Neighborhoods in San Diego
EXPLORE NEIGHBORHOODS IN SAN DIEGO
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16 Best neighborhoods in San Diego
Map of San Diego neighborhoods
If you are unfamiliar with neighborhoods in San Diego and want to know where they are, here are San Diego neighborhoods maps .
San Diego neighborhood map
CHULA VISTA
CORONADO
GOLDEN HILL
IMPERIAL BEACH
KENSINGTON
LA JOLLA
LA MESA
LITTLE ITALY
MISSION VALLEY
NORMAL HEIGHTS
NORTH PARK
POINT LOMA
ROLANDO VILLAGE
SOUTH PARK
TALMADGE
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
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Explore San Diego best neighborhoods
Chula Vista
Chula Vista is a beautiful suburban city in California located near Tijuana. Spanish for the beautiful view, Chula Vista is renowned for its scenic mountains, west-coast beaches, and lush valleys. Besides the obvious aesthetic plus point, Chula Vista also has a good population of families making Chula Vista a great place to live with families. Other than that, there are many national family parks.
Chula Vista gets a bad reputation due to homelessness issues. Still, overall crime rates are considerably low when compared to the average. Due to low crime rates, the nightlife in this city is very safe and fun. There are multiple bars, clubs, shopping malls, and ethnic restaurants. In short, you get the best of San Diego without the constant traffic and crowd.
Since Chula Vista is a suburban area, the city is perfect for raising a family. There are multiple well-reputed public and private schools. The city also has a reasonable graduation rate from high schools and colleges.
Most of the houses in Chula Vista are row houses and townhouses. The median value of homes here is around $520K. The higher cost of life in Chula Vista feeds into the overall competitive housing market.
Public transportation, such as extensive roadways, trails, and pathway systems in Chula Vista, allow for accessible commute opportunities.
Coronado
Coronado is the city resort of California, having the “Best beach in all of US.” Coronado beach is as picturesque and perfect as it gets. If you live in California, you must have visited this beach at least once. There are also a few white sand bay options for people to explore. Coronado is also dubbed the Enchanted Island of San Diego. In short, Coronado has a lot of hype built around it, and rightfully so.
Besides the mesmerizing view and the cool breeze that’ll welcome you daily, Coronado has highly-ranked public and private schools. So there. Since it is a resort, the nightlife gets fun here. There is a good blend of different ethnicities, too, with a trend toward going to college.
As per the property value, Coronado is pretty expensive. The median house value lies at about a whopping $1.5-2M. However, since Coronado is a resort, there are few chances of the property value decreasing much. Therefore, a 2-3% decline is all you’ll see throughout the years.
Golden Hill
Golden Hill is another perfect, modern county in San Diego. Unlike other Californian cities that are flashy and retro, Golden Hill is all about the Old Hollywood vintage vibes. Located on the south of Balboa Park and North of Highway 94, Golden Hill provides a serene environment ideal for on-foot ventures. The cool climate of California also plays a massive role in the overall image of this beautiful county.
Golden Hill is one of the safest counties in San Diego, with an exceptionally low crime rate. On top of that, there is also ethnic and economic diversity. Golden Hill is also voted one of the best neighborhoods in San Diego to raise kids Around 20-23% of the residents currently residing in Golden Hill are families with kids. Well-known private schools, as well as good public schools, are a considerable attraction for families looking to move to San Diego.
Golden Hill has old and authentic 90’s houses with a median house value of about $680K. Most of the real estate in this area is rented rather than bought, making the average housing market pretty hot with an upward trend.
Imperial Beach
For all the people looking for a more secluded and tranquil location, this one is for you. Imperial beach is all about you and the white sand and salty breeze. Imperial beach is a small suburban city located on the edge of the actual beach.
The imperial beach offers excellent nightlife entertainment with many outdoor activities and opportunities on the beach. Imperial beach is just a few kilometers away from Colorado island and San Diego. In terms of safety, imperial Island is moderately safe.
Ethnically diverse youngsters and college graduates make up most of the residing population on the Imperial Island. In addition, there is a decent collection of public and private schools, as most residents are not families.
The real estate in imperial beach has an urban and suburban mix trend with many modern houses, with the average home value lying at about $600K. Though the housing market is competitive, the market has been down as compared to last year.
Kensington
Kensington is another one of the many neighborhoods in San Diego that has the most ethnically diverse young professionals. In addition, Kensington has the true west coast spirit, with most of the architecture in the Spanish revival style.
Located between the two twin cities, Normal heights and city heights, Kensington here in San Diego is hot and bright. Kensington is a great, preppy area to live in. Still, the nightlife here is just as entertaining as you’d expect from California.
