Hillcrest is an area of San Diego that is well known of having a large population of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender inhabitants and also boasts many LGBT owned businesses. It is a vibrant community with many independently-owned shops and restaurants, and is one of the best places in San Diego for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Hillcrest is an older area of San Diego but has been rejuvenated and cleaned up and is one of the more expensive zip codes in San Diego.

Hillcrest was created in 1906 by a man named William Wesley Whitson who purchased the area for $115,000. The original sales office for building lots was on the intersection of 5th Avenue and University Avenue, where many shops and restaurants still exist today. The famous Hillcrest sign at that intersection was created in 1940http://www.hillcresthistory.org/articles/index.htm

Hillcrest is known for being one of the biggest gay communities in the United States. In the 1970s, gays and lesbians began to create businesses and residences in Hillcrest. The very first gay pride parade in the area was held in 1974, with an officially regulated one the next year in 1975. The parade has been held in Hillcrest ever since and regularly pulls in a crowd of over 30,000 people. In 1980, the Hillcrest Gay and Lesbian Center (The Center) moved to Hillcrest.http://www.hillquest.com/history/index.htm