Event Dates
From: Sunday, August 10, 2025
To: Sunday, August 10, 2025
CityFest Weekend
Hillcrest San Diego 2025
San Diego’s ultimate summer art and music festival takes over 5th Avenue from 12 noon until 11 pm on Sunday in mid August.
CityFest Weekend Hillcrest San Diego 2025
San Diego’s ultimate summer art and music festival takes over 5th Avenue from 10 am until 2 am on Sunday in mid August during Hillcrest CityFest!
- Stay close to all the pride festivities in the Downtown district, home to some of the city’s better hotels and just 8 minutes from the block party (Hillcrest neighbourhood is short on nice hotels). Stay at The Bristol, a boutique hotel located at the crossroads of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
The Festival
- Next Edition – Sunday 10th August, 2025 – 12 pm – 11 pm
- San Diego’s CityFest event in the gay district of Hillcrest is a celebration of community spirit featuring live bands, electronic dance music DJ’s, arts, crafts, and food that attracts over 150,000+ visitors from San Diego and Southern California.
- While the main event takes place on the Sunday, the Friday and Saturday sees some of the district’s most popular gay bars and clubs host amazing CityFest parties and theme nights.
- CityFest is San Diego’s largest and best art and music festival, stretching nearly half a mile in size on over 9 city blocks!
Hillcrest Cityfest Schedule
- A grand stage with live music and headliner bands will keep you entertained by headliner DJ’s and well-known talent.
- DJs and shows run from 11 am until late.
- A massive cocktail bar and beer Garden featuring will keep you hydrated and entertained, and over 250 vendors offering plenty of shopping opportunities.
- Stay just a short trip from Hillcrest at the Inn at the Park, a unique all-suite San Diego property, situated on the edge of Balboa Park West. Alternatively check out the hotels in nearby Mission Valley.
Gay Hillcrest
- Located in the colorful and vibrant community of Hillcrest, the quaint shops and restaurants along 5th, Robinson, and University will come alive with community spirit, giving you a place to dive into and explore!
- Renowned for its vibrant nightlife scene, international dining, and eclectic shopping, Hillcrest has been the home of the LGBT community for over 40 years.
- Known to locals as “Pride-Light,” Hillcrest CityFest is a celebration of the landmark Hillcrest sign, residents and businesses, who have been champions for equality, diversity, and inclusion in San Diego and beyond.
Recommended Hotels in San Diego
The following San Diego Hotels are just a short ride from the Hillcrest festival:
Pendry San Diego, Gaslamp Plaza Suites, The Westin, Inn at the Park
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 hotels with the best rates.
Where we stay!
Solamar Hotel is a Kimpton, a great
gay-friendly chain perfect location
Official Website
For further information and advice on
CityFest Weekend visit the WEBSITE
Gay Map of San Diego
The gay scene in San Diego is located mostly in the trendy Hillcrest neighborhood, just northeast of Balboa Park and a short drive or cab ride from downtown. Several others are in the districts just to the east of Hillcrest: University Heights and Normal Heights.
550 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
The air-conditioned rooms provide a city view and come with a desk and free WiFi.
The units at the hotel come with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom with a hairdryer and a shower. All rooms feature a wardrobe.
910 Broadway Cir San Diego, CA 92101
Located in Downtown San Diego, The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter features a sundeck with outdoor games, spa services and a swimming pool. A 55-inch flat-screen TV is included in all guestrooms.
Each guestroom at The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is furnished with a refrigerator and a coffee machine. A laptop safe and work desk are also provided. Eco-friendly LED and CFL lights along with solar shades are featured in each room. Rooms with balconies and city views are available.
520 E St San Diego, CA 92101
Set in San Diego’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, Gaslamp Plaza Suites is a historical, European-style hotel built in 1913. The Melting Pot restaurant is located on-site. San Diego International Airport is 4.8 km away.
The original architectural design with marble walls and stairways is featured at Gaslamp Plaza Suites. Each stylish room at this hotel provides a seating area with a cable TV and a DVD player. Suites include a refrigerator, a coffee machine and a microwave.
525 Spruce St San Diego, CA 92103
This unique all-suite San Diego property is situated on the edge of Balboa Park West. It features a piano bar and elegant suites with kitchen facilities.
Inn at the Park features traditional historic charm and spacious suites. Each suite includes clean white linens and a cable TV.
1451 State St, San Diego, CA 92101
Fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen a dishwasher, a microwave, fridge & coffee machine. with a dining area, a flat-screen TV and a bathroom with bath or shower.
15th St, San Diego, CA 92101
Located on a high floor this 2 bedroom apartment offer sweeping views over San Diego along with a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with TV and a bathroom with a shower. FREE WiFI
845 16th St, San Diego, CA 92101
All units here are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, a living room, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is & parking
680 W Beech St, San Diego, CA 92101
Light-Filled Industrial Loft in Little Italy in San Diego offers accommodation with free WiFi, With direct access to a patio, the air-conditioned apartment consists of a fully equipped kitchen and a TV.
