Southern California metropolis with multicultural appeal
San Diego attracts a kaleidoscope of sun-seekers, city-goers and mountain hikers who crave its multifaceted lifestyle. The city offers a coast-to-canyon topography characterized by sandy shores, rocky cliffs, a bustling city skyline and massive, nature preserves. Spanning 372 square miles, San Diego is California’s second-largest city, the eighth most populous in the United States and the seat of its namesake county. According to San Diego Association of Governments, the city’s population is expected to grow — reaching nearly 1.7 million by 2030.
Residents are proud of San Diego’s inclusivity. It’s known for a rich native Kumeyaay heritage dating back 12,000 years and is dubbed the “Birthplace of California” because Spanish explorer Cabrillo was the first European to visit the West Coast in the 16th century, landing in San Diego Bay. The city also borders Mexico and recruits worldwide for jobs in technology, hospitality and medical sectors. Nearly half the population is bilingual, and the percentage of foreign-born residents is more than double the national average.
San Diego’s array of air stations, bases, and the strategic Port of San Diego make it home to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of military personnel. The city’s largest employer is the United States Navy, with more than 115,000 active-duty members across six naval and marine facilities. Because of California’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, solar companies such as Sunrun and NRG Clean Power are thriving employers, and major biotech, computer hardware and healthcare companies — including Illumina, Qualcomm and Dexcom — are headquartered here.
“It’s tough to characterize San Diego as city, suburban or rural because it’s really a hybrid of them all. It’s a melting pot of influences and industries that drive our housing landscape," says Ross Clark, a leading Realtor with Compass who's been selling homes in San Diego since 2000."You’re on the border, so you have cultural pockets, and you have all the defense contractors and stellar universities, so there’s a mix of development styles.” Clark says the city has invested $5 billion in research and development labs. Blueprint SD, San Diego's visionary plan for long-term growth, aims to reduce greenhouse emissions, develop new housing and invest in infrastructure.
The famous Gaslamp Quarter sign welcomes visitors and residents alike in Downtown San Diego.
The Ocean Beach Farmers Market provides a unique community experience.
The embarcadero is San Diego's waterfront walkway and a major attraction for locals and tourists
Windandsea Beach features blue waters and minimal crowds.
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Home variety from Carlsbad to Little Italy, plus homelessness and rising median
Housing options range from $400,000 one-bedroom studios to multimillion-dollar Spanish estates in the valley or spacious ranchland in the hills. The median single-family price in San Diego County reached just over $1.2 million in early 2025, putting it on par with its northern neighbor, Orange County. "A big catalyst in home pricing here was the University of California San Diego," Clark says. "With an influx of education and money, coveted beach communities that didn’t even have infrastructure 100 years ago are now fully developed. And as you go inland where it used to be dirt and cows, you’re seeing a lot of planned communities. We’re also seeing a lot of applications for variances on current zoning to get more housing into non-residential zones.”
Thanks to its many attractions and enclaves, such as coastal La Jolla, vintage Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego , trendy North Park and old-world Little Italy , San Diego struggles with a housing shortage. "That’s our biggest struggle — we’ve never had so many buyers and so few homes," Clark says. Solutions to the housing crunch include an uptick in approvals for accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to increase density.
Roughly 10,000 people in the area are experiencing homelessness. Considering this a crisis, the city’s 2024 budget includes $1.5 million to relocate existing shelters and $5 million for shelter expansion. San Diego’s Homes for All of Us package, approved in late 2023, allows for the construction of more new homes near transit and more land for home development.
Spanish influence on architecture in Lower Hermosa is ubiquitous.
Normal Heights temperate climate creates the opportunity for home owners to grow exotic gardens.
Proud craftsman homes offer larger lots and traditional finishes.
High end condominiums like Pacific Gate provide residents with soaring views of San Diego.
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Sights from Mission to Petco to Black Mountain
San Diego’s distinct districts, from Ocean Beach to Old Town to Barrio Logan , feature a buffet of landmarks: vivid murals, surf culture museums, Victorian homes and even a parish of Franciscan Friars built in the 1790s. The city is also famously LGBTQIA+ friendly, heralding communities such as Hillcrest .
