SAN DIEGO COUNTY
COMMUNITIES
SAN DIEGO
Located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, San Diego is widely known as “America’s Finest City.” Famous for its miles and miles of white-sand beaches and amazing weather, the city offers an abundance of fun attractions for visitors of all ages.
Boasting a citywide population of more than 1.3 million and more than 3 million residents countywide, San Diego is California’s second largest city and the United States’ eighth largest. San Diego County is made up of 18 incorporate cities and towns along with other charismatic neighborhoods and communities, such as Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, Downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, Point Loma, Chula Vista, Old Town, La Jolla, and North Park.
Discovered in 1542 by European explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, San Diego was originally named San Miguel. The bay and area of present-day San Diego was given its current name 60 years later, in 1602. European settlement in present-San Diego County first began with the founding of the first Catholic mission, Mission San Diego de Alcala, in 1769. From 1821 through 1848, this area belonged to Mexico.
San Diego is renowned for its incredible climate, which is characterized as warm, dry summers and mild winters with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The average yearly temperature measures above 70 degrees, with an average of just 42 rainy days per year. America’s Finest City also showcases many popular attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Some of these include Sea World San Diego, LEGOLAND California, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the Cabrillo National Monument, Balboa Park, several casinos, and many historic parks and museums.
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LA JOLLA
La Jolla is a hilly, seaside community within the city of San Diego, California occupying 7 miles of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean within the northern city limits. The population reported in the 2010 census was 46,781.
La Jolla is surrounded on three sides by ocean bluffs and beaches and is located 12 miles north of downtown San Diego and 45 miles south of Orange County. The climate is mild, with an average daily temperature of 70.5 degrees F.
La Jolla is home to many educational institutions and a variety of businesses in the areas of lodging, dining, shopping, software, finance, real estate, bio-engineering, medical practice and scientific research. The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is located in La Jolla, as are the Salk Institute, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (part of UCSD), Scripps Research Institute, and the headquarters of National University.
For more information you can visit the city of La Jolla's website by clicking below!
CORONADO
Open the door to Coronado Island real estate and you’ll soon find an enchanted piece of California that’s brimming with treasures new and old. Coronado Island homes are reserved for those who cherish lush, coastal properties, a small, closely-knit community and convenient proximity to San Diego. Homes for sale on Coronado Island (also known as Coronado Village) are coveted around the globe. Some say that Coronado is San Diego’s “crown jewel,” and locals would certainly find it hard to disagree.
Coronado Island has notably been celebrated by some of the more iconic players in California’s history. For example, this small, coastal town is widely believed to be the inspiration for L. Frank Baum’s Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz. Marilyn Monroe frolicked on Coronado’s picturesque beach just in front of the grandiose Hotel Del Coronado while filming Some Like it Hot.
If you’re considering a Coronado real estate purchase, you’ll enjoy browsing a diverse grouping of beautiful properties, many of which are lauded for their architectural originality and personal style. These properties are all located on the main peninsula portion, though there are also wonderful real estate options for those considering Coronado’s additional enclaves.
Properties on Coronado Island homes are nestled between the sparkling San Diego bay and the picturesque Pacific Ocean. They offer easy accessibility to the heart of San Diego’s downtown district. The Coronado Bridge offers an appropriately grand transit from the island to the rest of San Diego. Travel south from “The Village” and you’ll pass by the sparkling Coronado Shores high rise condos and further down the strand you’ll find a seafaring paradise in the Coronado Cays. The Coronado Cays are a collection of upscale homes located right on the bay just 4 miles south of the Coronado Village. Many homes come with boat slips to allow you to easily motor or sail into the bay right from your own backyard! The Cays have their own parks, tennis courts and yacht club. The Coronado Cays Yacht Club has a working marina and fabulous clubhouse. Just across the street from the Coronado Cays is the Silver Strand State Beach with beautiful white sandy beaches.
For more information you can visit the city of Coronado's website and Visitor Center by clicking below!
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DEL MAR
Del Mar is a seaside destination famous for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club "Where The Surf Meets The Turf." Luxury homes are along the beach colony, bluff, and hillside with ocean views. Del Mar is a suburb of San Diego with a population of 4,340 and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Del Mar offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. In Del Mar there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, and the public schools are also highly rated.
