Suppose you're a local in San Diego, what would be your go-to suburb for quiet living if the urban city life starts to feel a little chaotic?
Well, the residents in and around San Diego have their pick, and for different reasons!
Although the overall cost of living in these suburbs may be more expensive than the bustling city center, they are popular for their relaxed suburban lifestyle.
If that's not enough, think about better housing options — space, privacy, and beautiful homes. With quieter streets, relatively less traffic, and serene neighborhoods, these suburban cities near San Diego are the perfect escape from the daily grind.
What's not to love?
So, if you're choosing to relocate to any of the most loved and known suburbs of San Diego, here are the top 5 you should consider.
Quick Overview
- Encinitas — Surfers Paradise
- Coronado — Best Community for Retirees
- Solana Beach — Most Artsy Suburb
- Del Mar — Best Public Schools
- Poway — Most Family-Friendly Suburb
1. Encinitas — King of the Waves
If you love the beach and want that classic Southern California surf culture, Encinitas is one of the best areas of San Diego to be. This city has stunning beaches like Moonlight State Beach and Swami's Beach for surfers and sun-seekers.
While the area feels densely populated, it still has a suburban vibe to it. You will often see locals biking along the coast or enjoying fresh tacos at one of the many local spots.
Encinitas is famous for its strong surfing community, beautiful beaches, and botanical gardens. Plus, it's also home to charming boutiques, art galleries, and top-rated restaurants.
Simply consider this suburb to be the spot where beach life meets a small-town feel — a hit for families and young professionals.
Although there is little risk of being a victim of violence here, you are more likely to have your property frisked off you as the chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 64. However, the Encinitas average for both crime categories is less than the national average.
- Population: 60,841
- Median Household Income: $142,506
- Average House Rent: $2,929
- Median Home Price: $1.9 million
- Best Known For: Surf culture
2. Coronado — Island Living with a Touch of Glamour
If elegance and a luxurious beach-town environment are something you love, then you can't go wrong with Coronado.
This resort city-style suburb has many stunning views, like Hotel del Coronado, picturesque beaches, and palm-lined streets. It's connected to San Diego by a long bridge with views you will never tire of while riding with the San Diego moving company.
However, the beach vacation living in Coronado comes at a cost. Coronado is significantly more expensive than San Diego, and the cost of living is about 119% higher than the national average.
Still, Coronado is a popular spot for retirees and families looking for a quieter lifestyle but still close to the city.
Compared to a few other San Diego suburbs, crime seems to be more rife here, even though the crime rate is less than the national average.
- Population: 18,437
- Median Household Income: $125,558
- Average House Rent: $3,231
- Median Home Price: $2.4 million
- Best Known For: Hotel del Coronado and Coronado Beach
3. Solana Beach — Your Cozy Coastal Hideaway
Although many of the suburbs of San Diego lie along the Pacific Coast, allowing easy access to beaches, Solana Beach, in particular, offers an unmatchable coastal dream with a chic vibe.
It's perfect for those who want a slice of the beach paradise without the crowds. For instance, Fletcher Cove Park is a popular local hangout, and the Cedros Design District is a shopper's dream, offering unique shops, art galleries, and cafés.
One thing you can count on Solana Beach to deliver is a community spirit with lots of friendly neighbors and community events.
You could walk along the cliffs here, watch the sunset from the beach, or immerse yourself in the city's eclectic arts scene. There's no mistaking that Solana Beach offers a peaceful, luxurious way of living.
Plus, the area is safe, especially for violent crime (1 in 610 chance of being a victim). Solana Beach also has a rate lower than the national average for property crime.
- Population: 12,675
- Median Household Income: $137,647
- Average House Rent: $2,874
- Median Home Price: $2.2million
- Best Known For: Cedros Design District and Fletcher Cove
4. Del Mar — Balanced Luxury with Coastal Living
While it is true that most suburbs of San Diego are high-end areas, Del Mar raises the bar as a high-profile coastal destination among the San Diego communities.
Talk about upscale living and meeting beachside bliss!
Known for its luxury homes, top-rated schools, and world-famous Del Mar Racetrack, this coastal suburb is a hit among those who crave high-end living with stunning ocean views.
Del Mar has a small-town feel but with all the perks of an affluent community. Think of upscale dining, designer boutiques, and picture-perfect beaches.
Still, even with its 166% higher-than-average cost of living, Del Mar remains a popular choice for retirees and families in San Diego County who care about quality education for their kids.
According to crime statistics, this beach town has an urban-suburban mix and is particularly safe from violent crimes. However, the property crime rate here is higher than the national average.
- Population: 3.954
- Median Household Income: $185,335
- Average House Rent: $3,583
- Median Home Price: $2.5 million
- Best Known For: Del Mar Racetrack and luxury beach homes
5. Poway — The City in the Country
Nicknamed "The City in the Country," Poway may not have beaches, but it's still one of the most popular suburbs of San Diego. This is largely thanks to its family-friendly environment, good public schools, and low crime rates.
The city of Poway is one of the few parts of San Diego, with lots of open space, parks, and hiking trails. A popular hiking trail here is the famous Iron Mountain Trail.
Although the cost of living is higher than both the San Diego value and the national average, you more than makeup for this with the average salary in the city.
A standout quality of Poway is its peaceful atmosphere and low crime rates. Coupled with its good schools, plenty of amenities, and outdoor recreation opportunities; you get a truly family-oriented community.
Data on crime rates reveal lower figures than the national average for both violent and property crimes. It's ranked safer than 41% of all U.S. cities, and this safety quality makes it an instant hit for families.
- Population: 48,051
- Median Household Income: $135,605
- Average House Rent: $2,499
- Median Home Price: $1.3 million
- Best Known For: Iron Mountain Trail, and a family-focused environment
Conclusion — Suburbs of San Diego
These five top suburbs of San Diego suburbs each have their unique flavor and flair. From the laid-back surf vibes of Encinitas to the luxurious beachside homes of Del Mar, you can expect a range of these communities.
Del Mar also has some of the best public schools in the area if you want quality education for your kids. But if all-round safety is your priority, you should not miss out on Poway.
Solana Beach is there for the taking for a more peaceful coastal retreat and artsy vibes. Plus, you can't go wrong with an upscale lifestyle when relocating to Coronado.
So, what's the suburb of your choice?
