Diverse, quirky and fun-loving, San Diego's Hillcrest is a cool, bustling neighborhood of ethnic restaurants and coffeehouses, stylish thrift stores and nightlife, and independent specialty stores. Dotted with vintage, Craftsman-style bungalows, the streets surrounding Hillcrest's heart at University and Fifth avenues are prone more toward artsy neon and city style than graffiti and high-rise condos.

Well known as San Diego's gay and lesbian Mecca, Hillcrest is a community of tolerance, friendly neighbors and ab-fab shopping. The neighborhood also plays host to community leaders and coast-to-coast visitors during its annual Gay Pride parade. Gay or straight, local or tourist, spend a day, night or weekend in San Diego's "heart," and it just might become your new favorite place.