Hillcrest, San Diego

Hillcrest is an older, historical neighborhood that has experienced growth through gentrification. Most of the streets are lined with trees and abundant plants. There are several lush canyons and hiking paths throughout the area, such as Vermont Canyon (at the south end of Vermont Street) and Richmond Canyon, which is accessed via staircase one block south of Pennsylvania Street. Some of these trails have historical ties to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts; there is a pedestrian-only bridge crossing highway CA-163, east–west, from Richmond Street to the neighborhood of Bankers Hill. There are many styles of buildings, including Craftsman homes and Mid-century modern condominium buildings.

The neighborhood is bounded by Mission Hills to the northwest, Bankers Hill and Balboa Park to the south, University Heights to the north, and North Park to the east. A large ridge overlooking San Diego Bay borders the neighborhood to the west.

Hillcrest is part of the Uptown community planning area, which consists of the neighborhoods of Mission Hills, Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, Park West, and University Heights.[4]

Initially, Hillcrest was a chaparral-covered mesa. Kumeyaay Indians inhabited numerous villages scattered throughout the San Diego region. Spanish colonization brought the first of twenty-nine California missions with the founding of the nearby San Diego Mission. Presidio Park in Mission Hills and Old Town just down the hill are a part of San Diego history.

In 1870, Mary Kearney obtained a deed from the city for the land that eventually became Hillcrest. In 1871 Arnold and D. Choate, two real estate developers, obtained that property. George Hill, a wealthy railroad tycoon, then purchased the land. Real estate development began in 1910 and the area was built out by 1920. During the 1920s and 1930s Hillcrest was considered a suburban shopping area for downtown San Diego.

In the 1910s, Hillcrest became one of the many San Diego neighborhoods connected by the Class 1 streetcars and an extensive San Diego public transit system that was spurred by the Panama-California Exposition of 1915 and built by John D. Spreckels. These streetcars became a fixture of this neighborhood until their retirement in 1939.[5]

In 1940 the "HILLCREST" lighted sign at the intersection of University and Fifth Avenue was first erected, donated by the Hillcrest Women's Association, a group of local female shopkeepers. A similar sign appears in images dated c.1930.[6] After falling into disrepair, it was taken down and rebuilt in 1984.[7] The sign was retrofitted in 2023 from white to color lighting in 16 million hues with pre-programmed shows for various events and holidays. The sign was relit on February 21, 2023, in the purple, gold, and green colors to celebrate Mardi Gras.

After World War II, Hillcrest was left with an aging infrastructure and population.[8]

During the 1970s, gays and lesbians began to establish residences, businesses, and organizations in Hillcrest.[9]

Notable events

The Hillcrest Pride flag, erected in 2012, is located in the median on Normal Street near the intersection with University Avenue.

• 1974: Protesting the city's refusal of a parade permit, 200 gays and lesbians marched through the streets of downtown for the first time.[10]
• 1975: The first city-permitted gay pride parade was held.[11]
• 1980: The Center for Social Services, founded in Golden Hill in 1973—now called the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, and generally known as "the Center"—moved to Hillcrest.
• 1984: The Hillcrest Business Association, a business improvement district, was formed.
• 1985: The Hillcrest Business Association hosted the first CityFest.[12]
• 1994: A new Vermont Street pedestrian bridge was completed. The span, featuring public art, cost $1.2 million.
• 2001: Mercy Garden, formerly the Sisters of Mercy Convent, was remodeled for use by the HIV-positive community.[13]
• 2007: On August 2, yearlong centennial events were held, including a 100th birthday cake served to the public on August 2 and a champagne gala at The Prado's Grand Ballroom in October.[14]
• 2007: The Hillcrest Town Council was formed.[15][16]
• 2012: The city approved plans for a large, privately funded rainbow flag at the corner of University Avenue and Normal Street. The city also approved a change in a street name from Blaine Avenue to Harvey Milk Street.[1]
• 2019: On February 12, a man fired more than a dozen shots into the Golden Dragon Asian Bistro on University Avenue near the Hillcrest sign. No one was injured. Stefano Markell Parker was judged not fit to stand trial for thirteen counts of premeditated murder. He was sentenced to two years psychiatric treatment at Patton State Hospital.[17]
• 2020: In January, a rainbow crosswalk was unveiled at the intersection of Normal and University.[18]
• 2022: The Hillcrest Community Foundation began raising funds in July to renovate the Hillcrest Sign as its components had started to degrade and the foundation determined that "the entire sign needs to be renovated".[19]
• 2023: The Hillcrest Sign was taken down on January 31 so it could be repaired and renovated and was back in place February 21.[20]

The 2000 Census showed that the neighborhood's residents had a median age of 39 and that 49.3% had college degrees.[21]

The 2000 Census indicates median family income in 1999 was $61,741 ($80,011 in 2010 inflation adjusted dollars).[22]

The US Census did not record sexual orientation until 2020,[23] but in the 2000 census, of the ~10% of households headed by unmarried couples in Hillcrest (zip code 92103), 43% were headed by two people of the same sex, an indication that they may be gay or lesbian couples.[24] That indicates that more than 4% of all households in Hillcrest are headed by two unmarried people of the same sex.

The neighborhood is governed by the elected officials of the city of San Diego. It is part of the San Diego City Council's Third district; the current councilmember is Stephen Whitburn, who replaced Chris Ward in the 2020 election as Ward moved to the California State Assembly.[25][26] Ward previously replaced Todd Gloria in the Third District seat when Gloria was elected to the Assembly seat now held by Ward in 2016.[27] This makes Stephen Whitburn the fifth consecutively elected openly LGBT representative of District 3 since the election of Chris Kehoe in 1993.

The Uptown Planners is an elected planning group composed of residents, property owners, and business people from the Uptown area, which includes Hillcrest; it advises the city on land use and other issues.

An ad hoc town council provides a conduit for information from citizens with the government. The Hillcrest Town Council is an organization of local residents that was formed in 2007. It meets monthly. Its mission statement is "To provide a voice & enhance the quality of life for Hillcrest renters & homeowners while supporting actions that benefit our neighborhood."[15]

The Hillcrest Business Association has existed since 1921; in 1984 it became a city-approved Business Improvement District.[28] The association supports most beautification projects in the neighborhood, stewards the iconic Hillcrest sign, organizes street festivals, runs the Hillcrest Farmers Market,[29] and it sponsors the annual "Taste of Hillcrest," which offers food and drink samples from over 50 local bars and restaurants.

In 2012 the Hillcrest Business Association, with the support of many business people, created the Hillcrest Pride Flag.[1]

The commercial area of Hillcrest is noted for its many restaurants. Scripps Mercy Hospital and the UC San Diego Medical Center are located here.

Hillcrest is a very walkable [30] neighborhood with cafés, restaurants, and shops near the main residential pockets.

Hillcrest "CityFest" is an annual street festival which features food, live entertainment, a beer garden and street vendors.[40][41][42][43]

Other regular events in Hillcrest include a weekly farmers market on the grounds of the local Department of Motor Vehicles, a Book Fair and Mardi Gras.[44]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hillcrest, San Diego.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Balboa Park-Hillcrest.

• Hillcrest Business Association 1921-2012
• Hillcrest Farmers Market
• Hillcrest Centennial 1907-2007
• The Hillcrest Town Council
• History of Hillcrest