
Bonita is the best! The Kumeyaay people lived in the area of Bonita for thousands of years. Spanish settlers arrived in the late 18th century and used the area for cattle raising. Americans then bought the land and used it for farms and lemon ranches. One owner named his farm Bonita, after the Spanish word for “pretty.” As the 20th century progressed, a residential community developed, and the name Bonita was applied to the whole community.
Bonita is a census-designated place best known for its incredible landscapes with sprawling hills and tree-lined, shady streets. Bonita CA is a nice place to live with safe and quiet streets, luxurious single-family Bonita CA homes for sale, and affordable attractions.
Moving to Bonita CA is popular amongst families, professionals, and retirees. But before you start moving, you should figure out what living in Bonita is like. Here is what you should know about this lovely community.
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What county is Bonita CA in? Bonita is in San Diego County, which is in the San Diego metro area. It is a suburb of San Diego, and it is 11 miles from Bonita CA to San Diego CA. Where is Bonita? Bonita borders Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego. Bonita is well developed and predominantly residential, though it contains a few commercial areas and parks.
Bonita California residents have access to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. You can take the bus from various stops in Bonita, and routes run to San Diego, National City, and other parts of San Diego County; you can view the system map here. Bonita borders Interstate 805, which provides access to cities near San Diego and is a great route for commuting and moving to Bonita.
Bonita had a population of 12,917 people in 2020, including more than 2,800 people who are 65 years old or older. The population rose by 3.0% between 2010 and 2020, and the community had a population density of 2,574.6 people per square mile, up from 2,509.4 people per square mile in 2010. Notable people from Bonita CA include Andrew Cunanan, Matt Cameron, and Jimmy Lydon.
Bonita CA demographics include:
Thirty-four percent of Bonita residents speak Spanish at home, 11 percentage points higher than the San Diego metro area average. Over 1,300 Bonita residents were born in Latin America, with most being born in Mexico.
Bonita California is a safe community to live in. Here are the latest crime statistics:
The Imperial Beach Substation of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department serves Bonita San Diego residents. The substation employs 40 police officers.
You can use statistics for the cost of living in San Diego to determine the cost of living in Bonita CA. The San Diego cost of living index is 147.2, so items in the San Diego metro area cost 47.2% higher than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the San Diego metro area would need to earn $110,158 a year to cover their expenses. While living in Bonita CA can be expensive, you can find ways of reducing your expenses and apply for lucrative jobs.
Bonita real estate can be pricey. According to Redfin, the median sale price of Bonita homes for sale is $1,150,000, with an average cost per square foot of $514. According to RentCafe, the average rent for Bonita apartments is $2,572 a month.
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses for San Diego
Bonita San Diego does not have formal neighborhoods due to its small size. However, you can find various Bonita homes for sale, especially if you look at Bonita CA real estate along the borders of the community. You can find several different properties for sale in western Bonita. These homes for sale Bonita CA have great access to Chula Vista and Interstate 405. They tend to be large, covering more than 1,500 square feet and containing three or more bedrooms, with features like vaulted ceilings and open layout kitchens. They can be expensive, costing more than $1 million.
You can find condos and townhomes for rent and homes for sale in eastern Bonita California. Bonita condos and townhomes have two bedrooms and amenities like covered parking, access to golf courses, and community pools. Homes in eastern Bonita are similar to ones in western Bonita. They are roughly similar in size, have similar amenities, and cost roughly the same price. You can purchase four-bedroom Bonita CA homes for sale covering 2,300 square feet for around $1 million.
Bonita has a semi arid climate with warm and clear summers and long but mild winters. August is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 72 degrees and an average high of 79. December is the coldest month and has an average temperature of 55 degrees and an average low of 48. Average temperatures in the winter stay in the mid-50s, while average temperatures in the summer hover between 66 and 72 degrees.
The weather in Bonita CA 91902 is clear and pleasant throughout the year, with nearly 90% of days in the summer being clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy. Bonita is very dry, receiving an average of 9.6 inches throughout the year. August is the most humid month, with 3.2 muggy days, but most months experience no humidity at all.
June is the best month to visit Bonita. June is the driest month, with an average rainfall of 0.0 inches. The average temperature is 66 degrees, and the average wind speed is 6.6 miles per hour, so you can wear shorts and a light windbreaker and remain comfortable.
