Hillcrest is an urban neighborhood in San Diego, California northwest of Balboa Park and south of Mission Valley. Hillcrest is known for its “tolerance and acceptance,” its gender diversity, and locally owned businesses, including restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs, trendy thrift-stores. Hillcrest has a high population density compared to many other neighborhoods in San Diego.
University Avenue is lined with restaurants serving global cuisines like Vietnamese, Himalayan and Thai, while the mix of cafes, brunch spots and second-hand clothes shops on Fifth Avenue make it a popular weekend destination. The weekly Hillcrest Farmers Market sells produce, flowers and cooked food.