San Diego, Our Beautiful City...

Coronado
Coronado, nicknamed “The Crown City” is often referred to as an island, though it is actually a peninsula.  A premiere resort destination, Coronado’s crown jewel is the famous and historic Hotel Del Coronado, which is rivaled in beauty only by the community’s pristine beaches.  Home to a large number of retired military personnel, Coronado’s streets are meticulously manicured and feature beautifully-cared- for homes, some of which are more than 100 years old.  A Norman Rockwell-esque community, Coronado is one of the premiere zip codes in all of San Diego County. 

This small, seaside village is famous for its beautiful beaches and vistas, The Del Mar Racetrack, and the quaint Del Mar Village, which dates back to the late 1800s.  The modern day village is best perused on foot, so you can easily stroll in and out of the 60-plus specialty shops and 25 delicious restaurants.  The Del Mar Racetrack is “where the surf meets the turf” and features thoroughbred horse racing every summer.  Boasting two miles of coastline, Del Mar’s beaches are a perfect spot for surfers, swimmers, beachcombers and sunbathers.

Downtown San Diego
In 1869 Alonzo Horton, who many consider the father of San Diego, built a wharf at the foot of Fifth Avenue that cost about $45,000.  On March 24, he sold $5,500 worth of commercial and residential lots in one day and San Diego began to boom. It took more than a hundred years for the revitalization to really catch on, and now San Diego has been transformed into one of the country’s newest and most dynamic metropolitan areas.  “There is simply no other community like downtown San Diego in my opinion,” says downtown specialist Pat Edmondson.  “I call it a small town-big city because it is so friendly.  What I really enjoy is the ‘walkability’ of the city—everything here is accessible without a car.  You can get to work, shopping, schools, recreation, entertainment, public transportation and much more all on foot.” Downtown San Diego is home to eight distinctive neighborhoods, including Core, Columbia, Cortez Hill, East Village, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Plaza, Little Italy and Marina. 

Fallbrook
Rolling hills, agriculture fields, ancient oak trees and trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding all combine with a Mediterranean climate to make Fallbrook a unique place to call home.  Avocados are the area's trademark and are celebrated each year with the annual Avocado Festival.  According to branch manager Bob Wendt, Fallbrook, which is nicknamed "Avocado Capital of the World," offers something you just can't get anywhere else in San Diego County.  "In Fallbrook, you can still get a sizeable piece of property for a lot less than in some other areas of the county, and the ocean is only 15 miles away. The area maintains a very small-town feel with many community activities and events throughout the year."

A rugged, yet beautiful coastline is what sets “the jewel,” as this neighborhood is sometimes referred to, apart.  La Jolla Village offers locals and visitors alike unique shopping, delicious dining and eclectic art galleries.  Two brothers, Daniel and Samuel Sizer, each bought a plot of La Jolla land in 1869 for $1.25 per acre.  That land, between modern day Fay and La Jolla Boulevards, is now worth at least $1.25 million per acre, which just goes to prove why La Jolla has some of the most prized real estate in the nation!  Offering a little something for everyone, La Jolla real estate ranges from turn-of-the-century Spanish architecture to magnificent modern designs and everything in between. Home to La Jolla Cove and Windandsea Beach, there’s really no need to leave home, since a virtual playground is right at La Jolla’s backdoor. 

Del Mar’s upscale country cousin, Rancho Santa Fe, is located just across the freeway from Del Mar.  Branch Manager Gary Wheeler says the sun always shines in this world-class community, with its wooded lots and horse estates.  “Rancho Santa Fe is home to the world famous San Diego Polo Club and the historical Rancho Santa Fe Country Club golf course, built by Bing Crosby himself!  Add in the five excellent restaurants, the Inn and Rancho Santa Fe, and it’s easy to see why people love this area so much.”  Rancho Santa Fe is noted for its eucalyptus trees, which were planted by The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in hopes of providing a source for railroad ties.  The experiment failed, but forever changed the character of the area – turning the typical sage scrub environment into a heavily wooded area.

Carmel Valley, located in northern San Diego County, is a sanctuary for its residents, who enjoy a coastal California lifestyle including hiking and biking trails; a village that cultivates a real sense of community; and a club life that offers tennis, golf, pool, spa, restaurants, a fitness center and the village green.  The Carmel Valley neighborhood is known for its open space and features 3,800 acres with only 850 home sites, according to Willis Allen Realtor Eileen Anderson.  “Rolling hills, canyons, views that stretch from the mountains to the ocean, a place of peace and tranquility – all of these things are simply unparalleled in any other community.”