Del Mar is considered to be one of the most expensive beach towns in all of San Diego County. This quaint beach town is located just north of La Jolla and south of Solana Beach and considered one of the most desirable places to live by the beach in the greater San Diego area. The city has several different communities located by the beach as the downtown area is filled with great restaurants, shopping and world class hotels that line Camino Del Mar, the main street through the heart of Del Mar. Homes in this surrounding downtown area will command a huge premium in price due to the close proximity to the beach. There is a nice mixture of residential condos and single-family homes that are located on the ocean front and within a several block radius to the beach. This is often called the Old Del Mar area filled with homes that date back to the early 1920's.
For more information you can visit the city of Del Mar's website by clicking below!
Need help moving to Del Mar? Contact Marla and she will be happy to help you find your dream home!
HILLCREST
Walk to anything you would ever need from this neighborhood. Unique shops, bookstores, coffee shops, every kind of restaurant you can imagine. Whole foods, Trader Joes, Ralph's, bars with great Happy Hour menus. Hillcrest has a vibrant mixed community. In the summer, the annual Pride parade which is always fun and exciting is held here. It is a very progressive place to live. Hillcrest is also the IT place in San Diego, and there is a farmer’s market every Sunday where you will find a wide array of fruits, vegetables and other wonderful organic goods. Balboa Park is a world class park located just 0.8 miles from Hillcrest as well as the fabulous San Diego Zoo which is only 1.7 miles away. Museums are all located in the Balboa park area as well. There is plenty of parking but if you live in Hillcrest you can walk to the park. It is that close! Residents cannot say enough great things about this wonderful urban area.
If you like the idea of doing most of your social activities, shopping and dining right where you live, then you'll love this colorful area! Just a short walk in any direction from the starting point of University Avenue at Fifth Ave will lead you to unique shops and scrumptious delicacies. Just east of this starting point is City Deli, which has been a hot spot for decades!
In the area is UCSD medical Center and also Mercy hospital and medical plaza. Driving down 5th Avenue, one could arrive in Downtown San Diego in under 10 minutes! If you want to do some major shopping, continue down 5th to Horton Plaza.
For more information you can visit the city of Hillcrest's website by clicking below!
Need help moving to Hillcrest? Contact Marla and she will be happy to help you find your dream home!
VISTA
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The City’s name says it all. Vista is a wide expanse of sweeping hills and views that carry you to the sea in one direction, snow capped mountains in the other. A comfortable blending of traditional residential lots, agricultural acreage, estate lots and executive homes, the city has something for everyone. In addition to famous brand shopping and quaint, eclectic boutiques, the city also has provides cultural entertainment at its city-owned theatres, the Moonlight Amphitheater and Avo Playhouse. Whether you prefer the quiet solitude of a hillside Vista home or the exciting action of a Broadway musical, Vista delivers it all, right from your own backyard!
For more information you can visit the city of Vista website by clicking below!
LA MESA
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La Mesa means “the table” or “the plateau” in Spanish. The name related to the area's geography and is part of a larger area that was settled by Spanish missionaries. Its nickname is the "Jewell of the Hills” and those who grow up there say it lives up to that reputation.
People seeking a home in Southern California will find a gem of a community in La Mesa. La Mesa is just nine miles east of downtown San Diego, so it is super convenient to all the downtown area has to offer. Yet, it is its own community and offers both a quiet, neighborhood feel with all the amenities of a larger city.
Ranked as number 10 in the list of best suburbs to live in the area, La Mesa has an urban vibe with a number of coffee shops, restaurants and parks. It's also ranked number 58 as best suburbs for millennials in the state, number 126 of most diverse suburbs in the state and number 174 in best suburbs to live in California.
The median home value in La Mesa is $455,800, so it is a little lower than other areas of San Diego. The median rent is $1,375. Fifty-eight percent of residents rent their homes with 42 percent own their homes.
For more information you can visit the city of La Mesa's website by clicking below!
CARLSBAD
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Seaside living at its finest, Carlsbad is one of the most desirable communities in the United States. Settled in the mid 1800s by the Luiseño people, Carlsbad became a resort town in the early 20th century when mineral spas were discovered by farmers digging wells to support their avocado and citrus crops. The town hasn’t been the same since, with residents enjoying luxury resort amenities and famous brand shopping, along with white sandy beaches and a mild California climate. From California bungalow to executive mansion, Carlsbad remains one of the most stable real estate markets in the country.
