1. La Jolla
Best for: People looking for high-end suburban livingAverage home price: $2.28 millionWalkability score: 29La Jolla is quintessential California living and one of the best neighborhoods to live in San Diego. It's close to some of the best beaches, it has great schools and the parks, boutiques, bars, coffee shops and restaurants make finding a place that matches your vibe easy. La Jolla is also one of the quieter parts of the San Diego area and features some great recreation opportunities at La Jolla Cove and Torrey Pines State Reserve. For young professionals, retirees and families, it's a perfect fit.| Insider Tip: La Jolla isn't the most walkable part of San Diego, but there are still lots of places for you to walk, including shopping and natural areas. |
2. Mission Bay
Best for: People who love outdoor recreationAverage home price: $1 millionWalkability score: 18The Mission Bay area truly embodies California beach living. It's full of excellent surfing, water sports, bars and restaurants and a great atmosphere. Plus, it’s central to many other parts of San Diego. The boardwalk is fun for people of all ages, and SeaWorld is nearby, making it as fun for the family as it is for the young professional who wants to blow off steam on the weekend.
3. Encinitas
Best for: Surfers and other laid-back peopleAverage home price: $1.81 millionWalkability score: 43Encinitas was named one of the 50 best beach towns to live in — and for good reason. Swami's point break is renowned by surfers from around the world. The rest of this North County neighborhood feels like a mix of the best parts of the ‘60s (classic cars and beach decor) combined with great shopping, restaurants and yoga centers. If you love to ride the waves or want to recenter yourself, it's easy in Encinitas.| Insider Tip: If you've never surfed before, book a lesson. It's a great way to learn and a fun way to spend time with your family or travel companions. |
4. Ocean Beach
Best for: Surfers, artists and anyone looking for a laid-back lifestyleAverage home price: $1.26 millionWalkability score: 79Ocean Beach gives you pretty much everything you could want when you're looking for the perfect place to live in San Diego. It's close to the water and only a few miles from downtown, making it an excellent choice for those who can't decide between living in the city vs. the beach. When you want to relax, take a walk along Sunset Cliffs or check out some art in the quirky arts district.
5. Barrio Logan
Best for: Artists, bohemians and young professionalsAverage home price: $672,029Walkability score: 62For authentic city vibes and the excitement of an up-and-coming community, you can't do any better than Barrio Logan. Nestled just outside of the downtown area, it's full of converted warehouses that are home to some of the city's best artists, galleries, breweries and restaurants. If you're a young professional or like to be where the old meets new, Barrio Logan is where you need to be. Barrio Logan's proximity to the border also makes it perfect for anyone who loves traveling to Mexico.
6. Little Italy
Best for: Food and drink aficionadosAverage home price: $680,314Walkability score: 98If you're a full-on foodie, you want to be in Little Italy. From classic restaurants to the newest and hippest eateries run by chefs dedicated to serving up the best dishes, this neighborhood crackles with energy. Along with great eateries, Little Italy is home to a bustling Saturday farmer's market and lots of great boutiques. Its location (right next to downtown) means you can get to other San Diego neighborhoods quickly and easily. And because it's close to the airport, it makes an ideal spot for a second home if you want to make the most of every minute in San Diego.
7. East Village
Best for: People who enjoy nightlifeAverage home price: $641,875Walkability score: 95The East Village neighborhood has seen a lot of change — what was once a rundown area full of warehouses east of the Gaslamp Quarter is now one of the best neighborhoods to stay in San Diego. It’s home to the Padres stadium and plenty of big hotels, bars and restaurants. If you want to be close to everything downtown (or be able to hop on a trolley or bus to get around the city), East Village is a great neighborhood.| Insider Tip: Getting around downtown San Diego is easy. Take a trolley, rideshare or walk! |
8. Hillcrest
Best for: Members of the LGBTQ+ community and artistsAverage home price: $806,613Walkability score: 87As one of San Diego's oldest neighborhoods, Hillcrest has something for everyone. It's one of the city's LGBTQ+ hubs (San Diego's Pride Parade takes place there every year) and a magnet for artists. It's located next to Balboa Park, one of the most incredible urban parks in the United States. From cozy cafes to the coolest shops, Hillcrest always feels alive and welcoming, making it a great place to live for anyone looking for a close-knit community.
