Situated just above Balboa Park and north of downtown, Hillcrest is one of San Diego's oldest neighborhoods and celebrated it's centennial in 2007.  Known for it's eclectic atmosphere, award-winning restaurants, hip bars and nightclubs, trendy shops, and vibrant gay community, Hillcrest was awarded one of the top 10 great neighborhoods in America in 2007 by the American Planning Association.  Architecture here ranges from classic older craftsman and Spanish homes to newer upscale condos in a walkable neighborhood.

• Hillcrest Tour                                                                                             SignOnSanDiego.com Hillcrest Tour - A day in Hillcrest with links to popular restaurants, coffee houses, bars & nightclubs, shops and entertainment in the Hillcrest neighborhood.
• Hillquest                                                                                                                                 An urban guide to 92103 - Metro San Diego's hippest urban village.
• Hillcrest History Guild                                                                                                Hillcrest's historical society. Dedicated to preserving the past for future generations.

Mission Hills (92103)

As you head west on Washington Street, Hillcrest turns into Mission Hills.  Located in the rolling hills above Old Town, many of the homes in this prestigious neighborhood have views of the harbor and downtown.  Developed in the early 20th century, the area quickly became an upscale neighborhood for early San Diego residents.  Many of these early historical homes have been carefully preserved as some of the most unique and beautiful in the city.  During the 1950s and 1960s many modern homes were built along canyon rims as infill by popular modern architects such as Lloyd Ruocco, Homer Delawie, John Lloyd Wright, and Sim Bruce Richards.  Architecture here includes California bungalows, craftsman homes, modern homes, Spanish Revival and Mission-style homes.

Kate Sessions, the famous landscape artist for Balboa Park, helped to influence development in Mission Hills.  She founded the Mission Hills Nursery in 1909, which is still open today and functions as the center of the neighborhood.  The area offers many small retail shops, restaurants, quaint cafes and coffee shops.

• Francis Parker School                                                                                                 Founded in 1912 by William Templeton Johnson and his wife, Francis Parker School is San Diego's oldest and largest independent, nondenominational, coeducational day school.  Originally based on Johnson's Progressive ideals, the school's mission is "to provide a superior college preparatory education in a diverse, family-oriented environment that meets the academic, social, creative, emotional, and physical needs of the individual student."
• Mission Hills Town Council                                                                                         Providing a voice and support for the Mission Hills community.
• Modern San Diego                                                                                                    Information on modern architecture in Mission Hills and other San Diego neighborhoods.

University Heights (92116)

Normal Heights (92116)

Kensington (92116)

North Park (92104)

South Park / Golden Hill (92102)