Hillcrest Business Association

08/21/2026

Hillcrest business owners, El Niño prep starts now 🌧

The City is gearing up for El Niño and the rainy season ahead, and is reaching out early to make sure community and business leaders have what they need to prepare.

A quick update: the Office of Emergency Services has been folded into San Diego Fire-Rescue, with new leadership now guiding the City's emergency preparedness work.
The City has also rolled out resources to help you and your business get ready:
>>Preparedness Website: sandiego.gov/elnino
>> Inside San Diego Story: insidesandiego.org
>> Press Conference: youtu.be/yxS8sMUMMM4

Take a few minutes to check out the toolkit — a little prep now can save a lot of headaches when the rain hits. Let's keep Hillcrest businesses informed, connected, and ready.

08/20/2026

Trees along Hillcrest's east end got some love this week! 🌳

The Hillcrest Business Association's tree trimming program rolled through Park Blvd and University Ave east of Normal Street starting Monday 8/17 with crews tackling everything from towering canopy trees to the smaller street saplings.

A well-maintained streetscape is good for everyone. Better visibility for storefronts, safer sidewalks, and a neighborhood that feels more inviting for the people who live, work, and shop here. Team HBA maintains all the street trees in the neighborhood and trims them all at lease once a year.

Thanks for your patience while crews were out and about — Hillcrest is looking sharp!

08/18/2026

Last call to clear your calendar: the Hillcrest Business Association's Quarterly Mixer is today, Tuesday, August 18, from 5–7 pm at the brand-new Skylight venue (3946 Fifth Ave).

Don't miss your chance to connect with fellow Hillcrest business owners, swap notes on what's happening in the neighborhood, and build the relationships that keep our business community strong. Light bites will be served, and your first drink is on Skylight — but only for one night.

Whether you're a longtime HBA member or new to the neighborhood, this is the one to show up for. We'll see you there.

08/17/2026

Join us tomorrow Hillcrest business members!

The Hillcrest Business Association's Quarterly Mixer is happening TOMORROW, Tuesday, August 18, from 5–7 pm at the brand-new Skylight venue (3946 Fifth Ave).
This is your chance to connect with fellow Hillcrest business owners, swap notes on what's happening in the neighborhood, and build the relationships that keep our business community strong. Light bites will be served, and your first drink is on Skylight.

Whether you're a longtime HBA member or new to the neighborhood, come meet the people behind the storefronts around you.

08/15/2026

Good news for Hillcrest businesses on the east end of the neighborhood. The Hillcrest Business Association's tree trimming program is back in action, with crews starting work along Park Blvd and University Ave east of Normal Street on Monday 8/17.

Whether it's a towering canopy tree or a small street sapling, the HBA maintains them all. A well-groomed streetscape benefits every business and property along the way. Improved visibility for storefronts, safer sidewalks, and a more inviting neighborhood for the people who live, work, and shop here. Keep an eye out for crews in your area starting Monday.

08/14/2026

Save the date for this unique community event. https://walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/locations/sandiego/

08/13/2026

Join us for an evening of connection, cocktails, and community at the HBA's Quarterly Mixer! This quarter we’re meeting at the new Skylight Venue at 3946 5th Ave. on Tuesday, August 18, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. There will be light bites and the first drink’s on us

Find out what’s going on at the HBA, sign up for opportunities, and join great company from fellow Hillcrest business owners and neighbors. Come network, catch up, and see the beautiful Skylight Venue space firsthand — huge thanks to them for hosting!

08/12/2026

San Diego Police Announce that New E-Bike Safety Rules Start Tomorrow (Aug 13)
Hillcrest business owners: a heads up on new citywide e-bike regulations taking effect this week:
>>Kids under 12 can no longer ride Class 1 or 2 e-bikes (pedal bikes only)
>> Helmet requirements and passenger restrictions are being reinforced (extra riders only allowed on e-bikes built for it)
>> A 60-day education period runs through Oct. 12 before citations begin — after that, it's a $25 fine (or an online safety course option)
>> Parents/guardians share liability for citations

With school back in session and back-to-school foot/bike traffic picking up around Hillcrest, this is a good moment to remind staff and customers — especially if your business sells, rents, or services e-bikes — about the new age minimums and rules of the road.

Let's help keep Hillcrest's streets safe for everyone.

The City of San Diego is launching a public education and outreach campaign on e-bike safety ahead of new regulations for kids. City Councilmember Raul Campillo was joined this morning by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) Police Department, and loc...

08/06/2026

The July Security Dashboard is live and this month's numbers tell a story.

The Hillcrest Business Association Clean and Safe team publishes a monthly Security Dashboard tracking patrol activity across the Greater Hillcrest Clean & Safe Zone, and July's edition is live. This was the busiest month yet — 625+ logged incidents, a new high — and the data includes some developments worth knowing about:
CVS on Washington Street is now generating nearly 100 incidents a month with graffiti, transient contacts, and medical calls making it by far the highest-volume location in the district.
Two medical emergencies occurred on consecutive days (July 20–21), with paramedics called both times. This is the most concentrated stretch of medical callouts in any week since we started tracking.

The monthly dashboard is part of our commitment to keeping Hillcrest's business community and security network informed. Every month, same place, same time.
🔗 Read the full July Dashboard at www.hillcrestbia.org/cleanandsafe

08/05/2026

Join your friends and neighbors for the HBA Quarterly Mixer.

Mark your calendars, Hillcrest business owners! Our next Quarterly Mixer is happening on Tuesday, August 18th from 5 – 7 PM at the new Skylight Venue, 3946 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Come meet your fellow neighborhood businesses, make new connections, and hear the latest on what the HBA's been up to. We'll have light bites and your first drink is on us!
Huge thanks to Skylight Venue for hosting! RSVP by scanning the QR on our flyer.