A hundred years young
Hillcrest is San Diego’s West Hollywood. It’s diverse, lively, ever-so-hip and the center of the city’s vibrant gay and lesbian community.
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Beginnings
On a tip from his sister-in-law, William Wesley Whitson purchased a 40-acre parcel of land in 1906 from the George Hill estate for $115,000. His helpful sister-in-law named the subdivision Hillcrest. A year later, Whitson established the Hillcrest Co. and opened a sales office in what is now the center of the community.
Hundreds of housing units and an elementary school were built, and by the 1930s, Hillcrest was thriving.
Many of these residents remained in Hillcrest, aging along with it. By the 1960s, the well-populated area had a large percentage of seniors.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Hillcrest hit an economic slump; its housing and infrastructure were deteriorating. Around this time, gays and lesbians sought out the area as a place of refuge and, over time, resuscitated the community. This set Hillcrest on a path of gentrification that is very much alive and well today. This year marks Hillcrest’s centennial, and celebrations are planned throughout 2007.
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Drawing card
Hillcrest, in San Diego’s Uptown area, is known for its alternative culture, tolerance and diversity as well as its sense of fun. The landmark neon “Hillcrest” sign, on the corner of 5th and University avenues, sets a playful tone for the neighborhood.
“The presence of the gay and lesbian community has influenced the look and feel of the area,” said resident Tiffany Lee-Youngren.
The high-energy neighborhood has tons of character and is full of surprises. “What makes Hillcrest distinctive is its emphasis on originality and youth culture,” Lee-Youngren said.
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Insiders’ view
Scott Bruning, a real estate agent with the Windermere Metropolitan Tristany Group, has lived in Hillcrest for 19 years. His neighbors include retirees, medical professionals, students, singles, couples and families -- gay, lesbian and straight. One of the great things about Hillcrest, he said, “is the close proximity to all.”
The sentiment is echoed by Lee-Youngren. “I can easily walk to the post office, grocery stores, a farmer’s market, the florist -- you name it. The world-famous San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are only a two-mile walk. I’ve lived here for five years and might never leave.”
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Good news, bad news
Parking is hard to come by, and driveways and garages are premium features. There’s also a lot of traffic. Developers have discovered Hillcrest, and construction noise and dust are an irritant. Residents dismiss these as minor inconveniences and say the benefits of living in the area far outweigh having to wash a car more often or wear earplugs when construction starts up at 7 a.m.
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Housing stock
Hillcrest’s streets are tree-lined and rich in homes of varying architectural styles.
Condo prices start in the $200,000s and swiftly move up. On the market is a two-bedroom, 2 1/2 -bathroom, 970-square-foot condo built in 2006 that is listed at $524,000.
Single-family homes start in the $500,000s. There is a 1,420-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom 1909 bungalow listed at $659,000. There’s also a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 2,151-square-foot home listed for $970,000.
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Report card
Children who live in Hillcrest can attend one of three San Diego Unified elementary schools: Florence, which scored 831 out of 1,000 on the 2006 Academic Performance Index Growth Report; Birney, which scored 737; and Grant, which scored 881. Next stop is Roosevelt Middle School (638) and then the San Diego High Educational Complex -- one campus of six schools that scored from 469 to 797.
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Historical values
Single-family home resales for ZIP Code 92103
Year...Median Price
1990...$302,000
1995...$235,000
2000...$440,000
2005...$849,000
2006...$802,500
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Sources: DataQuick Information Systems; sandiegohistory.org; MetroSanDiego.com; realtor.com; California Department of Education, cde.ca.gov.