Areas to the south toward Mexico have a working-class character. Most of these communities are very attractive but demand and geographic limitations have raised prices considerably.Ī number of companies, particularly in high tech, have located facilities in these northern areas thus avoiding the need to commute downtown, or, worse, across the area’s mountain ranges. Still farther north along the coast lies the entertainment, shopping and retirement seaside town of Carlsbad, pleasant but expensive, and San Marcos lies inland near the more famous desert retirement enclave of Escondido. Residential areas have grown to the north along State Route 163 and I-15 in places like Poway and Rancho Bernardo.
San Diego Bay and Mission Bay offer excellent boating and water recreation, and Sea World and the San Diego Zoo are nationally famous.įarther to the north along the coast, La Jolla is an attractive if expensive beach enclave. Balboa Park just to the north is an urban treasure. Downtown is mix of modern and old Mission-style architecture, pleasant but nondescript with a nice waterfront area dominated by hospitality activities. All this said, the San Diego area still has a lot to offer.
