Boasting stunning views of untouched canyons in Southern California, the master-planned Carmel Valley is one of the San Diego area's premier communities. A friendly area just a few miles from the beach, Carmel Valley often charms young families seeking a strong school district. “It’s like living in the country, but you’re still near the city and the ocean,” says Debbie Deverett, who moved to the area from Toronto in 2009. “We came looking for good weather, a good place to raise the family, and good golfing, so Carmel Valley checked all of our boxes. It’s our paradise.”
Carmel Valley
Suburban Neighborhood in San Diego, California
San Diego County 92014, 92130
Homes
Developed in the mid-1970s, the area also features Spanish- and Mediterranean-style homes built in the 21st century. Single-family homes start at $1,000,000 and can reach as high as $10,000,000 for custom-built estates. Condos and townhouses sell for between $500,000 and $3,000,000. There are about 18,000 total homes in the neighborhood and the average number of days on the market is roughly half the national average.
Parks
Ocean Air Recreation Center is a hub of activity, featuring basketball, volleyball and badminton courts. It’s also just a short walk to Carmel Mountain Preserve, which provides sunset and ocean views. Along the border of Carmel Valley lies Torrey Pines State Reserve. Extending all the way to the California coast, this area is commonly referred to as “a wilderness island in an urban sea.” Pacific Highlands Ranch Community Park features basketball courts, a pump track and skateboard ramps. Torrey Highlands Dog Park is a popular spot for residents with four-legged friends. At Carmel Creek Park, kids enjoy the colorful playground with slides, swings and hammocks. Carmel Valley also includes several walking trails to explore the rugged terrain. “We’ve got just beautiful weather year-round. San Diego has the best weather in the country,” Deverett says. “We’re also just three miles from the beach and there’s canyons, so tons of hiking. And we’re two hours from the mountain so you can go skiing in the morning and then come back and go to the beach in the afternoon. Oh also the desert is two hours east, so we’ve got just about everything, the deserts, the mountains and the beach.” The Grand Golf Club provides additional opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with an 18-hole course along the backdrop of Los Peñasquitos Canyon. Lounge in the 50,000-square-foot clubhouse, float in the resort-style pool or play a pick-up game of pickleball.
Shopping and Dining
The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch has more than 160,000 square feet of dining, shopping and specialty services. Locals can grab groceries from Trader Joe's, Jimbo’s for organic and natural foods or the Meats and Eat butcher shop. Additional shopping options can be found at Del Mar Highlands Town Center, an outdoor complex that features more than 100 storefronts, or One Paseo, which is filled with country coastal vibes and one-of-a-kind stores and services. Wine lovers can visit Let’s Go Vino, a tasting tour of California’s best wine. Foodies come out in droves to get a taste of Addison, one of the few three-star Michelin-rated restaurants in the United States. Locals rave at Ken Sushi Workshop’s Japanese fusion dishes. For a quirky environment, stop by the Breakfast Republic for an imaginative dish, or kick back at sports bar-themed pizzeria Oggi’s. Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee can satisfy a sweet tooth.
Schools
“If people move here with kids they’re getting themselves into a great school district,” Deverett says. “We have one of the best school districts in town. That’s why there are mostly families in the area. But we have a good mix too. It’s not just all families.” Local students can attend Carmel Creek Elementary School and Carmel Valley Middle School. Canyon Crest Academy is a California Distinguished School that has been consistently ranked as one of the best high schools in California and in the United States. All three schools received an A-plus rating from Niche.
Transportation
Sandwiched between Interstate 5, state Route 56 and Interstate 15, Carmel Valley is a gateway to the rest of Southern California ?— and only about a half-hour drive to the beach or San Diego. “We’re 30 minutes from the border so you can go to Mexico. And even though we’re such a quiet suburb, you can reach a freeway in five minutes that can take you anywhere,” Deverett says.

Agents Specializing in this Area
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Michael Thomas
California Lending & Realty
(858) 302-4363
81 Total Sales
1 in Carmel Valley
$925,000 Price
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Jeff Davidson
The Agency
(619) 604-4977
72 Total Sales
1 in Carmel Valley
$3,000,000 Price
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Carol Stanford
eXp Realty of California, Inc
(619) 329-8273
17 Total Sales
1 in Carmel Valley
$1,825,000 Price
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Marc Lotzof
Responds QuicklyCompass
(858) 289-0387
104 Total Sales
13 in Carmel Valley
$1.1M - $5.7M Price Range
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Sandra Hardcastle-Taylor
Coldwell Banker West
(858) 289-6784
17 Total Sales
4 in Carmel Valley
$895K - $5.1M Price Range
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Tyler Hagerla
Responds QuicklyCoastal Premier Properties
(760) 512-8924
226 Total Sales
1 in Carmel Valley
$1,163,000 Price
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 | Carmel Valley | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
Robbery | 2 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Carmel Valley, San Diego sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Carmel Valley, San Diego over the last 12 months is $2,101,381, up 3% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Home Facts
Open Houses
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Saturday, Apr 261 - 4pm
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Saturday, Apr 2610am - 1pm
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Sunday, Apr 271 - 4pm
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®
Minimal 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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