Living in California’s No. 1 solar city, San Diegans embrace green spaces, beaches and preserves, and more than 80% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Balboa Park, covering 1,200 acres, features historic landmarks, a Spanish Village Art Center and the San Diego Zoo. The city continually pursues new parks projects including Beyer and Calavo County parks, as well as improvements including outdoor classrooms and community gardens.
Residents hike, cycle and ride horses through wild places such as Black Mountain, Tecolote Canyon and Tijuana River County Open Space Preserve. Biodiverse coves and marshes in marine reserves are havens for snorkelers and turtle-seekers. With more than 70 golf courses, San Diego is one of Golf Digest’s Top 50 Golf Destinations and host to the U.S. Open championship at Torrey Pines.
For kids of all ages, there’s theme park fun at Sesame Place. Baseball fans and music lovers frequent Petco Park, home field of the MLB's Padres. Near the coast, locals cheer on the American Hockey League's San Diego Gulls, National Lacrosse League's San Diego Seals and Indoor Football League’s San Diego Strike Force at Penchanga Arena. “In addition to professional soccer and baseball, we have the phenomenal San Diego State University Aztecs who play basketball at Viejas Arena and football at the new Snapdragon stadium,” Clark says.
Sesame Place, south of San Diego in Otay Valley, entertains families with a waterpark and more.
El Prado is Balboa Park's most famous walkway.
Petco Park is located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood.
Ellen Browning Scripps, featuring La Jolla Cove, is an iconic landmark in San Diego.
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Culinary powerhouse, craft beer capital, close to wine country
Whether dining plans include taprooms, cantinas, oyster bars, gourmet prix fixe menus or celebrity-owned destinations such as Hell’s Kitchen, San Diego is a culinary wonderland. Several Michelin-star restaurants call San Diego home, including Addison in the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Southern California’s only restaurant with the guide's highest three-star honor.
Experiences in the city include fish tacos at Mission Beach rooftop bars, cooking classes in Gaslamp Quarter, and a bevy of coffee shops in Bird Rock. With over 150 breweries, each with their own spin on San Diego’s signature West Coast IPA, the city has been dubbed the Craft Beer Capital of America. Within a 60-mile drive north, Southern California’s famous Temecula Wine Country features nearly 50 wineries.
Most residents, aside from those who live way out in the hills, find convenient shopping options everywhere. Favorites include the boutiques of Old Town, high-end retailers in Fashion Valley Mall and the Las Americas Premium Outlets. “There’s been a huge remodel to Fashion Valley Mall and University Town Center, bringing in global brands, luxury restaurants, spas and high-rise apartments," Clark says. "They’re now more of a destination where you go to have fun for the whole day.” Farmers markets are held throughout the city on designated days each week.
Ironside Fish and Oyster Bar ranks as one of the top seafood restaurants in San Diego.
Wineries, such as Orfila Vineyards in Kit Carson, are plentiful in San Diego's east county.
Bird Rock Coffee is a local shop featuring art from the community.
The Hillcrest Farmers Market assembles every Sunday morning.
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San Diego Unified District and UCSD
The city is served by several school districts, the largest of which is San Diego Unified. With nearly 94,000 students, SDUSD is also the second-largest district in California. Niche ranks SDUSD as the No. 5 most diverse district in the state and gives it an overall A grade. Many SDUSD high schools offer career technical education pathways. Study programs feature internships, collaboration with local businesses and university dual enrollment.
Just north of San Diego in La Jolla, The Bishop’s School is ranked on Niche as the No. 1 Best Private High School in the San Diego Area. Within the city, Francis Parker School — known for its robust arts program — takes second place. Both earn an A-plus from Niche. “I’ve sold homes for more than $20 million to buyers who moved into San Diego specifically to attend highly rated private schools," Clark says.
Niche ranks the University of California San Diego as the No. 5 Top Public University in California. Enrollment at UCSD is the largest in San Diego with 50,000 students projected to attend within the next decade. Niche ranks the private University of San Diego as the No. 9 Top Private University in California.
The acclaimed University of California San Diego boasts a sprawling campus in La Jolla.
The Bishop's School is a highly sought after private school in La Jolla.
Many students can walk to Hoover High School as the school is located in a residential area.
An entrance view of the main gates at St. Augustine High School in North Park.
