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Welcome to

Hillcrest

The center of San Diego's LGBTQ+ community

Everyone is Welcome at Hillcrest, San Diego

Located only a few miles north of San Diego's bustling downtown, the vibrant uptown neighborhood of Hillcrest stands as San Diego's LGBTQ+ central hub, offering an array of bars, restaurants, coffee houses, boutiques and unique shops.

Lauded for its welcoming vibe and pedestrian-friendly streets and sidewalk patios, the area's east end is marked by a towering rainbow Pride flag just off Hillcrest's main thoroughfare of University Avenue, at the corner of Normal Street. The landmark serves as the starting point for San Diego LGBTQ+ Pride's annual mile-long parade held each July. A block away, down Harvey Milk Street, is where the San Diego LGBTQ+ Community Center resides.

Hillcrest Farmers Market - University Avenue Area - Shopping, Brewery & Fun

Spanning a dozen blocks west from the Pride flag along University Avenue is a colorful mix of ethnically diverse restaurants, nightclubs and acclaimed wine bars. You'll also discover home decor shops, distinctive boutiques, the Uptown District shopping plaza and the country's only openly gay brewery, Hillcrest Brewing Company. This lively stretch also hosts one of the largest farmers markets in San Diego from 9AM – 2PM on Sunday. A great place to shop for local produce, arts and crafts, the market also offers a wide range of gourmet stalls with hot and cold cuisine.

Historic Hillcrest Sign Area

University Avenue leads into the neighborhood's "village" area designated by the historic, neon "Hillcrest" sign. On intersecting Fifth Avenue, you'll find a concentration of new and established restaurants, as well as a few dessert-centric eateries. Thrown into the mix are vintage clothing shops, book outlets and the multiplex Landmark Cinemas for taking in independent and foreign films.

South of Hillcrest - Balboa Park

Just south of Hillcrest sits Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in North America and a hub for recreation, arts and culture, and community gatherings. The park is home to 16 museums and performing arts venues, ornate Spanish-Renaissance architecture, 1,200 acres of beautiful gardens and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

View the LGBTQ+ Travel Guide for more on planning a trip to San Diego.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Getting to Hillcrest

Just a stones throw from Balboa Park and downtown San Diego, Hillcrest is accessible from three primary directions. From downtown, head up Fifth Avenue, along Balboa Park's western edge and through Bankers Hill. Once you've reached Robinson Avenue, you'll be in the heart of Hillcrest. As the neighborhood is popular with the San Diego LGBTQ+ community, look for businesses flying a rainbow flag and you'll know you've arrived! From the east, exit University Avenue from Interstate 805 and head west. A few short blocks places you squarely in the center of the main shopping and dining area. For those traveling from the airport or Interstate 5, exit on Washington Street, and head east "up the hill" and exit on University Avenue. You'll pass through Mission Hills (worth the stop too!) before entering Hillcrest. 

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What's Hot|
What's On|

San Diego LGBTQ+ Pride Parade & Festival

With world-famous Balboa Park as its festival site and a mile-long parade route stretching through one of the most gay-friendly neighborhoods in the nation, San Diego LGBTQ+ Pride attracts nearly 200,000 locals and visitors to its annual three-day celebration in July.

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Nightlife and Day Drinks

A happening spot for San Diego's LGBTQ+ community with bar, nightclubs, restaurants and Pride.

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San Diego Farmers Markets

Find open-air shopping all around the county!

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Celebrate Life on a VIP Wine and Food Adventure

Oct 7 - Dec 31, 2024

Treat yourself and your loved ones, you deserve it!

Celebrate life every day on a fabulous Chauffeured Vineyard Adventure Tour! 

You'll love this afternoon of wine tasting in San Diego's gorgeous inland valleys. 

Highlights of this VIP Tour include:

- Approx. 6 hour VIP guided adventure to two stunning and unique local wineries.
- Ample tastings and pours of local wines (beer options available).
- Entertaining commentary on local history, and viticulture.
- Door-to-door transportation (from most San Diego locations).
- Wine tasting appreciation presentation, and guided winery tour.
- Delicious Winery Meal.
- Complete coordination by San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours.

