Hillcrest
WHO will love living in Hillcrest?
Anyone who loves approaching life with verve and gusto. Hillcrest is San Diego’s de facto LGBTQ community, though is considered a favorite even by San Diego locals who don’t live there. If you swoon over historic architecture and vintage details, you’ll opt to live in the stately homes, Craftsman bungalows, and mansions in the connecting neighborhoods, Mission Hills and Bankers Hill.
WHAT will you see?
A bustling and spirited street scene, lined with trendy restaurants, chic wine bars, vibrant nightlife, and stylish clothing boutiques and family thrift stores. It’s not all urban though. Balboa Park, San Diego’s 1,200-acre cultural and nature-packed gem, lives right here too. Which means you can go jogging, biking or running, visit a museum, go to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, watch a Tony-award winning play, be serenaded by a violinist – all in one lush location.
WHERE will you eat?
Everyone in San Diego would agree: Hillcrest delivers a 1-2 punch when it comes to its plates and pours. Foodie-favored restaurants practically line the street side-by-side from Moroccan, to Afghani, to Thai, to Indian, to Vietnamese, to French. Boozy brunches and Sunday Fundays are BIG here, from Crest Café, Hash House a Go Go, Snooze AM Eatery and Fig Tree Café. And don’t miss Mister A’s, a landmark in Bankers Hill for 50 years, where you’ll dine elegantly on French-American cuisine overlooking gorgeous San Diego views.
HOW will you spend your time?
On foot, exploring all the urban gems within blocks of you. The nightlife scene is also a pure crowd-pleaser. From raucous dance parties at gay nightclubs to no-frills neighborhood bars to dimly lit wine bars, any night here is a fun night. Your Sunday adventure: Browsing and feasting at the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market, which draws people from all over the county with more than 175 vendors. With all there is to see, do, and eat right here, you may forget that you even have a car.
WHY you’ll love living here?
Because Hillcrest is full-on fabulous, that’s why. This place oozes zest and packs in a lot of color and character on its bustling streets. Right at your doorstep, you’ll be within steps to Balboa Park and countless options for eating, sipping, and entertainment. While most long-timers own the quiet, stately homes and pristine mansions in Mission Hills and Bankers Hill, Hillcrest attracts a lot of renters who love the metropolitan lifestyle.
