About North Coastal San Diego County

With breathtaking ocean views, multi-million dollar homes, pristine beaches, sensational sunsets, and miles of parks and trails, the 30-mile stretch from La Jolla to Camp Pendleton is one of the best on the California coast.

North County is the most rapidly growing section of the southwestern corner of the United States, with new neighborhoods, schools, colleges, parks and clusters of expanding companies sprouting up. Those communities along the coast are experiencing rapid growth in their eastern, less developed areas, while along the coast itself older beach cottages are being leveled and new homes and condos replacing them.

Many are attracted to the miles of sandy beaches, jagged rock and cliff formations, and great surf. Others are attracted to the entertainment, unique shops and variety of restaurants. In addition, the climate is such that gardens can host a greater variety of plants than anywhere else in the world. Not surprisingly, there are numerous commercial nurseries throughout the north county coast.

Now let’s start in La Jolla and take a drive up the coast…

Pick up the coast highway in La Jolla and you’ll find yourself in “the most desirable place to live in the world,” according to the 2002 Robb Report. Head north through La Jolla Shores with its broad beaches and on the left you’ll pass the Scripps Aquarium, the Salk Institute, the University of California at San Diego and theTorrey Pines State Rreserve. As you drive on North Torrey Pines Road, you’ll see the Torrey Pines Golf Course, site of the nationally-televised Buick Championship, Scripps Hospital and many of the world’s key biotech companies.

Drive down a mile long decline through the Torrey Pines Reserve and meet the Pacific Ocean. Within a few blocks you’ll enter the City of Del Mar with its architecturally diverse homes, chic shops, boutique hotels and a diverse selection of fine restaurants. Beyond the downtown, you’ll come to the Del Mar Race Track, considered one of America’s best thoroughbred racing venues.

Still heading north, you’ll cross into Solana Beach, home of the Cedros Design Center, a magnet for designers throughout the county with its trendy home furnishings stores and suppliers. Head east on Lomas Santa Fe and you’ll be in Rancho Santa Fe in just a few minutes.

Continuing north on Pacific Highway (101), you’ll pass the San Elijo Lagoon where it runs into the ocean and then you’ll find a splendid mix of the chic, funky and fanciful in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. There are strip malls with ocean views amid million dollar hillside homes. Take a moment to stop at the Seaside Market which offers the gamut from take out and deli to catering. Cardiff is part of the City of Encinitas and just beyond Cardiff you’ll find old downtown Encinitas, with more shopping, restaurants, and surf shops. After passing Encinitas Boulevard, which ends in beautiful Moonlight Beach, you’ll cross into the Leucadia section of town. This funky area boasts old and new retailing sections and generally older beach homes. However, along Neptune Avenue which runs along the beach up on the cliffs, the older homes are being replaced by multi-million dollar beach estates.

Continuing on Pacific Highway, you’ll cross the Batiquitos Lagoon to arrive in Carlsbad, a city being transformed by numerous large developments and growing commercial districts. Along the coast, the state beaches of Carlsbad are popular among surfers and bathers. South Carlsbad is home to the famed La Costa Resort and Spa as well as the Four Seasons Aviara Resort. New homes have filled in the once empty fields across from the ocean along 101 while just east of Interstate 5 you’ll find the famed Flower Fields, the Company Stores, and Legoland. Picturesque North Carlsbad, known as the “village by the sea”, has an historic downtown district overlooking the ocean along with a wonderful boardwalk. Here there’s a charming antique district, boutiques, hotels and quaint bed and breakfasts, and restaurants.

Just east of Carlsbad is the City of San Marcos with its historic Restaurant Row. This rapidly-growing city has a diverse base of retail and commercial areas as well as new housing developments such as San Elijo Ranch, which offer access to a variety of activities.

Back on 101, North Carlsbad gives way to the City of Oceanside once you cross the Buena Vista Lagoon. This is San Diego County’s northernmost city and it’s third largest. This beach resort is also a trade center for a rich agricultural area to the east. With its four miles of beaches and the picturesque Oceanside Harbor and Marina, the city offers a variety of water sports and is home to the California Surf Museum. New industrial parks and housing developments have transformed the eastern half of this city, although the easternmost section remains a designated agricultural area. Just north of Oceanside is Camp Pendleton, the United States Marine Corps base which is on San Diego County’s border with Orange County.

North County is the most rapidly growing section of the southwestern corner of the United States. The area is seeing new neighborhoods sprout up along with schools, colleges, parks and growing clusters of expanding companies.

North up the coast from La Jolla in the City of San Diego to Camp Pendleton, which borders Orange County, North County communities include Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Encinitas, Leucadia, Oceanside, San Marcos and Solana Beach.

Residents and tourists alike are drawn to north county beaches, which are as diverse as the region. From miles of sandy beaches to jagged rock and cliff formations, the beaches serve as a magnet offering serenity, beauty, fun, great surf and magnificent sunsets. Indeed, the beaches are among the finest on the California coast.

Many also are attracted to an array of entertainment, sports, unique shops and a variety of restaurants. In addition, the climate is such that gardens can host a greater variety of plants than anywhere else in the world. As a result, there are numerous commercial nurseries throughout the north county coast. The annual flower festival attracts visitors from around the world.

Getting the Inside Scoop! But these facts are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many amenities and events that make San Diego County such a wonderful place to call home for newcomers and lifelong residents alike. But, when it comes to something as important as choosing the home that's right for you and your family, you need to have all the facts. As a real estate professional — and relocation specialist — Joanne enjoys introducing people to Rancho Santa Fe and all of San Diego County and helping them make the most of living here. She also knows that finding your new home is just one of the tasks that face you when you are relocating. Her goal is to coordinate everything as smoothly and efficiently as possible here, while you are wrapping up the final details of moving out of your present home, wherever that may be.

Oceanside Harbor Fishing Pier