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Mission Beach

Mission Beach

Neighborhood in San Diego, California

San Diego County 92109

$1,999,547 Average Value
$1,685 Average Price per Sq Ft
27 Homes For Sale

One of San Diego’s most active beachfront neighborhoods

San Diego has many oceanfront neighborhoods, but few have as much going on as Mission Beach. Its beach and boardwalk see over 15 million visitors annually, so it’s rightly considered a tourist destination. Still, many call this buzzing beach community home. Joe Carta of Joe Carta Realty, who’s been selling in San Diego since the 1980s, says, “This isn’t one of those super residential areas where people brag about the schools or infrastructure. People come here for the beach life and to have fun.” The neighborhood is a 2-mile-long and less than a mile-wide peninsula with the Pacific Ocean on the west and Mission Bay on the east. Residents are a short walk from the beach on the ocean or bayside, putting days of surfing, swimming, boating and beach volleyball at their fingertips. In between beach activities, locals bike to cafes, juice shops and fish taco spots along Mission Boulevard, the neighborhood’s main artery.

Colorful homes with patios line the boardwalks, offering vibrant views along Mission Bay.
Colorful homes with patios line the boardwalks, offering vibrant views along Mission Bay.
North Mission Beach offers calm waters for residents to surf and swim in peace.
North Mission Beach offers calm waters for residents to surf and swim in peace.
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Sun, surf and beach volleyball

No matter where in the neighborhood, everyone is steps from Mission Beach to the west and Mission Bay to the east. The beach’s north end doesn’t have the attractions of the south end, so it’s much less crowded. Locals can surf, swim or bike on the boardwalk without many interruptions. The north end’s bayside also has beaches and waterfront parks where tennis players can compete with a view. Boaters might also belong to the Mission Bay Yacht Club on the bayside. The south end of Mission Beach is home to all the tourist destinations, like Muscle Beach and Belmont Park, an old-fashioned boardwalk amusement park with a roller-coaster. The boardwalk is often packed with vacationers enjoying the oceanfront bars, ice cream stands and surf shops. Picnickers set up at Mission Beach Park, a generous lawn space studded with palms. The best beach volleyball players in the city gather for matches at the South Mission Beach Volleyball Courts, at the southern tip of the beach. There are a dozen courts with varying net heights to accommodate the different leagues that play here throughout the week.

Belmont Park combines vintage charm with modern attractions in the heart of Mission Beach.
Belmont Park combines vintage charm with modern attractions in the heart of Mission Beach.
South Mission Beach Park features lively volleyball courts perfect for competitive fun.
South Mission Beach Park features lively volleyball courts perfect for competitive fun.
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Beachy cottages and newer oceanfront homes

Living options in Mission Beach vary from small condos and cottages to multi-million-dollar oceanfront homes. Still, it’s important to remember that Mission Beach is a popular vacation destination. “It’s a lot of little cottages, vacation homes and rentals,” says Carta. Short streets of these homes extend to either side of Mission Boulevard. They sit close together with garages underneath and minimal to no yard space. Older condos can cost $700,000 to $1.5 million. Small, beachy cottages range from $1 million to $2 million. “They’ve built larger luxury homes in recent years after tearing down some of the older buildings,” says Carta. Some of these newer beach homes are mixed in with the condos and cottages, ranging from $1.5 million to $3 million. Prices are highest on the oceanfront, where large penthouse condos can cost $3 million to $5 million. New beachfront mansions with modern panoramic windows for admiring the Pacific waves can range from $4 million to $8 million.

Charming cottages line the streets of Mission Beach, offering a cozy, beachside vibe.
Charming cottages line the streets of Mission Beach, offering a cozy, beachside vibe.
Large custom homes with stunning ocean views can be found along the coast of Mission Beach.
Large custom homes with stunning ocean views can be found along the coast of Mission Beach.
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Cozy cafes and fish tacos on the beach

Eateries can be found along Mission Boulevard, the main artery running down the length of the neighborhood. Residents often stick to less crowded places on the north end of the beach, like Olive Café, a quirky outdoor breakfast and lunch spot that looks more like a beach cottage than a restaurant. Mission Baja Tacos is a neighborhood favorite for tacos, burritos and ceviche. After catching the morning breaks, surfers fuel up at the Funky Lemon, which makes fresh-pressed juices, acai bowls and avocado toasts. Locals bike to boardwalk bars around Belmont Amusement Park, on the beach’s south end, for a buzzier environment. This includes fish tacos and Pacific views at Beach House Taqueria and Tequila, as well as a long list of beers on tap at Draft. There’s a Ralphs about a mile north on Mission Boulevard from most homes.

Molly's, a favorite coffee shop in Mission Beach, serves up cozy vibes and delicious brews.
Molly's, a favorite coffee shop in Mission Beach, serves up cozy vibes and delicious brews.
Mission Baja Tacos in Mission Beach serves fresh, flavorful tacos for any craving.
Mission Baja Tacos in Mission Beach serves fresh, flavorful tacos for any craving.
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IB program at Mission Bay High

The neighborhood is part of the San Diego Unified School District, which is rated an A overall by Niche. Each school in the pipeline is a couple of miles north of the beach. Kids begin at Pacific Beach Elementary and continue at Pacific Beach Middle, both graded an A-minus. They finish at Mission Bay High, also given an A-minus for its International Baccalaureate program, which offers advanced STEAM classes like environmental systems, marine biology and film.