For more information you can visit the city of Carlsbad's website by clicking below!
LA COSTA
La Costa is a distinct community in southern Carlsbad, primarily surrounding the famed La Costa Spa and Resort. Resort living at its finest, La Costa is an upscale community of affluent tract homes and custom executive homes. Located slightly inland, residents, enjoy the benefits of coastal living without the crowds. Several chic shopping centers and boutiques are found in La Costa as well, providing convenient access for residents and contributing to the fashionable atmosphere of the community.
For more information you can visit the city of La Costa's website by clicking below!
Need help moving to La Costa? Contact Marla and she will be happy to help you find your dream home!
SAN MARCOS
Originally settled by local Native Americans fleeing Spanish soldiers from Mission San Luis Rey, the community of San Marcos was officially founded in the late 1800s by Midwestern immigrants who planted the fertile valley with grapes and began producing wine and fresh honey. During the mid 20th century the community flourished with new housing developments that took advantage of the area’s temperate climate and short access to both the ocean and the inland valleys. Today San Marcos is a bustling college town, supporting advanced education at Cal State San Marcos, renown for having one of the best “teaching programs” in the State, preparing future generations of elementary and high school teachers.
For more information you can visit the city of San Marcos website by clicking below!
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OCEANSIDE
Oceanside enjoys a long history of beach living at its finest with the security of being home to the nation’s largest U.S. Marine installation, Camp Pendleton. Stretching peacefully from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the west to the rolling hills of north San Diego County to the east, Oceanside is the second largest city in the county and enjoys a diverse population and rich cultural energy. Also home to Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside has the added benefit of tourism to support the financial strength and goals of the City.
For more information you can visit the city of Oceanside's website by clicking below!
Need help moving to Oceanside? Contact Marla and she will be happy to help you find your dream home!
RANCHO PENASQUITOS
Known for its secret canyons and miles of hiking and biking trails, Rancho Peñasquitos is a sports lovers paradise. Located in the extreme northeast of the City of San Diego, RP as it is affectionately known, is far removed from the hectic city life of downtown, yet enjoys close in convenience to San Diego’s best amenities. Settled by ancient peoples over 400 years ago, there are remnants of Diegueño settlements throughout the hidden valleys and canyons that define RP. The comfortable tract homes and semi-custom estates are highly desired among San Diego’s professional and academic communities.
For more information you can visit the city of Rancho Penasquitos website by clicking below!
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RANCHO BERNARDO
Rancho Bernardo is a quiet enclave in northern San Diego with gently rolling hills and green valleys and canyons. Part of the City of San Diego, this distinct community enjoys peaceful living outside the bustling metropolis of downtown. Residents will find estate and executive homes as well as comfortable tract developments that are less congested than other communities in the area and the convenience of brand name shopping, easy access to major employment centers and first class recreation.
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POWAY
Protected by rolling hills and gentle valleys, Poway sits in central San Diego County, quietly removed from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. Originally settled by the Diegueño people, the area is known for its Native American artifacts and pictographs dating back over 200 years. Because of its relative seclusion from the main Interstate, Poway is a highly desirable community enjoying high property values and beautifully maintained estate and executive homes. Outdoor recreation abounds, with miles of hiking and biking trails for residents to enjoy. The town truly lives up to its nickname, “the City in the Country.”
Need help moving to Poway? Contact Marla and she will be happy to help you find your dream home!
SORRENTO VALLEY
Sorrento Valley offers a laid-back lifestyle geared toward families, food and fun. Those who love beaches, outdoor activities, nature and different cultures would find this community perfect as their new hometown. Additionally, it provides stable employment that will continue to pay well in 2019 and beyond.
Sorrento Valley is north of downtown San Diego and is 17 miles from the closest large airport Lindbergh Field. It has nearby interstates of I-5 and I-85 and nearby to Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve.
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ESCONDIDO
Escondido is a vibrant, thriving city that sits at the junction of Interstate 15 and State Highway 78 (SR 78). Founded in 1888, it is one of the oldest and most architecturally beautiful cities in San Diego County. Drawing on its heritage as one of the original Ranchos formed from the Spanish land grants, there is a strong Mission-era design theme throughout the community and both residential and commercial development reflect the images and vision of early California. Complimented by a large regional mall and several major shopping centers, residents of Escondido have easy access to the region’s best amenities.
