NEIGHBORHOODS
 

San Diego is a Virtual Menu of Community Choices

San Diego is both a City and a County. The county has every climate and every lifestyle and every activity anyone could want, and, fortunately, it is all dressed up in the traditional All-American good neighbor lifestyle... with a little leeway for the southern California influence!

At this time, the population of San Diego County is 3,066,820. The census reports a median income of $64,737.

PROPERTY TAXES ARE USUALLY BETTER THAN WHERE YOU CAME FROM. Two decades ago Proposition 13 set our property taxes at 1% of our purchase price, with a maximum 2% increase per year (plus subsequent voter-approved additional bond issues, which we have proven loathe to vote for!) San Diego is America's 7th largest city (approximately the size of Connecticut), the 4th largest county, and the birthplace of California. Tourism is one of our major industries, so you will find her friendly as well as beautiful.

At the end of the communities described below, please note the special information for your four-footed family members under "A DOG'S LIFE IN SAN DIEGO."

The City of San Diego has a thriving Downtown most visible in the photos of our skyline. But it is not a big area, and is easily manageable on foot and conveniently accessed by buses and trolleys. It does not have a sense of enclosure that most cities have, despite gorgeous modern skyscrapers and classic old "lower-scrapers." Housing here has been developed simultaneously with the renaissance of the entire area, and except on the edges consists primarily of condominiums and apartments. Very plush luxury condominiums stand elegantly in towers that dominate the skyline. Midline and comfortable condominiums are more numerous, and there are still a few "affordable" complexes available. Recent developers have produced midline or plush townhomes and "lofts" are in high demand for those seeking urban lifestyles. The development of the new downtown ballpark area and the novation of the Cortez Hill area are bringing two old downtown neighborhoods into thriving life. The most common reason people seek housing downtown is to be at the pulse of San Diego's business and leisure life. The most common complaint from downtown residents is traffic noise. The views and convenience are incomparable, and annual arts and music block parties add to the already high-paced evening activities.

Beaches are an important part of our San Diego desirability. From Imperial Beach on the south end of the county to Oceanside Beach on the north end, our water temperatures range from 55 to 72, and surf reports, important to fishermen, surfers, and the population in general, are in the paper, radio and on-line. Overnight camping is not allowed on any San Diego beaches. Leashed dogs are permitted on most from 6pm to 9am, and Unleashed are welcome at Dog Beach at the north end of Ocean Beach, at River mouth in Del Mar, and at Dog Beach at the west end of Coronado Beach. Rules are posted and enforced for barbecues, alcohol, and glass.

Little Italy is a fledgling community on the northwest corner of Downtown that is rebirthing in the old shoes of its ancestors. When one of San Diego's prime industries was tuna fishing, many Italian and Portuguese families, whose descendants now also grace the communities of Mission Hills and Point Loma in particular, brought their culture and culinary wonders to our shores. Little Italy originally grew up around the Catholic church that served her faithful flock. Like her sister fisherman communities, Little Italy's early homes were designed to provide easy maintenance and multi-generational living for the wives and children and grandparents left behind during Dad's 4-6 month sea journeys. But her greatest fame is the result of the fine Mediterranean meals her people have passed down. Long before pasta was trendy, Little Italy was home to the finest tongue-pleasers from pizza to cannaloni, from Mama Ghio's "Anthony's Star of the Sea Room" to Fillippi's and Salunto's fabulous pastas and fixings, from ceviche to spaghetti and wonderful yard long loaves of bread just ready for dipping in the fine olive oils they vend. Internationally renowned architects Rob Quigley, Jonathan Segall and other architects have added their genius to the area's cityscape. The smell of garlic and tomatoes is enhanced by the warm European open hand of friendship. Church bells and children's laughter blend with the new high-style homes, trendy art, architecture, shops and cultural sites making this a new mecca for the health and trend conscious.

