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Living in Tierrasanta San Diego - What to Know Before Moving to Tierrasanta San Diego
Bill Lovejoy

Living in Tierrasanta San Diego | 🏡 Your Guide Before Moving to Tierrasanta CA

Last Updated On: 12th June 2024, 07:35 am

You're going to like living in Tierrasanta San Diego! Tierrasanta is known for its long history in San Diego, being one of the city's first planned communities. Its nickname is "The Island in the Hills," as only four roads connect it to other San Diego neighborhoods. “Tierrasanta” is Spanish for “holy ground” or “holy land.”

Despite its isolated location, Tierrasanta is a nice place to live. You can enjoy a quiet and suburban-style atmosphere with convenient access to top outdoor activities and parks. But before you start living in Tierrasanta San Diego or moving to Tierrasanta San Diego, you need to learn more about what this neighborhood is like. Here's what you should know about Tierrasanta.

Where Is Tierrasanta San Diego?

Tierrasanta is close to the geographic center of San Diego and is Northeastern San Diego. It is 11 miles from Tierrasanta to Downtown San Diego, creating a commute of roughly 15 minutes, depending on traffic. The neighborhood covers roughly 11 square miles. The main Tierrasanta ZIP code is 92124. The community borders Kearny Mesa, Scripps Ranch, San Carlos, and Grantville.

As the nickname for Tierrasanta suggests, the community contains and is near various hills, though most of them are not very steep. Mission Trails Regional Park borders Tierrasanta to the east. The park covers 8,000 acres, making it one of the largest green spaces in the San Diego area.

Tierrasanta is south of Highway 52 and east of Interstate 15, making it a top neighborhood for commuters in San Diego County. Many residents use these roads for moving to Tierrasanta San Diego and visiting top attractions like Balboa Park. Residents living in Tierrasanta San Diego do have access to San Diego public transportation.

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS San Diego) is the official San Diego public transportation system. Route 25 of the MTS San Diego runs through Tierrasanta and connects it to Kearny Mesa, Serra Mesa, and Linda Vista. The route also stops at Kearny Mesa Transit Center and Fashion Valley Transit Center, where you can connect to other bus routes and transfer to trains.

Map of Tierrasanta San Diego

You can use this map of Tierrasanta to find great shopping centers, amenities, public schools, and Tierrasanta San Diego restaurants.

Are you ready to start moving to Tierrasanta San Diego? Call 619-591-0079 for a free moving estimate today!

Tierrasanta History and Overview

The Kumeyaay people lived in the area of Tierrasanta for thousands of years before Spanish settlers arrived in the 1700s. The Spanish set up a Franciscan mission in the area of Tierrasanta in 1769, but the area remained mostly rural and uninhabited until the 1940s. In 1941, the United States military bought the land and turned it into Camp Elliott, a Marine training facility. The military deactivated the camp in 1946 and sold the land to San Diego in 1961. Over the next 60 years, Tierrasanta has slowly developed into a residential community.

It is now a predominantly residential neighborhood with a lot of natural beauty and quaint city life. Notable people from Tierrasanta include Tony Hawk, Sara Ramirez, and Chris Horner. Tierrasanta demographics include:

  • Population: 27,758
  • Household income: $88,900
  • Educational attainment: 96.7% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 55.3% have a bachelor's degree
  • Median age: 32.8
  • Foreign-born population: 14.0%
  • Racial and ethnic composition: 70.7% White (59.7% non-Hispanic), 15.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 6.7% Black or African American, 5.1% two or more races

Tierrasanta is very popular amongst young professionals and families with children. 15.1% of the Tierrasanta population are in their 20s. 30.7% of the population is under the age of 18, 10 percentage points higher than the San Diego rate. Tierrasanta is one of the most populous neighborhoods in San Diego. It's also one of the least dense, with a population density of 1,890 people per square mile.

What's It Like Living in Tierrasanta San Diego?

