The Hillcrest Sign, painted by California artist RD Riccoboni. Hillcrest section of San Diego California's most popular and lively LGBTQ neighborhoods. This is the intersection of University and Fifth Avenues with the famous Hillcrest Sign. The sign was erected in 1940. Hillcrest is an older neighborhood which has gone through gentrification, mostly residential with a large amount of retail shops and exciting restaurants along tree-lined streets. Small to large traditional homes, and apartments abound here. The neighborhood is bound by Mission Hills to the northwest, Bankers Hill and the Zoo with Balboa Park to the south, and University Heights and North Park to the east. A large ridge overlooking San Diego Bay borders the neighborhood to the west. Also in Hillcrest is Balboa Park where I have created many of my paintings. The neighborhood's proximity to Downtown San Diego make this an exciting neighborhood. In Hillcrest every July is San Diego Gay Pride, an annual celebration for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Festivities take place the last weekend in July; there is a Gay Pride parade, then a two-day festival in Balboa Park and cultural events the entire month. Hillcrest, CityFest, is an annual street festival which features food, live entertainment, a beer garden and street vendors. This event takes place annually in August a week or two after the pride fest. Visit the artist's studio #18 in Spanish Village Art Center at Balboa Park in San Diego California.