Balboa Park, just up hill from Downtown, is the center of San Diego geographically and spiritually, with her lovely old romantic Spanish architecture, Tony-awarded and internationally renowned Old Globe Theatre, world famous San Diego Zoo, a number of fabulous art and history museums, a fabulous botanical garden, sculptures, playgrounds, sports fields, fountains, and lush strolling/jogging/bocci/relaxing venues.  The parks acreage is an homage to our founding fathers whose foresight appreciated her value years before.

Just up the hill and to the north and east of Downtown is "Metropolitan San Diego. (San Diego's downtown is a corner surrounded on the south and west by Pacific Ocean.) These communities have a blend of new homes and older homes gentrified to modern use, lots of trees, canyons, parks, and a climate with the coastal influence. "Community" is an operative word as well as a geographic explanation. Original mansions and bungalows from San Diego's "yesteryear" are most often beautifully maintained and restored. These neighborhoods have avenues of tree bowers, mixes of apartments, wonderful old homes, convenient stores, major medical centers, businesses, trendy shops and restaurants, and the ability to walk somewhere.

On the hills overlooking the Harbor and Downtown, Bankers Hill is the original uphill neighborhood for the doctors, lawyers and bankers of old San Diego. Bordered on the east by Balboa Park, and on the West by the I-5 interstate and glistening bay vistas, her old mansions and contemporary condominiums provide "in-town" housing for affluent professionals, entrepreneurs, struggling medical students, old San Diego families, "Blue Hairs", and empty nesters seeking to be near the action. These residents have banded together to protect the canyons and encourage better planning, to foster restoration of the landmark architecture built in the decades of San Diego's youth, and to create a community of neighbors and style. Their old mansions and stately apartments brand this community with a sense of history and grandeur. Some of the City's most popular restaurants, such as Bertrand's at Mr. A's, Inn at the Park, Hash House A Gogo, Busalacci's and the very New York-ish City Deli are located here. It is a great neighborhood, like the other metropolitan areas, for people who like pedestrian lifestyles rather than being confined to their California-mobiles. As San Diego continues her move toward "big-cityhood", and average ages are creeping up, the possibilities of a home not dependant on the personal auto is also enhancing her values. Condominiums under $350,000 are a miracle and average prices are $400,000 to $700,000, with new "Penthouse" properties for $1-3 million per unit. The gorgeous old homes in Bankers Hill are $900,000 to $5,000,000, but the real mansions are seldom available.

Hillcrest offers San Diego an eclectic blend of youth and older people who share the streets and energy of one the trendiest of San Diego’s neighborhoods. Its residents are a marvelously integrated combination of affluent professionals, entrepreneurs, gays, medical students, young artists and increasingly, retiring active adults seeking pedestrian convenience and mainstream living. There is an almost 24-hour whirl of the best places to eat and shop, where style is your mantra. Bordering the more elegant Bankers Hills, the more traditional Mission Hills, the more blue-collar but fashionable North Park, and edging along the like-minded University Heights, Hillcrest is where the “Uptown District” – an urban complex of condominiums, supermarket, video stores, fast goods, hip shops and coffee and ice cream shops, Trader Joes, and mostly "meet and visit" venues replaced the old Sears store in the early 90’s. Where dining ranges from 4-star to Big Macs. Where celebrities from the big city of stars up north come to dine and play. Where one of the most expensive home furnishing stores in the county juxtaposes with Whole Foods and Healthy Back. Where Ace Hardware is the most fun and creative place to shop for a gift in town! It’s annual Hillcrest Fair in August is huge, for its variety and aliveness, and its political or cultural activities are always the place to be. A thorough mix of commercial, condominiums, houses and apartments, the real estate is a thriving investment here.

