

Transportation

Hillcrest is a very walkable community. With pedestrian-friendly streets and plenty of boutiques and shops, the neighborhood is designed to be perfect for walking and window shopping.

If walking isn’t your speed, you can always bike or take a ride on the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, which serves all of the San Diego area, not just Hillcrest. It’s a great resource to travel within the city, especially if you’d like to go to a neighborhood out of walking distance.

To get a feel for how Hillcrest connects to the rest of the San Diego neighborhoods, the 7 Bridges Hike is a popular sightseeing walking route that takes walkers on a 5.5-mile loop through Balboa Park, downtown San Diego, and Hillcrest. You can join the loop at the Vermont Street or Georgia Street bridges, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon outside.

Education

Hillcrest is a great place for young adults to enter a welcoming community, but it’s also a great neighborhood for young families. The Fleur De Lis preschool and All Saint’s Episcopal preschool are centrally located for parents to drop off their youngest, and Florence Elementary School and Roosevelt Middle School are available for older children.

Hillcrest is also home to Aseltine, a school for children whose learning needs aren’t met by traditional educational settings.

No matter what your children need, Hillcrest can provide the education that is right for them.