Top North County Communities for New Homes
Northern San Diego County, often referred to by locals as the “North County”, is a large suburban region notable for its picturesque coastline and rolling hills as well as for having some of the nicest communities to call home in all of Southern California. In this San Elijo Hills blog post, we’ll take a look at what makes North San Diego County such a great place to live and explore some of the best communities to look for new homes for sale in the area.
Why North San Diego County?
As if miles of Pacific coastline and rolling hillsides weren’t enough, North San Diego County, not unlike much of coastal Southern California, enjoys one of the most pleasant year-round climates in the Country. Thanks to the moderating influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean, the region experiences a mildly warm Mediterranean climate with temperatures rarely falling below 40 degrees fahrenheit in the winter or rising above 90 degrees fahrenheit in the summer.
In addition to the region’s climate and idyllic setting, North County is conveniently situated between the urban core of San Diego and the communities of southern Orange and Riverside counties to the north. With both the I-5 and the I-15 highway running through the North County, residents and commuters have easy access to and from communities in surrounding areas such as San Diego, Temecula, and San Clemente.
Top 5 North County Communities
Are you interested in purchasing a new home in North San Diego County? If so, these six communities are definitely worth looking at.
San Marcos
Population: Roughly 90,000
Situated just inland from the coast in the North County foothills, the city of San Marcos offers small-town charm along with access to a variety of outdoor recreation areas, including roughly 60 miles of hiking trails that offer scenic hilltop views of the surrounding area. For families with school-aged children, the city is served by the San Marcos Unified School District and is home to Palomar Community College as well as California State University San Marcos. The commercial area of Downtown San Marcos features a mall along numerous shopping and dining options.
Carlsbad
Population: Roughly 112,000
35 miles north of Downtown San Diego lies the coastal North County city of Carlsbad. This seaside resort city features 7 miles of beaches and coastal lagoons making it a popular destination for beachgoers, surfers, and birdwatchers. Numerous outlets and commercial areas like La Costa and the Forum Carlsbad offer a wide range of shopping and dining options.
Oceanside
Population: Roughly 180,000
Towards the north end of the San Diego County coast just below the massive Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton lies Oceanside, California. As the name suggests, it’s all about the beach lifestyle in Oceanside. The Oceanside Pier is a notable landmark of the city and a great place to enjoy ocean breezes, fishing, and watching surfers.
Rancho Santa Fe
Population: Roughly 3,100
An affluent, planned community just east of Solana Beach, the exclusive real estate of Rancho Santa Fe is among the most coveted in all of San Diego County.
San Elijo Hills
Population: Roughly 3,000
While part of the city of San Marcos, the master-planned community of San Elijo Hills has the feel of a tight-knit neighborhood community with all the amenities one would expect to find while living in a city. For more information on San Elijo Hills, visit the San Elijo Hills community page.