 MISSION HILLS IS A LIFESTYLE  On the hill above Downtown perches the historic community of Mission Hills - palms, canyons, and ocean breezes.   The 4^th of July picnic, arts + music events, summer concerts in the park, Town Hall meetings, San Diego’s best garden tour and historic home tours, pride in our heritage, schools and churches, architecturally distinctive homes, all contribute to a great sense of neighborhood.  And over all, the convenience and time-gift of being central to all.  Mission Hills is just good-weather strolling distance from world class cuisine, theater, points of interest in Balboa Park and the trendy Hillcrest venues.  Or take a few minutes drive or healthy bike ride to the beach or Downtown.  Residents and business owners quickly find that her personality is like that of a pioneer – busy, not a lot of stoop sitting, yet neighborly and strongly opinionated. In 2007 Mission Hills business owners and residents organized a Town Council to serve as a discussion and action hub for neighborhood issues. Another community group, Mission Hills Heritage, sponsors an elegant annual historic home tour and is focused on preserving the architectural and historical legacy. Other groups also thrive here – the Mission Hills Garden Club, benefactor to the plant life in our community and sponsor of the City’s most popular annual Garden Walk; the Mission Hills Foundation which provides Friday Concerts in the Park on warm summer evenings; Little League; Boy and Girl Scouts; Friends of the Mission Hills Canyons; Friends of the Mission Hills Library and the Business Improvement District tend to their constituencies. Of course there are also all kinds of groups and activities associated with  Mission Hills’ three elementary schools and trio of community churches.  

Crowning the hub of San Diego, the community of Mission Hills geographically neighbors Downtown, Balboa Park, three primary freeways (I-5, I-8 and Highway 163), and the great Pacific, yet because of her topography and long time landscaping, provides a lush refuge from most of the bustle of city life.  Mission Hills has consistently benefited from her dual virtues of proximity to the heart of our City and the serene refuge, and is primarily populated by active business and civic leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs.  Mission Hills architecture is a product of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 1800’s, early 1900’s, when craftsmanship and natural materials were so venerated.  In the 20’s and 30’s the romantic Spanish began to emerge in both bungalows and grand homes.  And there are a few of the nicer 50’s “contemporaries” in the Frank Lloyd Wright vein.  In the 1970’s our green tree-lined streets and lush canyons precipitated a proliferation of the wood and glass and earth-tone contemporary homes.  An occasional cottage blooms here and there.  The developers of the very swank "Park Laurel" in Bankers Hill are just completing an upscale commercial/ townhome/ condominium flats development at the center of our commercial hub that is selling even before opening to savvy neighborhood owners ready to scale back their housing responsibilities. Ranging from moderate to estates, the homes in Mission Hills do not cluster strictly by price, and her people mingle not only in the renowned restaurants and shops, but on the porches, sidewalks and two community parks.   

With the town of San Diego down in the flats of Old town and “New Town” (now Downtown), the first future Mission Hills site of 65 acres, was purchased for $16.25 in 1869.  Thirty-nine days later, records show, half the land was sold for $50, making a 700% profit.  In 1871 the first subdivision was laid out between University Avenue, Randolph Street, Curlew Street and Arbor Drive.   Mission Hills’ first home at 2036 Orizaba, was built in 1887 by the daughter of the captain of the Pacific Coast side-wheel steamship Orizaba, on the “Inspiration Point” from which her father guided the ship into harbor on return from the Northern California coast, and is now known as Villa Orizaba. At the beginning of the century, this home was joined by newly planned subdivisions along Sunset, adjoining Presidio Park, and overlooking the dairy farms and river in Mission Valley.  In 1907, 4 square blocks were subdivided between Fort Stockton, Ingalls, Montecito and Ibis and named “Mission Hills.” This is the source of our community name today. In all, 26 subdivisions were created, only 3 with the words “Mission Hills” in them. Some of our most prominent city forefathers developed this “suburb” in the 1920’s and 30’s.  George Marston, Kate Sessions and J.D. Spreckels aimed to create an “Uptown Fine Home” area, in the leapfrog growth up the hill from downtown.  Kate Sessions sought a rural site for her nursery when it was dislocated from Balboa Park, and then convinced her friend and patron, Spreckels, to bring his electric railway out to Mission Hills to expand her customer access.  The historic community of Mission Hills originated in 1908 as a subdivision planned by George Marston who laid out streets following the path of the City Beautiful movement that inspired much of the nation. He blazed a winding trail along Spreckel's electric streetcar route from the dirt roads of Downtown to the lush canyons and spectacular hilltop views above Old Town.  Today’s homes range from $200,000 for a 1 bedroom condominium to multi-million dollar grand homes, prices varying with style, construction, size and location.  Some people look to quell the affordability issue by buying a home that includes rental income and there are a few such 2-4 unit properties in the area.  The greatest demand is for “architecturally defined” properties, most usually Spanish and Craftsman, but also respecting well done contemporary and traditional homes.  As the natural assets of our geography and climate have attracted those who can afford what they want, powerful business growth generated by the smart and determined, maquiladora success on the border, tourism, and natural population growth can only be expected to keep our metropolitan neighborhoods at the top of the demand curve for San Diego County.  We are where it is all happening, and don’t have to go through gridlock to enjoy it!   

