San Diego County is filled with incredible beach towns that are worth buying a house in. Who doesn’t love an impeccable view of the Pacific Ocean combined with a short walk to the beach? Living in a beach town is a relaxing lifestyle that San Diego County offers. Buying a home along the coast can be the start of an incredible new chapter of your life.
Homes along the San Diego beaches make hobbies such as surfing, running, and boating easy to integrate into your life. Our company loves San Diego, which is why we invest in real estate here. Our company buys San Diego houses along the coast. People love living in these beach towns and so do we.
It’s time to start truly living! Considering these 5 incredible beach towns in San Diego County to buy a house.
Top Beach Towns in San Diego County to Buy a House
1. La Jolla
Owning a home in La Jolla feels like the French Riviera. If you’re looking for the best beach town to buy a house in San Diego County, this coastal city is your best bet. La Jolla is an ideal spot for young home buyers, with plenty of sun and surf to keep you entertained. From the gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean to the bustling downtown scene, there’s something for everyone in La Jolla.
La Jolla residents can access some of the best shopping, dining, and entertainment that San Diego County has to offer. With its close proximity to other beach towns like Del Mar and Coronado, there is plenty to keep you busy. For home shoppers searching for a fun and unique place to buy a house, La Jolla is the perfect place.
The high-end appeal from La Jolla shines through, making it an appealing beach town to own a home. There are fancy shops and a stunning main street to walk down in the village. Don’t expect to see homes with cracked driveways or damaged roofs in La Jolla. The city invests in maintaining its real estate properly.
2. Carlsbad
It’s not much cheaper than La Jolla, but it is nice! Carlsbad is one of San Diego County’s most beautiful beach towns that locals and visitors both love. As a first-time home buyer, there’s no better place to buy a house than in Carlsbad. The city offers sprawling green hills and fun things to do in the La Costa neighborhood.
It’s the perfect middle ground for San Diego County. This beach town has exciting things to do in Carlsbad Village and several great beaches. Tamarack and Cannon offer great surf spots for locals. Carlsbad is a high-end beach town in San Diego County where people love to live. You can buy a house here but don’t expect it to be under $1M.
If you plan to buy a house in this beach town and rent it out, Carlsbad has lax short-term rental laws. You can Airbnb your house in Carlsbad with the proper vacation rental license. Renting out rooms is a great way to offset expensive monthly mortgage payments.
3. Oceanside
As one of the best beach towns in San Diego County, Oceanside is quickly becoming the go-to spot for young professionals and families alike. With its close proximity to the ocean, affordable housing prices, and a rich cultural scene, Oceanside is a great place to invest in a home. It’s worth investing in Oceanside real estate for your first home.
This coastal city in San Diego County has laid-back beach vibes. It’s not as built up as Carlsbad or La Jolla, but there are plenty of new housing developments in the area. Whether you’re looking for a cozy beach bungalow or a luxurious oceanfront property, Oceanside has everything you need. For locals, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained year-round! From surfing and swimming to shopping and dining, there’s always something to do in Oceanside.
4. Del Mar
Consider Del Mar similar to La Jolla but much smaller. There is a great main street that offers incredible views of the ocean. Del Mar is where the ‘old money’ of San Diego County lives. The houses on the hills (or should I say mansions) are incredible.
If you’re a young home buyer, Del Mar may not be the best choice for you. There are plenty of other beach towns in San Diego County that offer a great quality of life without breaking the bank. You’ll be hard-pressed to find affordable prices like you can in Oceanside. Del Mar is great to retire in but for your first house, it could be tough to pull off.
5. Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach has similar vibes to Santa Cruz, CA up north. OB is a fun town right along the beach and technically part of San Diego. It’s a huge neighborhood that sits below Pacific Beach but has an older crowd compared to the college kid scene of PB.
Buying a house in this beach town is worth it. You’ll likely experience appreciation for the up-and-coming aspects of the city. It’s built up with a proper main street that cuts through the heart of Ocean Beach to the ocean. It’s an affordable beach town in San Diego. You can purchase property here without emptying your entire wallet. OB is easily one of the best beach towns in San Diego County to buy a house.
Renting out rooms in a house that you buy in Ocean Beach will be tough – if that’s part of your master plan. Sadly, San Diego has strict short-term rental laws surrounding Airbnb. This affects Ocean Beach and other neighborhoods. Mission Beach is favored by the city regarding short-term rental laws. Nonetheless, don’t let rules prevent you from buying a house in a beach town in San Diego County that catches your eye.