San Diego

San Diego

San Diego's mediterranean climate makes it a perfect sunny destination without Austin's hottest seasonal temperatures. In the summer, temperatures in San Diego hardly exceed 80 degrees and seldom fall beneath 50 in the winter.
If you are seeking 55 and older communities, San Diego has various options of homes and condos that are on or near the beach. There are also luxury seaside communities, including La Jolla, Point Loma, and Coronado, where residents are able to cruise the streets in golf carts.
Golf enthusiasts will be happy to know San Diego hosts over 70 golf courses in multiple landscapes from hills to oceanside.
The city has over 17 miles of coastline where you can enjoy a book in the sun, lounging on the beach, or bathing in the ocean. Fishing enthusiasts, meanwhile, can cast their line from the Oceanside Municipal Fishing Pier.
San Diego's downtown is where you'll find its arts, culture, and food scene. If you fancy a glass of wine, you can leave the car at home and ride San Diego's historic trolley. Foodies can partake in everything from Southern California's famous taco trucks to fine dining at spots like Born & Raised or Herb & Wood.
With the San Diego International Airport nearby, residents can easily take weekend trips or visit family and friends with a quick flight.

Whether you currently live in San Diego and want more space, or you're moving to the area for a career opportunity, buyers have a variety of nearby towns to choose from.
San Diego County is full of options, whether you're looking for a luxury home overlooking the water or a ranch home near the golf course. However, you may be unfamiliar with all the places to live near San Diego if you've only spent time in the city center.

Encinitas

For those who want luxury homes by the water with a reasonable commute to San Diego, Encinitas might be the perfect option.
The two most common routes from Encinitas to San Diego are Interstate 5 and Interstate 805. Both drives take 25-30 minutes, while the COASTER commuter train takes 45 minutes from Encinitas Station to downtown San Diego, offering oceanside views along the way.
Housing in Encinitas ranges from the semi-rural homes of Olivenhain to the beachfront estates of Leucadia. Numerous single-family homes are interspersed among the suburbs east of Interstate 5. These charming homes are typically surrounded by palm trees and feature Spanish-style terra-cotta roof tiles.
Encinitas boasts 40 miles of trails and 45 acres of beach, so residents can enjoy everything from hiking and volleyball to surfing and cycling.
It's easy to stay in town to enjoy a night out in Encinitas, with a vast selection of locally-owned bars and restaurants along Highway 101, between C Street and W Street.
For shopping needs, there are two large commercial parks within city limits on El Camino Real. Here, you can find familiar big-box stores such as Target and Trader Joes.

La Mesa

At just nine miles from downtown San Diego, the commute from La Mesa can take as little as 15 minutes by way of Interstate 8.
La Mesa's nickname, "The Jewel of the Hills" is fitting not only because of the surrounding topography but also because of the town's historic charm. Much of La Mesa Village, the downtown historical center, looks the same as it did in 1912 when the city was incorporated.
Residents make their way downtown to visit local restaurants and coffee shops.
On Fridays, La Mesa Boulevard transforms into a farmer's market where nearby farmers, vendors, and musicians meet to kick off the weekend.
If you're looking for a Saturday adventure, Old Town San Diego is only 15 minutes away on Interstate 8. This historic center was first inhabited by the indigenous Kumeyaay people before Europeans settled in California, making it the oldest city in San Diego county.
Grossmont Center has familiar chains such as Walmart and Chick-fil-a for everyday shopping needs.
For folks looking to escape the crowds at the beach, Lake Murray borders La Mesa to the north. Here, you can barbecue near the lake's blue waters while you watch the sunset over the surrounding hills.

Imperial Beach

In San Diego's South Bay area, potential homebuyers will find Imperial Beach.
This small, coastal city also offers a smooth, ten-minute commute into the southern side of San Diego on Interstate 5.
Traveling from the south means you'll avoid the traffic that flows into San
Diego from the northern suburbs.
The housing stock in Imperial Beach consists of renovated single-family homes, newly-built condos, and beachfront estates. The quiet neighborhoods of Imperial Beach are perfect for those who want a change in pace from the bustle of San Diego.
Imperial Beach is also perfect for nature lovers as the coast is only about five minutes away from anywhere in town. Surfing, beach volleyball, fishing, and horseback riding are common pastimes. You can also find locals lounging out on the beach almost every weekend.
After a day at the beach, you can make your way a couple of blocks to Seacoast Drive, where you'll find an abundance of local pizzerias, taco shops, and cafes.
Be sure to stop into Mike Hess Brewing for some locally-brewed beer.

