Neon lights outside the Crest Cafe on Robinson Avenue in Hillcrest.

One of the liveliest neighborhoods in San Diego is the Hillcrest Gay District. The streets are filled with vibrant colors and friends gathering to meet up for brunch, not to mention the thriving nightlife scene.

Hillcrest is known as the most diverse area of the city because they welcome all kinds of people and they have a strong LGBT community. Although San Diego in general is considered to be very gay-friendly, Hillcrest is truly the hub for gay-owned businesses and events.

In Hillcrest there’s no shortage of restaurants, cafes and things to do - most of it within walking distance from the main drag on University Ave. If you’re new to the Hillcrest neighborhood, the best starting point to explore on foot is 5th Avenue between University Ave and Washington Street. This area is known as “The Village” and it’s a very pleasant walk with plenty of dining options and window shopping.

Areas to Explore Close to Hillcrest

Balboa Park is a 15 minute walk away from Hillcrest and it’s a beautiful and scenic stroll through the park. The Hillcrest neighborhood is sandwiched between Mission Hills and University Heights which are also fun areas to explore.

North Park is another favorite neighborhood filled with fun and color and it’s a short 10 minute drive from Hillcrest.

Best Places to Drink Wine, Cocktails or Beer in Hillcrest

FruitCraft Fermentery & Distillery

We went to the grand opening of Fruitcraft in 2016 and it’s still going strong in 2021. We enjoyed a charcuterie board paired with flights of wine made from all kinds fruits. They serve a full food and booze menu with tacos, sandwiches, flatbreads, kombucha, cocktails and so much more.

Hillcrest Brewing Company

Famous for being the world’s first gay brewery, Hillcrest Brewing Company offers both dining and beer. You can order a pizza, salad or wings to accompany your “Banana Hammock” Scotch Ale.

Fiesta Cantina

This spot is party central and they are known for their Mega 36oz Margaritas. During Happy Hour they serve 2-for-1 drinks so your afternoon can become a boozy party very quickly. Alongside their margarita drinks they also have a casual Mexican food menu.

The Rail

This historic gay venue dates back to the 1930’s. They have drag queen shows, club dancing, lesbian women dance nights… even country line dancing! There’s all kinds of party fun happening at The Rail, follow their Instagram to see what’s coming.

Urban MO's Bar & Grill

Urban Mo’s claims to be the best gay bar in San Diego with a strong party vibe going 7 days a week. You can drink cocktails, eat burgers and/or tear up the dance floor. Sunday night is Karaoke Kween hosted by drag queens.

Best Hillcrest Brunch Spots

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

I have always wanted to have brunch at Snooze but the one time we tried to go the wait was over an hour and my husband was too hungry to wait. There’s multiple Snooze locations around San Diego and locals love them all.

Eat Breakfast Bitch

Breakfast Bitch is a newly opened brunch spot with a rockabilly Rosie the Riveter vibe. Their food menu is comfort food classics with a modern twist. At night on the weekends they serve non-alcoholic CBD spritzers (weed in a cocktail because it’s legal in California).

Hash House A Go Go

The Hash House A Go Go is home to Andy's World Famous Fried Chicken Waffle Tower. They have multiple locations throughout the U.S. but the Hillcrest San Diego restaurant is the original. They also serve craft cocktails to make your brunch boozy.

Chocolat Hillcrest

This creperie and bistro serves both sweet and savory crepes. I would order the Four Cheese Crepe with Fontina, Gruyere, Fresh Ricotta and Gorgonzola for lunch. And then some gelato for dessert!

Top Hillcrest Lunch & Diner Spots

Lemonade

Lemonade is a California healthy food restaurant chain with a Hillcrest location (there’s also one in La Jolla). They make eating your vegetables very yummy with food made from fresh local produce.

Crest Cafe

The exterior of the Crest Cafe is lit up with neon lights and colorful murals, while on the inside they serve hearty classic comfort food. If you’re planning a visit to San Diego with children, the Crest Cafe is one of the few kid-friendly places in Hillcrest. They even have a kid’s menu for children 5 years and younger.

