San Diego's first suburb, Hillcrest is a colorful and diverse community brimming with coffee shops and cafes. The community's 36,000 residents reside in the Uptown District, just north of downtown, practically the geographic center of San Diego.

In the Summer of 1906, William Wesley Whitson received a business tip from his sister-in-law Laura Anderson, who had heard that the George Hill Estate was for sale. Whitson purchased the hilly tract just north of downtown for $115,000, a bargain considering that the adjoining land parcel had recently been sold for half a million dollars.

Today, Hillcrest more closely resembles a village than an urban center. Despite the recent influx of several national chains, the community as a whole has not sold out to commercialism. Streets are lined with delightful antique stores, specialty shops, bookstores and specialty food outlets.

Also an epicurian's delight, fine dining is available at Busalacchi's, California Cuisine and Montanas American Grill. Visitors may choose from the Taste of Italy, Taste of Thai or Taste of Szechuan restaurants. Or, spend a wild night back in the '50's at the Corvette Diner, where neon rules, a DJ spins, and you can order a Dion burger and a Blue Suede Shoes cocktail.

Those who find themselves strolling the streets of this tight-knit community in early August can take part in CityFest, the annual street fair that takes place on August 4. Recent years have seen the streets fill up with nearly 100,000 guests, as they party with hundreds of vendors who set up booths on seven blocks open only to foot traffic. The increasingly popular event offers a safe environment in which visitors may spend a fun-filled day eating, drinking, and grooving to free performances by local bands.