Specialist in Hillcrest — Top Local Picks (2026)

Hillcrest has one of the deepest dermatology benches in San Diego. MedDerm Dermatology handles medical and cosmetic dermatology, Dr. David W. Fabi specializes in laser treatments and injectables, and Seaver L. Soon, MD at The Skin Clinic MD covers skin cancer screening, Mohs surgery, and general dermatologic care.

Dermatology & Laser Center of San Diego rounds out the options with both medical and aesthetic procedures. With “san diego dermatologist” ranking as one of the most-typed health queries in the region, Hillcrest's cluster of board-certified dermatologists makes it a logical starting point for skin care referrals.

Where is the best dermatologist in San Diego?

The answer depends on what you need. For medical dermatology — skin cancer checks, mole evaluations, psoriasis, eczema — board-certified dermatologists with surgical training like Seaver L. Soon, MD handle diagnostic and procedural work. For cosmetic dermatology — Botox, fillers, laser resurfacing — practitioners like Dr. David W. Fabi focus on aesthetic outcomes.

Hillcrest concentrates more dermatology practices per square mile than most San Diego neighborhoods because of the medical infrastructure around UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center. Patients from North Park, Normal Heights, and Downtown regularly cross into 92103 for dermatology appointments not available in their own ZIP codes.

Do I need a referral to see a specialist in California?

It depends on your insurance plan. PPO plans in California generally allow self-referral to any in-network specialist — you do not need your primary care doctor to write a referral first. HMO plans through Kaiser, Molina, or Covered California typically require a referral from your primary care physician before the specialist visit will be covered.

If you carry a PPO and want to see San Diego Orthopaedic Associates or Unio Specialty Care Urology, you can call and schedule directly. Check that the specialist participates in your specific plan before booking — “in-network” varies by carrier and plan tier.

Is there an orthopedic doctor in Hillcrest?

San Diego Orthopaedic Associates near UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center carries one of the largest orthopedic patient bases in San Diego County, covering joint replacement, sports medicine, spine surgery, and fracture care. Dr. Christopher T. Behr, MD also practices orthopedics in the 92103 ZIP.

The proximity to UCSD's trauma center means orthopedic surgeons in Hillcrest handle complex cases — post-accident reconstruction, revision surgeries, and multi-ligament knee injuries — alongside routine orthopedic care. Patients coming from Bankers Hill and Mission Hills can walk to appointments along the W Arbor Drive corridor.

Where can I see a urologist in Hillcrest?

Unio Specialty Care Urology is one of the most-reviewed urology practices in San Diego, located in the medical corridor near UCSD Hillcrest. The practice covers kidney stones, prostate care, bladder conditions, male infertility, and urologic oncology.

Urologists affiliated with the UC San Diego Health system also maintain offices in the Hillcrest campus. Bawa Maneesh MD is another specialist in the urology space within 92103. For patients needing surgical urology, the adjacency to UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center's operating suites means pre-op and post-op appointments happen within the same medical complex.

What specialists are near Scripps Mercy Hospital?

Scripps Mercy Hospital sits on Fifth Avenue, and the blocks surrounding it house cardiology, gastroenterology, and general surgery practices that support the hospital's inpatient operations. San Diego Heart and Vascular Associates handles cardiac care, and Dr. Larry D. Dodge, MD practices in the Scripps orbit.

Evolve Aesthetic Surgery operates nearby for elective cosmetic procedures, and Mark A. Willoughby, MD covers internal medicine subspecialties. The Fifth Avenue corridor between University and Washington runs parallel to the UCSD corridor on W Arbor Drive, giving Hillcrest two distinct specialist clusters within walking distance of each other.

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Medical Specialists & Doctors in Hillcrest 92103

All Specialist

Dr. David W. Fabi

Seaver L. Soon, MD; The Skin Clinic MD

Dr. Larry D. Dodge, MD

San Diego Orthopaedic Associates Medical Group, Inc.

Unio Specialty Care – Urology – San Diego – Hillcrest

MedDerm Dermatology

Viet D. Nguyen, MD

San Diego Heart and Vascular Associates

Evolve Aesthetic Surgery

Mark A. Willoughby, MD

Shahin Keramati, MD - San Diego Heart and Vascular Associates

Bawa Maneesh MD

Dr. James E. Bush, MD

Erick A. Mafong, MD

Drosman Steven R MD

Dr. Robert S. Meyer, MD

Jay Blake, DNP

Jennifer Blanchard, MD

Jennifer M. Dan, MD, PhD

Michael Lee, M.D.

Univ of Ca San Diego Med Center: Greenberg Mark MD

The Pain Center San Diego

Marin Xavier, MD

Dr. Andrew Cummins, MD

Dr. Michelle T. Pelle, MD

Dr. Amy Han

UCSD Medical Center - Hillcrest: Gladsjo Julie MD

Dr.Mathew Isho, M.D

Dr. Christopher T. Behr, MD

Dr. Gabrielle M. Cerda, MD

Miya Gary Y MD

UC San Diego Health - Plastic Surgery, Hillcrest

UC San Diego Health Obstetrics and Gynecology – Hillcrest

San Diego Gastroenterology

Jeffrey A Sandler MD

Castle Shannon MD

Close Frederick W MD

Dr. Anupam Goel, MD

Dr. Barbara D. Garcia, MD

Dr. Cole Willoughby

Dr. Eugene Y. Huang, MD

Dr. Islam M. Ibrahim, MD

Dr. Jess J. Mandel, MD

Dr. Joseph J. Cooper, MD

Dr. Michele L. Ritter, MD

Dr. Shang I B. Jiang, MD

Eichenfield Lawrence MD

Eric Gerstenfeld

Friedlander Sheila MD

Garfin Steven R MD

Jigar D. Patel, DO - San Diego Heart Rhythm Center

Kunal Angra, MD

Lortscher David N MD

Michael Hamman

Monica Boen

Monica Guma, MD, PhD

Patrick Blake

Ronald Joseph Ellis, MD, PhD

Ronald Shiell

William Burrows

Wynnis Tom, MD

Yu Benjamin MD

Zablow Sheldon B MD

Medical Specialists on W Arbor Drive & Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest

Is there a dermatologist in Hillcrest?