About San Diego County Coastal 

overview

Is the coastal North County the best thirty-mile stretch of California? Surely, it ranks with Laguna Niguel and Carmel. Breathtaking ocean views, million dollar homes, miles of parks and trails, pristine beaches – this is what makes North County so special. 

Let us take the coast road north from the La Jolla Shores. On your left, you’ll pass the Scripps Aquarium, the Salk Institute, UCSD and the Torrey Pines State Preserve. As you drive on North Torrey Pines Road, you will pass the golf course, Scripps Hospital and many of the world’s key biotech companies. You will drive down a mil-.long decline and meet the whitewater ocean. Within a few blocks you will enter the City of Del Mar with its architecturally diverse homes, chic shops, boutique hotels and eateries of all description.  

Continue on and you will see the Del Mar Race Track, considered one of America’s best thoroughbred horse racing venues. Five minutes later, you will find the Cedros Design Center in Solana Beach. Dozens of cool furniture, clothing and furnishing stores cover this mile=long stretch. Drive east on Lomas Santa Fe Drive and you will be in Rancho Santa Fe in just a few minutes. 

Proceeding north on Highway 101, you will discover a great mix of the chic, the funky, the upscale and the eclectic. In Cardiff, you will find 60’s style strip malls with ocean views amid million dollar hillside homes. In Encinitas and Leucadia, you will again see both the history and the future of neighborhoods and retailing. Further up the road in Carlsbad are quaint bed and breakfast hotels. In Oceanside, the community is being transformed by new homes and businesses. 

Are these the best thirty miles in California? Drive the coast and see!
 

CARMEL VALLEY

Carmel Valley is a fast-growing master-planned community just east of Del Mar and Interstate 5. The area is connected via the recently completed Highway 56 to the inland community of Rancho Penasquitos. A community of San Diego, Carmel Valley is known for excellent schools and a low crime rate and has a reputation for neat, family-oriented neighborhoods and activities. The area is served by two elementary school districts, Del Mar Union and Solana Beach Union, and the middle school and high school students attend schools in the San Dieguito High School District. The majority of the homes and schools were built during the last few years and several new shopping areas have sprung up around the new neighborhoods. The ocean is just a few minutes away, providing a temperate climate and cooling breezes in the summertime.

Carmel Valley is adjacent to Sorrento Valley, one of the key bio tech and telecom job centers in America. Downtown San Diego is also within easy reach, as well the University of California in La Jolla and other employment hubs in North County, and there is good accessibility to all major freeways. Armed with thousands of resident degreed professionals, the area’s public and private schools are among the top ranked schools in the County. Housing prices are relatively high, but not unreasonably so compared to other coastal communities. Condos and town homes are more affordable and are a viable option for some buyers who want the convenience of living in Carmel Valley and the coastal location. Many times, there are two wage earners. The “Coaster” commuter train is utilized by many workers who prefer to avoid freeway driving.

Outdoor sports and activities are popular in the community and there are a variety of parks to enjoy. The legendary Del Mar Race Track is nearby, as is the famous Torrey Pines golf course, and beautiful state beaches abound. There are plenty of dining options in Carmel Valley and in adjacent communities, and cultural entertainment can be found in downtown San Diego as well in various performing arts centers throughout the county such as the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, just a few miles away.

CARLSBAD AND LA COSTA

Known as “the village by the sea,” and famous for its flower fields, picturesque Carlsbad was named after the spring waters or “watering place” in Karlsbad, Bohemia, and has a fast growing population approaching 95,000. Founded in the mid 1880’s and situated just south of Oceanside and west of Vista between Interstate 5 and Highway 78, the city has one of the most accessible beaches in California and a long promenade adjacent to quaint tourist shops and patio cafes. It has an historic downtown district overlooking the ocean and is bordered by two lagoons, Buena Vista and Batiquitos, on the north and south respectively. Its eastern border stretches well inland, where can be found the La Costa Four Seasons Spa and Resort. La Costa is famous for world championship golf and tennis competition.

Carlsbad has its own small airport, as well as light industry including golfing manufacturers, corporate offices and biotech parks. There is no shortage of employment opportunities, which can also be found at Legoland theme park, and the commute to the University of California or Sorrento Mesa is reasonable. The Coaster commuter train transports workers to downtown San Diego from two local stations. Carlsbad boasts some of the highest ranking schools in the county; the area is served by the Carlsbad Unified School District, the Encinitas Elementary District, the San Dieguito District and the San Marcos District. There are also several private schools, including an Army-Navy academy. Local shopping includes a regional shopping plaza and various national discount warehouse stores are within easy reach. There are plenty of restaurants and amusements.

Golf, jogging and skating and other sports are popular in the area, even ice hockey, and there is an abundance of golf courses, tennis courts, playgrounds and parks, including a state park encompassing much of the shoreline, and miles of recreational trails. There are two swim complexes, one of them the Carlsbad Swim Complex, which has Olympic size salt water and fresh water pools. There are two village fairs every year, attracting many San Diego County residents and tourists alike, drawn to the seaside.