Total population by the most recent census is 3,052, 1,425 of whom are single.  The predominant age groups are 45-49 years old – 25.16%, and over 65 years of age – 19.20%.   79.72% have at least some college education.  48.22% of the residents earn over $100,000.   86.74% of our homes were built before 1959.  A quarter of our residents are professionals with another 10% in administration and management and 9% in technical support.  25% fall into “other services” employment categories.   

Mission Hills today is an historical and mores heartland.  She and her neighbors, Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, University Heights, Little Italy, Old Town, and Middletown, all celebrate the distinctiveness and unique gifts of people, work and place, merging in a determined and lovely lifestyle.  A little while ago the newspaper told the truth, “People live in Mission Hills because they can”. 

University Heights, calling itself the original suburb, was once the terminus of the original San Diego trolley, where bustled ladies and cane-carrying gentlemen spent their Sunday afternoons parading the Mission Cliff gardens and ostrich farm. Similar to Mission Hills, its population is primarily professional and entrepreneurial, and they have a hugely successful volunteer-driven community association, that has defeated big developers to acquire "Trolley Barn Park", originated San Diego's most successful Graffiti Busters, secured grants to renovate its aging commercial strip, awards Ostrich Plume awards for best gardens and community volunteerism, and is a neighborhood Norman Rockwell would be proud to put on his covers. Summer concerts, some wonderful restaurants, craftsman & antique business, and the central office of the San Diego Unified School District attract San Diegans. What I love most about University Heights is her "community sensability". A client will point to the rare disheveled house in University Heights, and I might truthfully respond, "yes, Mrs. Brown lives there and since her husband's passing has not been able to manage too well. The neighbors are holding a fix up party and painting this weekend, but there is no publicity, because they don't want to embarrass her."

Normal Heights, its eastern neighbor along the I-8 Mission Valley rim, is a little bit more eccentric albeit thoroughly charming. More prevalently "affordable" than fancy, this little community struts her canyons and straight streets with tidy gardens and 30's Spanish and Craftsman architecture. Normal Heights is one of the 3 best places for antiquing in the county, and offers the best plethora of used book stores, a choice vegetarian restaurant, and many other unique little offerings.  She has one of the biggest and best attended street fairs every year, and has a very strong community association that supports her merchants and residents alike!  A strengthening community association is powering her refurbishing. Bordered by more historically-appealing communities on all sides, Normal Heights offers a great promise of appreciation in real estate.

North Park - Setting for some of the most beautiful Craftsman bungalows in San Diego, (look in any of the published Bungalow tomes) North Park is another of the metropolitan communities ringing Balboa Park. In fact the northeast and east corner of the Park, known to the natives as Morley Field, includes public swimming, tennis courts where many of court stars once played, doggy park (no leash required), a parcours jogging track, frisbee golf, real golf, and vast vistas of picnic and play spaces. The homes facing this major attraction are often remnants of the early big homes handcrafted and customized for some of San Diego’s early middle class leaders. But the typical home is a bungalow built with attention to finishing detail and big friendly parlors and porches. Smaller bedrooms and kitchens were offset by space-saving built-ins and attractive detail. Some are Craftsman in style, and those built a little later reflect the Spanish and traditional influences that came to popularity in the 30’s, but most have been treasured and well-maintained. There is enormous pride in the neighborhood.

