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.
Plan Hillcrest Plan your Hillcrest trip Free · and No sign-up By TripSapien · Updated October 13, 2026
Home / Things to do in San Diego / Neighborhoods / Hillcrest Top things to do in Hillcrest
Martial Arts Museum of America ★ 4.6 · 2.8k
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 ★ 4.7 · 2.1k
Outdoor farmers market held on Sundays with organic produce, gift, clothing & world food stalls.
Mon–Fri Closed
Sat Closed
Sun 9 AM – 2 PM
Darrell's Modern Trends Thrift & Furniture ★ 4.7 · 177
Every day 10 AM – 6 PM
M-Theory Music ★ 4.7 · 297
Vibrant music store stocking a range of new & used CDs & records in a variety of genres.
Mon–Fri 11 AM – 7 PM
Sat 11 AM – 7 PM
Sun 12 PM – 5 PM
Bluestocking Books ★ 4.7 · 254
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 ★ 4.7 · 254
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!
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 ★ 5.0 · 567· $10–20
Every day 7 AM – 6 PM
Bread & Cie ★ 4.6 · 1.5k· $10–20
Cafe/bakery offering artisanal French breads & pastries, plus sandwiches, salads & breakfast fare.
Every day 7:30 AM – 4 PM
EQ San Diego ★ 4.5 · 675
A nightclub and music venue located in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego.
Every day 12 PM – 2 AM
Urban MO's Bar & Grill ★ 4.6 · 2.7k· $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
AWOL · $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
Number One Fifth Avenue ★ 4.4 · 613· $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 ★ 4.5 · 2.0k· $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 ★ 4.9 · 286· $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
Common Stock ★ 4.6 · 411· $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 Planning time in Hillcrest?
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1 Martial Arts Museum of America 2 Mevan Coffee & Desserts & Brunch 3 Hillcrest Farmers Market 4 Bread & Cie 5 EQ San Diego 6 Urban MO's Bar & Grill 7 AWOL 8 Number One Fifth Avenue 9 Gossip Grill 10 Taste of Denmark Ready to plan Hillcrest? Turn these Hillcrest picks into a day-by-day San Diego plan, with every place checked for closures and booking needs on your dates.
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Martial Arts Museum of AmericaArt Museum
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