Cardiff-by-the-Sea
While one of the smaller towns in the North County coastal area, Cardiff is one of San Diego’s best kept secrets! Cardiff-by-the-Sea homes are appreciating rapidly due to the fantastic ocean views which compare with those in Del Mar, but at prices which are substantially lower. Located between Solana Beach and Encinitas ensures residents that major shopping and restaurants are a short commute. If you enjoy ocean views and a tight knit community feeling, owning a piece of Cardiff by the Sea CA real estate is something to consider.
Price Range – $300,000 For Condos to Beachfront over $4,000,000
Carlsbad
Carlsbad California is one of the fastest growing cities in North County. The village has a wonderful sophisticated beach resort feel with splendid Carlsbad condos, and the magnificent beaches rank among the best in San Diego. Carlsbad properties offer excellent schools and shopping, which cater to an expanding cross section of families looking for a place to live, work, and play.
Price range – condos from $400,000 to oceanfront over $6,000,000. Average price range in the $700,000 plus.
Carmel Valley
This is one of the success stories of North County, San Diego. Carmel Valley homes cater from the cradle to the grave by offering entry-level one-bedroom condos to large 4,000 plus square foot custom track homes. The school district is the best in San Diego, and is anchored by Torrey Pines High School which has the distinction of being voted in the top 100 schools in America. This is a true family neighborhood that enjoys several beautiful parks, an exciting state of the art community pool complex, new fitness center, a variety of shops, cinemas and library facilities. The Del Mar beaches and Del Mar racetrack are a 5-minute drive away. The area has recently added the new Jewish academy campus, and within the next few years will have an additional high school, and a private Catholic school completed. Carmel Valley real estate is close to the San Diego Biotech and Telecommunication industries, which are other factors that make this a very sought after destination.
Price range – $250,000 for one-bedroom condos to $1,600,000 for 6 bedroom, 4500 sq.ft. plus semi custom track home. Golf course homes over $4,000,000.
Del Mar
Del Mar homes are a part of a mature coastal community, with a true “Village” atmosphere. There are excellent beaches and restaurants to satisfy the most discerning tastes. The school district is rated as the best in San Diego, and the Torrey Pines Golf Course is a very easy drive to the south. Every summer Del Mar is home to the world famous Del Mar Fair and the six week horse racing season at the new Del Mar Track, made famous by such luminaries as Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Jimmy Durante. Del Mar properties are somewhat smaller and older, but again with outstanding ocean views, they are in great demand. It is difficult to find real estate under $800,000, and these generally need major remodeling.
Price range – $600,000 for condos to $10 million plus for larger oceanfront homes.
Downtown San Diego
Downtown San Diego is an area in the midst of major rebirth. From Little Italy, to the Gas Lamp, to the Convention Center, evidence of construction is everywhere. The pristine San Diego Bay is a hive of activity and the world-famous Coronado beaches are an easy drive or ferry to be enjoyed. The new Padre Ballpark is schedule to open in 2004, and it is hard to imagine a more exciting place for those people who enjoy urban living. With the new tram service, many residents have simply gotten rid of their automobile and enjoy the freedom of walking or using the tram to get about.
Price range – from $300,000 to $6+ million for exclusive high rise penthouse living.
Encinitas
Mainly known as as older well-established neighborhood, the recent boom in Encinitas real estate was due to several hundred Encinitas new homes which were built around the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course. With excellent schools and wonderful shopping are all along El Camino Real and Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas houses also have easy access to La Costa Valley, Rancho Santa Fe and Olivenhain. The attractions of the Del Mar beaches, restaurants, fairgrounds, and the world famous race track are only minutes drive south on Interstate 5.
Price range – $300,000 for a condo to over $5,000,000 overlooking the ocean.
La Costa
La Costa San Diego is an exciting new master-planned community which emphasizes family living. La Costa homes have a state of the art community center which is a wonderful venue to swim, play tennis, work out, and of course make lots of friends. Schools are excellent with La Costa Canyon High School fast gaining a hard earned reputation for both scholastic and athletic excellence. Nearby shopping along El Camino Real is as good as it gets in terms of selection and quality.
Price range – $600,000 to $1,350,000.
