University Avenue leads into the neighborhood's 'village' area designated by the historic, neon 'Hillcrest' sign. A great place to shop for local produce, arts and crafts, the market also offers a wide range of gourmet stalls with hot and cold cuisine. This lively stretch also hosts one of the largest farmers markets in San Diego from 9AM – 2PM on Sunday. You'll also discover home decor shops, distinctive boutiques, the Uptown District shopping plaza and the country's only openly gay brewery, Hillcrest Brewing Company. Spanning a dozen blocks west from the Pride flag along University Avenue is a colorful mix of ethnically diverse restaurants, nightclubs and acclaimed wine bars.
A block away, down Harvey Milk Street, is where the San Diego LGBTQ+ Community Center resides.
The landmark serves as the starting point for San Diego LGBTQ+ Pride's annual mile-long parade held each July. Lauded for its welcoming vibe and pedestrian-friendly streets and sidewalk patios, the area's east end is marked by a towering rainbow Pride flag just off Hillcrest's main thoroughfare of University Avenue, at the corner of Normal Street. Located only a few miles north of San Diego's bustling downtown, the vibrant uptown neighborhood of Hillcrest stands as San Diego's LGBTQ+ central hub, offering an array of bars, restaurants, coffee houses, boutiques and unique shops.
