Recent Posts

The City of San Diego

Population: 1,277,200

The City of San Diego is the largest city in San Diego County, containing roughly half of the Countys total population. With its current population of 1,277,200, the City of San Diego is The second largest city in the state. It is the regions economic hub, with well over half of the regions jobs and nearly three-quarters of the regions large employers. Thirteen of the regions 20 major colleges and universities are in the City of San Diego, as are six of the regions major retail centers. The Citys visitor attractions are world-class and include Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World, Cabrillo National Monument and Old Town State Historic Park. The City of San Diego spans approximately 40 miles from its northern tip to the southern border. Including the shoreline around the bays and lagoons, the City of San Diego borders a majority of the regions shoreline, encompassing 93 of the regions 182 shoreline miles.

La Jolla

La Jolla , or "the jewel" in Spanish, is one of the most affluent communities in San Diego County. This well-established residential community has a downtown retail district comprised of fashionable boutiques, restaurants, corporate offices and finance centers. Its beautiful homes are built into the hillside overlooking the ocean. The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus is located in La Jolla and is the focal point for many of the regions renowned research institutions. Located just east of Interstate 5 is the commercially bustling epicenter of University Towne Center.

University City

University City, which borders La Jolla, is a thriving commercial development area with several office complexes, hotels and financial centers. The mainly condominium community has developed into a strong residential support area for the University of California, San Diego professors, scientists and graduate students. The University Towne Center (UTC), a regional shopping mall, is located here for the convenience of both La Jolla and University City residents.

Mira Mesa

Mira Mesa is comprised of dense tract housing built primarily for young first time buyers. Regional shopping is located in this community at Mira Mesa Mall. There is a significant military presence in this rapidly growing, multi-ethnic community.

Mission Hills, Hillcrest, and North Park

These communities are among the oldest in the city. There are many well-establishedneighborhoods with fine Victorian homes as well as large, Spanish style homes catering to the numerous professionals who live in this area. Many rental houses and condominiums are also available.

Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach

These beach communities tend to have older residential neighborhoods that consist of rental beach housing, condominiums and single-family houses. These communities are popular with young professionals and students due to their flat beaches and wide boardwalk areas for running, bicycling and roller blading.

Rancho Bernardo

Rancho Bernardo is a master planned community. It is a well-kept area with separate sections of housing for families, executives and retirees. There are plenty of retail and support services for Rancho Bernardo residents. In addition, Rancho Bernardo has a wide range of industrial zoned development.

Scripps Ranch

Scripps Ranch is a popular bedroom community for young professional families. The tracts of contemporary style homes are extremely well developed with groves of fully-grown eucalyptus trees surrounding the area. Several shopping centers are also located in this area.

Tierrasanta

Tierrasanta is a bedroom community situated on a mesa. Residents of the northern part of this community enjoy lush landscaped developments with an abundance of greenbelts. In the southern portion of the community is the Murphy Canyon Naval housing. This was once the largest American Naval Housing Facility in the world.

East County Incorporated Cities

El Cajon:

El Cajon Population: 96,600 is located 15 miles east of the City of San Diego. El Cajon is an inland valley surrounded by rolling hills and mountains. El Cajons current population of 96,600 makes it the sixth most populated jurisdiction in the region and the largest city in East County. As one of the most eastern cities in the County, El Cajon has a warm and dry climate. El Cajon is a diverse residential, commercial, and industrial area, and serves as the main commerce center for several surrounding communities. Gillespie Field, a general aviation airport, is a major contributing factor to the citys vibrant industrial development. El Cajon includes a cross-section of housing types from lower cost mobile homes and apartments to moderately priced condominiums to higher cost single-family residences. There are 23 elementary schools, seven middle schools and four high schools.

La Mesa

La Mesa Population: 59,200 is centrally located 12 miles east of downtown San Diego. La Mesa is a suburban residential community as well as a commercial and trade center. The area is characterized by rolling hills and has a large number of hilltop home sites that take advantage of the beautiful views. La Mesa offers affordable housing within a wide range of prices, as well as high-end luxury homes atop Mt. Helix. La Mesa has an abundance of mixed-use condominiums for those who prefer a downtown village atmosphere. There is a positive balance between singlefamily housing and multi-family housing within La Mesas city limits. One of the regions major retail facilities, Grossmont Center is located in the heart of the city adjacent to another major activity center, Grossmont Hospital. The La Mesa-Spring Valley Elementary School District provides 18 elementary schools and four junior high schools. There are two high schools in the area and Grossmont College, a two-year community college, is also located in La Mesa.