With excellent public and elementary and high schools, the Kensington neighborhood should be at the top of every family’s list looking to move. The crime rates are also relatively low, and streets are also very safe.
Overall the real estate median value in Kensington lies at a whopping $750K with an upward trend considering how Kensington neighborhood is high-in-demand and pretty competitive.
La Jolla
La Jolla is as perfect as it gets. A relatively small city with breathtaking natural splendor. The wide-spread yet serene coasts with low tides make La Jolla an ideal place to visit and stay. Here, it is all about mountains, beaches, and food. A perfect combination if you ask me.
La Jolla neighborhood is ranked in the top 6 among all other neighborhoods in San Diego as the best place to live. Not only is this neighborhood widely diverse, but it is also relatively safe, and the crime rates are exceptionally low. In addition, most of the residents have a college degree, and many are families with kids. On top of that, the schooling here is also exceptional, both private and public.
This dense suburban area has a variety of houses, most luxurious beach houses, lying at the median value of $1.5M. The housing market here is mildly competitive, primarily due to expensive homes and living costs in La Jolla.
La Mesa
La Mesa has that modern touch those other counties in San Diego lack. Known for its picturesque downtown areas and occasional seasonal festivals. Unfortunately, La Mesa is the underdog of San Diego, as it is not on most people’s radar.
First and foremost, La Mesa is just a few kilometers away from San Diego and Spring Valley. The location of La Mesa gives it a considerable advantage; almost all facilities are within arm’s reach. La Mesa also offers lush greenery, high trail-worthy mountains, and a lake. As a result, most of the activities here are outdoors.
La Mesa also has access to many good schools, such as Helix Charter and St. Augustine High School. There are also local churches and hospitals. The regional median house value here is relatively low, at around $500K. Since the area is an Urban and Suburban mix, houses come in various price ranges making the housing market quite competitive.
Little Italy
Little Italy is very on-brand with its name. Italy is about romance, class, and Victorian architecture, but Little Italy is about Italian food. That’s the reason behind the word “little Italy.” Little Italy is where countryside vibes blend in with modern city benefits. This neighborhood is quaint, chic, and quiet. The everyday bustle here is relatively low-key, ideal for folks looking for some time off from city fervor.
Located just a few blocks away from Embarcadero and on the north end of Columbia, Little Italy has one of the most fun and lively than any other city in California. There are also many parks, bars, and shops here. The public schooling here is also quite exceptional. Crime rates are also way below average making little Italy a safe place for a pleasant, carefree stroll, even at night.
Though real estate in Little Italy is a bit pricy, the market is not highly competitive. However, since last year, real estate, especially housing in Little Italy, has seen a dramatic price hike. Currently, the median property value here lies at around $720K, with a chance of a further walk.
Mission Valley
Mission valley, initially known as the Glenn of San Diego, is located in the east-west valley of San Diego. The lush greenery and towering mountains surrounding this valley are the key attractions of mission valley. Mission valley also has population diversity with higher trends toward college graduation. In addition, well-maintained public parks, newly developed malls, and an extensive roadway system make mission valley one of the ideal places to live.
Mission Valley may not be the most modern city, but it offers all the facilities residents may need. Mission Valley is also quite close to Old Town and San Diego, allowing easy access.
Mission valley also has well-established public and private schools. Most of the houses in this valley are townhouses, with a few exceptions of apartment buildings. In general, the housing market here is pretty competitive. Still, the competitiveness varies depending on the demand of each area. The median value of houses in mission valley is around $470K, following a downward trend since September 2022.
Normal Heights
Normal Heights is unarguably one of the most vibrant and colorful neighborhoods in San Diego. Located just a few minutes from San Diego downtown, Normal Heights offers the best cuisines you’d ever come across. This area is famed for its breweries, bars, diverse restaurants, and vast selection of cooking.
Speaking of the residence in Normal Heights, the place is filled with many modern and old-timer Scandinavian and Spanish-style houses.
Overall, Normal Heights is a decent place to live in, considering how the facilities, safety, and commute are up to mark. Houses in Normal Heights are also relatively more affordable than most urban, mixed suburban areas in San Diego. The median value of housing here is around $500-550K. The real estate market here is pretty mild but can fluctuate as the price trends have been unstable in the past year.
North Park
North Park is voted one of the best places to live in San Diego by San Diego residents. This area is safe, lively, and walkable. The best brewing beer and the overall safety of North Park are two of its most important selling points. San Diego beaches are also a short drive from North Park. Thirdly, North Park is surrounded by many hike-worthy mountains, which have been among the most desirable amenities for neighborhoods in San Diego in the last decade.
