For Pet Owners
$0 pet rent.
That part isn’t a typo.
Most San Diego apartments charge $25–75 per month in pet rent. Hillcrest Place charges nothing. Indoor cats and small dogs up to 25 lbs are welcome—along with fish, birds, reptiles, and other small caged pets. $300 fully refundable deposit, no breed restrictions, and a Walk Score 93 neighborhood that makes every errand a dog walk.
pet rent
per pet
small dogs & cats
A pet policy that doesn’t punish you for having a pet
No monthly pet rent. A refundable deposit, not a nonrefundable fee. And a neighborhood where your daily walk covers groceries, coffee, and the post office while your dog covers every fire hydrant on 7th Avenue.
$0 monthly pet rent
Most apartments in San Diego charge $25–75 per month in pet rent on top of your lease. Hillcrest Place doesn’t. That’s $300–900 per year you keep.
$300 refundable deposit
One-time deposit per pet, fully refundable under the same conditions as your security deposit. Not a nonrefundable “pet fee.” Maximum two pets per unit.
Walk Score 93—every errand is a dog walk
Whole Foods is a 3-minute walk. Trader Joe’s and Ralph’s are under 10 minutes. Coffee shops, restaurants, pharmacy—all on foot. Your dog doesn’t ride in the car for errands; your dog walks with you.
Cul-de-sac for quieter walks
Hillcrest Place is on a cul-de-sac, off the main through-streets. Less traffic right outside your door makes those first-thing-in-the-morning and last-thing-at-night walks more relaxed.
Vets and groomers within walking distance
Multiple veterinary clinics are nearby—Uptown Animal Hospital (19 min walk), VCA Hillcrest (15 min walk), and more. Paw Commons Pet Resort (daycare, boarding, grooming) is a 6-minute walk on 9th Avenue. Unleashed by Petco is 11 minutes on foot.
Central to San Diego’s best dog parks
Nate’s Point in Balboa Park (6 min drive, off-leash, 24 hrs). University Heights Dog Park (6 min). Morley Field and North Park (8 min). Civita (10 min). Mission Trails Regional Park for longer hikes (7 min). Dog Beach in Ocean Beach (15 min).
What’s nearby for your pet
Veterinary care
Uptown Animal Hospital (19 min walk, 4.6☆), Harmony Animal Hospital (Park Blvd, 4.7☆), VCA Hillcrest (15 min walk), and Banfield at The Hub.
Grooming & daycare
Paw Commons Pet Resort (6 min walk, 4.7☆)—daycare, boarding, and grooming. Dirty Dogs (The Hub, 4.7☆) and The Barking Lot (Park Blvd) for grooming.
Dog parks & trails
Nate’s Point (6 min drive, off-leash, 24 hrs). University Heights (6 min). Morley Field and North Park (8 min). Little Italy (8 min). Civita (10 min). Grape Street (14 min, agility course). Mission Trails for longer hikes (7 min). Dog Beach in Ocean Beach (15 min).
Pet supplies & daily life
Unleashed by Petco (11 min walk) for food, toys, and essentials. The Sunday farmers market is dog-friendly. Many Hillcrest restaurant patios welcome dogs—California law allows dogs in outdoor dining areas.
Every walk is a good walk
Hillcrest is one of San Diego’s most walkable neighborhoods. For a dog owner, that means your daily routine doubles as exercise, errands, and socialization—for both of you.
Morning walk
The cul-de-sac out front is low traffic. Loop through the neighborhood streets, stop at a coffee shop, and you’ve covered a mile without trying. Better Buzz and Lestat’s both have outdoor seating.
Afternoon errands
Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Ralph’s are all within walking distance. Tie up outside (short stops) or split the trip with your partner. The post office, pharmacy, and bank are all on foot too.
Evening wind-down
Restaurant patios along University Avenue and in The Hub are largely dog-friendly. Oscar’s Mexican, Baja Beto’s, The Merrow—outdoor seating and a leash-friendly vibe.
Weekend adventure
Balboa Park trails are a short drive south. Nate’s Point for off-leash play. Dog Beach in Ocean Beach for the full San Diego experience. The Sunday farmers market in Hillcrest is a dog-friendly tradition.
Relocating to San Diego with a pet? See our guide to moving to San Diego. Work in healthcare? Scripps Mercy and UCSD Medical Center are both within walking distance.
See what’s available
4 apartments currently available, starting from $1,898/mo. Flexible leases, pet-friendly, in the heart of Hillcrest.
Questions about pets
What’s the full pet policy?
Indoor cats and small dogs up to 25 lbs, no breed restrictions. Maximum two pets per unit. $300 refundable deposit per pet. $0 monthly pet rent. Fish, birds, reptiles, and other small caged pets are also welcome. All pets must be listed on the lease. See full pricing & fees.
Is the pet deposit refundable?
Yes. The $300 pet deposit is fully refundable, subject to the same conditions as your security deposit. It is not a nonrefundable pet fee.
Are there breed restrictions?
No breed restrictions. The only requirement for dogs is the 25 lb weight limit. Indoor cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and other small caged pets are also welcome.
Are cats allowed?
Yes. Indoor cats are welcome. Same deposit ($300 per pet, refundable) and maximum (two pets per unit). $0 monthly pet rent applies to cats as well.
How many pets can I have?
Maximum two pets per unit. Each pet requires a separate $300 refundable deposit. No additional monthly pet rent for either pet.
What about assistance animals?
Assistance animals (service animals and emotional support animals) are not pets and are not subject to the pet policy, pet deposit, or pet rent. Hillcrest Place follows all fair housing requirements regarding assistance animals. See our fair housing page for details.
Are there dog parks nearby?
Yes—Hillcrest is central to San Diego’s best dog parks. Nate’s Point in Balboa Park (6 min drive, off-leash, 24 hrs). University Heights (6 min). Morley Field and North Park (8 min). Civita (10 min). Grape Street (14 min, agility course). Mission Trails Regional Park for longer hikes (7 min). Dog Beach in Ocean Beach (15 min). Balboa Park itself is a 4-minute drive or 15-minute walk, with miles of on-leash trails.
Are there vets nearby?
Multiple veterinary clinics are within walking distance: Uptown Animal Hospital (19 min walk, 4.6☆), VCA Hillcrest (15 min walk), Harmony Animal Hospital (4.7☆), and Banfield at The Hub. Paw Commons Pet Resort is a 6-minute walk—grooming, daycare, and boarding.
Ready to see the place?
Tours are by appointment—Rob handles them personally. Bring your pet if you’d like—they should see the neighborhood too.