Situated only a few minutes from San Diego’s busy downtown, the epicenter of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community is the vibrant uptown district of Hillcrest.
With open arms, the welcoming vibe and pedestrian-friendly streets stretch wide beyond Hillcrest. The East end of the district is marked by a towering rainbow Pride flag, just off Hillcrest’s main passage of University Avenue at the corner of Normal Street, which serves as the beginning point for the annual Pride March in San Diego every July. Just a block away from the landmark, the San Diego LGBTQ+ Community Center resides.
If you’re looking for a place to dine, the University Avenue is lined with a colorful mix of ethnically diverse restaurants, nightclubs and acclaimed wine bars. The neighborhood’s village area borders along University Avenue and is designated by the historic, neon “Hillcrest” sign. You’ll also come across numerous home décor shops and boutiques around the Uptown District shopping plaza, along with the country’s only openly gay brewery, Hillcrest Brewing Company. The lively stretch of Hillcrest is also home to one of the largest farmers markets in San Diego during Sundays where you’ll find opportunity to shop for local produce, art and crafts.
