|
San Diego undoubtedly has some
of the best of what nature and civilization
have to offer. There are 70 miles of beaches
to bask on or sail along, and the warm water
lends itself to swimming, snorkeling and scuba
diving. Bal boa Park will sate a museum
lover’s passion with its cluster of 15
museums. Children gravitate toward the pandas
at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the
performing Orcas at Sea World and the hands-on
activities at the city’s newest attraction,
Lego Land.
More adventures are within easy
reach. An hour’s drive east puts one in the
otherworldly Anza-Borrego Desert, home to rare
bighorn sheep that live among the rugged peaks
and palm trees that are hidden in remote
oases. In the winter, skiing is only a couple
hours north at Big Bear. And just over the
border, margaritas and vast shopping bazaars
await in Tijuana, Mexico.
San Diego has gone through a
transformation in the last several years. With
large Hispanic and Asian populations, the
seventh-biggest city in the United States is
ethnically diverse. And a thriving high-tech
sector with 10 percent of the world’s biotech
industry make this not just a vacationer’s
paradise, but a vibrant business center. The
success of local firms has created a boom in
luxury housing. Recent years have seen a
dramatic increase in the sale of
million-dollar homes all over the San Diego
area.
In the city center, high-rise
apartment buildings like the Harbor Club offer
stunning views of the bay and downtown and are
within walking distance of the newly restored
“Gas lamp” Victorian quarter with restaurants
and clubs. “You’ll find empty-nesters who have
moved downtown and are having the time of
their lives’ shares Prudential California
Realty’s Peter Toner, a Realtor who
specializes in upscale San Diego properties.
Construction is just beginning on Park Laurel
on the Prado, which is in a prime location
across from Balboa Park. The $120 million,
two-tower development has apartments starting
in the $800,OOOs. Coronado Islands a secluded
peninsula that sits in the middle of the” San
Diego Bay, is another exclusive area, with
homes averaging $1.5 million. In the gated
community of Coronado Cays, waterfront homes
have private docks right outside their doors.
Within easy access of the city
are several popular and pricey coastal
communities. Along the coast, a necklace of
beach towns includes Solana Beach, Del Mar and
the very swanky La Jolla. La Jolla translates
as “the jewel” in Spanish, and the city is
‘famous for spectacular scenery, fine
restaurants and upscale boutiques. “It’s the
Riviera of the United States’ La Jolla, like
Fairbanks Ranch and Rancho Santa Fe, has
banned those “For Sale” signs—so tacky! — so
potential buyers must make discreet inquiries
through an agent. Expect homes in La Jolla to
command a premium price; the average luxury
home in La Jolla is $1.5 to $2.5 million.
Those with an ocean view sell for even more.
Since these coastal areas are mostly
built-out, new homes are in short supply.
New-home buyers may have better
luck in Carmel Valley, just inland. This area
is known for its good schools and is popular
with young families, says Kent, who
specializes in coastal and central San Diego.
“Every cul-de-sac has kids playing in it,” he
says. The area has many new developments and
is breaking into the luxury market with
brand-new communities like Meadows Del Mar,
with San Diego’s first Tom Fazio-designed golf
course and custom homes starting at $1.6
million.
 Also
north of the city, the historical community
and very prestigious address of Rancho Santa
Fe features a fabulous golf course and horse
trails. At the turn of the century Rancho
Santa Fe was a eucalyptus farm for the Santa
Fe Railroad. Today, the groves maintain
privacy among the 2-acre estates. Many homes,
which start at just over $1 million, feature
traditional Spanish architecture, with
red-tiled- roofs and stucco walls. In the same
area is Fairbanks Ranch, where early Hollywood
stars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pick ford
created a retreat. Developed into a gated
community in the early 1-980s, Fairbanks
Ranch’s homes start at around $1.5 million and
go to $10 million.
Within Rancho Santa Fe’s
desirable 92067 zip code, new developments of
note include Cielo and The Bridges, a new
golf-course community with an elaborate
Tuscan-style clubhouse and custom villas
ranging from $2 million to more than $4
million. A contrast to the rural feel of
Rancho Santa Fe, Cielo has semi-custom homes
starting at just over $1 million, offering a
finished, refined look, with manicured lawns
and outstanding views to the ocean.
East of Fairbanks Ranch,
development has just broken ground at Santa
Luz. a golf course community designed to have
the feel of a village. The homes and gardens
are tucked around a 12-acre village green and
private Rees Jones golf course, with more than
20 miles of walking trails woven throughout
the community. Santa Luz features 1 to 2 acre
custom homesites, with fairway, canyon and
ocean views, starting at $550,000.
With so much natural beauty,
one might think that San Diego’s main
attractions are the sun and surf. But
residents know better. “Southern California is
not the cultural desert that people think it
is—we have incredible museums and theater,
it’s not just Sea World,” laughs Toner.
“I tell everyone who buys a house here that
they have to get their spare bedroom ready
very fast because all your friends are going
to want to visit you!"
Click here to search by neighborhood for every La Jolla real estate listing! |