9. Pacific Beach
Best for: People who want to be close to the beach and nightlifeAverage home price: $1.38 millionWalkability score: 74The Pacific Beach neighborhood is ideal for California beach living. Take a stroll (or skate or bike) along the boardwalk, go surfing, head to SeaWorld with the family or grab some authentic tacos. Pacific Beach really comes alive at night as one of the party hotspots for college students in the area. If you're searching for a neighborhood with everything you need to have fun and relax, you can find it in Pacific Beach.
10. Carlsbad
Best for: People who want real vacation livingAverage home price: $1.48 millionWalkability score: 31Carlsbad is the type of tourist town that you actually want to live in. It has all the recreation you love, like golfing and surfing, along with tons of great shopping, can't-miss restaurants and the country's largest street fair, the Carlsbad Village Street Faire, which is held twice a year. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly vacation spot (hello, LEGOLAND) or you want a second home where you can stroll on the beach or play a round of golf, Carlsbad should be at the top of your list of best San Diego neighborhoods.
11. Imperial Beach
Best for: Anyone looking for a small surf town feelAverage home price: $852,114Walkability score: 69Imperial Beach is right across the border from Tijuana, Mexico. The Pier Plaza is great for watching the water, the surfing in the area is excellent and you can even ride horses on parts of the beach. The wildlife refuge at the Tijuana River National Estuary is located in the largest saltwater marsh in Southern California and home to many animals. There are few places in the San Diego area that have such perfect small surf town vibes for a relatively affordable price.
12. North Park
Best for: Anyone who wants to be in the hippest part of townAverage home price: $946,970Walkability score: 86North Park is at the top of the coolest and best neighborhoods in San Diego for many reasons. It's stuffed with vibey cafes, photo-worthy eateries, hip bars and breweries and one-of-a-kind boutiques and gift shops. But it isn't all go-go-go in North Park; Juniper Canyon is a great hiking spot that can help you get back to nature in the middle of the neighborhood.
13. Kensington
Best for: Anyone looking for a quieter, tightly knit communityAverage home price: $1.41 millionWalkability score: 93Founded in the early part of the 20th century, Kensington is a true local neighborhood. That means the community is tight-knit, friendly and home to hidden gem restaurants, cafes and shopping. If the idea of living in a walkable part of the city that’s quiet and a little removed from some of the glitz and glam (while still being a short trip away from downtown or the beach) sounds ideal, check out Kensington.
14. Oceanside
Best for: People who prefer North CountyAverage home price: $864,648Walkability score: 39Oceanside is experiencing a rebirth as a distinct neighborhood that brings everything from surfing to cuisine together in a fun, photo-worthy package. At the northern tip of the city, Oceanside is home to some of the largest beaches in San Diego and is one of California's Cultural Districts that highlights unique local artists and homegrown culture. As a gateway to the city, it has a little bit of everything people think of when they think of San Diego.
15. Old Town
Best for: People who want to be centrally locatedAverage home price: $1.5 millionWalkability score: 74Old Town is a great choice of neighborhood for people who aren't sure exactly where to live in San Diego because it has a great variety of things to do. Its mixture of authentic Mexican restaurants, historic buildings at the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and annual events make it a hub for residents and visitors alike. Its central location lets you get to other parts of the city easily, too.Find your future home in San Diego
Visiting San Diego is always a treat, and the more time you spend there, the easier it will be to find the best neighborhoods in San Diego that are a perfect fit for your lifestyle. The city is one of the best places for a vacation home in California for a reason.When you're looking for a vacation home in San Diego, learn more about Pacaso's LLC co-ownership model. You can share the price of buying a home with others and get access to it when it works best for you.Best neighborhoods in San Diego FAQ
01: What is the safest area in San Diego?
According to the City of San Diego, some of the safest neighborhoods in San Diego are Broadway Heights, Burlingame, Islenair, La Playa, Miramar Ranch North, Rancho Encantada, North City and San Pasqual.
02: What are the best times to move to San Diego?
Fall is usually the best time to move to San Diego because there is more inventory available, hiring movers is cheaper and the weather is still warm without being too hot.
03: What is the hippest neighborhood in San Diego?
North Park, Hillcrest, Pacific Beach and Little Italy are considered some of the hippest neighborhoods in San Diego.
04: What are the best neighborhoods in San Diego for surfers?
La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and Encinitas are all great neighborhoods for surfers. But even if you don't live in a beach town, most neighborhoods still have easy access to the beach.