Perfect for mothers day; fathers day; birthdays; bachelorettes; etc.

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Romantic Wine Tour - Available Year Round

Oct 8, 2024 - ongoing

Romantic Wine Tour-Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure

Book your tour NOW or buy a gift certificate to use in the future. It's the perfect romantic or Valentine or ANY DAY celebration. 

Enjoy door-to-door transportation, award-winning wines, a full meal and romantic vineyard views.

This luxurious chauffeured winery tour will take you through San Diego's scenic countryside, where you'll have the opportunity to taste the finest wines in the region. You'll also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process, as well as learn about the history and culture of San Diego.

Relax and unwind as you soak up the sun and take in the stunning views of the vineyards. Our expert guide will ensure that you have a fantastic time and that your needs are taken care of.

Celebrate love with a delightful day of wine and treats!

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HOME OF THE FAMOUS WINERY TRAIN TOUR OF SAN DIEGO

Nov 12, 2024 - ongoing

TASTE and SEE the best of San Diego’s wine, food and sights! We've been delighting tens of thousands of guests since 2010. 

Join us on a luxury wine tour - The Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure:

- Get picked up and dropped back at your hotel or home.

- Relax, drink and eat at exclusive winery estates picked especially for you!

- Fully-guided FUN and TASTY adventure.

Includes: Ample pours of local wines; appetizers AND full meal (not a boxed lunch); sightseeing; history; culture; behind-the-scenes tour; expert tasting presentation; FUN! All for only 184 per person.

Home of the World-Famous Winery Train Tour! Want to add a train ride to the above package. Call for details: 858-551-5115

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Sparkling Sunshine & Wine!

Oct 7 - Dec 31, 2024

Imagine a sunshiny day with a sparkling glass of local award-wining wine in hand. You're relaxing at an exclusive winery estate after a comfortable chauffeur driven ride. You got to be picked up at your hotel and fun tour guide has chosen the optimal route. Between bites of your meal, prepared on the vineyard grounds with local ingredients, you're entertained and educated with an expert wine tasting presentation. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? You deserve the VERY BEST!

Book your deluxe, elevated experience NOW!

Sells out fast! BOOK NOW! https://sandiegobeerwinespiritstours.com/tours/chauffeured-tours/chauffeured-vineyard-adventure
OR CALL: 858.551.5115

We pick up/drop off at all San Diego hotels and provide ample pours of wine; VIP behind-the-scenes tour; a winery meal and tons of FUN for ONE-LOW-PRICE!

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What's Hot

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San Diego LGBTQ+ Pride Parade & Festival

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Nightlife and Day Drinks

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San Diego Farmers Markets

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What's On

View More Events

Celebrate Life on a VIP Wine and Food Adventure

Oct 7 - Dec 31, 2024
Discover

Romantic Wine Tour - Available Year Round

Oct 8, 2024 - ongoing
Discover

HOME OF THE FAMOUS WINERY TRAIN TOUR OF SAN DIEGO

Nov 12, 2024 - ongoing
Discover

Sparkling Sunshine & Wine!

Oct 7 - Dec 31, 2024
Discover

Hillcrest on Instagram

 

Deals just for you

Wineries

Party TODAY Wine Tasting and FREE gift

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Valid: Nov 12, 2024 - Jan 15, 2025

BOOK the  CHAUFFEURED VINEYARDS ADVENTURE TOUR for the holidays and celebrate with the experts.  AND get a FREE Souvenir Wine Tote gift bag! Now through end of January. TOURS RUN...

Wineries

$10 off-Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Valid: Oct 17, 2024 - ongoing

Call 858.551.5115 and get $10 off your booking. Or booking online and enter promo code: 24SDTA5 Join us on the Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure  for award-winning wine tastings and wine...

Wineries

Wine Tour Gift Certificates Make Great Gifts!

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Valid: Oct 9, 2024 - ongoing

Delight your loved ones with the gift of unforgettable experiences in San Diego! Our exclusive gift certificates are now available with a fantastic 10% discount.  Call for your discount:...

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