Grocery Stores & Specialty Markets In Hillcrest
Hillcrest has a fantastic selection of grocery stores, specialty markets, bakeries, and weekly farmers markets all woven into streets that are simple to explore on foot, by bike, by transit, or by car.
Grocery Stores
Whole Foods - Hillcrest
A large, upscale, full-service grocery chain known for its broad selection of natural and organic foods, plus everyday staples. Offers fresh produce, sustainable seafood, high-quality meats, pantry goods, wine/beer, specialty ingredients, vitamins, supplements, and natural body care. Especially known for its prepared food: pizza, made-to-order sandwiches, hot and salad bars, smoothies. Grocery pickup, delivery, and Amazon returns are available. A rainbow cow sculpture in the dairy section adds a playful neighborhood landmark.
- Visit at: 711 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.3 Miles
Ralphs Fresh Fare - Hillcrest
A large supermarket combining full weekly grocery selection with expanded fresh and prepared food departments. Offers produce, meat and seafood counters, bakery and deli service, pantry staples, household goods, and pharmacy. Specialty features include sushi, Murray’s cheese counter, Starbucks, floral, salad and hot food bars, and a full beer, wine, and liquor selection. Grocery pickup, online deli and bakery ordering, and extended hours make it a reliable everyday option. Located in The Hub.
- Visit at: 1020 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.4 Miles
Trader Joe's - Hillcrest
A smaller specialty grocery known for its more affordable private-label products, frozen meals, snacks, pantry staples, and rotating seasonal items. Carries fresh produce, dairy, wine and beer, and ready-to-heat or ready-to-eat foods, with a strong emphasis on store-brand selections. A popular stop for quick grocery trips, meal shortcuts, and unique finds. Located in The Hub.
- Visit at: 1090 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.4 Miles
Lazy Acres Market - Mission Hills
This small, SoCal natural foods chain focused on organic groceries, wellness products, and chef-prepared meals. Offers fresh produce with an emphasis on organic and locally sourced items, premium meat and seafood, specialty pantry goods, vitamins, supplements, and natural body care. A strong prepared foods program includes hot and salad bars, deli items, grab-and-go meals, fresh juices, smoothies, coffee, and bakery selections.
- Visit at: 422 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.6 Miles
Pavilions - Hillcrest
An upscale market known for premium grocery selection, prepared foods, and specialty service counters. Offers fresh produce, high-quality meat and seafood, bakery and deli service, floral, wine and spirits, and a broad selection of specialty and gourmet pantry items alongside everyday groceries. Expanded prepared food and ready-to-eat options, along with a curated wine and specialty ingredient focus, make it a common stop for higher-end foods in the Hillcrest area
- Visit at: 422 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.7 Miles
Sprouts Farmers Market - University Heights
A neighborhood-scaled, value-oriented grocery focused on fresh produce, bulk foods, and health-forward staples. The store offers a curated mix of natural and organic products, vitamins, supplements, specialty diet items, and everyday pantry basics. Strong bulk bins, seasonal produce displays, and smaller prepared food and grab-and-go selections make it a common stop for quick grocery runs and ingredient shopping rather than full stock-up trips.
- Visit at: Sprouts Farmers Market, 4175 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 1.1 Miles
Specialty Markets
Hillcrest Farmer's Market (Sundays)
One of San Diego’s largest and most established farmers markets, the Hillcrest Farmers Market runs year-round every Sunday and typically features more than 175 vendors. Offers a wide mix of locally grown produce, prepared foods, artisan goods, flowers, and specialty vendors, along with live music. It’s especially known for its strong international street-food lineup and lively atmosphere, making it as popular for brunch and casual browsing as it is for produce shopping. Draws thousands of visitors weekly and operates rain or shine.
- Visit at: 3960 Normal St #3960, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.7 Miles
Penzeys Spices - Hillcrest
A specialty spice shop offering a wide selection of herbs, spices, seasoning blends, extracts, and baking ingredients sourced from culinary traditions around the world. Penzeys is a small, family-owned national chain based in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, known for its ingredient quality, salt-free blends, and hard-to-find spices. A go-to stop for home cooks looking to expand pantry staples or experiment with new flavors.
- Visit at: 1274 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.7 Miles
Venissimo Cheese - Mission Hills
This artisan cheese shop specializes in small-batch and farmstead cheeses sourced from domestic and international producers. Venissimo is a small San Diego-based specialty cheese company known for its carefully curated selection, knowledgeable staff, and pairing-focused offerings, including charcuterie, crackers, preserves, and wine accompaniments.
- Visit at: 754 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.8 Miles
Clos Wine Shop - University Heights
This locally owned wine shop specializing in natural, organic, and small-producer wines from around the world. The shop also carries a curated selection of pantry items, tinned seafood, and pairing snacks. Its intimate, boutique feel and rotating wine selection make it a popular stop for discovering new bottles and picking up casual provisions.
- Visit at: 4521 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116
- Distance from Denizen: 1.4 Miles
Bakeries & Desserts
Babycakes - Hillcrest
Known for cupcakes, celebration cakes, and classic sweets in rotating flavors. The Hillcrest location is part of a small San Diego–based bakery company that started locally and has expanded to a few additional neighborhood shops. Also offers cheesecakes, coffee, and grab-and-go treats.
- Visit at: 3795 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.1 Miles
Bread & Cie - Hillcrest
Local artisan bakery and café known for hand-made European-style breads, pastries, and café fare. Opened in Hillcrest in 1994, Bread & Cie helped introduce rustic, old-world bread baking to San Diego and remains known for naturally leavened loaves, croissants, sandwiches, and scratch-made breakfast and lunch items. Fresh breads and pastries are baked daily using traditional techniques and stone-hearth ovens.
- Visit at: 350 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.2 Miles
Starry Lane Bakery - Hillcrest
This gluten-free bakery and café specializes in baked goods and comfort foods made for a range of dietary needs, including dairy-free and vegan options. Offers pastries, cakes, cookies, breads, and savory café items, and is known locally as a reliable stop for allergy-friendly treats.
- Visit at: 3925 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.2 Miles
Hazel & Jade Bakery - Hillcrest
This plant-based bakery specializies in vegan pastries, cakes, cookies, and seasonal desserts made from scratch. Known for creative rotating flavors, custom cakes, and small-batch baked goods that appeal to both vegan and traditional dessert lovers, making it a popular neighborhood stop for specialty sweets and celebration cakes.
- Visit at: 3852 Fourth Ave #100, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.2 Miles
Sierra's Baking Corner - Hillcrest
This cottage bakery offers made-to-order custom cakes, decorated cookies, and small-batch desserts. Primarily operates through preorders and farmers market appearances rather than a traditional walk-in shop. Known for detailed custom designs, seasonal treats, and celebration desserts.
- Visit at: 3919 Normal St, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.8 Miles
Michi Michi Baking Collective - Bankers Hill
A local specialty bakery known for Japanese-inspired pastries and mochi-based desserts. Specializes in chewy mochi donuts, milk breads, cream-filled buns, and seasonal specialty pastries made in small batches. Playful rotating flavors and a hybrid Japanese-French baking style.
- Visit at: 2800 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Distance from Denizen: 0.8 Miles
Discover Denizen
Denizen adds a modern, design-led residential option to Hillcrest, pairing inspired interiors with thoughtful amenities. Oversized windows, balconies, views, and modern kitchens meet our rooftop lounge, resort-style pool deck, fitness center, coworking spaces, and more. Explore our luxury apartments and one-of-a-kind amenities.
