From Wikitravel Shared

Hillcrest is a district of San Diego, California, located in the heights northwest of Balboa Park, south of Mission Valley and east of Old Town. It is a dense urban community that has recently undergone a lot of gentrification and is home to locally-owned businesses and most of San Diego's gay nightlife.

[edit] Get in

From the south, 5th and 6th Avenues provide a direct connection to Hillcrest from Downtown, while Washington Street and University Avenue provide the major east-west connection to the neighborhood. SR-163 runs north-south through the neighborhood, connecting Hillcrest to Downtown to the south and Mission Valley to the north.

Hillcrest is very dense and walkable, making alternative modes of transit a reasonable option. MTS [1] bus routes 1, 3, 10, 11, 83 and 120 pass through Hillcrest, and they all intersect around the intersection of 5th and University.

[edit] See

• Marston House, 3525 7th Avenue (off of 6th Avenue and Upas), +1 619 298-3142, [2]. Operated by the San Diego Historical Society, this historic residence is open for guided tours. Tours take place Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, and 3PM, with an additional tour at 4PM during the summer months. $5 adults, $4 seniors/students/military, $2 youth, free for children under 6.
• Spruce Street Bridge, in south Hillcrest at the end of Spruce Street, west of First Avenue. Something of a neighborhood secret, this steel-cable suspension footbridge dates back to the 1910's, and connects to a nearby residential neighborhood. There's not a whole lot to it really, but it is very scenic as you walk right through the treetops on the sides of the canyon.

[edit] Do

• Hillcrest Cinemas, 3965 5th Avenue (in the Village Hillcrest complex), +1 619 819-0236, [3]. Part of the Landmark Theaters chain, this theater showcases many independent and foreign films.
• 6th @ Penn Theatre, 3704 6th Avenue, +1 619 688-9210, [4]. Throughout the year, this small theater stages many unusual (some controversial) plays.
• The San Diego Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade [5] and festival takes place in July, running down University and 6th Avenues.
• Cityfest, a huge arts & crafts festival with lots of food and entertainment, takes place in August.

[edit] Buy

• Blue Stocking Books & Bindery, 3817 Fifth Avenue (between University and Robinson), +1 619 296-1424, [6]. F-M 11AM-9:30PM, Tu-Th 11AM-7PM. An excellent independent bookstore specializing in rare and out-of-print books.
• Bountiful Books, 3834 5th Avenue (between University and Robinson), +1 619 491-0664. Wide selection of new and used books.
• Fifth Avenue Books, 3838 5th Avenue (between University and Robinson), +1 619 291-4660, [7]. A little bookstore with lots of used and out-of-print titles.
• Wear It Again Sam, 3823 5th Avenue (between University and Robinson), +1 619 299-0185, [8]. Vintage clothing store with fashions from the 1900's up to the 1950's.

[edit] Eat

• Ortega's a Mexican Bistro, 141 University Avenue (3rd and University), +1 619 692-4200 [9]. Daily 11AM-Midnight. $7-$10.
• Corvette Diner, 3946 5th Avenue, +1 619 542-1001, [10]. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM. A fun faux-50's diner, great for the kids.
• Crest Cafe, 425 Robinson Avenue (between 4th and 5th Avenue), +1 619 295-2510, [11]. Daily 7AM-Midnight. $6-$15.
• Hash House a go go, 3628 5th Avenue, +1 619 298-4646, [12]. Breakfast/Lunch: M-F 7:30AM-2PM, Sa-Su 7:30AM-2:30PM. Dinner: Su, Tu-Th 5:30PM-9PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-10PM.
• Kemo Sabe, 3958 5th Avenue, +1 619 220-6802, [13]. $15-$30.
• Phil's BBQ, [14].

[edit] Drink

• Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 120 W Washington Street, +1 619 574-7588.
• Nunu's Cocktail Lounge, 3537 5th Avenue, +1 619 295-2878. Daily 6AM-2AM. Neo-hip dive bar.
• The Wine Lover, 3968 5th Avenue, +1 619 294-9200, [15]. A lovely wine bar with a wide selection of wines and some light meals.

[edit] Sleep

• Sommerset Suites, 606 Washington Street, ☎ (800) 962-9665, [16].

[edit] Contact

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