North Park became a vital established business and residential community in the 1920’s when cable cars made her accessible to the downtown and harbor. Today she has renaissanced into a thriving commercial and residential center, attracting businesses that previously lived only in the tonier Bankers Hill and Mission Hills and young families and professionals who enjoy the proximity to Downtown and the architectural, nature and varied amenities of the community home to the annual Toyland Parade during the holidays and subject of a lot of tree-planting and remodeling. There are no parking meters, but a new 388-space parking structure at 30th Street and North Park Way makes shopping there so convenient! North Park just makes you want to walk all around.

Living here means being welcomed by neighbors and probably asked to join some cause or another, or just to congregate with your Navy officer, architect, computer specialist, teacher, artist and PTA-chum neighbors over a barbecue. And always the talk is of contractors, landscapers, paint color and hardwood floors. At the southern tip between North Park and South Park is an annual Home Remodeling and Craftsman’s fair every year, where real people who have used their own elbows share tricks and trade secrets with pros. Diversity is rampant in North Park with natives and recent immigrants, young and old, married and single, straight and gay, a full array of nationalities, all living and thriving together. It also describes the businesses which offer everything in specialty shops, restaurants, galleries and essential services EXCEPT the “big box” stores. Arts and Culture are having their own renaissance with the North Park Festival of the Arts, Ray at Night, a monthly business district celebration, and the restoration of the historic North Park Theatre.

North Park became the first “Main Street” program in the City of San Diego in 1996, a community based commercial revitalization devised by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the gorgeous new storefronts, sidewalk improvements, upscale businesses that have been attracted and local artists and tree planters have made it more than a proven success. The community is, in fact, most defined by its thriving and very active creative side, whether families are upgrading their homes and gardens, or businesses are offering the hot new thing. What was once a blue-collar community is today a high-demand visual wonderland.

Kensington, named after the London Kensington, does its heritage proud. Immediately you notice birdsong and gardens. Landscaping is a must-do if you want to fit in to one of San Diego’s most architecturally charming and meticulous neighborhoods. Lush vegetation and tiled patios filled with flowers, low stucco walls covered with bougainvillea and bowered street, laced by canyons and lined by palms, Kensington is populated by people who are attracted to the pretty streets, Spanish style homes and the hush of timeless graciousness and quaint village shops, hinting that our fast-paced world is far removed. Ambitious residents have already accepted that they might have to consider private schools. But they brush off their kazoos and blow up balloons and participate in the annual community parade on Memorial Day, the kind where the boy scouts not professional floats dominate, and where everyone finishes up at the coffee shop or ice cream parlor for brief respite. Especially keep your eyes open for the every-other-year Kensington - Talmadge home tour. Dazzlers are opened this one time for the rest of the world to enjoy what Kensington residents revel in all the time.

An urban oasis set between 3 canyons and El Cajon Boulevard, this blend of small town America was developed in the early 1900’s as a prestige community located “to avoid the coastal fog and dampness, but close enough to have the cooling benefit of ocean breezes.” Awarded as a land grant to Santiago Arguello, Commandant of the Presidio from 1827 – 1835, his wife Pilar and their 22 children, Kensington was purchased by George Urnham in 1909 and then in 1910 by the Kensington Park Land Company. It had been previously a part of the Rancho de la Mission San Diego Alcala (along with what is now Talmadge, Tierrasanta, Mission Valley, La Mesa and the State College area). It is built on an ancient fossil-bearing sea bottom riddled with clay strata.

The first subdivision, Kensington Park, was the 15 blocks between what is now known as Terrace Drive on the West, Alder Street on the North, 42nd Street to the East and Monroe on the South. Centered around a central park with a fountain and graceful shade trees, where the library stands today, Kensington’s 15 blocks were the terminus of the San Diego Electric Railway line, and easily accessible to Downtown. Early recorded restrictions prohibited apartments, commercial use, duplexes, and stables, and established gracious 20-foot setbacks from the street.

