Promotional Toolkit:
The HBA currently provides a wide variety of services to Hillcrest businesses. The services, called the Toolkit, are can be useful to member businesses for a variety of challenges and issues. All the tools in the toolkit are provided to Hillcrest businesses and commercial property owners for free. Some require business owners to take action to get involved, such as signing up or donating gift certificates, but all are provided without a fee to members.
Featured service:
Neighborhood banner promotions:
The HBA allows businesses and members to advertise of neighborhood street banners. The banners are available on months neighborhood events are not being promoted (January, February, March, May, and September).
$500 for display fee + $44 per banner install/removal fee.
Reach out to stephanie@sdstreetbanners.com for more information.
Free services for members
HBA Marketing Promotions
Hillcrest's momentum comes from its businesses, and we want to help you get seen. With 1,300+ businesses in the district, the best way to make sure your news reaches the neighborhood is to tell us directly. Submitting through the forms below is how you get your specials, events, and milestones into our newsletter, onto social, and on our event calendar. Pick what fits, fill out the form, and let's get your business in front of Hillcrest!
1. HBA Member Promotions Form
Got a special, an event, a rewards program, a limited-time offer, a milestone, or a collaboration with another local business? This is the catch-all form to get it in front of the neighborhood. Submissions may be featured in our newsletter, on our event calendar, and on social when it fits our content calendar.
2. New Resident Welcome Package
New high-rises are bringing new neighbors to Hillcrest — and we're building a welcome package to introduce them to local businesses, the Farmers Market, Pride Promenade, and everything else the neighborhood offers. Submit an existing offer or create something new just for incoming residents, and get your business in front of Hillcrest's newest neighbors from day one.
3. Social Media Giveaway Sign-Up
Two giveaways running through the rest of 2026 — one form covers both. Sign up once and let us know which giveaway (or both) you'd like to join!
National Brunch Day Giveaway — for restaurants that serve brunch and want in on the fun.
12 Days of Hillcrest — our new holiday giveaway campaign, open to all businesses. (This campaign is separate from Shop Hillcrest)
4. Nightmare on Normal Street Costume Contest - Prize Pool Donation
Help stock the prize pool for Hillcrest's Halloween tradition. Businesses that donate get their logo featured across the Nightmare on Centre Street newsletter, social posts, and website promotions leading up to the event.
Special Events
The HBA hosts a wide series of promotional events throughout the year from restaurant walks like the Taste of Hillcrest to large sale street fairs such as Hillcrest CityFest. These events are all designed to bring customers to Hillcrest and raise funds for the neighborhood.
Hillcrest CityFest, is the second Sunday in August, and offers free vendor booth spaces for members.
Taste of Hillcrest, is the Second Saturday in April and is free to restaurants (there is a small fee for retailers).
Hillcrest Taste ‘n Tinis is the Second Thursday in December and is free to restaurants (there is a small fee for retailers).
Pride of Hillcrest Block Party is the Friday before Pride and offers free vendor booth spaces to members.
Nightmare on Normal Street is in October and offers free vendor booth spaces to members.
Hillcrest Farmers Market Special Booth
The HBA takes great pride in its ownership of the highly acclaimed Hillcrest Farmers Market. This vibrant community market, held every week, serves as a platform for local vendors and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services to the enthusiastic neighborhood residents. As part of our commitment to supporting HBA members, we would like to offer our Members an opportunity to take over the Fabulous booth at the market on a first come first serve basis. Email Wendy@hillcrestbia.org for a special booth.
Other resources
Development Services Department’s Small Business & Restaurant Assistance Program
The City of San Diego's Development Services Department’s Small Business & Restaurant Assistance Program assists small businesses in the business upgrades. Whether you're expanding, renovating, or just getting started, this program offers: Dedicated Active Project Management for permitting, Faster setup & issuance timelines — saving you up to 20 business days, Support from pre-application through inspection completion, Virtual & in-person appointment options, and qualifying businesses include restaurants, bars, retail shops, salons, fitness studios, breweries, and more. Learn more with this helpful informational flier.
Power washing best practices
The City of San Diego and California State Water Boards provide helpful guidance as to how to legally clean sidewalks and follow Stormwater rules. This helpful presentation provides information for best practices. Other resources provided are:
HBA Associate Memberships
Even if you don’t have a business in Hillcrest, you can get more involved with HBA activities through our associate memberships. With three membership levels, your business can be a part of our promotional opportunities.
Organic Waste Recycling
The City of San Diego has launched the Organic Waste Recycling Program. Since January, residents with waste hauling services from the City of San Diego have been receiving their kitchen pail and a green bin for the collection of their organic waste. Businesses are also recycling organic waste through their private waste haulers. Click here to learn more!
Guide for phasing out plastic containers.
The City of San Diego is phasing out plastic “take out” food containers. Here is a helpful guide.
ADA Lawsuits
Hillcrest business owners have come up with strategies to confront a variety of seemingly random ADA lawsuits throughout Hillcrest. The first thing business owners can do is to get educated. Business owners can work with a special Certified Assess Specialist to discover and address their risks for these kind of suits. A CASp report for your business can also minimize issues if you’ve already been served. The ADA law is very complex which makes it difficult for businesses to identify which laws to follow and how each law applies to them. A CASp report takes the guessing out of it, and creates a very detailed report for that individual business. Often simply getting a CASp report can minimize the chance of “drive-by” lawsuits. Though the HBA doesn’t endorse any business for this kind of work, many Uptown businesses have been working with Tracey Cabral at Certified Access Services, please call her at 619-736-8585.
The second thing is to talk to an attorney about your options. Many HBA members are working with John Turner who, if business people are open to it, is open to coordinating a mutual defense. Though the HBA doesn’t endorse any attorneys and encourages members to be thorough when selecting an attorney, many Hillcrest members are working with John who can be contacted at 619-237-1212.
Note: This information is provided as service to our members and for discussion purposes only. The HBA does not endorse any legal service or law firm and has no expertise concerning ADA or disability law as it relates to your business. Business people are invited to make their own decisions concerning their obligations to the law that take into account their own unique circumstances.