Suburban and Urban mixed communities are seen here in North Park, with most of the houses built with Scandinavian architecture in mind. Most homes here tend to have front lawns, which is a great plus when you’re living with kids. In addition, the location of North Parks allows easy access to most of the schools in surrounding neighborhoods in San Diego.
The median house value in North Park is $578K, around 17% more than last year. But, as of now, the market seems pretty stable.
Point Loma
Point Loma is one of the seaside neighborhoods in San Diego, surrounded by Pacific Bay, Old Town, and San Diego Bay. Surrounded by a beautiful stretch of water, the Point Loma peninsula offers cultural history, quaint views, and urban-suburban mix stretches of accommodations.
Point Loma is known widely for their schooling systems and the infamous Point Loma Nazarene University. Though the schooling options are limited within the neighborhood, a decent selection is still present. On top of that, Point Loma Public Schools are all ranked at the top. There are also many outdoor family activities to do in Point Loma. In addition, there are Jean Joseph public libraries with a huge kids’ section and art and crafts activities open to the public.
Regarding safety, Point Loma is relatively safe, and nightlife is where the neighborhood comes alive. Around 25% of the people in Point Loma are people with families. But overall, there’s a good blend of gentry here.
The property median value here lies at about $890K, with a rising trend. Considering how the market tends to get pretty competitive here from time to time, good houses tend to sell out like hot buns.
Rolando Village
Rolando village is a well-liked and cozy neighborhood in the mid-city region and offers many residential options. Since Rolando Village was founded in the ’20s, most houses are reminiscent of those times. There are closed knit-communities with bungalows surrounded by lush greenery.
Rolando village is among the most suitable neighborhoods in San Diego for families with kids. There are exceptional public and private schools, local parks, daycares, etc. The overall walkability score of Rolando village is also decent.
The average house value in Rolando Village is about $750K. Since last year, the prices have mostly stayed the same, indicating that the market is pretty stable.
South Park
South Park is considered a tremendous cultural asset among neighborhoods in San Diego. It is known as the cultural landscape foundation. South Park, like North Park, is cozy and family-oriented. Here you’ll see a wide variety of activities and facilities, such as art galleries, taverns, unique cuisines, local businesses, and chartered schools.
Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and ocean beach are some of the beaches that are well within reach of South Park residents. Other than that, there are still a lot of fun outdoor activities to do that are kid-friendly, such as Sea World San Diego and San Diego Zoo.
Most houses here are revival Spanish architecture, and the median house value is around $1M. The property pricing trends are relatively decreasing in the following year. Hence, this trend is expected to continue.
Talmadge
Talmadge, similar to Rolando Village, was founded in the ’20s. It is one of the green neighborhoods in San Diego. Full of parks, hiking places, foliage, and trees, Talmadge is the perfect place for families, older couples, and nature lovers. Hence, you’ll see a wide variety of houses available in the area. From traditional revival Spanish to old-school bungalows to modern cottages, you’ll see it all here. Talmadge is also located in the mid-city, like Rolando Village, and shares the same vintage and medieval vibes.
High-resale value properties, close-knit communities, yearly family-friendly festivals, and many restaurants and hubs make Talmadge quite an ideal place to live in.
Talmadge offers a perfect family neighborhood, and that’s precisely why price hikes have been linear here for the last three years. As of now, the median house value lies at about $1M. Overall, the market here has become quite competitive as the house-selling trend is taking a downward curve.
University Heights
University Heights is another great neighborhood in the central region of San Diego, surrounded by La Mesa, Lincoln avenue, Interstate 805, and Boundary street. Being in the dead center, University Heights is at an approachable distance from all surrounding areas implying an easy commute and more options and facilities.
University Heights is one of the most family-oriented neighborhoods in San Diego. So many family parks, daycares, schools, beaches, easy commutes, excellent walkability scores, cultural history, and many cuisines and restaurants exist. It doesn’t get better than this.
University Heights has always been on the medium to the expensive side, with the median house value at about $680-720K. The overall market trend in University heights is highly unpredictable and mildly competitive. As of October 2022, a downward spike can be seen in property prices. Now would be the best time to buy property in University Heights.
Sell or Buy a house in San Diego best neighborhoods
You shouldn’t go through the process alone when you decide to sell or buy a house in one of the best neighborhoods in San Diego. Why?
“Living in San Diego my whole life, I know every corner of every neighborhood. For years, I’ve been following all relevant news about San Diego neighborhoods, real estate markets specific to each of them, and local stories, gossip, data, and forecasts. Combining all, I can quickly find a perfect solution for anyone to sell or buy a house.” – Dylan Graham.
Before you decide to sell a house or settle in one of the neighborhoods in San Diego, please get in touch with Dylan for consultation.
Find out more about Dylan Graham realtor in San Diego.