Located north of Balboa Park and The San Diego Zoo, Hillcrest is known for its diversity. Residents and visitors are able to walk to restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs and trendy specialty stores. Hillcrest is one of the liveliest areas of the city with a high population density (compared to many San Diego neighborhoods) and has a large, active gay and lesbian community.
Housing consists of condos, multi-family buildings, apartments, lofts, and modest single family homes. There is also a pocket of larger residential homes located on tree-lined streets just a short distance to the hub of Hillcrest.
Hillcrest is also home to two major hospitals and several medical facilities.