The welcome sign at Tierrasanta

Tierrasanta is a family-friendly community that is a great place for outdoor activities. 40.6% of families in Tierrasanta have children, nearly double the citywide rate. Many children visit parks in and around the neighborhood, and young people perform activities like mountain biking and hiking.

Ask locals living in Tierrasanta about the atmosphere in the community, and they'll tell you it's quiet and cozy. The neighborhood feels more like one of the suburban cities in San Diego County than an urban neighborhood in a hectic city. Tierrasanta is not hip, and it does not have a prominent nightlife scene. However, it is a suitable location for people who want a quiet community to unwind in. This makes moving to Tierrasanta San Diego nice for retirees and seniors.

Tierrasanta is an LGBTQ-friendly community. Many residents fly the rainbow flag and attend Pride events in and around the community.

Are you ready to start living in Tierrasanta San Diego? Contact Republic Moving, Tierrasanta’s most trusted moving company!

Things to Do in Tierrasanta - Best Restaurants, Attractions, and Shopping

Tierrasanta is a great community, no matter what type of food you like or what attractions you enjoy the most. The Tierrasanta weather is warm and sunny throughout the year, so you can enjoy outdoor activities like camping at several destinations. Here are the best things to do in Tierrasanta.

Tierrasanta Restaurants

Round Table Pizza is the most popular restaurant in Tierrasanta. You can order a range of specialty pizzas with unique toppings like zucchini, grilled chicken, and Italian herb seasoning. Round Table Pizza also offers chicken wings, garlic bread, and chocolate chip cookies, making it a great place for kids.

A pizza at Round Table Pizza

Pinto Thai Bistro is one of the top Thai restaurants in San Diego. Pinto Thai offers authentic and classic Thai dishes like pad Thai, tom yum, and papaya salad for less than $20. Pinto Thai has a casual and welcoming atmosphere, and it's open all seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Cotijas Mexican Food is a must-do casual Mexican eatery with a large menu. You can enjoy burritos, tacos, chimichangas, and breakfast dishes. Cotijas Taco Shop is a top eatery for special events, including quinceaneras, birthday parties, and school graduations.

Shopping

Tierrasanta Town Center is the biggest shopping mall in Tierrasanta. It's in southwestern Tierrasanta, bordering Tierrasanta Boulevard. The town center contains grocery stores like Smart and Final Extra! and home services stores like Ace Hardware and Rite Aid. You can also shop at Tierrasanta Gateway, which contains a post office and a Food Mart convenience store.

Things to Do

Families with kids at Mission Trails

Ask someone living in Tierrasanta San Diego about what to do, and they'll talk about Mission Trails Regional Park. However, Mission Trails is not in Tierrasanta, so you need to look at other attractions for things to do in the community.

Roadrunner Park is one of the best parks in San Diego. It covers 10 acres and contains a kid-friendly outdoor playground, baseball fields, and connections to hiking trails. Villa Monserate Park is another top outside park with a playground, hiking trails, and all-purpose fields. Both parks are free to visit throughout the year, including in winter.

Belardo Lights is a unique computerized Christmas light show that occurs in December. The display contains 100,000 different Christmas lights that are synchronized to popular songs. You can watch the lights for free.

Here is where you can find these Tierrasanta things to do:

The San Diego Parks and Recreation Department oversees public parks in Tierrasanta. The department plans special events throughout the year, with many at night occurring in Tierrasanta. You can use the San Diego Parks and Rec events calendar to find out when these events take place.

Ready to enjoy the best restaurants and things to do in Tierrasanta? Call 619-591-0079 for a free, personalized estimate for moving to Tierrasanta San Diego!

Schools in Tierrasanta San Diego

Tierrasanta has some of the best public schools in San Diego. The San Diego Unified School District serves all students living in Tierrasanta San Diego. There are three elementary schools in the neighborhood. Tierrasanta Elementary School serves students living south of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. US News ranks Tierrasanta Elementary School in the top 10% of elementary schools in the state. 69% of students test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 22 percentage points higher than the state rate.

