Hillcrest, San Diego facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hillcrest, San Diego
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| Hillcrest | |
The Hillcrest Sign at 5th and University Avenues
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 Hillcrest, San Diego
Location in San Diego
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  California |
| County |  San Diego |
| City |  San Diego |
| ZIP Code |
92103
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| Area code(s) | 619 |
| Website | http://www.FabulousHillcrest.com |
Hillcrest is a lively neighborhood in San Diego, California. It is located just north of Balboa Park. Hillcrest is known for being a very welcoming and diverse place. People from all backgrounds feel at home here.
The neighborhood is also famous for its many local businesses. You can find unique stores, restaurants, cafes, and even cool thrift shops. Hillcrest has an "urban" feel, meaning it's a busy area with lots of people living close together. It's one of San Diego's main neighborhoods that celebrates diversity.
Contents
Exploring Hillcrest's Location
Hillcrest is an older neighborhood that has grown and changed over time. Many streets are lined with trees and beautiful plants.
Natural Spaces and Trails
You can find several green areas and hiking paths here. For example, Vermont Canyon and Richmond Canyon offer places to explore nature. There's even a special bridge for walkers that crosses Highway CA-163. This bridge connects Richmond Street to the Bankers Hill neighborhood.
Surrounding Areas
Hillcrest is surrounded by other interesting neighborhoods. To the northwest is Mission Hills. To the south, you'll find Bankers Hill and Balboa Park. University Heights is to the north, and North Park is to the east. A large hill with views of San Diego Bay is on the west side.
Hillcrest's Past
Long ago, Hillcrest was a wild area covered in chaparral plants. The Kumeyaay people lived in many villages around the San Diego area. Later, Spanish explorers came and built the first of California's missions, the San Diego Mission. Places like Presidio Park and Old Town are important parts of San Diego's early history.
Early Development
In 1870, Mary Kearney got the land that would become Hillcrest. Then, in 1871, two real estate developers, Arnold and D. Choate, took over the property. Later, George Hill, a wealthy railroad owner, bought the land. Building in the area began around 1910 and was mostly finished by 1920. In the 1920s and 1930s, Hillcrest became a popular shopping area for people living in downtown San Diego.
Streetcars and the Famous Sign
In the 1910s, Hillcrest was connected by streetcars. These were part of a big public transportation system built by John D. Spreckels. The streetcars were a common sight in Hillcrest until they stopped running in 1939.
The famous "HILLCREST" lighted sign was first put up in 1940. The Hillcrest Women's Association, a group of local women who owned shops, donated it. The sign was fixed up and rebuilt in 1984. In 2023, it was updated with new lights that can change to 16 million colors! It can even show special light shows for holidays. On February 21, 2023, the sign was lit up in purple, gold, and green to celebrate Mardi Gras.
After World War II, Hillcrest had older buildings and an older population. In the 1970s, more diverse groups of people began to move to Hillcrest, opening homes and businesses.
Important Moments in Hillcrest
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- 1974: About 200 people marched through downtown San Diego for the first time. They were protesting because the city would not let them have a parade.
- 1975: The first city-approved parade was held.
- 1980: "The Center," a community support group, moved to Hillcrest.
- 1984: The Hillcrest Business Association was formed. This group helps local businesses.
- 1985: The Hillcrest Business Association held the first CityFest, a street festival.
- 1994: A new bridge for walkers was finished on Vermont Street. It cost $1.2 million and has public art.
- 2001: Mercy Garden, a former convent, was updated to help people with HIV.
- 2007: Hillcrest celebrated its 100th birthday with events all year, including a big cake for everyone.
- 2007: The Hillcrest Town Council was created.
- 2012: The city approved plans for a large, colorful rainbow flag. It was paid for by private donations. The city also changed a street name to Harvey Milk Street.
- 2020: In January, a rainbow crosswalk was painted at Normal and University.
- 2022: The Hillcrest Community Foundation started raising money to fix up the Hillcrest Sign.
- 2023: The Hillcrest Sign was taken down for repairs on January 31 and put back up on February 21.
Hillcrest's Economy
The Hillcrest Business Association has been around since 1921. It helps improve the neighborhood, takes care of the Hillcrest sign, and organizes fun events.
Local Businesses and Events
This association supports projects that make the neighborhood look better. They also run the Hillcrest Farmers Market and sponsor the yearly "Taste of Hillcrest." This event lets you try food and drinks from over 50 local restaurants.
In 2012, the Hillcrest Business Association helped create the Hillcrest Pride Flag. Hillcrest is also known for its many restaurants. Two important hospitals, Scripps Mercy Hospital and the UC San Diego Medical Center, are located here.
Getting Around Hillcrest
Hillcrest is a great neighborhood for walking. You can easily walk to cafes, restaurants, and shops from most homes.
Public Transportation
The area has many bus lines from the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. These include the 280 and 290 bus rapid transit lines, as well as several standard bus lines.
Roads and Parking
State Route 163 serves Hillcrest with exits at University Avenue, Washington Street, and Robinson Avenue. University Avenue and Washington Street are the main roads that go east and west. Other avenues like Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth connect Hillcrest to downtown San Diego.
Hillcrest has many public parking options, including garages and street parking. A special group helps manage parking in Hillcrest and nearby neighborhoods. In 2013, this group started a free trolley that runs on main streets on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. There's also a website called AccessHillcrest that helps people find parking, share rides, or find bike routes.
Culture and Events
Hillcrest hosts many fun events throughout the year.
Annual Festivals
- Hillcrest CityFest: This is a yearly street festival with food, live music, and street vendors.
- Farmers Market: A weekly farmers market is held at the local Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Other Events: Hillcrest also has a Book Fair and celebrates Mardi Gras.
San Diego Pride Festival
The San Diego Pride Festival is a big yearly event in July. It celebrates the diverse community of San Diego. The festival includes a parade on a Saturday morning, a block party on Friday night, and a two-day festival in Balboa Park. It is one of the largest public events in San Diego. The large rainbow flag that was approved in May 2012 was put up just in time for the 2012 Pride Festival.
See also
In Spanish: Hillcrest para niños
