With more than 1.37 million people (according to the recent Census), San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and the second-largest in California. But did you know the median age in San Diego is around 35, with one quarter of the city’s population under 20 and only 12% over 64? That makes it one of the youngest big cities in the country. On top of that, nearly 41% of the people speak one of more than 100 languages at home — other than English.
Recently, we took a road trip to San Diego to visit some sister Compass offices and get a feel for the diverse neighborhoods that make up this exciting city. There’s no shortage of beautiful beaches, walkable villages, and vibrant nightlife. Here’s a quick look at a few of our favorites.
Just 20 miles up the coast from San Diego proper, Del Mar is a cute seaside village with a small-town vibe, boutique shopping, fabulous food, and inviting beaches! And for the kids, it’s also home to the San Diego County Fair! This used to be where movie stars would come to take a break from Hollywood. It could be the perfect fit for you and your family.
A few minutes’ drive from Downtown, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and SeaWorld, Mission Valley and Old Town are home to restaurants, cantinas, galleries, and theaters that showcase the rich and diverse history of the city. There are also plenty of shopping options, and the schools are among the top-rated in the nation. Enjoy a margarita while listening to street music in the summer sun.
La Jolla (pronounced la HOY-uh) is 20 minutes north of Downtown and an absolute jewel of the Southern California coastline. Surrounded by the ocean on three sides, with white sand beaches and cliffs, it’s easy to feel like you’ve been transported to the Mediterranean! This sophisticated enclave is only becoming more popular, so get in while you can!
Downtown is the heart of the city, and the pulse is getting louder every day. From the historic Gaslamp Quarter to Petco Park to fine dining and walkable commutes, this is the place to be for anyone who wants an urban living experience. You are literally 20 minutes from anywhere via foot, bike, bus, or train. Cars are entirely optional, and family outings are encouraged. Want to see more?
This time of year, we’re dreaming of a snowy ski resort and a warm cup of cocoa by the window. Where would you invest in a winter home away from home?
The beauty of living in Silicon Valley is you don’t need to go very far to find every climate and environment you could possibly imagine. So I’d keep it close to home and find something within a short 3-4 hour drive of the Bay Area. And there’s no shortage of quality ski and snowboard resorts to choose from, particularly around Lake Tahoe!
I love adventure, and I don’t really feel like I’m on vacation until I’m out of California. That’s why my vote is for Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons in the Big Sky Country of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. This breathtaking landscape gives you more than enough to explore beyond winter sports. And the tax benefits are a plus!
We both wanted to get away for New Year’s to take a break and recharge our batteries. But as usual, we had a hard time deciding which way to go – ocean or mountains? In the end, we decided to do both!
The warmth of the sun was calling my name, so Oahu, Hawai’i was my choice for our New Year's vacation. We enjoyed epic sunrises and sunsets, tropical plants, soothing ocean waters, Mai Tais, chocolate, pineapple, shaved ice, seafood — yes, lots of fresh seafood — and of course, turtles! That’s not to mention some of the friendliest people on the planet. Everyone you meet smiles back at you. It’s like a daily mood boost without meditation!
I prefer a winter wonderland escape, so after our island getaway, it was off to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for snowboarding, snowmobiling, and mingling with wildlife (elk, bighorn sheep, bison, eagle, and swans were just a few that we spotted). And of course, we had to take a dip in the famous hot springs. With breathtaking nature like the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park surrounding you, it’s a colorful cultural experience like no other!
This year for our holiday card photo, we visited the El Capitan Hotel in the quaint and quiet Central Valley city of Merced and posed for some candid shots with their famous oversized nutcrackers. As you can see, we had a lot of fun with the photo shoot.
We encourage you to stop by the El Capitan when you’re passing through town. And send us photos from your favorite holiday spots!