Kumeyaay Elementary School serves students north of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. US News ranks it among the top 5 percent of California elementary schools. 77% of Kumeyaay Elementary students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics, almost double the state rate.

Vista Grande Elementary School serves students west of Santo Road. US News ranks it in the top 10% of California elementary schools. All 17 full-time teachers at Vista Grande Elementary School are professionally certified, and nearly all have at least three years of experience.

De Portola Middle School serves Tierrasanta and Kumeyaay students. US News ranks De Portola Middle School in the top 10 middle schools in the San Diego Unified School District. It's a diverse school, with 33.7% of students identifying as Hispanic and Latino and 13.5% identifying as two or more races.

Canyon Hills High School serves De Portola students. Canyon Hills High School has many unique extracurricular programs, including a biomedical club and a Dungeons and Dragons club.

Championship athletes at Canyon Hills High School

The Charter School of San Diego is located in Tierrasanta. Students complete a curriculum approved by the University of California. All students have access to one-on-one tutoring sessions, fully equipped science laboratories, and interactive field trips. There are no notable private schools or colleges in Tierrasanta, San Diego.

The Tierrasanta Library serves all people living in Tierrasanta San Diego. The library contains over 70,000 items, including over 30,000 items for children.

Is Tierrasanta Safe?

Tierrasanta has some of the lowest crime rates of any San Diego neighborhood. Here are its latest crime rates:

  • Total crime rate: 941 offenses per 100,000 people (58.1% lower than the San Diego crime rate, 59.5% lower than the national average)
  • Violent crime rate: 114 offenses per 100,000 residents (73.5% lower than the San Diego crime rate, 69.2% lower than the national rate)
  • Property crime rate: 827 crimes per 100,000 people (54.5% lower than the city rate, 57.7% lower than the national rate)

San Diego police officers standing with a child

The San Diego Police Department employs 1,846 police officers who respond to emergencies in Tierrasanta. The police department recommends using CrimeMapping.com to produce crime maps of San Diego, which show that Tierrasanta reports few, if any, major crimes regularly. You should expect to remain safe while living in Tierrasanta San Diego.

Do you want to enjoy a quiet and safe life while living in Tierrasanta San Diego? Schedule an appointment with Republic Moving, and start your stress-free move today!

Tierrasanta Real Estate

The Tierrasanta real estate market is competitive, with great opportunities for homes and apartments. According to Redfin, Tierrasanta homes for sale have a median cost of $905,000. The median sale per square foot of Tierrasanta homes for sale is $599.

502 homes were sold in Tierrasanta in 2023, including dozens of townhouses and condos. The median price of single-family homes is $1,255,000, while the price of townhomes is $913,500, and the price of condos is $724,750. Nearly all homes for sale in Tierrasanta were built in the late 1900s. You can find Modernist homes and contemporary properties with features like solar panels and low-maintenance yards.

53% of Tierrasanta San Diego real estate is renter-occupied, so you have many choices for rentable real estate. According to RentCafe, Tierrasanta apartments cost an average of $3,027 monthly, nearly twice the national average but roughly equal to the city average. You can find Tierrasanta apartments in private homes and complexes with on-site managers.

Tierrasanta Ridge Apartment Homes offers pet-friendly one- and two-bedroom apartments covering 650 to 950 square feet. The complex contains a basketball court, a swimming pool, and an on-site spa. Apartments contain quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and gas fireplaces. One-bedroom apartments start at $2,350 a month, while two-bedroom units start at $2,860 a month.

The exterior of Tierrasanta Ridge Apartment Homes, where many residents of Tierrasanta with kids live

Living in Tierrasanta San Diego is terrific! It's a great area for outdoor enthusiasts who love parks with tons of fun outdoor activities. But you can also enjoy delicious Tierrasanta restaurants, top public schools, and great amenities.

You can spend all your time in Tierrasanta once you start moving to Tierrasanta San Diego. Republic Moving has a team of the best Tierrasanta movers. Call 619-591-0079 for a free estimate today.

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.
Read more by Bill Lovejoy

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