What are the cool, political, artsy neighbrhoods in San Diego?

Where one can walk to all the cool bars and restaurants.What are the cool, political, artsy neighbrhoods in San Diego?
As the other writer suggested, Hillcrest is a cool, politically active and artsy neighborhood. It does have some great restaurants and bars all within walking distance. It is also is within walking distance of all the great museums within Balboa Park. It was, and to some extent still is, the center for the gay community, so there may be a higher concentration of "gay bars" there. But, that's neither here nor there.

Here are some other suggestions as well:

The Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego has great bars, clubs and restaurants with a wide variety of pricing and style of dress. Live music or DJ's.

Pacific Beach, just blocks from the ocean, has numerous laid back bars and live music.

Ocean Beach is a very cool, laid back, politically active neighborhood with an active live music and bar scene.

You'll find art studios in each one of these neighborhoods.
HillcrestWhat are the cool, political, artsy neighbrhoods in San Diego?
None, move to a real city like I did. Hillcrest is turning into a ghost town anyway and is WAY overpriced. I am an artist and could not afford that cesspool of a "city". Who wants to stay in a place where most bars are closed by 1 AM?