Pacific Beach Elementary, near Mission Beach, fosters student growth and creativity.
Pacific Beach Elementary, near Mission Beach, fosters student growth and creativity.
Pacific Beach Middle School, near Mission Beach, offers a strong foundation for students.
Pacific Beach Middle School, near Mission Beach, offers a strong foundation for students.
Mission Bay High School offers excellent academics near Mission Beach for student success.
Mission Bay High School offers excellent academics near Mission Beach for student success.
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Over the Line World Championships

The Over the Line World Championships are a summer staple in Mission Beach. The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club has held the event since 1953. For those who don’t know, Over the Line is a classic beach baseball game, but this week-long tournament is a serious competition. Teams come from all over to battle it out for the championship. Meanwhile, locals crowd the beach for the surrounding festivities. These primarily involve days of drinking in the sunshine while catching some games.

Getting around the beach

Residents are a few steps from the beach in either direction, and buses along Mission Boulevard can help them get up and down the neighborhood. Mission Beach is less than 3 miles long, so biking is also a popular transportation method. This is not a commuter neighborhood, but San Diego’s downtown and naval hubs aren’t too far for those who want to balance the beach and work lifestyle. West Mission Bay Boulevard cuts diagonally across Mission Bay, connecting drivers to Interstate 8 and Interstate 5. This gives an 8-mile drive southeast to downtown and south to Point Loma Naval Base. San Diego Naval Base and North Island Naval Air Station are just over 10 miles away. Kaiser Permanente Point Loma Medical Offices are 3 miles south, and San Diego International Airport is 6 miles southwest on the 5.

Water contamination at San Diego beaches

Several of San Diego’s beaches, just south of Mission Beach, have experienced occasional closures over the past few years due to water contamination from toxic waste leaks near the U.S.-Mexico Border. Mission Beach hasn’t had quite as high bacteria levels, but swimmers and surfers should stay updated on the conditions before heading out.

Ed Coombs
Written By
Ed Coombs
Stephen Cammell
Photography Contributed By
Stephen Cammell
Ellie Brown
Video By
Ellie Brown

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Daniel Fefferman, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

San Diego International

12 min drive

Bus

Mission Bl & El Carmel Pl

Bus

Mission Bl & San Rafael Pl

Bus

W Mission Bay Dr & Gleason Rd

Bus

Mission Bl & Santa Clara Pl

Bus

Mission Bl & San Juan Pl

Bus

Mission Bl & San Luis Obispo Pl

Bus

Mission Bl & Santa Barbara Pl

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Mission Beach US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,802,500
Median Single Family Price
$2,195,000
Median Townhouse Price
$1,675,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$1,600,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$735,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,685
Number of Homes for Sale
27
Last 12 months Home Sales
61
Months of Supply
5.30
Median List Price
$1,750,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
5%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,406
Median Year Built
1980
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,351
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,780
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,110
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
569
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
319
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 27
    1 - 4pm

    720 San Luis Obispo Place Unit D, San Diego, CA 92109

    $1,175,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,108 Sq Ft
    • 720 San Luis Obispo Place
    • Unit D
    • New 1 day ago

    Mission Beach | Steps to the Sand & Bay! Live the ultimate coastal lifestyle in this light-filled 2BR/2BA townhome just moments from the beach. Enjoy high ceilings, a cozy gas fireplace, and a private patio with peek bay views. Recent upgrades include new windows, water-resistant flooring, stainless appliances, a new microwave, updated baths, full-size in-unit laundry, and newer AC/HVAC. The

    Jan Newell Coldwell Banker Realty

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  • Thursday, Apr 24
    11am - 1pm

    803 Vanitie Ct, San Diego, CA 92109

    $1,320,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 720 Sq Ft
    • 803 Vanitie Ct
    • New 6 days ago

    Feel the sand between your toes at this desirable beach accessible corner lot location! Welcome to this breathtaking, thoughtfully designed Mission Beach bungalow, where modern luxury seamlessly blends with coastal charm. This 2-bedroom, 1-bath oasis is anything but ordinary, featuring rare, high-end finishes and contemporary upgrades you won’t find in most coastal homes. Upgrades include

    Tyler Jones eXp Realty of Southern California, Inc.

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    11am - 3pm

    810 Vanitie Ct, San Diego, CA 92109

    $1,325,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 635 Sq Ft
    • 810 Vanitie Ct
    • New 15 days ago

    This newly renovated North Mission Beach Cottage is located on the sunny side of Vanitie Ct, just steps away from Mission Bay. It offers 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, with an open floor plan and plenty of natural light. The kitchen and bathrooms have been tastefully remodeled with new cabinets, quartz countertops, lighting, and stainless-steel appliances. The home also features new flooring, fresh

    Carlos Gutierrez eXp Realty of California, Inc.

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Daniel Fefferman, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
6,279
Median Age
38
Population Density
16 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$87,500
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$105,721

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.1%
College Graduates
68.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
76%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
9''
Average Winter Low Temperature
50°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

68 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

82 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

33 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk 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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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Mission Beach
Daniel Fefferman
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