Hillcrest is an upscale area in San Diego, California in the United States. The neighborhood is north-northwest of Balboa Park and south of Interstate 8/Mission Valley. First Avenue borders Mission Hills to the west, and Park Boulevard borders North Park to the east. North Park to the east, Bankers Hill and Balboa Park to the south, University Heights to the north, and Mission Hills to the northwest are the neighborhoods' boundaries. The area is bordered to the west by a sizable ridge that looks out over San Diego Bay.

The LGBT community is well-represented in Hillcrest, which is renowned for its "tolerance and acceptance" as well as its diversity in racial backgrounds, nations, genders, and socioeconomic classes. Along with the other uptown neighborhoods (located around Balboa Park), Hillcrest is well known for its abundance of independently owned shops, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, trendy thrift stores, and adult novelty stores. Hillcrest also has a distinctively "urban" vibe and a high population density compared to many other San Diego neighborhoods. It is also the city's primary "gayborhood."

The Hillcrest Business Association, which was established in 1921 and recognized as a Business Improvement District by the city in 1984, is in charge of maintaining Hillcrest's economic vibrancy. Through active beautification projects, upkeep of the unmistakable Hillcrest sign, organization of street festivals, and management of the vibrant Hillcrest Farmers Market, this group actively enhances the neighborhood. Their yearly "Taste of Hillcrest" event, which offers samples from more than 50 neighborhood bars and eateries, attracts notice. Notably, the Hillcrest Pride Flag was unveiled in 2012 with enthusiastic backing from the business sector. The neighborhood's food industry is thriving, and Scripps Mercy Hospital and the UC San Diego Medical Center are located there.

Numerous adjacent cafes, restaurants, and businesses add to Hillcrest's pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. The neighborhood's effective transportation system includes traditional bus routes like the 3, 11, 20, 83, 110, and 120 as well as bus rapid transit lines like the 280 and 290, all of which are a part of the San Diego Metropolitan transportation System. Road access is provided by State Route 163, and Washington Street and University Avenue are the area's main east-west thoroughfares. Public parking structures and plenty of parking are controlled by the Uptown Community Parking District, and accessible parking and transportation options include a resurrected trolley service and the AccessHillcrest website.