Bonita is full of family-friendly and unique attractions, including top parks and golf courses. You can also enjoy shopping at various destinations. Dollar Tree Bonita and Vons Bonita are cool places to get groceries, household goods, and toiletries. Plaza Bonita Mall borders Bonita CA, and contains numerous top stores, including Macy’s and JCPenney.
Sweetwater Summit Regional Park covers 500 acres and contains 15 miles of trails, a must do 13-station exercise course for outdoor activities, and four picnic pavilions. Sweetwater Regional Park also has an outdoor amphitheater that is a popular site for theatrical and musical performances and live entertainment.
3218 Summit Meadow Road, Bonita, CA, 91902, 619-472-7572
Rohr Park covers almost 60 acres and has a 3.3-mile walking trail, an equestrian ring you can rent for parties, and a railroad with a working steam train. The park also has more than a dozen outside picnic areas and pavilions you can rent for special occasions at low prices.
4548 Sweetwater Road, Bonita, CA, 91902, 619-409-5979
Chula Vista is an 18-hole, par-73 championship course with unique slopes and water obstacles. Chula Vista is also home to golf classes and tournaments for beginners and professionals, and you can rent the Chula Vista grounds for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations of life.
4475 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA, 91902, 619-479-4141
Chula Vista Parks and Recreation takes care of most parks in Bonita. The department also plans public events throughout the year; you can use this calendar to see when the next events will be.
San Diego County has a reputation for diverse cuisine and craft brewing. You can enjoy local beers and wines and vibrant dishes in numerous restaurants in Bonita, including top fusion restaurants.
Romesco is a unique Mediterranean-Mexican fusion restaurant that serves tapas, pasta, seafood, and steak. Romesco also has an extensive wine list with options from local vineyards, making it a good romantic destination for couples.
4346 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA, 91902, 619-475-8627
TJ Bar serves Mexican seafood dishes, including tacos, burritos, and soups. Most dishes cost less than $15, making it a great place for an affordable lunch or dinner. The setting is casual and light, which means you can take your kids or clients to TJ Oyster Bar.
4246 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA, 91902, 619-267-4577
Murrieta’s is an authentic Mexican restaurant that serves classic dishes like nachos, quesadillas, and chimichangas for less than $20. Murrieta’s also serves champagne brunches on Sundays, making it a good place for dates and family meals.
5170 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA, 91902, 619-479-8024
Roughly 5,850 people have jobs in Bonita. Health care and social assistance, educational services, and retail trade are the three biggest sectors for jobs in Bonita CA. Health care in Bonita is expanding rapidly; between 2019 and 2020, the community added almost 250 health care jobs. The community also added nearly 300 retail trade jobs in that period of time.
According to Payscale, the average hourly rate for Bonita jobs is $25.00 an hour, while the average base salary is $55,000 a year. Major employers in Bonita CA include Starbucks, McDonalds, and Blue Shield of California. You can find additional jobs in Bonita using Indeed, and you can apply for San Diego County jobs on the county website.
The Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) serves elementary school students living in Bonita. Bonita California has three elementary schools, including Ella B. Allen Elementary. 62.0% of students at Allen Elementary identify as Hispanic or Latino, while 11.6% identify as Asian. 71% of Allen students test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 24 percentage points higher than the state average and 14 points higher than the Bonita school district.
The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) serves middle and high school students living in Bonita CA. Bonita is not home to any middle or high schools, though Bonita Vista Middle School and Bonita Vista High School are nearby in Chula Vista. Bonita Vista High School is well known for its state championship athletics teams, but it also has competitive show choirs, an active student newspaper, and other extracurriculars.
Bonita CA does not have any notable private schools, colleges, or universities. The closest notable school is Southwestern College, a community college in Chula Vista. Southwestern offers associate degrees and certificates in a number of subjects, and students can use credits at Southwestern toward bachelor’s degree programs at the University of California.
The Bonita-Sunnyside Branch of the San Diego Country Library serves Bonita residents. The Bonita library provides thousands of books for rent, and you can buy books from an on-site bookstore.
You can find additional Bonita California restaurants, attractions, and amenities with this Bonita California map.
Living in Bonita can be a beautiful experience! Many residents enjoy the breathtaking outdoor attractions and spacious homes with luxurious features. If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ll love the convenient access to San Diego and Chula Vista.
But you should figure out moving to Bonita CA before you look for Bonita real estate. Republic Moving has the most dependable Bonita movers, with over 50 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 619-591-0079 for a free moving estimate.
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