Lost something in Hillcrest? Here is who to contact.
Submit a single report and we notify the San Diego Police Department, San Diego Humane Society, local lost and found offices, and active community channels. Your report stays active, automatically matching new found items, posts, and listings so you don't have to search manually every day.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
California : found property must be held by law enforcement for at least 90 days before it can pass to the finder, be auctioned or disposed of. (California Civil Code §2080.2)
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How it works
You describe what you lost
Tell us what went missing, where in Hillcrest you lost it, and any details that help identify it. A photo makes a difference.
We route it to the right hands
ReportLost notifies San Diego Police's Central Division, relevant lost and found offices (airport, transit, shelters), and active neighborhood groups. You get confirmation that the right people know.
Your report keeps searching automatically
For your entire search period, your report matches against new found items across local channels, marketplaces, and community posts. We alert you the moment a credible match appears, so you can follow up right away.
Where lost items go in Hillcrest
We contact these places for you. Here's what each handles.
San Diego Police Department (Central Division)
Lost items found on Hillcrest streets, in businesses, and public spaces are often held by police or turned in to local precincts. We identify which division covers your loss location and route your report there immediately.
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)
If you lost your item on a bus or at a transit center, MTS maintains a lost and found database for each route. We generate the exact bus or stop details you'll need when you call, and we notify them of your report.
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Lost something at SAN on your way through or during baggage claim? The airport's lost and found office is on the East side of Terminal 2, lower level. We point you to the right desk and notify them of your report.
San Diego Humane Society & Animal Services
Missing cat or dog? These shelters receive lost pets daily and maintain searchable databases. We notify both immediately, and your pet's description enters their recovery system for the long haul. file a priority lost pet report
Hillcrest Community & Social Channels
Neighbors in Hillcrest post found items on Facebook, Nextdoor, and Reddit. We craft a clear alert and push it to these active neighborhood groups so the community has your description within hours.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Report now, let us take it from here.
The sooner you report, the sooner every channel starts searching. Once your report is filed, you can rest easy knowing the police, transit, shelters, and neighbors are all notified and on the lookout.
Report my lost item →Hillcrest sits in the heart of San Diego's urban neighborhood, where items get lost in coffee shops, on streets near Balboa Park, at transit stops, and in the crowds of this vibrant area. When something disappears, you're faced with calling three separate city departments, checking Facebook groups, texting animal shelters, and refreshing Craigslist daily. It's fragmented and exhausting.
ReportLost closes that gap. One report, filed once, flows to every place that can help report your loss or pet. Then your report remains live and active, continually cross-referencing new found items and community posts with your description for months, eliminating the daily grind of searching on your own.
Common places items go missing in Hillcrest
These hotspots show up regularly in lost item reports.
University Avenue corridor
Retail, cafes, and foot traffic mean wallets, phones, and bags vanish quickly. Busy morning and evening commutes.
Balboa Park edges & pedestrian paths
Easy to drop items while exploring trails, near museums, or in park parking lots. Often found by maintenance or other visitors.
MTS bus stops & Old Town Transit Center
Items left on seats, in racks, or at stops. MTS holds found items for 30 days before disposal.
Restaurants & cafes (Washington St, Fifth Ave)
Phones, glasses, and jackets abandoned during meals. Many establishments keep a lost and found box.
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Lost during check-in, at security, or baggage claim. The airport's East Terminal lost and found holds items longer than most facilities.
Hillcrest talks on these platforms
We post your lost item alert to active neighborhood groups.
Active neighborhood communities share found items and lost pet sightings daily.
Reddit threads about lost wallets, phones, and pets in Hillcrest get responses from locals within hours.
Neighbors post found items frequently and check alerts for missing pets and personal belongings.
Dedicated group for lost and found pets across San Diego, including Hillcrest sightings.
Community posts appear here often; we cross-reference your report against new listings.
Questions about losing something in Hillcrest
How long does San Diego Police hold lost items?
The San Diego Police Department typically holds found items for 30 to 90 days before disposal, depending on the item and division. Jewelry and wallets are often kept longer. When you report through ReportLost, we note the item's characteristics so police can locate it quickly. Call Central Division at 619-531-2000 to check status.
If I lost something on an MTS bus, how do I claim it?
Call MTS Lost & Found at 619-595-4960 or 619-233-3004 with the date, time, route number, and description. MTS typically holds items for 30 days. If you report through ReportLost, we provide MTS with these details, and they flag your item for faster matching.
What if I lost a pet in Hillcrest?
Contact the San Diego Humane Society at 619-299-7012 (press 1 for assistance) or Animal Services at 619-767-2675 immediately. Both maintain searchable lost pet databases. You can also text 'lost' to 858-SAN-LOST for step-by-step guidance. ReportLost has a dedicated lost pet report that goes to both shelters and community channels simultaneously.
How long does the airport's lost and found keep items?
San Diego International Airport's lost and found (located East side, Terminal 2, lower level) typically holds items for 30 to 60 days. Call them at 619-400-2140 as soon as possible. Expensive items like wallets and jewelry are kept longer. ReportLost notifies the airport immediately so they can set your item aside.
Do I need to contact each place separately, or does ReportLost do it?
ReportLost does the routing for you. You fill out one report describing your lost item, and we notify the San Diego Police Department, MTS, relevant shelters, the airport (if applicable), and neighborhood Facebook and Reddit groups. You get confirmation each place was contacted. You can follow up directly if needed, but the initial alert goes out through us.
Is ReportLost.org official, or does it replace the police?
ReportLost.org is an independent service, not affiliated with the San Diego Police Department, city government, or any municipality. We complement official channels by consolidating your report and sending it to the right departments and community groups, then keeping your report active for matching during your entire search period. For emergencies, always call 911; for non-emergency reports, you can contact police directly at 619-531-2000, or use ReportLost to reach them and other local resources simultaneously.
Lost & found in nearby cities
One report. Months of searching.
File your lost item report now and let ReportLost handle the outreach. Your description goes to police, transit, shelters, and neighbors in Hillcrest immediately. Then we keep looking on your behalf for up to 12 months, alerting you the moment we find a match.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent lost and found service and is not affiliated with the San Diego Police Department, City of San Diego, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, San Diego International Airport, San Diego Humane Society, Animal Services, or any other official agency or business listed. We are a third-party platform that routes your report to these organizations and maintains active search matching on your behalf. All information provided is for informational purposes. For emergencies, contact 911. For official lost and found inquiries, contact the respective agencies directly.