About Living in San Diego
San Diego, California’s second-largest city, is famous for its gorgeous beaches, ideal weather, and recreational parks. Conveniently located homes are a bonus to this fabulous location on the coast. Perfect for those who want to live the upbeat city life, San Diego has plenty of entertainment, shopping, and dining to keep its residents busy.
Real estate in San Diego is diverse, offering numerous options for size and price. Single-family homes, townhomes, and condos are all found here, as well as the occasional multi-family home. Several upscale neighborhoods, like Carmel Valley, Del Cerro, and Pacific Beach, have luxury amenities like grand master bedrooms, gated entrances, and open flowing floor plans. Many of the homes are located near top schools, making neighborhoods like Serra Mesa, Allied Gardens and San Carlos ideal for families.
San Diego Parks & Destinations
San Diego is known for its parks, so it is no surprise to learn that its park system was ranked ninth-best out of the 50 most populated U.S. cities by The Trust for Public Land in 2013. Mission Trails Regional Park is a frequent destination for hikers, joggers, bikers, and picnic-goers. A popular peak, Cowles Mountain, is the highest public point in the city and attracts hundreds of San Diego hikers. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers even more opportunities to take in the beautiful nature preserves.
Famous destinations like the San Diego Zoo draw residents and tourists alike. The zoo is highly popular for its panda enclosure, but the park boasts over 600 animal species and subspecies. Located on 100 acres of Balboa Park, the zoo features the Skyfari, a gondola lift that provides spectacular aerial views. Over half of the zoo’s terrain can be seen on a guided bus tour. The zoo is world renowned for having some of the first cage-less exhibits for its animals, letting visitors see the inhabitants in their natural habitats.
Balboa Park has over 1,000 acres of fun with 15 museums (free on Tuesdays for locals) plus spectacular gardens and arts attractions. There is entertainment for the whole family with picnic areas, canyon hiking trails, and dog parks.
San Diego’s shopping and dining are abundant throughout the city. Various upscale retailers and high-end brands cater to those with fine fashion tastes. Restaurants feature all kinds of cuisines, from authentic Mexican to decadent Italian to classic American burgers. The proximity of the ocean has many eateries that feature fresh seafood & steak dishes.
Seaport Village, a short drive away in San Diego, boasts locations perfect for relaxing and watching the entering boats or the incoming crowds of people. The village also has plenty of fine dining, including Italian fare, Greek dishes, and fresh seafood. For a sweet treat, be sure to visit one of the several restaurants that specializes in desserts: Frost Me Gourmet Cupcakes, Seaport Coffee and Fudge, and Cousin’s Candy Shop.
Stunning beaches offer spaces to boat, sail, surf, and swim against a beautiful backdrop. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park boasts California’s biggest space for admiring the natural landscape on the miles of trails. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding provide alternative ways to explore the land, but visitors who want a more laid back experience can spend time at the picnic sites. Spending a night at one of the many campsites offers an opportunity to enjoy the cool weather.
San Diego Schools
The majority of San Diego’s residents are served by the San Diego Unified School District, the second-largest in the state. There are many schools to choose from, and the district runs charter schools as well. For alternative education, there are abundant private schools in the city. Higher education is prevalent, with several campuses in the area, including San Diego State University, University of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene and the University of California San Diego. As well as several community colleges who serve all San Diego residents as well as international students.
San Diego Transportation
Transportation in San Diego is easy for its car-driving residents thanks to its connected highway and freeway systems. In addition to cars, there are extensive networks for residents to ride their bicycles and enjoy the sunny weather. San Diego also has a trolley light rail system, a bus system and train rails, including Amtrak and the Coaster. For air travel, the San Diego International Airport provides flights around the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom. These transportation options simplify commutes to cities around California and beyond.