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Hillcrest in San Diego

Things to Do in Hillcrest, San Diego

Hillcrest is north-northwest of Balboa Park and features Park Boulevard to the east and First Avenue to the west. The neighborhood has a lively atmosphere with various shops and restaurants along its streets.

Hillcrest is north-northwest of Balboa Park and features Park Boulevard to the east and First Avenue to the west. The neighborhood has a lively atmosphere with various shops and restaurants along its streets.

  • Martial Arts Museum of AmericaMartial Arts Museum of AmericaArt Museum
  • Mevan Coffee & Desserts & BrunchMevan Coffee & Desserts & BrunchBrunch
  • Hillcrest Farmers MarketHillcrest Farmers MarketMarket
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By TripSapien · Updated September 3, 2026

Top things to do in Hillcrest

  • Martial Arts Museum of America in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Martial Arts Museum of America

    4.6 · 2.8k
    Art Museum

    Venerable art museum with acclaimed works, plus a courtyard bar/bistro with sculpture garden views.

    Mon–Tue
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Wed
    Closed
    Thu–Fri
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Sun
    12 PM – 5 PM
  • Hillcrest Farmers Market in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Hillcrest Farmers Market

    4.7 · 2.1k
    Market

    Outdoor farmers market held on Sundays with organic produce, gift, clothing & world food stalls.

    Mon–Fri
    Closed
    Sat
    Closed
    Sun
    9 AM – 2 PM
  • Flea Market illustration for Darrell's Modern Trends Thrift & Furniture

    Darrell's Modern Trends Thrift & Furniture

    4.7 · 177
    Flea Market
    Every day
    10 AM – 6 PM
  • M-Theory Music in Hillcrest, San Diego

    M-Theory Music

    4.7 · 291
    Record Store

    Vibrant music store stocking a range of new & used CDs & records in a variety of genres.

  • Bluestocking Books in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Bluestocking Books

    4.7 · 249
    Bookstore

    Bright retailer stocking a broad range of fiction & non-fiction books for kids & adults.

    Mon–Tue
    11 AM – 6 PM
    Wed
    Closed
    Thu
    11 AM – 6 PM
    Fri
    10 AM – 7 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 7 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 6 PM
  • Blue Stocking Books & Bindery in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Blue Stocking Books & Bindery

    4.7 · 247
    Bookstore

    Bright retailer stocking a broad range of fiction & non-fiction books for kids & adults.

    Mon–Tue
    11 AM – 6 PM
    Wed
    Closed
    Thu
    11 AM – 6 PM
    Fri
    10 AM – 7 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 7 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 6 PM
  • Humanity! in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Humanity!

    Specialty Store
    Mon–Thu
    11 AM – 9 PM
    Fri
    10 AM – 10 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 10 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 8 PM

Where to eat & drink in Hillcrest

  • Mevan Coffee & Desserts & Brunch in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Mevan Coffee & Desserts & Brunch

    5.0 · 513
    Brunch· $10–20
    Every day
    7 AM – 6 PM
  • EQ San Diego in Hillcrest, San Diego

    EQ San Diego

    4.5 · 665
    Nightclub

    A nightclub and music venue located in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego.

    Every day
    12 PM – 2 AM
  • Urban MO's Bar & Grill in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Urban MO's Bar & Grill

    4.6 · 2.7k
    Bar & Grill· $20–30

    Upbeat gay-friendly spot with a happening dance floor, festive theme nights & an outdoor patio.

    Mon–Thu
    10 AM – 11 PM
    Fri
    10 AM – 1 AM
    Sat
    9 AM – 1 AM
    Sun
    9 AM – 11 PM
  • Bar illustration for AWOL

    AWOL

    Bar· $10–20
    Mon–Wed
    Closed
    Thu
    4 PM – 11 PM
    Fri
    4 PM – 1 AM
    Sat
    10 AM – 1 AM
    Sun
    10 AM – 8 PM
    Map
  • Number One Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Number One Fifth Avenue

    4.4 · 610
    Bar· $10–20

    Gay-friendly locals' hangout boasts an easygoing vibe & a back patio with pool tables.

    Mon–Thu
    3 PM – 1:30 AM
    Fri
    12 PM – 2 AM
    Sat
    12 PM – 2 AM
    Sun
    12 PM – 1:30 AM
  • Gossip Grill in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Gossip Grill

    4.5 · 2.0k
    Bar & Grill· $20–30

    LGBT-friendly bar serves quirky cocktails & American comfort food amid female-inspired decor.

    Mon
    2 PM – 8 PM
    Tue–Thu
    2 PM – 12 AM
    Fri
    2 PM – 2 AM
    Sat
    11 AM – 2 AM
    Sun
    11 AM – 10 PM
  • Taste of Denmark in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Taste of Denmark

    4.9 · 281
    Danish· $10–20

    Laid-back option serving breakfast, pastries & drinks, along with Danish-style snacks & entrees.

    Mon–Tue
    Closed
    Wed–Fri
    11 AM – 4 PM
    Sat
    11 AM – 4 PM
    Sun
    11 AM – 4 PM
  • Bread & Cie in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Bread & Cie

    4.6 · 1.4k
    Bakery· $10–20

    Cafe/bakery offering artisanal French breads & pastries, plus sandwiches, salads & breakfast fare.

    Every day
    7:30 AM – 4 PM
  • Common Stock in Hillcrest, San Diego

    Common Stock

    4.6 · 407
    Cocktail Bar· $30–40

    A globally-inspired scratch American kitchen and neighborhood cocktail bar featuring California cuisine.

    Mon–Tue
    4:30 PM – 9 PM
    Wed–Fri
    4:30 PM – 10 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 10 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 9 PM

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Hillcrest map

Ranked using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.

Map of Hillcrest with pinned top attractions (1 through 10)
  1. 1Martial Arts Museum of America
  2. 2Mevan Coffee & Desserts & Brunch
  3. 3Hillcrest Farmers Market
  4. 4EQ San Diego
  5. 5Urban MO's Bar & Grill
  6. 6AWOL
  7. 7Number One Fifth Avenue
  8. 8Gossip Grill
  9. 9Taste of Denmark
  10. 10Bread & Cie

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