La Costa
Suburban homes with ocean and valley views
La Costa’s sprawling communities are considered some of the nicest in Carlsbad . "La Costa is a bit lower priced because most of the homes were built in the 1990s, whereas Aviara has a lot of newer, custom homes," says Pasco. "Plus, there's no Mello-Roos, which is a big draw." Mello-Roos is a local tax that's common in California. Districts can impose Mello-Roos to fund public projects like schools and parks, but communities like La Costa that already have sufficient infrastructure don't need the tax. With the neighborhood's size, each area offers something different. West of Interstate 5, near the beach, options are varied from manufactured homes to single-family Spanish Revivals. Prices here can range from $300,000 up to $2.5 million. The communities around the Omni La Costa Resort are known for being more luxurious. Spacious ranch-style homes and Spanish Revival mansions with pools and grassy lawns decorated with tall palms range from $1 million to $4 million. Condos around the resort's golf courses can range from $500,000 to over $1million. The streets climb to the east, where homes with valley and ocean views can start at $1 million and reach over $5 million.Two of the top five school districts in San Diego County
La Costa is split by two of San Diego County's best school districts. The Carlsbad Unified School District covers the area west of El Camino Real. It earns an A-plus from Niche and is ranked the No. 4 best school district in the San Diego area. Students in this area may begin at A-plus-rated Aviara Oaks Elementary and continue at Aviara Oaks Middle, given an A. They Finish a few miles north at Sage Creek High, which is also graded an A-plus. Students at Sage Creek can participate in the Genius Project, a year-long capstone leading to a lecture presentation at the Genius Project Symposium. The area east of El Camino Real is part of the A-rated San Marcos Unified School District, ranked the No. 5 best district in the San Diego area. Students might begin at La Costa Meadows Elementary and continue a few miles east at San Elijo Middle and San Marcos High — all graded an A. San Marcos High is highly regarded for its biotech, genetics and robotics programs.Golfing, surfing and hiking a few miles apart
Having easy access to surfing and hiking isn't rare in North County. What distinguishes La Costa's recreational offerings is the amount of world-class golf within the neighborhood. Most notable is the Omni La Costa Resort Course. This 18-hole course has hosted almost 40 PGA Tour events, but it's more famous for its reputation as a getaway for Hollywood A-listers since opening in the 1950s. The Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Club is another luxurious resort course just 2 miles west. Its 18-hole track was designed by Arnold Palmer. Those who enjoy more vigorous outdoor activity have plenty to do. The mountains and valleys to the east are full of hiking and mountain biking trails. The Ridgeline Trail is a 4-mile path that begins on a residential street and leads along the ridge of Box Canyon. The Rancho La Costa Reserve offers hundreds of acres of open space and miles of trails east of the neighborhood. This is San Diego County, so surf culture is big here. Ponto Beach is the closest break, and Grandview Surf Beach is less than a mile down the coast.Shop at the Forum and dine in Carlsbad Village
La Costa has little commercial activity, but its few shopping centers provide necessities and high-end retail. The Forum — south of the Omni La Costa Resort on El Camino Real — is one of the area's premier retail malls. This outdoor complex has stores like Sur La Table, Anthropologie and Lululemon. Just up the road, The Beacon shopping center has posh athletic clubs like Equinox and gourmet grocers like Gelson's. On the neighborhood's east side, along Rancho Santa Fe Road, La Costa Town Square has a Vons for groceries and local spots like Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery. Residents near the beach can get groceries at Ralphs, just off the 5. Next door, Pelly's Fish Market & Café serves and sells the day's fresh catch. Folks drive 10 miles north to Carlsbad Village — the heart of Carlsbad — for the nightlife and lively dining scene. Its rows of open-air restaurants are always buzzing with diners and live music.While La Costa has sufficient shopping, its overall lack of commercial activity adds to its residential appeal. There's notably low crime; the neighborhood has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Beachfront concerts at the Camp Store
The Camp Store's beachside concerts are a must for many locals. This casual beach shack and its spacious patio sit on the cliffs overlooking South Carlsbad State Beach. They hold afternoon concerts at least once a month. Folks can order burgers and pizzas from the window and enjoy the music from a picnic table while the sun sets over the Pacific.Commute by car or Coaster train
Carlsbad's industrial area is just north of the neighborhood. It's home to major golf brands, like Callaway and TaylorMade, along with pharmaceutical and logistics companies. Many residents commute to North County's biotech hubs, like Sorento Valley, 20 miles south. They can drive on Interstate 5, which runs down the neighborhood's west side, or take the Coaster train from Carlsbad Poinsettia Station, also on the west side. The Coaster makes stops along the San Diego County coastline. It also goes to downtown San Diego and San Diego International Airport, about 30 miles south. Locals go to McClellan-Palomar Airport — just north of the neighborhood — for convenient regional flights.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Momi Gonzales
Coldwell Banker West
(619) 493-2214
21 Total Sales
1 in La Costa
$1,650,000 Price
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Tim Diamond
Compass
(858) 201-5223
118 Total Sales
2 in La Costa
$845K - $1.9M Price Range
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KC Rentfro
Swell Property
(858) 768-8948
48 Total Sales
2 in La Costa
$790K - $2M Price Range
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Raini Gordy
Willis Allen Real Estate
(858) 203-2088
50 Total Sales
2 in La Costa
$760K - $1.3M Price Range
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Lanz Correia
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker West
(619) 775-2037
46 Total Sales
1 in La Costa
$720,000 Price
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Jessica Nguyen
HomeSmart Realty West
(858) 465-5523
95 Total Sales
3 in La Costa
$650K - $1.6M Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | La Costa | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 1 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
Robbery | 1 | 4 |
Burglary | 3 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 4 |
Larceny | 3 | 4 |
Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
La Costa Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in La Costa, Carlsbad sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in La Costa, Carlsbad over the last 12 months is $1,525,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jul 1210am - 1pm
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Saturday, Jul 121 - 4pm
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Saturday, Jul 1211am - 1pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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