San Diego's first suburb, today Hillcrest is a colorful and diverse community brimming with coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques. The area got its start in the Summer of 1906 when William Wesley Whitson received a business tip from his sister-in-law Laura Anderson.  She had heard that the George Hill Estate was for sale. Whitson purchased the hilly tract just north of downtown for $115,000, a bargain at the time.

Today, Hillcrest more closely resembles a village than an urban center.  The restored Hillcrest sign centers the area around University and gives it a unique character. Streets are lined with antique stores, specialty shops, bookstores and specialty food outlets. The area is the center of San Diego's vibrant gay and lesbian community hosting the Gay Pride parade and other events.