San Diego suburb without "June Gloom" in the warmer months
Rancho Peñasquitos, aptly named "little cliffs" for its canyons and hillsides, is a 6,500-acre San Diego suburb that was part of the first land grant from Mexico to America in 1823. Today, it's home to about 60,000 residents who enjoy top-rated schools, sprawling parks, and proximity to downtown San Diego and Torrey Pines State Beach. "The weather is particularly nice here because of the location," says Bern McGovern, San Diego Realtor. "You're far enough from the coastline that you don't get coastal gloom, just coastal heat." Residents here are active, taking full advantage of biking and hiking trails that lead to the views from Black Mountain's summit.
Rancho Peñasquitos is a 6,500-acre San Diego suburb.
Rancho Peñasquitos residents enjoy the nice weather near the coast.
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Ranch-style homes and Mediterranean Revivals
The neighborhood is bordered by Black Mountain Open Space Park on the northeast and the Los Peñasquitos Canyon County Preserve to the south. Most neighborhoods are clean, quiet cul-de-sacs, lined with late 20th-century ranch-style homes, large Spanish Colonials and multi-story Mediterranean Revivals set on well-maintained lawns. Most homes have two-car garages, stucco facades and clay tile roofing. Two-bedroom homes often sell for between $550,000 to $1.2 million, while a four-bedroom home would typically go for around $1.5 million. New homes are under construction in developing subdivisions like The Junipers - Woodlands. “The median home price is around 1.3 million, so there aren't a lot of single-family starters homes, but townhomes and condos usually start at around $500,000 or 600,000” says McGovern.
Rancho Peñasquitos has mostly clean, quite Cul-de-sacs lined with ranch Style homes.
A view of Spanish style homes under palm trees in Rancho Peñasquitos.
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Poway Unified comes out on top
Rancho Peñasquitos students can attend schools within the Niche-rated #2 best district in the San Diego Area, Poway Unified, which earns an A-plus. They might start out at Adobe Bluffs Elementary, then continue to Black Mountain Middle, and finish up at Del Norte High, each earning an A-plus. The high school offers courses in Biomedical Engineering and Ethnic Literature, as well as a Wind Ensemble class.
A colorful mosaic at the monument of the Park Village Elementary School in Rancho Peñasquitos.
The entrance of the Del Norte High School near Rancho Peñasquitos.
Students have a great time at the Black Mountain Middle School in Rancho Peñasquitos.
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Black Mountain Road offers panoramic views and hiking trails
Situated just north of Rancho Peñasquitos, Black Mountain Open Space Park spans over 2,300 acres and offers panoramic views of San Diego from its 1,500-acre summit. Residents can get to the peak by taking a 2.5-mile hike up Black Mountain’s Miner’s Ridge Loop trail. For a more kid-friendly day outdoors, Canyonside Park is located to the North of Mercy Road, offering a shaded playground, baseball and soccer fields, and a recreation room. Los Peñasquitos Canyon County Preserve on Black Mountain Road offers some of the most captivating scenery in the area, including a waterfall, sycamore groves and several bird species.
Rancho Peñasquitos offers great views of the coastal area.
Taking a hike at the Black Mountain trail in Rancho Peñasquitos
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Authentic Mexican cuisine and County Mall
Anchored by a Vons, The Rancho Penasquitos Town Center on Black Mountain Road is ideal for picking up essentials, or grabbing a bite at Knotty Barrel, a locally owned gastropub that’s become a community favorite in just a few years since opening. Don Rios on Rancho Penasquitos Boulevard is just one of many eateries in the community that serves up authentic Mexican cuisine in a convenient, fast-casual setting. About 9 miles away in Escondido, Westfield North County mall offers a more extensive shopping experience, anchored by a Macy’s, Target and a 24-hour fitness.
The Knotty Barrel is a community favorite in Rancho Peñasquitos.
The Vons is one of the supermarkets for groceries and more in Rancho Peñasquitos.
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Public transportation & new bike paths
The main roads in the neighborhood are Black Mountain Road (north-south) and Carmel Mountain Road/Rancho Peñasquitos Boulevard (east-west). Residents can reach Torrey Pines Beach in 20 minutes via Carmel Mountain Road (11 miles) and downtown San Diego in 20 miles via I-15 South. Public transportation options include the MTS bus #20 and Rapid #235. The nearest airport is San Diego International (21 miles). State Route 56 Bike Path, which runs east to west for 10 miles, will soon connect near the beach to the North Coastal Trail, slated for completion in late Spring 2024. The San Diego International Airport is about 21 miles from Rancho Penasquitos, while the nearest hospital is the Palomar Medical Center on Pomero Road, located 6 miles away.
Residents have easy access to the Interstate 15 in Rancho Peñasquitos.