La Jolla
La Jolla real estate is nestled in cosmopolitan neighborhood boasting wonderful beaches, international shopping, excellent private and public schools, all in the context of a “Village”. Nearby attractions include world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, Scripps Institute, UCSD, and hub of the San Diego Biotech industry is a short drive. La Jolla luxury homes tend to be built up into the hillside and consequently the lot sizes are generally small, but the views more than compensate. The Muirlands and La Jolla Farms Road areas have some larger estates, up to 4 acres, with prices for these above $20 million. In 2002 La Jolla was rated by the Robb Report as the best place in America to live.
Price range – $1 Million for a small home with limited views to $25+ million dollar estates.
Oceanside
Oceanside California is the most northern city in San Diego county. Ten years ago this was considered a military town because of the proximity to Camp Pendleton. However the amount of new development in Oceanside homes and commercial Oceanside real estate can only be described as breathtaking. It is now the fastest appreciating area in North County. The beach area has been transformed and the future looks to be very bright indeed.
Price range – condos from $250,000 to beach homes over $2,000,000.
Pacific Beach
Nestled between the Bird Rock area of La Jolla and Mission Bay, with the Pacific Ocean on it’s doorstep, Pacific Beach, or PB as it is known by the locals, is a high-energy, fun area frequented by the younger set. The world famous “Board Walk” is the melting pot for beach lovers who can enjoy excellent restaurants, bars and casual shopping. There is ongoing major remodeling activity turning what were 1970 vintage Pacific Beach homes into very desirable family residences. PB has a major rental and investors market of Pacific Beach real estate.
Price range – from $350,000 for condos to $1,500,000+ for newer/remodeled larger homes.
Point Loma
Tucked at the entrance to San Diego Bay, much of the Point Loma real estate enjoys what are often considered the most outstanding views in San Diego, which include the Coronado Bay Bridge, the downtown skyline, yachting anchorage, and Mexico in the far distance. Point Loma homes tend to be older, but have been lovingly maintained. Shopping and schools are first class, and the commute to Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, or downtown San Diego is an easy drive.
Price range – $600,000 for an older home to $4 million+ for an oceanfront estate.
Poway
East of Interstate 15 and nestled in lush rolling hills, lies a beautiful enclave of Poway homes with prices from the $500,000 to more than $2 million. Poway real estate has wonderful schools, great shopping experiences, and several affordable golf courses. Several large technology companies have established campus in newly created business parks, which in turn have attracted thousands of highly skilled employees who enjoy a short commute to their workplace. The summer temperatures are about 10 degrees warmer than the coastal cities, but with no humidity, living can only be described as very pleasant.
Price range – $400,000 condos to estates over $3,000,000.
Rancho Santa Fe
The affluent community filled with Ranco Santa Fe homes are situated to the north east of Del Mar and Carmel Valley. This “rural” neighborhood was voted by Robb Report in 2001 as the best neighborhood in America. The “Ranch” as it is referred to by the locals, has the top rated elementary/middle school in California, fantastic horse facilities, running trails, and a true “Village” atmosphere. The children go on to complete high school at either Torrey Pines or one of the private schools in La Jolla or downtown San Diego. The 4th of July parade is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike and is confirmation of the family focus of the area. The Covenant within the Ranch is an exclusive area with golf, tennis and security privileges. Del Mar and La Jolla are approximately 15 – 30 minute easy drive. Rancho Santa Fe real estate are large, usually 2 acres plus, with residences in excess of 5,000 square feet. There are several exclusive developments to the east of the Ranch which are worth noting; namely, Cielo, The Crosby and The Bridges.
Price range – $1,200,000 for an older “fixer” to $30+ million plus estates.
Solana Beach
Solana Beach homes are located just north of Del Mar. This at-one-time sleepy beach town is now a highly sought after place for long time residents, vacationers, and second home owners. The school system is excellent and students from the elementary and Earl Warren Middle School feed into the Nationally recognized Torrey Pines High School. Shops, restaurants, beaches, and the world famous Del Mar racetrack are all local attractions which add value and quality of life to those lucky enough to own a piece of Solana Beach realty.
Price range – $600,000 to beachfront over $3,000,000.