Did you know that Hal Peary, AKA “The Great Gildersleeve” owned 5198 Canterbury Drive for 2-3 years?

Did you know that Cliff May once lived at 4338 Adams Avenue?

Kensington was the dream of G. Aubrey Davidson, the President of Southern Trust and Commerce Bank of San Diego, headquartered in the U.S. Grant Hotel. An early San Diego founder, like Horton, Marston, Spreckels, and Col. Ed Fletcher, Davidson had come to San Diego in 1896 at his mother’s behest. He saw the panorama from Cortez Hill and was sold on San Diego! Shortly after the subdivision opened, Mission Hills had become the exclusive homes area of San Diego, and the City was not yet large enough to support two luxury areas, so the community lay quiet. Therefore, Davidson became a primary campaigner for the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition, which was the catalyst for so much of San Diego’s future fame and demand. Marine Col. Joe Pendleton worked with Davidson to accomplish the establishment of MCRD (The Marine Corp. Recruit Depot), and the NTC (the Naval Training Center), and for the building of a 1000 bed hospital in Balboa Park. Davidson’s effect is enormously evident. Prominent friends of his also visited and took the story of San Diego with them: William Jennings Bryan, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Francis Delano Roosevelt, Harvey Firestone, and Will Rogers.

In 1925 George Thomas Forbes, Sr., ripe from his developer success in Santa Monica, opened “Kensington Heights”, with his office at the intersection of Hilldale and Marlborough, offering “luxury homes of refinement”. A luxury 2-story home built in the 1920’s sold for $5000 in 1934, $9500 in 1941, $21,000 in 1945 (talk about your windfall profits!), and over $300,000 in 1991. Today it would have to be at least twice that. The San Diego Tribune reported that post war building on the remaining Kensington lots was the most costly in the City.

Kensington Park Villas, a 145-unit Planned Residential Development (“PRD”) sits on 34 acres below the mesa accessed from Camino Del Rio South. While Kensington Park Villas are topographically and zip code separate, there is a stairway that climbs the hillside into the center of the Kensington village.

Prices have appreciated substantially the past decade, reflecting both her style and central convenience. $700,000 can get buyers a lesser located fixer, $850,000 - $1,000,000 can give you style or condition. Estate properties are generally in the $1.5 - 2.5 million range.

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Reference materials subscribed from:                              
KENSINGTON – TALMADGE, 1910-1997
BY Dr. Thomas H. Baumann, D.D.S.

Talmadge adjoins Kensington through a little gorge on the east and was named after the Talmadge sisters of early movie fame.  Tucked into a little-traveled corner of the Interstate 8/Fairmount area, western Talmadge is a style sibling of the stereotypical So Cal housing, predominantly fastidious Spanish and design-detailed homes on winding streets with graceful palms and wild canyons.  You are there if the streets are ladies’ names:  Norma, Louise, Natalie…  The eastern Talmadge homes were developed later and reflect the 40’s and 50’s demand for merging shiny hardwood floors with expanded closet spaces, efficient room arrangements, tidy neighborhoods and post-war prosperity kitchens and garages.  While commanding visual pleasure and convenient central city access, Talmadge is priced just a little bit less than her more westerly metropolitan community neighbors.  Talmadge is totally residential at this time.  However, to the west is the neighborhood commercial service area of Kensington, just to the south is the commercial artery of El Cajon Boulevard, currently bustling with enormous regeneration, and to the east the thriving college arena of the San Diego State University community.

Talmadge formed a community association a few years ago and developed the charming roundabout in her center and works to support all her residents. There are organized baby play groups and other functions. Her populations is very age inclusive, but many young people are moving in, attracted by the average price range today of just under $500,000, but ranging easily over the $1 million dollar price tags also. (Please add two photos attached - Highland and Lucille).