El Cajon

If you're looking to live somewhere with a more approachable cost of living without sacrificing easy access to San Diego, El Cajon might be a good fit.
Whether you take Route 94 or Interstate 8, the trip to downtown San Diego is only 20 minutes.
With several shopping centers in the city's limits, you'll rarely need to leave.
Residents can find everything from car dealerships to In-N-Out and Sprouts along Broadway. Even with big-box stores like these, El Cajon has its own personality.
One of the most delightful things about El Cajon is the feeling of community among residents. Each year the America On Main Street Festival highlights the population's diverse heritage. The festival's annual naturalization ceremony celebrates the city's new U.S. citizens, truly capturing the town's spirit.
Here, the housing stock is diverse, and options are plentiful. El Cajon probably has something for you whether you're looking for a condo, townhouse, or single-family home.

Carlsbad

With seven miles of beachfront, Carlsbad is one of Southern California's true beach towns. While the city has a lot of personality, it's nice to be able to access San Diego if you want.
The commute to San Diego is about 30 minutes, no matter which way you go.
Where Interstate 5 splits from Interstate 805, you'll have multiple options heading south in case of traffic.
For an afternoon or night out, many residents of Carlsbad prefer to stay in town to enjoy the downtown area known as Carlsbad Village. Many of Carlsbad's unique businesses are located along Carlsbad Village Drive and the surrounding streets. A few favorite restaurants are Campfire, specializing in live-fire cooking, and Norte, which serves authentic Mexican cuisine.
Just west of Legoland, the Carlsbad Premium Outlets offer tourists and locals alike a variety of shops, from Polo Ralph Lauren to Costco.
If you're looking to buy a home near the beach, you can find anything from spacious manors to condos and apartments near Carlsbad Village. Otherwise, single-family homes and luxury estates are scattered throughout the rest of the city.

Rancho Peñasquitos

While technically within the city limits of San Diego, Rancho Peñasquitos is a
20-25 minute commute time from downtown San Diego on Interstate 15.
Much of San Diego County is good for outdoor recreation, but Rancho Peñasquitos is a special playground for hikers. With Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve to the south and Black Mountain Open Space Park to the north, Rancho Peñasquitos offers over 30 hiking trails. You can even see the ocean from Black Mountain Open Space Park's highest point.
Folks who live in Rancho Peñasquitos won't need to travel far for all their shopping needs. Carmel Mountain Plaza hosts big-box stores like Nordstrom Rack, Ralphs, and Total Wine & More in the northeast corner of the suburb.
The housing stock is perfect for those looking to gain square footage or acreage, whether you're coming from San Diego or another metropolitan city.
These private, suburban streets are full of large single-family homes built throughout the 1970s and maintained beautifully over the years.

Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley is about 25 minutes from San Diego, whether you take Interstate 5 or 805. This allows residents to avoid the hustle and bustle of downtown but access the city whenever they need.
From the town's western border, the drive to the beach is only about five minutes, making Carmel Valley a great place to enjoy the beaches of Del Mar and Torrey Pines State Reserve.
The homes in Carmel Valley are conducive to anyone looking for more rooms, a bigger yard, and maybe even a pool. Whether you're looking for a two-story near The Grand Golf Club or a Spanish Colonial home closer to the beach, Carmel Valley probably has something for you.
Within the suburb, it's easy to find well-known chains like Starbucks, Panera, and Vons. Yet, if you're searching for more original charm, Sky Deck is a rustic food hall populated by local businesses such as Rough Draft Brewing and Understory cocktail bar.

Towns With Easy Commutes to San

Diego
Encinitas
Del Mar
La Mesa
Chula Vista
Imperial Beach
El Cajon
Carlsbad
Rancho Penasquitos
Carmel Valley