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ENCINITAS
Encinitas is a coastal community in North County San Diego. It’s about 23 miles from downtown San Diego. That equates to a 25 minute drive without traffic. Encinitas is a suburb of San Diego with a population of 62,713, and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Encinitas offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Encinitas there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Also, the proximity to beautiful beaches is unreal!
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MIRA MESA
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Starting in 1969 there was a housing boom in the area that now extends from the I-15 freeway in the east to I-805 in the west and is approximately 10,500 acres. This was one of the earliest areas of urban sprawl along the I-15 Corridor. Hourglass Field became the site of San Diego Miramar College and Hourglass Field Community Park. The area was built so quickly that it lacked schools, shopping centers, or other services for its thousands of residents.
Since its inception, Mira Mesa was largely influenced by the military located at the adjacent NAS Miramar. For nearly 30 years the Navy's Top Gun School was located here, and most of the pilots made their homes in Mira Mesa.
By the late 1990s, the Mira Mesa area had undergone extensive expansion to accommodate the thousands of new residents attracted by its proximity to major employers like UC San Diego, MCAS Miramar, Qualcomm, and dozens of biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Several commercial and industrial centers have been built within the Mira Mesa area.
PACIFIC BEACH
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For the true beach lovers, PB is one of the best parts of San Diego. Sure, it's noisy and filled with traffic throughout the summer months and most weekends throughout the year, but so what! If you LIVE here, you never have to get in your car if you don't really want to. That's the best thing about PB - that you can walk anywhere you need to go. Someone said to me "I have more tread left on my tires than I do on my flip-flops". That's life in PB!
For real treats, seek out local dives like Cass Street Bar and Grill or PB Sports Club (right on the beach). Breakfast at The Broken Yolk is yummy; but lacks the view and ambiance of World Famous, located at the end of Pacific Beach Drive. What's better than enjoying some Carne Asada Eggs Benedict while watching dolphins catch waves next to surfers!
Pacific Beach is not as upscale as La Jolla, but there are some really nice neighborhoods as you head North up Mission Blvd towards Bird Rock. The farther North you go from Garnet, the quieter the neighborhoods get, even nice enough for families to live full-time.
MISSION BEACH
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Mission Beach is San Diego’s lively take on the classic boardwalk beach town with nearly two miles of oceanfront boardwalk, numerous rental shops and Belmont Park, a boardwalk amusement park, featuring the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, originally built in 1925 but since restored, the Beach House Grill, miniature golf, bumper cars, rock climbing and an arcade. A popular beach with the 20-something crowd, there are plenty of bars in Mission Beach and adjacent Pacific Beach, and a hot nightlife scene for young adults and the young at heart.
There are also a host of activities for the whole family to enjoy including biking, beach volleyball, boogie boarding, surfing, whale watching, sport fishing and scuba diving.
A short walk across Mission Beach’s main thoroughfare leads you to the calm waters of Mission Bay, home to SeaWorld San Diego and the largest aquatic park of its kind, surrounded by grassy parks, playgrounds, picnic tables and miles of paved sidewalks. Rent a sailboat, take a leisurely bayside bike ride, or watch the kids play in this one-of-a-kind oasis.
OCEAN BEACH
Ocean Beach is a vibrant, bohemian neighborhood, with a classic SoCal beach vibe. Surfers and sunbathers fill the namesake beach, while the Ocean Beach Pier is a popular local fishing spot with sweeping views. Nearby, Newport Avenue is lined with antique shops, beachwear and surf boutiques, organic groceries, taquerias and brewpubs. The Ocean Beach Farmers Market features live music!
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RANCHO SANTA FE
Rancho Santa Fe is known for its luxury real estate and mansions. In fact, the city is listed as the 13th most expensive zip code in the entire country by Forbes. The majority of the homes here are in a Spanish-Mediterranean style.
Most homes here are also large, usually more than 5,000 square feet. There are lots of private estates and gated communities and lots are typically measured in acres.
The most popular neighborhood is The Covenant, the original planned community of Rancho Santa Fe. Rancho Santa Fe real estate within the Covenant are mandated by protections by preserving, continuing and maintaining the character of the community and upholding the quality of all future architecture and improvements by restricting the use, height and bulk of buildings.
Need help moving to Rancho Santa Fe? Contact Marla and she will be happy to help you find your dream home!