Hillcrest | University Heights | Neighborhood Guide

Welcome to University Heights/Hillcrest

An eclectic, close-knit community in the center of San Diego.

The University Heights and Hillcrest communities of San Diego represent two downtown neighborhoods with a vibrant, relaxed vibe. Though it's a colorful area and located very near Balboa Park, it doesn’t attract too many tourists. Approximately 24,000 people call this area home.

Both neighborhoods offer a plethora of eateries, bars, and unique shops, and it's also very pedestrian friendly. Some say Hillcrest presents a Bohemian feel as it often gets compared to places such as Castro and Greenwich Village.

The name University Heights comes from the fact that when established in 1888, the intention was to make it the location for a branch of the University of Southern California.

A delightfully quirky thing about the area involves the ostrich-themed decor across the city. In the early 1900s, a large ostrich farm was one of the area's attractions. Harvey Bentley owned the farm and would charge visitors a small fee to view and sometimes even ride the ostriches. The ostrich farm no longer exists, but they remember it through paintings, sculptures, and other images.

San Diego's temperatures range from 50 to 77 degrees. The temperatures seldom fall below 44 degrees or above 84 degrees.

What to Love

Eclectic shops and eateries
Close to Balboa Park
Walkable
Strong sense of community
Near perfect weather

Local Lifestyle

Residents of University Heights and Hillcrest love their neighborhoods. They feel a strong sense of community whenever they run errands or meet up with friends for coffee. They're a vibrant population that enjoys the arts and appreciates nature.

The central location makes it convenient to get to everything San Diego offers. However, the comfortable feel, the plethora of shopping and entertainment, and the close-knit community result in most University Heights residents staying close to home. You'll often hear them say they live in the best San Diego neighborhood.

Dining, Entertainment, & Shopping

The wide variety of restaurants in the University Heights and Hillcrest area is part of the reason it's such a fun and comfortable location. Baja Betty's in Hillcrest serves authentic Mexican fare in a beautiful and festive setting. They offer memberships to their Agave Club for those passionate about mezcal and tequila, and you’ll get invitations to monthly tastings and become part of the Baja Betty's family.

You'll experience an upscale yet friendly feel at Madison's restaurant. They offer elegant indoor or outdoor seating and specialize in handcrafted cocktails, small plates, brunch, and delectable desserts.

Parkhouse Eatery oozes casual and intimate charm. The converted house offers three seating areas, including the living room and patio, but the locals especially love the hearth room with the wood-burning fireplace.

And if you're hungry for an unbelievable sandwich or delicious salad, head over to the Big Front Door in University Heights. This buzzy restaurant continues to win awards as one of San Diego's best delicatessens.

They also love their coffee in the University Heights and Hillcrest neighborhoods. Some favorite gathering places include Día del Café, Hawthorn Cafe, and Holsem Coffee.

With its downtown location, University Heights has no shortage of shopping. Some more interesting places include Mission Gallery Antiques, Day to Day Vintage, and Artlexia.

Things to Do

The pleasant San Diego weather sets the stage for lots of fun outdoor activities in the University Heights neighborhood. The University Heights Summer in the Park Concert Series takes place in Trolley Barn Park and offers weeks of free concerts. It's a great event for locals and visitors alike.

The San Diego Gay Pride Parade in mid-June is another fantastic event that draws the crowds to Hillcrest. The Pride events attract thousands of spectators, and many make sure to get a viewing spot for the parade. It's a huge single-day event with colorful floats, marching bands, and many participants representing and celebrating the LGBTQ community.

Schools

The University of California San Diego is the college most associated with the University Heights area. This prestigious school's undergraduate enrollment stands at about 35,000. It's regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Around University Heights | Hillcrest , CA

There's plenty to do around University Heights | Hillcrest , including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

97

Walker's Paradise

Walking Score

76

Very Bikeable

Bike Score

53

Good Transit

Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Grandmasta Program, OPEX Fitness San Diego | Central, and Apex Sports Therapy.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Grandmasta Program page on Yelp Search 4030 Sports Arena Blvd on Google Maps	Active	3.57 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the OPEX Fitness San Diego \| Central page on Yelp Search 5803 Mission Gorge Rd on Google Maps	Active	4.12 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Apex Sports Therapy page on Yelp Search 3405 Kenyon St on Google Maps	Active	3.12 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Risen Tide Sportfishing page on Yelp	Active	1.5 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Grace Beauty - Hair by Elizabeth Grace page on Yelp Search 3585 Adams Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	2.8 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Bel Viso page on Yelp Search Laurel St on Google Maps	Beauty	2.38 miles	12 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the M Y Reflections Salon page on Yelp Search 3405 Kenyon St on Google Maps	Beauty	3.13 miles	14 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Mariposa Aesthetics page on Yelp Search 1440 Hotel Cir N on Google Maps	Beauty	1.2 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Hidden Gem Electrolysis page on Yelp Search 7851 Mission Center Ct on Google Maps	Beauty	1.74 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Beehive Hair Studio page on Yelp Search 1550 Front St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.86 miles	17 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Tranquility Lashes page on Yelp Search 3446 Park Blvd on Google Maps	Beauty	0.84 miles	43 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the HD Lash page on Yelp Search 3651 Midway Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	3.35 miles	43 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the SkinFix SD page on Yelp	Beauty	2.58 miles	12 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Hair Lair page on Yelp Search 3435 Camino Del Rio S on Google Maps	Beauty	3.06 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Honey page on Yelp Search 3554 30th St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.78 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Brow Dime page on Yelp	Beauty	1.93 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the San Diego Skincare page on Yelp Search 3525 5th Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	0.43 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the BellaBun Skincare page on Yelp Search 3740 Sports Arena Blvd on Google Maps	Beauty	3.03 miles	20 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Black Chandelier Barbershop page on Yelp	Beauty	0.39 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars