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Are you thinking about living in or near San Diego, California? The 8th largest city in the United States, the San Diego metro area covers all of San Diego County. The City of San Diego is the county seat and largest city in San Diego County. In 2020, the San Diego County population is 3.3 million.
San Diego is a prime area because you can easily reach mountains, gorgeous beaches, and deserts all within the same day. The city itself is home to the famous Balboa Park, sandy beaches, and world-class attractions like the Mission Bay Aquatic Park, but the surrounding towns and cities near San Diego have just as much to offer.
The entire region is also known for its rich history. Prior to the Mexican-American War, San Diego County was part of Alta California, or Upper California. part of New Spain then a territory of Mexico before it was ceded to the United States.
If living in San Diego isn’t right for you, then you might be considering residing in a smaller city nearby while still being close enough to commute to San Diego for the culture, work, and lifestyle.
Whether you are relocating across San Diego County or moving from another area, professionalSan Diego packing services can help prepare your belongings and make the transition into your new home easier.
Here's a comprehensive guide to San Diego County cities and towns, plus major cities close to San Diego.
Table of Contents
Largest Cities Near San Diego, CA
San Diego is one of the most popular cities in Southern California and is best known for its weather, breathtaking beaches, family-friendly attractions, and being a port city for the United States Navy. The population of San Diego is 1,381,600, and the population density is 4,239.6 people per square mile.
If you want to have access to San Diego but don’t want to live in the downtown area, then you may want to search for cities near San Diego, CA. There are many wonderful cities close to San Diego for you to consider. Here are a few of the top cities within 40 miles of San Diego.
National City | 7 miles from San Diego
Population: 56,173
County: San Diego
Median home price: $605,000
Crime: 2,768 crimes per 100,000 people (18% higher than the national average)
National City is one of the most popular San Diego surrounding cities. National City is an affordable area that is great for people working in San Diego as it is a close commute to work. There are many fun outdoor attractions in National Park, such as Kimball Park and Pepper Park. Other fun things to do in the area include the Steal And Escape Room and the Cabrillo National Monument.
National City is one of the most affordable cities near San Diego, California. Home prices in California are generally higher than the national average, and National City is no exception. However, home prices in National City are much lower than in San Diego and many other surrounding cities.
Crime: 1,524 per 100,000 people (35% lower than the national average)
When it comes to cities around San Diego, Chula Vista should be at the top of your list. The translation of Chula Vista in Spanish is “Beautiful View,” and the nickname of Chula Vista is the Lemon Capital of the World because of the variety of citrus trees.
Chula Vista is known for being a family-friendly community with plenty of things to do. Some of the most popular restaurants in the area include the La Quinta Grill Restaurante, Golden Mandarin, Italianissimo Trattoria, and Filippi’s Pizza Grotto.
Chula Vista is one of the safest surrounding cities of San Diego. The crime rate in Chula Vista is 35% lower than the national average and 41% lower than the state average. These low crime rates make Chula Vista the ideal choice if you’re looking for a safe and family-friendly community.
Crime: 1,056 crimes per 100,000 people (55% lower than the national average)
Santee is a smaller city and a suburban area in San Diego County. While Santee is an excellent city for young adults and families, it’s also a great place to retire because of the consistent temperature and things to do.
Santee is the Napa of Breweries. Some of the top breweries near Santee are Pacific Islander Beer Company, Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing Co, and Border X Brewing. In addition to breweries, Santee has plenty of parks and hiking trails that are great to explore year-round, like the Big Rock Road Trail.
The city is bisected by the San Diego River, which provides many options for buying beautiful waterfront real estate. According to Redfin, the median home price in Santee is $760,000, which is down 2.7% compared to last year. The homes in Santee are mostly large, family homes with big yards.
Crime: 1,283 crimes per 100,000 people (45% lower than the national average)
When searching for cities close to San Diego, California, Encinitas is a great one to consider. Encinitas is known for its beaches and outdoor activities, like the San Diego Botanical Garden. Some top beaches for surfing in Encinitas are Grandview Surf Beach, Moonlight State Beach, Cardiff State Beach, and Leucadia State Beach.
Because of its incredible attractions and waterfront real estate, the real estate in Encinitas is very expensive. You will pay a high price for the incredible views, but if you can swing it, it’s worth it! Encinitas is a part of the top-rated Encinitas Union School District, which is home to many incredible schools for your children to enroll in.
The population of Escondido is 151,038 residents, and the population density is 4,060 people per square mile.
There are many incredible job opportunities in Escondido. 15% of residents in Escondido work in educational, health care, and social services, 13% work in retail trade, 13% work in construction, 12% work in professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services, 11% work in arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services, and 11% work in manufacturing. The top employers in Escondido include Palomar Medical Center, Escondido Union School District, and the City of Escondido.
Getting outdoors is a popular activity in Oceanside because of the beautiful views and pleasant weather. If you’re looking to take a stroll, consider checking out Buddy Todd Park, Oceanside Harbor Village, Buccaneer Park, or Oceanside Harbor Beach. All of these places are perfect to explore on your own, with your family, or with your furry friend by your side!
The cost of living in Oceanside is 47.2% higher than the national average, but Oceanside is still affordable, especially compared to other cities like Del Mar, Encinitas, and Carlsbad.
Living in a big city is only for some, and that’s okay because there are plenty of beautiful, affordable, and family-friendly cities and towns near San Diego that will be perfect for you.
Here are a few cities near San Diego that are within 60 miles of the city and have a population between 20,000 and 49,000. Living in these cities will give you a small-city feel without sacrificing the ability to hit the town!
Here’s a list of the top cities near San Diego, CA!
Other Cities Around San Diego (20,000 to 49,999 Population)
Any of these cities close to San Diego, CA would be a great choice for you. Lakeside is known for its incredible outdoor attractions. It is located on the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains, making it a great place to do some hiking, biking, or running.
Poway is known for being one of the safest cities near San Diego. The Poway crime rate is only 847 per 100,000 people. This is 64% lower than the national average and 67% lower than the state average. So if you are moving to the area with children, then Poway may be a good option for you to consider.
Map of Cities Near San Diego and Surrounding Areas
Small Cities & Towns Near San Diego
Are you looking for a small town or city within a reasonable distance from San Diego? There are many small census designated places and towns around San Diego.
Here are the top towns close to San Diego, with a population under 20,000.
Alpine, Jamul, and Bonsall are all within an hour of San Diego, while those living in Julian and Borrego Springs will likely have to commute more than an hour to get to the downtown area.
Major Cities Near San Diego
San Diego is one of the largest cities in both California and the United States, but there are also many other major cities nearby. There are many incredible options for road trips from the city, such as the Sonoran Desert around Phoenix or the Las Vegas Strip. Here’s a list of the largest cities near San Diego.
Major Cities Close to San Diego
City
Population
Distance
Tijuana, MX
1.8 million
20 miles
Ensenada, MX
440,000
89 miles
Los Angeles, CA
3.8 million
127 miles
Las Vegas, NV
650,000
337 miles
Phoenix, AZ
625,000
355 miles
San Diego Cities FAQ
What Major Cities Are Near San Diego?
The major cities closest to San Diego are Tijuana and Ensenada in Mexico and Los Angeles, all within 130 miles. Las Vegas and Phoenix are within 350 miles of San Diego.
What Are Cities Close to San Diego?
The cities close to San Diego are:
National City: 7 miles away from San Diego
Chula Vista: 10 miles away from San Diego
Santee: 18 miles away from San Diego
Encinitas: 22 miles away from San Diego
Escondido: 31 miles away from San Diego
Oceanside: 38 miles away from San Diego
What Is the Closest City Near San Diego?
The closest city to San Diego, according to the list above, is National City, which is 7 miles away from San Diego.
So, which one of these cities near San Diego will you call home? No matter which city you choose, our experiencedSan Diego movers are here to help! Republic Moving is a trustworthy and reliable moving company in San Diego! With 50+ years of experience, 2 locations, a 97% referral rate, and a <1% claims rate. Give us a call today at (619) 591-0079 to discuss your move and receive a free estimate!
Bill Lovejoy
Bill Lovejoy is the president of Republic Moving and Storage. Purchasing the assets of Republic Relocations in May 2008. In 2008, Republic did $700K of business and today is over $15 Million. Republic was named AMSA’s 2010 Agent of the Year for Service Excellence after only two years in business.
Bill is proud that he grew up doing every facet of the business from a local mover, over the road driver, salesperson, operations manager, and general manager. (and just about everything else in between) Before purchasing Republic, Bill was with Bekins Moving and Storage where he served as a Senior Vice President and was a partner. He was responsible for three HHG companies as well as two logistics companies.
A proud Father of six children, and a lovely wife, Carol, Bill constantly works to keep a balance between work and family Life. Bills “stress relieving” hobbies include racket ball, basketball, tennis, and golf.
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