Lemon Grove

Lemon Grove Population: 25,950 lies eight miles east of downtown San Diego. Lemon Grove is the third smallest jurisdiction in the San Diego region based on population and geographic size. Initially the site of expansive lemon orchards, the city still remains a small town with a rural ambiance. Currently manufacturing and trade account for over one-third of the total employment in this area. A substantial proportion of the homes in Lemon Grove are single family dwellings with the addition of several apartments and condominiums built over the last 20 years. There are five elementary schools and two junior high schools. High school students attend school in nearby communities.

Santee

Santee Population: 58,300 lies 18 miles northeast of downtown San Diego and is bordered on the east and west by slopes and rugged mountains. The San Diego River runs through this community, which was once a dairy farming area. It is now a residential area that has experienced phenomenal growth since the 1970s. Since the expansion of the San Diego Trolley, Santee residents can ride the Trolley to Mission Valley, Downtown San Diego and as far as the U.S./Mexico Border. Elementary students attend one of 11 elementary schools, while high school students attend Santana or West Hills High School. Santees elementary schools, on a statewide comparison, score in the 70th to 90th percentiles.

North County Incorporated Cities

Carlsbad

Carlsbad Population: 82,000 is a coastal community located 35 miles north of downtown San Diego. It is bordered by Encinitas to the south, Vista and San Marcos to the east and Oceanside to the north. Carlsbad is home to world-class resorts such as the La Costa Resort and Spa and the Four Seasons Resort at Aviara, offering championship-level golf and tennis facilities. The newest addition to Carlsbads commercial/recreational landscape is Legoland, which opened in Spring 1999. The city of Carlsbad has a strong economy, much of which has come from industrial development. Callaway Golf, Cobra Golf, ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Mallinckrodt Medical, NTN Communications and Immune Response are just a few of the local companies located in Carlsbad.

The area has nine elementary schools, two junior high schools, and three high schools. The school district ranks among the best in the county. Distinguished private and parochial schools also serve Carlsbad, including the internationally renowned Army Navy Academy.

Del Mar

Del Mar Population: 5,400 is the smallest city in the County with only 5,400 residents in the year 2000. Located 27 miles north of downtown San Diego, this coastal community is known for its affluence and comfortable standard of living. It is a beautiful wooded hillside area overlooking the ocean and has a resort like atmosphere. The Del Mar Racetrack and Thoroughbred Club serve as Del Mars most noted landmark. This racetrack is also the location for the annual San Diego County Fair. The City of Del Mar has 2.9 miles of shoreline that include the Del Mar City Beach and the Torrey Pines State Beach. There are two elementary schools, one junior high school and one high school in Del Mar, which is considered one of the regions best school districts.

Encinitas

Encinitas Population: 62,100 has grown rapidly over the past 10 years stretching into the eastern hills and now encompassing the villages of Leucadia, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, and Olivenhain. Encinitas is known as the "Flower Capital of the World" and is one of the worlds major suppliers of Poinsettias. Encinitas encompasses more than six miles of beautiful coastline. Schools within these beach communities have been recognized statewide for excellence in their curriculum.

Escondido

Escondido Population: 127,800 has a reputation as a bedroom community due to the large percentage of residents who work outside of the city. Escondido is located 30 miles north of San Diego and is approximately 18 miles inland from the coast. It is the regions fifth most populated city. More than a decade ago, the people of Escondido conceived a vision of cultural excellence. Today, the $73.4 million California Center for the Arts stands as a product of this vision. Escondido has 18 elementary schools, nine of which are parochial schools, three middle schools and six high schools, three of which are parochial. There is a unique mix of agriculture, industrial firms, high-tech firms, recreational centers and parks, as well as residential areas. The areas largest shopping mall, the North County Fair, houses 6 major retail stores and approximately 175 smaller stores. California State University, San Marcos and Palomar Community College, located within minutes from Escondido, provide higher education.

Oceanside

Oceanside Population: 160,800 is centrally located between San Diego and Los Angeles. Located just 36 miles north of downtown San Diego, Oceanside is bordered by Camp Pendleton to the north, Carlsbad to the south, Vista to the east and the ocean to the west. The current population of 160,800 makes Oceanside the fourth largest jurisdiction in the County and the largest coastal community. Industrial real estate rates tend to be lower than the County average. There is an abundant supply of new housing and condominium developments, which tend to be more affordable than in other areas of Southern California coastal cities. With a near perfect year-round climate and recognition as one of the most livable places in the nation, Oceanside offers both an incomparable lifestyle and abundant economic opportunity. Its extensive recreational facilities include 3.5 miles of sandy beaches, the Oceanside Harbor and the Oceanside Lagoon. There are 16 elementary schools, two parochial and two private, three middle schools and three high schools, as well as Mira Costa College and the United States International University. Medical care is available at TriCity and TriCity West medical centers and local retail shopping is available at the nearby Plaza Camino Real.