Carlsbad has been rated by Fortune magazine as one of the finest places to retire in the United States, and in 2005 ABC named it one of the top five beach towns for families in America. The city appeals to all ages and offers senior housing as well as a variety of single family residences, many of them large, upscale homes built in recent years. Not surprisingly, for a city that has so much to offer, housing in Carlsbad is relatively expensive, but more affordable options can be found in the older areas and in condos and town homes.

OCEANSIDE

The northern most city in San Diego County, Oceanside is transforming itself from the backyard of Camp Pendleton’s Marine base into a vibrant business and tourism center. Oceanside is 35 miles or so from downtown San Diego, but residents can work either in North San Diego or Southern Orange County without long commutes. There is also an abundance of jobs at base facilities, in addition to employment opportunities in local manufacturing and light industry complexes which are springing up locally. The population of Oceanside is fast approaching 200,000, making the city one of the biggest in California. There is an ever-increasing affordable supply of new housing and condominium developments, including two retirement communities.

Most children attend school in the Oceanside Unified School District, but some live within the Vista Unified School District or the Carlsbad Unified School District. There are several private schools. There are two Mira Costa Community College campuses and, together with UC San Diego, the college runs a learning center. There is a variety of shopping malls and restaurants in the area and a train station with service along the Pacific coast, as well as a small airport.

Oceanside is home to the California Surf Museum, which is filled with antique surfboards, historic photos and memorabilia from the early surfing pioneers. Surfing is popular along Oceanside’s miles of beaches, and there are many other activities such as fishing or golfing on the city’s two courses. Numerous parks and recreational facilities include a skateboard park and sports fields. The harbor and marina is a great place to relax and the 2,000 foot pier is one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast. During migration season, whales can be sighted on their way to the warm lagoons in Baja California. One of Oceanside’s claims to fame is the restored San Luis Rey Mission, which has stood nearly 200 years as a symbol of the Spanish Jesuits who founded the region. There is a small park by the mission known as Old town, where can be seen buildings and farm implements from pioneer days.

LA JOLLA

Pronounced “La Hoya,” La Jolla’s name reflects San Diego’s Spanish heritage. La Jolla is renowned as one of the most prestigious communities in San Diego County and is home to many of the rich and famous as well as wealthy retirees. Named “the most desirable place to live in the world” (2002 Robb Report), La Jolla boasts some of the most expensive real estate in some of the most picturesque settings, high on bluffs with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. More affordable housing is also available away from the shore line, including small older homes, apartment buildings and vacation rentals. A busy destination all year round, during the summer months tourists flock to La Jolla Village to shop and dine by the water, peruse the numerous art galleries, walk along the cliffs, watch the sunsets, visit seal beach, and swim in La Jolla Cove, also a popular snorkeling location.

La Jolla has well over 30,000 residents and is home to the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), UC Medical Center, Scripps Hospital, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the Salk Institute - and Nobel prize winners. Served by the San Diego Unified SchoolDistrict, local schools are some of the best in the district thanks to strong support from residents, and students from neighborhood high schools have excelled in national science programs. There are also a few private schools. Many of the residents are employed by the learning institutions, medical research facilities and area financial houses, while others commute to nearby Sorrento Valley or downtown San Diego about 10 miles away. Shopping options are abundant and include several easy-to-reach malls.

La Jolla offers an unending selection of outdoor activities, apart from water sports and seasonal whale watching, and has numerous parks which include an underwater park, and golf courses. The community hosts its own Festival of Arts as well as concerts in the park. There is a large sports complex at the university, incorporating a concert hall also, and the well-known La Jolla Playhouse produces regular first-class theater productions. One of La Jolla’s most famous annual happenings is the greeting of the New Year by the La Jolla “polar bears,” as they plunge into the cold ocean on January 1st.

ENCINITAS

Encinitas, embraced by two lagoons, is known as the “Flower Capital of the World” and is one of the world’s major suppliers of poinsettias. The city of Encinitas was incorporated in 1986, embracing the communities of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Leucadia and Olivenhain, which maintain their own identities. Encinitas is approximately 25 miles from downtown San Diego on Interstate 5 and has a population of about 63,000. The area is undergoing rapid gentrification. In 2002, Surfer Magazine placed Encinitas in the top ten surfing cities in the U.S. 

Elementary school children attend school in the Encinitas Elementary District and the Cardiff Elementary District, and middle and high schoolers are served by the San Dieguito High School District, one of the highest ranking districts in the state. There is a Mira Costa Community College satellite campus in Encinitas offering many classes and activities for local residents. The University of California and major job centers in Sorrento Valley are about a 10-mile commute, and there is rail service to Oceanside and to downtown San Diego on the “Coaster.” These coastal communities have varying terrain with spectacular views of the Pacific and Elijo Lagoon from some vantage points. Housing prices go from moderate to very expensive, depending upon the location. There is a harmonious blend of old and new. There is a variety of shopping. 

Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a charming beach community where ocean view homes stand on hillsides overlooking the Pacific. Because the highway and the rail line run so close to the beach, the community starts just east of the rail line and rises into hills with views of the Pacific. Most of the homes were built in the mid 1950’s era but are well maintained and the community itself is charming. 

Leucadia was founded in 1885. It has an English and Greek influence and remains a casual surf town much like Huntington Beach, 50 miles to the north. The community is located on the north and most of the homes are older. The homes on the beach have ocean views. The rail line runs next to the highway, impacting some of the area. 

Olivenheim (German for “olive grove”) has estate homes on large lots and the community borders the affluent town of Rancho Santa Fe, one of the country’s richest. There are some old farm houses and there are some of the most opulent homes of the region. There are no views, however. This is horse country. There is also proximity to golf courses. 

There are 10 public beaches within the city limits of Encinitas, on 6 miles of coastline, and many more parks including sports parks and 2 dog parks. Surfing and bird watching are popular pass-times as well as the usual outdoor sports such as soccer and baseball, and of course golf. There is a bicycle stunt park and a marine refuge. Batiquitos Lagoon marks the northern boundary of Encinitas and San Elijo Lagoon preserve denotes the southern border of the city. Encinitas is home to the Quail Botanical Gardens, where one can wander through rare bamboo groves, desert gardens and tropical rainforests while touring the more than 30 acres of gardens. Another area attraction is the Encinitas Butterfly Vivarium.
 

DEL MAR

Known for its race track made famous by Bing Crosby's rendering of "where the surf meets the turf at old Del Mar," and the days when it was a favorite haunt of the Hollywood elite, Del Mar is home to 5,000 inhabitants. This chic beach town is located north of La Jolla and adjacent to Torrey Pines State Beach and is bordered by lagoons and parks. The quaint village offers boutique shopping and some of San Diego County's finest restaurants.

Many of Del Mar's residents are empty nesters, but families with children are attracted to the town because of the high-ranking public schools, great beaches, summer "concerts by the sea" and walks on Dog Beach. Del Mar draws successful, accomplished people and a large percentage of them are college graduates working in La Jolla firms or at the University of California - or at one of the numerous high-tech firms located in nearby Sorrento Valley. The commute to downtown San Diego work places can be frustrating because of congestion on the main thoroughfare caused in part by many tourists driving around the area and the lack of parking. The Coaster commuter train can be a good alternative, however.

Children attend schools in the Del Mar Elementary School District and the San Dieguito Union High School District. Del Mar has strict guidelines for commerce and does not allow drive-through restaurants or new construction which could block views. Most of the existing housing was built before 1980, but many newer developments have spread out to the east of town in East Del Mar. Homes are relatively pricey throughout the area.

The annual, several weeks long San Diego County Fair is held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, attracting up to 2 million visitors from all over the country and beyond. There are numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and walking and exploring the lagoons and the beaches.

SOLANA BEACH

About 20 miles from downtown San Diego and with a population of approximately 15,000, Solana Beach is located north of Del Mar and south of the San Elijo Lagoon and Ecological Reserve. The quaint town offers a mecca of designer shops, art galleries, artisan workshops, yoga and exercise studios, day spas and casual eating spots. Solana translates to "sunny," and the town has its share of pristine beaches, as well as hiking trails and other outdoor activities.

Children go to school in the Solana Beach Union Elementary School District and attend high school within the San Dieguito Union High School District with kids from other communities. The area is expanding because of new housing construction in outlying neighborhoods during the last few years, and there have been several new school openings recently. Homes cater to all age groups and are comparatively pricey, especially beachside properties and those with hillside view locations. Landscaping and upkeep throughout the area is pleasing. On the east side of the freeway, overlooking nearby Rancho Santa Fe with its exclusive estates, there is a golf course surrounded by large upscale homes. Solana Beach also has several hotels and resorts.

Many residents are employed nearby in La Jolla at private companies in the "Golden Triangle" or at the University of California, and some work in high-tech firms in Sorrento Valley. The Coaster commuter train is the best way to commute to downtown San Diego and avoid the freeway congestion.

There is plenty to do in Solana Beach. In addition to the many galleries and designer studios the town has to offer, and the lagoons and beaches, a popular Sunday attraction at Solana Beach is the authentic Farmers' Market. In contrast, each year hundreds of rock and blues acts perform at the world-famous, 600-seat Belly Up Tavern. A repertory theater is scheduled to open soon, and the famous Del Mar race track is close by - as well as all the exceptional museums and parks found in adjacent communities and throughout San Diego County.

CORONADO

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