San Diego Central Communities

The neighborhoods in San Diego Central include:

City Heights

City Heights is home to more than 60,000 people. Businesses line University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard, and City Heights is home to a large Asian population, among other ethnicities, as evidenced by a large number of oriental supermarkets and restaurants.

Clairemont

University of San Diego

Clairemont, with some 80,000 residents, rests on the hills overlooking Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean. An area of primarily residential homes, the community is divided by Tecolote Canyon. Clairemont is the essential Southern California community complete with quiet neighborhoods and strip malls along Genesee and Balboa. Mesa Community College is located in this community.

Coronado

Coronado is an upscale “island”, separated from downtown by the sweeping Coronado Bay Bridge. With a small town atmosphere, Coronado has been the area’s premier resort destination for more than 100 years. Home to the legendary Hotel Del Coronado and Le Meridian Resort, the community itself is quiet with a small town flavor, complete with sidewalk cafes, theaters, and tree-lined streets of Victorian homes and California bungalows. Much of Coronado is occu0pied by the North Island Naval Air Station and the U. S. Naval Amphibious Base.

Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter

Balboa Park Reflecting Pool

In recent years, San Diego’s Downtown has become a of model of urban redevelopment. Dilapidated buildings and rundown neighborhoods have given way to upscale hotels, skyscraper condominiums, restaurants, and shopping centers. The centerpiece of the renovation is the flashy Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, which opened in 2004.

The Gaslamp Quarter’s restaurants and clubs feature a taste of history. Nearby, Horton Plaza’s mall shops offer a slice of the avant-garde, while Seaport Village, the shopping center on the bay, is reminiscent of Cape Cod.

The city’s Downtown attractions include the Civic Theater, the city’s largest, Symphony Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the San Diego Children’s Theatre, the Spreckles Theater, the newly-expanded San Diego Convention Center, the Central Library, and The Star of India and its Maritime Museum.

Also Downtown is the city’s transportation center with the Santa Fe Depot train station, Lindbergh Field, the area’s major airport, and the San Diego Trolley’s main station. It’s also the hub of the city’s commerce and government with major banks, law firms, city, county, state and federal government offices and courthouses.

Hillcrest

Hillcrest is an eclectic mix of restaurants, coffee houses, nightclubs and medical offices. A vibrant shopping area also is one of its attractions with the center of the activity along University Avenue and 5th, a lively area at any time of day.

La Jolla

Birch Aquarium Sea Anenome

The oceanfront community of La Jolla, known as “the jewel” of the city, offers secluded coves and beaches, ocean caves and small parks, and the popular Coast Walk cliff-top promenade. The Village district hosts cafes, boutiques, coffee houses, art galleries, and fine restaurants. Some 8,200 people live in this community of high-end custom, ocean-view homes. La Jolla also is home to the University of California, San Diego, with renowned research institutions such as the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. In addition, the Stephen Birch Aquarium & Museum, Mandell Weiss Theatre & Forum, and the Salk Institute are located here. The Torrey Pines State Preserve is one of the largest coastal preserves in the state and aside from its natural beauty and beaches, the preserve offers takeoff sites for gliders and hang gliders. The nearby Torrey Pines Golf Course is the site of the annual PGA Tour stop known as the Buick Open. The eastern side of La Jolla around Interstate 5 also is the region’s medical center with numerous biotech firms and three major hospitals—Scripps Memorial Hospital, UCSD Medical Center Thornton Hospital, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Miramar

This area east of University City was settled by E. W. Scripps around 1890 where he and his family lived on a ranch. Over the years, Scripps created a road system to San Diego and Escondido, a project which led him to be criticized for developing in a desert so far from the city. Today, Miramar sits in the center of San Diego County. Home to the United States Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, this community tops the list for exciting annual air shows. In addition, the area around Miramar Road boasts numerous wholesale companies for things such as stone and carpeting as well as furniture stores.

Mission Bay

Enjoying the Dolphins at Sea World

Home of the Mission Bay Aquatic Center and Mission Bay Golf Course, this community is popular for jet skiing, windsurfing, sailing and just about any water sport activity. This area also includes the upscale neighborhood of Crown Point and the park area of Fiesta Island. One of San Diego’s most famous attractions, Sea World, is located in Mission Bay’s southeastern corner and San Diego official Visitor Center is on the east side of the bay.

Mission Beach

More than 45,000 people live in Mission Beach, a surfer mecca. Mission Beach is a narrow strip that runs along Mission Boulevard from the south peninsula into Pacific beach. The attitude here is laid back and the transportation of choice is either bicycle or skateboard, since parking is difficult, particularly on the weekends. South Mission is less hectic and the addition of some 24 volleyball courts makes it a recreational destination. Another big attraction is Belmont Park, which houses arcades, clubs and the Giant Dipper roller coaster.