Poway

Poway Population: 49,300 is located 23 miles northeast of San Diego within the well-populated I-15 corridor. Poway is distinct because it is set into the foothills. Poways main recreational facility is the 350-acre Lake Poway Park; the Lake also serves as a reservoir for the water supplied to San Diego by the Colorado River Aqueduct. The area has many recreational facilities, providing complete park sites, trails and fishing opportunities. Poway is also home to the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, 700 acres of natural habitat with hiking, horseback riding and interpretive trails. The Poway Performing Arts Center is an 815 seat professional theater that began its eleventh season in 2001. The Poway Unified School District is excellent and has been consistently rated in the top tier. The district has four high schools, five middle schools and 19 elementary schools. There are eight private and parochial schools offering instruction from K-8? grades.

San Marcos

San Marcos Population: 53,900 is located between Vista and Escondido, approximately 30 miles north of downtown San Diego. San Marcos is known for its resort climate, rural setting, central location and affordable housing prices. San Marcos has been the fasted growing jurisdiction in the region since 1956. It is home to two of the regions major educational facilities, Palomar Community College and California State University, San Marcos. The K-12 School District is an award winning district with over seven Schools of Distinction Awards to their credit.

Solana Beach

Solana Beach Population: 14,350 As one of the countys most attractive coastal communities, is known for its small-town atmosphere and pristine beaches. Incorporated in 1986, it has one of the highest median income levels in the County as well as an outstanding school system recognized with state and national awards of excellence. Lomas Santa Fe, located east of the freeway, is a master planned community which features shopping, homes and condominiums, two golf courses and the family oriented Lomas Santa Fe Country Club.

Vista

Vista Population: 85,700 offers one of the best high schools in California, Vista High, impressive job opportunities (more than 400 companies have located their businesses in the city since 1986), and the 15 million square foot Business and Research Park. Vista has been growing at twice the rate of the State of California and 50 percent faster than the rest of the San Diego area in the last decade. There are 10 elementary schools, four middle schools, and five high schools.

South Bay Incorporated Cities

Chula Vista

Chula Vista Population: 174,300 is home to an estimated 44 percent of all businesses in the South Bay Region of? San Diego County. Chula Vista is the second largest municipality in San Diego County. Today Chula Vista is attracting such companies as Solar Turbines and Raytheon, a $20 billion global technology firm serving the defense industry. Chula Vista is the 21st largest of 450 California cities. Chula Vista ranks among the nations top ten governments in terms of employee productivity and local debt levels.

Coronado

 Coronado Population: 24,650 is a 13.5 square mile ocean village. The military bases of the Naval Air Station North Island and Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado occupy 5.3 square miles. Coronado is connected to San Diego by a 2.3-mile toll bridge (soon to be non-toll) and to Imperial Beach (its neighbor to the south), by a six-mile scenic highway, the Silver Strand. It is primarily a bedroom community for San Diego executives, a haven for retired senior military officers and an internationally renowned tourist destination. This vibrant community welcomes more than two million visitors annually to soak up the sun and the sand while enjoying the lush surroundings and village appeal of Coronado. The city contains 14 hotels, amongst them are 3 world-class resorts including the Hotel Del Coronado and 67 highly acclaimed restaurants.

Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach Population: 29,200 claims the distinction of being the "Most Southwesterly City - in the continental United States." The City is located in the Southwest corner of San Diego County, only five miles from the Mexican Border and 15 miles from downtown San Diego. With a population of 29,200, Imperial Beach occupies an area of 4.4 square miles. Imperial Beach offers some of the least expensive housing to be found west of the I-5. It is primarily a resort/recreation community with a vast beach area as well as a 12,000-foot pier for fishing. Some describe Imperial Beach as quaint, but mostly the town has a rare innocence and a relaxed atmosphere. Looking south just across the International border, Tijuanas famous "Bullring by the Sea," the Plaza De Monumental can be seen.

National City

National City Population: 55,400 is one of the countys oldest incorporated areas. Just five miles south of San Diego, National City is the South Bays center of industrial activity. The economy is based on manufacturing, shipbuilding and repair. The San Diego Naval Station, which overlaps San Diego and National City is the largest naval facility in the country. There are a great number of historical sites in National City and homes in the area are usually 50 years or older. Stately Victorians reflect the early part of the century when shipping and import/export magnates lived here. Served by National Elementary and Sweetwater High School districts, National City also offers several private schools for all grade levels. National City is best known for its Mile of Cars; the title describing its abundant auto dealerships. Paradise Valley Hospital providing acute medical care facilities and two large shopping malls, Plaza Bonita and South Bay Plaza, are all located in National City.