North-Inland San Diego Communities
The North-Inland Neighborhoods have some of the most desirable San Diego real estate. The communities are still being built, and the recent completion of Highway 56 between Del Mar and Poway has brought these areas a lot closer to the coast than they once were. Ask residents why they live here, and most will tell you it was the schools and the clean environment that made them buy homes in San Diego’s North County. The Poway Unified School District, which serves Poway, Rancho Bernardo, and Rancho Penasquitos, is a big draw.
Scripps Ranch (92131) – At the south end of “North County”, this is a bedroom community with a mix of single-family houses, condos, and town homes. Once a large range belonging to the Scripps family, this is now a mid-to-upper-end residential area, with a fair amount of shopping and services available. For the most part, Scripps Ranch homes fall in the mid-level of San Diego real estate prices, with several upper end neighborhoods. Visit the Scripps Ranch real estate page for details.
Mira Mesa (92126) – This is a diverse, middle-class neighborhood with a large amount of shopping and services. Convenient to Sorrento Valley and the 805 to the East, and bordered by Interstate 15 to the West, this is one of the most affordable zip codes in the North County San Diego. Real estate in Mira Mesa includes a mix of single family homes, condos, town houses, and apartments.
Poway (92064) – This is a very large community, proudly known as “The Country in the City”. Horse properties and large estates are not uncommon to the area. Larger neighborhood developments of houses, condominiums, and town homes are scattered throughout the zip code. Visit the Poway real estate section to view listings of Poway homes for sale.
Rancho Pensquitos (92129) – This neighborhood has benefited substantially from the opening of Highway 56, and is now just 10 minutes from the beach in Del Mar. New homes in Rancho Penasquitos are still being built on the west side of the zip code, which has come to feel like an extension of Carmel Valley, but at a much lower price point. The new Westview High School has achieved test scores and rankings that rival Torrey Pines High in Carmel Valley. As a result, Rancho Penasquitos real estate has held its value very well over recent years.
Rancho Bernardo (92127 / 92128) – The two RB zip codes are really quite different in character. Zip code 92127 is mainly newer homes in the upscale communities of Santa Luz, Del Sur, and 4 S Ranch. These Rancho Bernardo homes are West of I-15, and some of the neighborhoods are actually associated in some people’s minds with Rancho Santa Fe. With several notable exceptions, zip code 92128 is mainly older homes, golf courses, and several retirement communities. However, there are several newer luxury home neighborhoods in Rancho Bernardo 92128, including The Trails, The Old Winery Estates, and The Heritage. Rancho Bernardo real estate includes a very diverse mix of properties.
Escondido (92025 / 92026 / 92027 / 92029 / 92030 / 92033) – As the number of zip codes suggests, Escondido is a very large area. This was once a rural area of farms and orchards, but has changed considerably with the rapid expansion of North County. Houses are still being built through the area. There are homes of all styles price ranges. The commute to San Diego is substantial, but many find it worth the trouble to get more house and more land for less money.
San Marcos (92069 / 92078 / 92079) – Nestled between Carlsbad to the West and Escondido to the East, some parts of San Marcos have come to feel like an extension of Carlsbad’s La Costa Valley. Other parts of the community have retained a more rural feel.
