7.9 out of 10

Hillcrest

Ranked 6th best neighborhood in San Diego
32.7486431554516 -117.160321159564
Great for
  • Public Transport
  • Internet Access
  • Eating Out
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Nightlife
Not great for
  • Parking
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Greatest neighborhood in San Diego"

Walk to anything you would ever need from this neighborhood. Unique shops, bookstores,coffee shops, every kind of restaurant you can imagine. Whole foods, Trader Joes, Ralph's, bars with great Happy Hour menus. Hillcrest has a vibrant community. Retirees, students, straight and gay people are all welcome in this friendly community. The summer host the annual Pride parade which is always fun and exciting. It is a very progressive place to live. There is a farmers market every Sunday, you will find a wide array of fruits, vegetables and other wonderful organic goods. Balboa Park is world class . We have the fabulous San Diego Zoo , Museums are all located in the park area. There is plenty of parking but if you live in Hillcrest you can walk to the park. It is that close! I can't say enough great things about this area. Wonderful urban area.
Pros
  • Best restaurants in the city
  • Balboa Park, Zoo, Museums
  • close to freeway
  • loads of dining and shopping
  • Vibrant gay friendly neighborhood
Cons
  • University Ave can be challenging at times
  • some traffic
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Trendy San Diego Neighborhood"

Hillcrest is the IT place in San Diego; an all-inclusive area which has somewhat become our de facto gay community. However, there are students, families and retirees who also call Hillcrest home.

To get straight to the point about this busy community - if you like the idea of doing most of your social activities, shopping and dining right where you live, then you'll love this colorful area! Just a short walk in any direction from the starting point of University Avenue at Fifth Ave will lead you to unique shops and scrumptious delicacies. Just East of our starting point is City Deli, which has been a hot spot for decades!

In the area is UCSD medical Center and also Mercy hospital and medical plaza. Driving down 5th Avenue, one could arrive in Downtown in under 10 minutes. Drive down Park Blvd and you'll be at Balboa Park or the San Diego Zoo in a flash. If you want to do some major shopping, continue down 5th to Horton Plaza or hop on the 163 North at University and ma
Pros
  • Vibrant gay friendly neighborhood
  • close to freeway
  • loads of dining and shopping
Cons
  • some traffic
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
2yrs+

"Never a Boring Place for your Tastebuds, Dancing Legs, Credit Cards, or Drinking"

Hillcrest is one of the best and well known neighborhoods of San Diego. There are a multitude of restaurants from every part of the world imaginable in this small section of uptown SD. There are so many shops, boutiques, and retail chains that you can do all of your shopping in this neighborhood. If you're looking for the mall, all you have to do is jump on the 163 and head north for 2 miles to Fashion Valley or Mission Valley. The downside of shopping in Hillcrest is that many retail stores and restaurants are struggling to stay open due to the high property values in the area. In the few years that I have lived there I have seen stores come and go.

Another downside is the parking situation. I used to live on Essex st, one block south of University and I was constantly circling around looking for a spot, sometimes up to 5 blocks away. If you are ever looking for a parking spot on a Friday or Saturday night, Good Luck! Hillcrest is home to many gay and lesbian bars, as well as straight, in the neighborhood. Most clubbers use residential street parking in the vicinity of University Ave.

If dancing and drinks are what you are looking for, you do not have to go very far because Hillcrest has something for everyone. If you're looking for an escape from city life and need some trees or some culture, all you have to do is venture south about a mile to Balboa Park. Balboa Park is home to most of the city's museums, world famous San Diego Zoo, Velodrome, and plenty of hiking trails. I truly believe that Hillcrest is one of the best neighborhoods to live in San Diego, provided you have your own parking space for you and your guests.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles

Travelling to Hillcrest?

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Best Streets in Hillcrest

1

6th Ave

4/5
"Alot going on... "
32.7465797093918 -117.159521194377
2

University Ave

3.5/5
"Great stuff to do day and night"
32.7484496780376 -117.154657742794
3

Bachman Pl

3.5/5
"Cute and quiet neighborhood near Hillcrest"
32.7573265860925 -117.165105983148
4

Robinson Ave

3/5
"People and Pet Friendly- Pride in Homeownership"
32.7464158059585 -117.15525818508
"Washington St drag"
32.7502915536581 -117.156015526474
6

Richmond St

2/5
"Just liked Thai food from Amarin Thai"
32.7464883863374 -117.151214294037

Unranked Streets in Hillcrest

1st Ave

3.5/5
"Downtown san diego"
32.7481631435304 -117.163892510911

8th Ave

2.5/5
"A Hillcrest Haven"
32.7468538940298 -117.157191287178
"Quiet Mecca clean."
32.7523253930311 -117.165957603541

Anderson Pl

2.5/5
"Between 5th and 6th Avenues..."
32.7442312486851 -117.159956258609

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