Mission Hills

Mission de Alcala

Mission Hills is home to some 30,000 residents, many of whom live in the restored homes that distinguish this neighborhood, which once was home to many of San Diego’s pioneer families. Most businesses are located along Washington Street. Mission Hills is south of Interstate 8 and east of Old Town.

Mission Valley

Mission Valley is for major league shopping. The valley is filled with malls such as Mission Valley Mall, Fashion Valley Mall, and Hazard Center. Major department stores, outlets, national chain stores, boutiques can all be found in the valley. Mission Valley also has a variety of restaurants where you can dine before or after shopping or taking in a Charger’s game at the “Q”, Qualcomm Stadium.

North Park

Panda Mei Sheng at the San Diego Zoo

A short bicycle ride from downtown San Diego and the San Diego Zoo, the community of North Park has gone through a revitalization in recent years. The business district consists mainly of small shops and restaurants. The baseball field at the North Park Recreation Center is named for Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who grew up in this community. A treasured local landmark is the North Park Theatre. This community also is the home of the Toyland Parade, one of the oldest parades in California.

Ocean Beach

Newport Avenue is the main drag in this oceanfront community of more than 28,000 people. The surf community is well represented here and the beach area draws young travelers with its hostels. The area inland and to the south near Sunset Cliffs offers residential neighborhoods. The Ocean Beach Pier is popular for fishing and Dog Beach in north Ocean Beach is a great place to walk, run or swim with your dog.

Old Town

The center of Old Town is a state historic park. Its 20 reconstructed or restored buildings are set on 13 acres centered around a town square. Reminiscent of a quasi Mexican, Old Western-style Williamsburg, the park provides costumed volunteers who give free tours at 2 pm daily. There are also working shops and restaurants alongside the museums. A hacienda built in 1829 by Juan Bandini today serves as the popular Mexican restaurant, Casa de Bandini. Reconstructed wood frame homes on the corner of San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street today are shops selling quilts, souveniers, and Western clothing. Around this historic core are more restaurants, galleries, and shops including the colorful Bazaar del Mundo.

Star of India

Pacific Beach

Located between Mission Beach and La Jolla, Pacific Beach, otherwise known as “PB”, combines elements of both. It’s a rambunctious community of more than 44,000 people. Surfing and beach-related sports are a focal point and its famous boardwalk runs from Crystal Pier into Mission Beach, a great place for rollerblading, biking and people watching. Garnet Avenue is the hot spot with an abundance of bars and nightclubs. Each spring PB hosts the Block Party, an all-day event that attracts thousands of visitors.

Paradise Hills/Encanto

Located east of Logan Heights and west of Lemon Grove, Paradise Hills/Encanto is one of San Diego’s largest neighborhoods with some 60,000 residents. The hub is Imperial Avenue that runs right through the community. The Trolley East Line also goes through this area, which borders National City on the east.

Point Loma

Aircraft Carrier Midway Museum

The Point Loma peninsula offers ocean views from one side and downtown and bay views from the other, but a select group of homes on top have views of both. The point is dominated by Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation and its cemetery, which must be traversed to get to the Cabrillo National Monument. The historic Point Loma Lighthouse, circa 1855, whale-watch stations, and the tide pools make Cabrillo National Monument a popular attraction. The point’s secluded coves, surrounded by high cliffs of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, are small and usually not crowded as the area’s kelp beds make swimming an experience with limited appeal. Point Loma Nazarene College makes its home in Point Loma, which has more than 64,000 residents.

University Center

Located west of Miramar and east of La Jolla, this rapidly growing area of skyscrapers, apartments and town homes rests between Interstates 5 and 805 just south of Sorrento Valley. The focal point is University Town Center, one of the county’s major malls. Hotels here include the Hyatt, Marriott and Embassy Suites. The area also has a number of fine restaurants.

Getting the Inside Scoop! But these facts are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many amenities and events that make San Diego County such a wonderful place to call home for newcomers and lifelong residents alike. But, when it comes to something as important as choosing the home that's right for you and your family, you need to have all the facts. As a real estate professional — and relocation specialist — Joanne enjoys introducing people to Rancho Santa Fe and all of San Diego County and helping them make the most of living here. She also knows that finding your new home is just one of the tasks that face you when you are relocating. Her goal is to coordinate everything as smoothly and efficiently as possible here, while you are wrapping up the final details of moving out of your present home, wherever that may be.