Tajima Ramen Bar Hillcrest

This hip cool Japanese cuisine spot has modern industrial-chic interiors and all kinds of yummy ramen bowls. They have locations all around popular San Diego neighborhoods and even a Tijuana Mexico location!

Burger Lounge Hillcrest

This California burger chain is known as the Original Grass-Fed Burger. These burger joints are designed with modern millennials in mind and their food menu is both healthy and filling.

Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

Ortega’s is more of a classic sit-down restaurant, ideal for family or work-related gatherings. They have a large outdoor patio where you can enjoy margaritas and those warm San Diego sunset evenings.

Bahn Thai

Bahn Thai was voted San Diego’s best Thai Food in 2020, which means they had to beat out a lot of other competitors. If you’re new to Thai Food, my favorite staples to order is Pad Thai, Panang Curry (although I love all curries) and Tom Yum Soup.

Khyber Pass Zarparan Restaurant

Hillcrest has always been very accepting of diversity and that also includes the cuisine options. Khyber Pass Zarparan is a rare restaurant where you can feast on authentic Afghan and Persian cuisine.

Exteriors of FruitCraft Fermentery and Distillery on the corner of University Ave and Herbert St in Hillcrest.

Best Hillcrest Coffee & Sweet Shops

Subterranean Coffee Shop

I picked up a hot latte at Subterranean the last time I was in Hillcrest (scroll down in the blog post to see a couple pics of the decor). It always gives me old school 90’s Lilith Fair vibes and areas of the coffee shop feel like a homey living room. They have healthy food, vegan options, coffee and beer available.

Better Buzz Coffee

Better Buzz is a cool new San Diego coffee chain opening up locations throughout the city (the newest spot just opened up in Escondido which is my husband’s hometown). The Hillcrest location is their big flagship with three stories and a bright and trendy design scheme.

Bread & Cie

Bread and Cie is an old-school cafe and bakery. I am a huge sucker for pies and they have a menu dedicated just to their house-made pies. I would bring home a Tiramisu pie and eat the whole thing myself!

Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s Coffee is a national chain but I especially love them because they’re one of the only coffee shops that offers a lot of artisanal tea options. I always order the matcha green tea latte.

Babycakes Hillcrest

Satisfy your sweet tooth cravings with freshly baked cupcakes from Babycakes. My favorite cupcake flavors are the Lemon Bavarian and Blood Orange. They also have vegan and gluten free cupcakes too.

Hazel & Jade Bakery

Hazel and Jade is a 100% plant based vegan bakery and cafe in Hillcrest. They make everything from fancy wedding cakes to everyday pastries, faux cheesecake, cookies, breads, buns and more.

Heirloom tomatoes from the Farmer's Market in Hillcrest.

Hillcrest Shopping Guide

Hillcrest Farmers’ Market

My sister-in-law and I went to a tasting at Fruitcraft and then afterwards spent the afternoon cruising around the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market on Normal Street. They had fresh produce, flowers, locally made foods and more. The market is open Sundays from 9am - 2pm.

Everbloom Flower Shop

If you weren’t able to catch the Farmer’s Market and you want to come home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, EverBloom has sidewalk buckets of fresh cut flowers.

Buffalo Exchange Hillcrest

Go treasure hunting and shop second hand fashion clothes and accessories at Buffalo Exchange. They have discounts on popular and designer brands.

Whole Foods & Trader Joes

If you need to pick up snacks and provisions for a picnic in Balboa Park, in Hillcrest there’s a Whole Foods and Trader Joes.

Record City & Taang! Records

Because there are so many gay dance clubs in Hillcrest, inevitably there’s a DJ music scene that goes along with it. There’s two vinyl record shops in Hillcrest, Record City and Taang! Records.

Flashbacks Recycled Fashion

If you’re in the market for some disco fabulous vintage clothes, then add Flashbacks to your window shopping itinerary in Hillcrest. They have funky clothing and accessories from the era’s 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.