San Diego State/College area lies next east, and like the communities of Serra Mesa, Clairemont, and Mission Village to the north across the I-8 Mission Valley, reflects a lot of the new building that took place after World War II. Well-planned tract homes in much of the area with glossy hardwood floors, aqua and bronze-toned "modern" post-war appliances and fine tile counters and baths add telling charm of the times. Big closets and garages and yards offer good livability for families, excellent starter areas for young people.  A few areas sport larger (faculty) homes: 4-6 bedrooms, sparkling pool & gracious yard spaces, for approximately $800,000 - $1.5M.  Alvarado Estates, a gated & guarded, is all large ( over 3000 sq. ft.) custom homes on acre+ lots with an exclusive feel.  Perhaps smaller homes may be found for around $450,000.

An eclectic and vibrant community, as college areas tend to be, this area is predominantly everything. A trolley line was dedicated to run specially to SDSU, many of our freeways and roads intersect within 5 minutes drive, and this "mesa" is opportunity just waiting to happen. Also part of this area is the Community of Rolando. Just east of the University, this quaint very treed and green neighborhood has homes from the early 30's and 40's before the post-war ranch house boom, and a genuine sense of neighborliness and home pride. And just West of the college is the neighborhood of El Cerrito, very Spanish and treed, a little plusher. And of course, the very fancy 1+acre lots only, gated community of Alvarado Estates, with mansions from old architectural achievements to modern new architectural designs.

Back on the west side of San Diego, and jutting into the water from near Lindbergh International Airport is the peninsula of Point Loma, an interesting blend of beach cottages and old money, original fishing fleet families and the famed San Diego America's Cup Yacht Club, coastal climate and postcard views, navy base and white-sparred private marinas. The climate varies from the sunnier east side of the peninsula to the more coastal ocean-viewing west side, and property owners have very strong feelings about whether the dazzling lights of the east bayside or the dark peace of the Pacific Ocean are the more desirable views. The “Point” is a group of traditional neighborhoods, probably influenced by the early Italian/Portugese fishing families, the influx of Navy families, and the choice of homesites by many of San Diego’s prominent old families who built our banks, skyscrapers and commerce. Point Loma is large and includes a number of communities from the very posh La Playa and Wooded Area at the tip to the expensive and highly desired Sunset Cliffs (ocean) and Fleetridge (Bay) neighborhoods midway, the VW-van, lovebeads and surfboard cottages of Ocean Beach, and what is arguably the most architecturally beautiful neighborhood of Loma Portal directly under the flight path from Lindbergh Field International Airport. Prices vary in the different neighborhoods, but generally reflect the middle and upper ranges of homes in San Diego, ranging from condominiums along the traffic ways in the $250,000 range up to fabulous bayside condos in La Playa, and homes in the flight path and abutting commercial areas from the $500,000’s to several $million. The "Point" is large with numerous modern commercial hubs and a handy back door to the airport and Downtown. Perhaps the loveliest view of San Diego is looking east from the Rosecrans Veterans Cemetery by the Point Loma lighthouse.

Historically, Point Loma was the original port of San Diego. Her shipping and fishing industries were the heart of San Diego’s commerce until Horton and friends convinced San Diego our current Downtown would be more satisfactory, and dredged and built piers and stomped around proving “build it and they will come”. Point Loma has always been an important part of our city’s history, such as renowned baseball player and sporting goods manufacturer, A.G. Spalding, who was a Point resident and owned the first automobile in San Diego. Which suggests one reason Spalding donated a lot of money for San Diego’s early paved roads.

Point Loma is 5 to 15 minutes to downtown San Diego, depending on traffic hours, and enjoys the misty mornings and sparkling reflections
of waterfront communities. Because of her ocean setting, Point Loma enjoys a unique microclimate moderated by ocean temperatures to keep it cooler in the daytime and warmer at night, with a small range of variation. Wild parrots often reside in the Point and have become a favorite symbol of the peninsula.

Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, neighborhoods within the city of San Diego, rest snugly between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay Park, and are a 4,500-acre water recreation area. It seems they are seem to be the tourist capital of summers in San Diego. Pricey boardwalk townhomes and bay view condominiums, boxey cottages and high-style mansions, medium priced condominiums and dated small ranch style homes, this is where casual reigns supreme. Tan and barefoot, BMW or boogie board, "PB" is Gidget updated and Sea World and Princess Resort dominated. Traffic can be a challenge and like its neighbor to the north, La Jolla, they are not convenient to a major freeway, but the dauntless denizens of these popular beaches just keep on coming. Many beach homeowners rent their personal homes out during the summer season for a month's mortgage payment each week. While largely populated by young people, surfers, and college students, the population is becoming older, more professional, and more affluent due to rising property and rental costs. "P.B.," as it is known as by local residents, is home to one of San Diego's larger nightlife scenes, with dozens of bars, eateries, and clothing stores. Pacific Beach is one of the main centers of nightlife in San Diego. Garnet Ave between Ingraham St and Mission Blvd is where many bars and restaurants are located. The nightlife in Pacific Beach caters towards a younger crowd than the nightlife in downtown San Diego.

Pacific Beach was developed during the boom years of 1886-1888 by D. C. Reed, A. G. Gassen, Charles W. Pauley, R. A. Thomas, and O. S. Hubbell. It was Hubbell who "leared away the grainfields, pitched a tent, mapped out the lots, hired an auctioneer and started to work". To attract people, they built the Race Track and San Diego College of Letters, neither of which survive today. A railway also connected Pacific Beach with downtown San Diego, and was later extended to La Jolla.

La Jolla is Spanish for "the jewel" and is thought to be inspired not only by the beauty of the area, and so named , but also by the Native American name for the area, "La Hoya", which means "the cave". La Jolla is a wealthy seacoast community, occupying seven miles of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, and is defined on 3 sides by rugged coastline. The La Jolla coast is famous for the caves that riddle its cliffs. La Jolla is like a bulb that projects into the ocean and climbs steeply to dramatic hills that hold cottages and mansions with spectacular views of the Pacific. Early in San Diego's history La Jolla became a holiday retreat for the financially favored and entertainment stars seeking refuge, and is today known for her constant moderate climate, elite shopping and dining. She is famous for her La Jolla Playhouse, founded by three such Hollywood refugees and genesis of several Tony-Award winning plays recently, and for the Salk Institute where Jonas Salk, who once helped remove the scourge of polio from our world, has assembled many world-renowned scientists who labor to resolve issues of immunity, cancer and other health issues.

The Scripps Institute of Oceanography along La Jolla's north short is a world leader in oceanographic research. Visiting the Institute's Stephen Birch Aquarium-Museum on the waters edge is a tour of undersea creatures in realistic habitats and wonder some exhibits. Right next to the Salk Institute is the glider port where daring pilots jump off the awesome cliffs in giant kites, and sail the thermals like gulls, soaring over the equally renown "Black's Beach", our "clothing optional" beach. The Museum of Contemporary Art has recently been extensively renovated, and a large number of very fine art galleries lines the streets of downtown La Jolla. And not least is the Torrey Pines Golf Course, a public but very prestigious trail of links on the edge of the vast Pacific and dotted with the very trees for which she is named and which those on the Torrey Pines Buick Open tour often hit into. Although often a traffic jam and hazey with marine overcast longer than other communities because of her projection into the ocean, La Jolla is the international byword for status and style. La Jolla is a laid back destination with a real fast-track undercurrent and business life. Celebrities, beautiful scenery and people, Mercedes and Rolls, all gather for seal watching at the Cove.

Further north is Del Mar, famed race track and upscale community. A little slower than the internationally acclaimed La Jolla, but just as posh in a quieter way, Del Mar like La Jolla has more marine climate than the sunnier Pacific Beach. Del Mar serves as a homebase to many who commute to Orange County or L.A, and lies just west of the "fabulous" enclave of Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego's best comp to the Beverly Hills and Bel Air communities more well-known.

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If you care about the most reliable information and detailed protection, be sure to find a specialist in the area YOU want. An agent who says he is an expert in all of San Diego can't go very deep into any of it. San Diego is to enormous to know all of it intimately. And that intimate knowledge will support your finding the very best home or buyer.

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