1835 Columbia St San Diego, CA 92101
Gay bar Fridays only from 5pm till 10pm
Meet us on the 5th floor of the Porto Vista for the hottest gay happy hour in SD every Friday from 5pm-10pm! Top Of The Bay San Diego is the original LGBT
929 Broadway San Diego, CA 92101
No frills neighborhood gay bar. Beers, juke box, pool tables, lots of interesting patrons to laugh with
2820 Lytton St, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
One of the city's first openly gay bars continues to draw crowds with large cocktails & a big patio.
2046 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104, United States
Relaxed gay bar with pool tables, a back patio, happy hours, & more.
1839 Adams Ave San Diego, CA 92116
Cheers is your friendly neighborhood gay bar Unpretentious, hosting seasonal events & serving daily drink specials.
4545 Park Boulevard First Floor, 4545 Park Blvd Human Resources, San Diego, CA 92116, United States
A gay bar hosting drag shows and regular Cabaret
1807 Fifth Ave San Diego, CA 92101
SRO Lounge has been a neighborhood bar with strong, inexpensive pours since 1982. Daily happy hour
A popular hangout for drag queens
4012 30th St San Diego, CA 92104
Named Best Dive Bar in North Park! We have Pool and a full outdoor smoking patio! Great Bartenders and a relaxed laid back atmosphere.
Gay Karaoke bar and grill.
3040 N Park Way San Diego, CA 92104
Gay leather and fetish bar, sexual and non-sexual fetish
2028 Hancock St San Diego, CA 92110
Spin Nightclub is a three story multifaceted nightclub venue, hosts a wide variety of music genres and events. From underground electronic music, hip hop & reggae to bands and rooftop day parties.
Huge gay night club in converted warehouse
3845 Fifth Ave San Diego, CA 92103
One of Hillcrest's most legendary gay bars, 1 Fifth Avenue, has seen many changes since it opened in the early 80's.
Enjoy the "best sidewalk cruising" while sitting at the open windows facing 5th Ave.
With the most original and most successful monthly events: Havana Nights, Karaoke Gay bar with shirtless Bar tenders
3610 Fifth Ave San Diego, CA 92103
Neighborhood local gay bar with a regular diverse crowd.
Touch screen juke box with great sound, pool table and regular events.
Fun gay bar popular with an older crowd
1440 University Ave San Diego, CA 92103
The secret is out of the bag. Since conception in 2009, Gossip Grill has turned into a favorite local hangout for girls, boys, and everything in between. Notorious for being the girl’s home base, Gossip Grill plays nice with boys too!
3796 Fifth Ave San Diego, CA 92103
Established as SD's historic gay bar now remodeled with a modern but vintage decor featuring a wide variety of standout events including San Diego' Legendary Latin Night - Sabados en Fuego, Premier Drag Shows, a new Country Music weekly & much much more!
Proudly SD's oldest gay bar.
1017 University Ave San Diego, CA 92103
Open since 1983, generations of LGBT San Diegans have enjoyed this spot along one of Hillcrest's most popular thoroughfares for drinks, entertainment, music videos, sports, games, fundraisers, and more.
Flicks is popular for its many weekly events
Hillcrest's oldest gay video bar. Established in 1983.
1051 University Ave San Diego, CA 92103
Rich’s is San Diego’s largest and most popular gay nightclub. We have two large, separate rooms each with a fully-stocked bar, DJ, and dance floor; a VIP area with 4 private VIP booths and a separate private party room upstairs that overlooks the main dance floor; and two outdoor smoking patios. Rich’s San Diego is located in the heart of Hillcrest on University Avenue, across from the Uptown Shopping Center.
Experience one of the best gay nightclubs in the U.S.
San Diego's largest gay dance club
308 University Ave San Diego, CA 92103
Urban MO's Bar & Grill, "The Best Gay Bar In The World" is located in the heart of San Diego's LGBT community. Urban MO's is a hetero-friendly gay restaurant that makes the best burgers in San Diego, hands down. We're colorful. We're fun. We're the best time you'll have on any given afternoon, and an even better time in the evening.
Recommended Hotels in San Diego
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in San Diego that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Pendry San Diego
4 Star, Fab Pool
- 4 Star – Restaurant, Outdoor Pool, Fitness Center
- Close to the gay district
- Free WiFi, 24-hour front desk, very good breakfast
- Offers restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, bar, free WiFi, 24-hour front desk, and room service.
The Westin
4 Star, Readers Choice
- 4 Star – Sundeck, Outdoor Games, Spa Services
- Close to the gay district
- Flat-screen TV, refrigerator, coffee machine
- Features sundeck with games, spa services, swimming pool, rooms with flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and coffee machines.
Gaslamp Plaza Suites
3 Star, Great Value
- 3 Star – Historical European-Style, Marble Architecture
- Close to the gay district
- Seating area, Flat screen cable TV, DVD player
- Historical hotel with European style, marble architecture, stylish rooms with seating areas, cable TVs, and DVD players.
Inn at the Park
3 Star, Location
- 3 Star – Located On Balboa Park West Edge
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Piano bar, fully equipped kitchen facilities, spacious
- Unique suites on Balboa Park West edge, piano bar, traditional historic charm, spacious suites with kitchen facilities.
Video Of A Local’s Guide to Hillcrest
Dan Parker – Best Life San Diego
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