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Popular for its stable climate and lower crime rates
San Diego is known for its warm, dry weather, and its steady temperatures lead some to say the city has two, not four, seasons. “San Diego is in its own micro-climate, so it’s one of the best spots in California for long-term, year-round weather predictability,” says Clark. “When 70% of the U.S. is under winter storm warnings, we can still be on the beach.” Heat waves are possible due to airflow from the desert, but temperatures don't typically rise above 80. In the cooler months, temperatures can drop to the 50s. The rugged, arid terrain of inland neighborhoods such as Tierrasanta and Mira Mesa are susceptible to wildfires, so the city provides an online preparedness plan.
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, San Diego’s violent and property crime rates are lower than state and national figures. Violent crime trended down in 2023, while property crime remained steady.
Interstates 5 and 805, trolley expansion and top-notch hospitals
Major freeways through San Diego include Interstate 5, a north-south coastal artery known locally as 'the 5,' which stretches from the border of Mexico to Oregon. Farther east, the north-south 805 merges into routes 52 and 56, heading to the inland areas of the city. East of the 805, the 15 reaches north into Rancho Bernardo . Although some public transportation is available, it's not the local preference. “It’s not like East Coast cities where you have a massive subway network or public transit system that most people rely on," Clark says. "It’s so spread out and vast that many commuters and travelers either get an Uber in minutes or take advantage of the recent major expansion of carpool lanes and expressways. Overall, it’s a lot easier to get around in San Diego compared to LA or Orange County.” As part of the city’s Climate Action Plan focused on sustainability, the city posts its Better by Bike plan online so residents can track new bike infrastructure projects and find all the city’s shared and protected bike lanes.
San Diego’s $2.2 billion Mid-Coast Trolley Extension in 2022 is the city’s largest transit investment to date. The city is considering expanding the trolley system from the Santa Fe Depot to the San Diego International Airport, which offers nonstop flights to around 80 destinations and six countries.
According to U.S. News & World Report, San Diego hospitals including Scripps La Jolla Hospitals, Sharp Memorial and Kaiser Permanente are top tier, and UC San Diego Health System made the Honor Roll, ranking among the top 20 nationwide in 2024.
Surf contests, U.S. Open and Wonderfront
The San Diego surf scene is nonstop, and locals swarm to oceanfront contests year-round. Gaslamp Quarter turns green for its annual St. Patrick’s Shamrock Festival, while Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo has been a favorite, free celebration of Hispanic culture since the 1980s. At the piers and parks in Seaport Village each May, the Wonderfront Music and Arts Festival, which debuted in 2019, throngs with yacht parties, art installations, sunset cruises and music performances with national acts. Every summer, thousands converge north of San Diego at Comic-Con, the nation's largest pop culture event. And in August, cyclists soak in the scenery at the annual Bike the Bay along Bayshore Bikeway.
Surf events like the OMBAC Classic Longboard Surfing Contest take place year long.
San Diego Comic-Con attracts thousands with outdoor events around the convention center.
The annual Bike the Bay takes riders on a 25 mile trek around San Diego Bay.
Waterfront Park hosts dozens of festivals and charity events throughout the year.
Brian's exceptional skills and unwavering commitment have led him to join the esteemed Armstrong & Associates real estate team in San Diego. With his extensive knowledge of the local market and his passion for helping people find their dream homes, Brian is a perfect fit for this renowned team. His dedication to providing exceptional service and his genuine care for his clients align perfectly with Armstrong & Associates' values. Together, they form a powerhouse team that is poised to exceed expectations and set new standards in the San Diego real estate market. Clients can trust that with Brian and Armstrong & Associates, their real estate journey will be seamless, rewarding, and ultimately lead them to their perfect home.
What sets Brian apart is not just his expertise, but his genuine love for the industry. He thrives on the opportunity to guide individuals through the sometimes daunting process of buying or selling a home. Witnessing the joy on his clients' faces when they find their perfect match is what fuels his drive. Moreover, his adoration for the San Diego area only adds to his enthusiasm. Brian firmly believes that San Diego is the most beautiful spot in the world, and he takes great pride in showcasing its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant communities.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Brian is also an esteemed member of various community organizations. As President Biden's Human Rights Council member, he actively advocates for inclusivity and equality. He has also served as the past board chair of The Center, a prominent LGBTQ+ community center, and is a dedicated member of the Board of Directors of Mamas Kitchen, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals to individuals affected by critical illnesses.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
