HILLCREST
LGBT
Downtown
San Diego
Hillcrest is San Diego’s official “gayborhood,” with eclectic
shopping, myriad LGBT bars, clubs, and lounges, and an
internationally flavored restaurant scene. Come out and play!
i
The San Diego LGBT Pride
Parade is the fourth largest
in the United States.
Save the Date
July 12–14: San
Diego LGBT Pride
More than 50,000
attendees flock
to Balboa Park
for entertainment,
cultural presentations, great food,
and vendors.
Red velvet pancakes
from Snooze.
STAY
The Britt Scripps Inn (406 Maple
Street) has nine elaborate suites decked
out in Queen Anne Victorian decor.
The Carriage House, a separate cottage
in the garden, is the most secluded,
with a private porch and a Jacuzzi tub.
Or, stay downtown at the Sofia Hotel
(150 West Broadway), a uniquely chic
and pet-friendly boutique hotel, or the
Hotel Palomar (1047 Fifth Avenue)
with great dining on-site at Saltbox and
a sparkling rooftop pool framed by day
beds and private cabanas.
EAT
For breakfast, there’s souped-up Bennys
and over-the-top pancakes at Snooze
(3940 Fifth Avenue), a retro-meets-modern diner in Hillcrest. At lunchtime,
refuel at Amarin Thai (3843 Richmond
Street), where lunch specials are flavor-rich and thrifty. For dinner, feast on
homemade tater tots and fun comfort
fare at R-Gang Eatery (3683 Fifth Avenue), followed by an elegant dessert at
D Bar (3930 Fifth Avenue) and a plastic
animal-adorned nightcap at Urban Mo’s
(308 University Avenue).
PLAY
Hillcrest’s colorful bar scene serves up
endless opportunities for dancing and
drinking. Start at Baja Betty’s (1421 University Avenue) for steeply discounted
drinks during happy hour ( 2 p.m.– 6
p.m., Mon.–Fri.), then hit Lips (3036 El
Cajon Boulevard), a North Park drag
club, for a dinner show. At night, Rich’s
(1051 University Avenue) attracts a
crowd that’s easy on the eyes. Or, take in
an LGBT-themed play at Diversionary
Theatre (4545 Park Boulevard). Tickets
start at just $25.
July 12: Pride
of Hillcrest
Block Party
Kick off Pride
weekend with a
fabulous nighttime
block party with
live DJs, dancing,
and good times.
on’t
iss!
August 11:
Hillcrest CityFest
Hillcrest’s biggest
street fair features
live music, a beer
garden, and more
than 250 arts,
crafts, and food
vendors.
Sip a pint of “Hoppy Endings IPA” or “Banana Hammock Scotch Ale” at Hillcrest
Brewing Company, the first gay brewery in the world. Hungry? Sop up the suds with
a thin-crust BBQueer chicken pizza.
