LGBT Visitors Guide

Visit Hillcrest, the the Heart of San Diego’s LGBT Community

Whether you’re coming to Hillcrest to celebrate Pride season, spending a night enjoying our vibrant nightlife, or perusing our neighborhood markets with your family, you’ll see that Hillcrest is the heart of San Diego’s LGBT community. In fact, we literally fly a gigantic rainbow flag at the heart of our community. The beauty and glitter of a community that is welcoming and safe for all can be felt no matter where you go.

This page is designed to help you explore San Diego’s LGBTQ Cultural District as part of your visit to our wonderful city.

Plan your day (or weekend) in Hillcrest

There are so many things to do in San Diego from the Zoo and Balboa Park, to Seaworld and the beach, but you should absolutely make sure that at least one day is spent exploring San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community, Hillcrest. The good news is that we have some great days planned for you!

Dining and nightlife (Friday or Saturday night)

Hillcrest has some of the most exciting LGBTQ nightlife in the United States.
Step 1: Start your Friday or Saturday night with pre-dinner drinks at one of our unique bars filled with rich atmosphere like Uptown Tavern (trendy & urban) or Number 1 on Fifth (deep divey rainbow roots). You’ll find just the right cocktail to get you started.
Step 2: For dinner choose from a delectable menu of creative (Like insideOut or Common Stock) and fine dining (Such as Tavola Nostra, Trust, La Bonne Table, or Cellar Hand).
Step 3: Then head to the clubs to dance the night away. Hillcrest has a massive dance scene including gigantic nightclubs like Rich’s, Flicks, or Urban Mo’s to unique and characterful dance scenes like Gossip Grill (women first, please) and The Brass Rail.

Brunch life (Saturday or Sunday morning)

There is no better way to relax deep into Hillcrest’s colorful urban scene than to experience it via brunch. Get up late and explore the neighborhood at your leisure with the help of mimosa and brunch.
Step 1: Savory or sweet breakfast (or both). Hillcrest has so many choices starting with neighborhood favorites like The Crest Cafe (featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives) or Great Maple. Consider some of the big name breakfast spots like Hash House (forget the one in Vegas, the original’s better) or Snooze AM Eatery.

Step 2: Be patient. Good things come. Hillcrest’s brunch scene is hopping almost as much as the dance scene (see above). Be prepared to wait for your table. Just make sure it’s part of your plan to people watch and take in the vibe and… oh, look, your table’s ready!

Exploring the art and cultural scene (Sunday)

Hillcrest has a rich history and culture dating back over 100 years. The LGBT community adopted the neighborhood back in the 1970s and it’s never been more vibrant and colorful than it is today. Take an afternoon to explore the unique cultural scene in the neighborhood.
Step 1: Explore our unique urban murals and street art. Start your tour in Mural Alley between Fourth and Fifth Ave. south of University. Also, home to the heart of Hillcrest’s art scene The Studio Door gallery, it’s a unique alleyway that has been adopted by muralists. You can then expand your tour of over thirty murals throughout Hillcrest.
Step 2: Visit Pride Plaza. At the heart of the community stands the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Ave. and Normal Street (home to the future Pride Promenade). Mostly you’ll see the rainbow flying proud, but if you’re lucky you’ll spot the Transgender Pride Flag, Bi Awareness Flag or one of several others that fly on unique days. At the base of the Pride Flag pole in a small plaza, you’ll find the Hillcrest LGBT Historical Monument that tells the story of the LGBT community in Hillcrest through a series of interpretive panels. Not far from the flag is San Diego’s LGBT Community Center.
Step 3: Enjoy the weekly Hillcrest Farmers Market. San Diego’s original and most popular farmers market! With over 180 vendors, this huge bizarre of farmers, creatives, chefs and artists meets every week on the main bustling street of Hillcrest, University Ave. right outside the Hillcrest Pride Flag.
Step 4: Take in some unique shopping. Hillcrest is one of the few neighborhoods where you can truly find one-of-a-kind unique offerings. Visit creative spaces like Humanity; classic vintage stores such as Blue Stocking Books, Luigi Vera, Flashbacks, and Oates General; and stores that showcase unique artists like The Studio Door.
Step 5: Discover cafe culture while sipping a delicious espresso. Hillcrest has a huge variety of coffee shops from unique neighborhood havens like Balboa Perk or Lestat’s Coffee House, to trendy urban perches such as Oliver and HOB Coffee on Park (Don’t worry, we also have a Starbucks right on University Ave. too ;) ). If you manage to make it to Park Blvd. you might catch a glimpse of Hillcrest’s Egyptian Quarter featuring a many examples of Egyptian revival architecture.

Hillcrest’s LGBTQ Community Events

Pride Season, Best Season!

There are so many things to do during Pride Season in Hillcrest. For over forty years, Hillcrest has been the heart of San Diego’s Pride celebration. These days, you can find exciting Pride events throughout the City, but you should absolutely start your Pride week in Fabulous Hillcrest.

Step one: Visit She Fest. Held the Saturday before Pride on Normal street, this is a woman-centered event that celebrates and supports the talents and contributions of women while fostering meaningful connections within and between the LGBT and larger San Diego communities.
Step two: Watch the San Diego Pride Parade. Grab a perch at a local Hillcrest patio on University Ave. and watch one of the largest Pride Parades in the county.
Step three: Visit the San Diego Pride Festival. Make your way south after the parade toward Balboa park for a two day music festival with national and regional acts.

Other LGBTQ+ Events

If you’re not in town for Pride check out the dates for our other LGBTQ+ focused events.

Step one: Hillcrest CityFest is a month after Pride on the second Sunday in August on Fifth Ave. This celebration of community spirit features live bands, electric dance music DJ's, arts, crafts, and food that attracts over 80,000+ visitors
Step two: Get your costume ready for the Hillcrest Nightmare on Normal Street. This sell out halloween celebration features a massive costume competition with over $3,000 in prizes up for grabs and dance party held right under the Hillcrest Pride Flag on Halloween weekend.