The public transportation options include the MTS bus in Rancho Peñasquitos.
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Safe and secure community
Rancho Penasquitos has a CAP index score of 1 out of 10 when it comes to incidents of violent crime and theft, lower than the national average of 4 out 10.
The Rolling Hills Park offers vast green area and playground for children in Rancho Peñasquitos.
Residents love the Rancho Peñasquitos Branch Library in Rancho Peñasquitos.
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.
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There has not been a lot of crime in recent years nor have any of these crimes been serious.
5.0Niche User
7/16/2016Niche Review
In this area, there is rarely any crime that occurs. Everyone and neighbors look out for one another and there houses. If there is suspicious activity that does happen, the police are very responsive. Police officers do come to the neighborhood once in a while just to check on anyone who is speeding through the neighborhoods.
5.0Current Resident
11/17/2024Niche Review
PQ is a great place for kids to grow up and have deep connections with their neighbors and friends. Lots of people that have grown up here have come back to raise their own families here. The schools are great. The local businesses are great. The neighborhood parks are great. I feel safe here.
5.0Former Resident
8/25/2024Niche Review
As someone who grew up in Rancho Penasquitos over the past decade, it was wonderful. The community was built for suburban childhood, the schools are fantastic and the local stores and places to eat are all within walking or biking distance of houses and schools. The area is also only a 20 minute drive from the beach. The housing is expensive, but that fits the area. The nightlife is lacking, so most college students will drive to UCSD or downtown for their activities.
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Rancho Peñasquitos Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego over the last 12 months is $1,322,500, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This beautifully updated single-level, 4-bedroom home is set on a peaceful cul-de-sac corner lot in the highly desired Park Village community. A thoughtful, refreshing and open concept with a true great-room layout that is bright, open, and ideal for everyday living or entertaining. The kitchen offers all-new stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and abundant cabinetry. Large sliding
Rare Opportunity to Own a Unique and Discounted Home Built by Renowned Developer Harry Summers in Rancho Penasquitos. Escape to this Stunning Mediterranean Oasis nestled in a Highly Desirable Pocket of RP! Our Motivated Sellers Present to You One of the Biggest Homes Available in the Neighborhood at the Best Price per Square Foot! With Breathtaking Sunsets and Mountain Views at the top of the
No Mello-Roos & No HOA! This beautifully maintained home in the Poway Unified School District sits on one of the largest lots in the area (7,700 sq. ft.). The 3BR/2.5BA , 1932 sq ft. residence features a spacious Great Room with dining area, a tucked-away kitchen with scenic views, and a cozy family room with fireplace—perfect for gatherings. In 2015, the kitchen and all three bathrooms were
Must See! Recently Updated - Ready for You Now! Tucked into a quiet pocket of Rancho Penasquitos, is the Rolling Hills neighborhood. Here you'll find 15576 Paseo Ajanta - a stunning single-story home that's 4 Bed/2 Bath with no HOA and no Mello Roos! Thoughtfully designed with an open floor plan that highlights effortless living perfect for social gatherings. From the moment you arrive, you’ll
This single-level home for ages 55 and better promotes efficiency with a low-maintenance floorplan and spacious, open-concept design that works to maximize the interior footprint. The Great Room, dining room and kitchen effortlessly flow into one another, while sliding glass doors lead to the outdoor space. The luxe owner’s suite is comprised of a restful bedroom with access to the outdoor space
This two-story home for ages 55 and better boasts a great layout with plenty of space. On the first floor, two secondary bedrooms offer ample privacy, and the open living area is host to a kitchen with island, dining room, Great Room and covered California Room. The owner's suite is also on the first floor, with a large bathroom and walk-in closet. The second level boasts a large bonus room and
The Villas at Camino Bernardo offers gracious apartment homes in a resort style community in a beautifully landscaped tranquil setting in the heart of Rancho Bernado. Our well designed community offers one and two bedroom apartment homes, emphasizing on comfort and livability featuring upgraded kitchens, bathrooms, vaulted ceilings, modern hard-flooring, and other popular features such as full
Downstairs unit in a highly desirable community of Casablanca, Complex is tropically landscaped offers 4 pools, 4 spas and a clubhouse. 3 bedrooms, 2 full bath, it has a private patio/w storage. Kitchen with granite countertops. 2 parking spaces w/storage. Poway school District, walking distance to all shops, restaurants. Post office, Library & YMCA.
Modern Living at the Edge of Nature.At Folia, we encourage you to reconnect with nature. Folia creates inspiration to find the home that engages your spirit, in both exploration and curiosity.Here, at the edge of Carmel Valley and the doorstep of a nature preserve, youll discover the unexpected.Offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom luxury residences and extraordinary
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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.
