When it comes to Pacific Beach real estate, it’s important to know what it’s like living here. Pacific Beach is one of San Diego’s most popular beach communities, known for its lively atmosphere, trendy restaurants and shops, and stunning ocean views. Read on to learn if living in Pacific Beach is right for you.
Where to shop
If you’re planning to buy one of the Pacific Beach homes for sale, it’s best to familiarize yourself with where you can obtain groceries, clothing, and home goods to make settling into your new Pacific Beach real estate.
Groceries
Buyers seeking new homes ideally want to avoid living in a food desert with limited access to quality groceries. Buyers interested in Pacific Beach beach homes for sale can rest assured that Pacific Beach has plenty of grocery stores nearby!
Ralphs is a popular grocery store from the Kroger Company. Stop by for everything from lottery tickets to pharmacy needs. Locals appreciate the deli and seafood departments and love the salad bar for quick meals to take home or to work.
Sprouts Farmers Market is famed for its fresh and organic products, as well as its juice, olive, salad, and sandwich bars. Whether you’re picking up ingredients to cook at home or stopping by to grab a quick lunch, Sprouts is a great place to shop.
Vons is very popular for its flowers and flower delivery service, and similarly its bakery's cupcakes and customizable cakes. This local favorite also has standard grocery goods like produce, meat, seafood, and more.
For gourmet ingredients, be sure to check out Gelson's which is a stone’s throw away from Pacific Beach homes for sale. Locals frequent the deli and love to shop its custom gift baskets, fresh sushi, coffee bar, and bakery.
Clothing and home goods
For your other shopping needs, the Pangaea Outpost is a fantastic option to try out that features goods from over 70 local artists and merchants. Here you can find everything from apparel, crystals, home decor, local artwork, and internationally imported goods. For women's clothing, including formal wear, be sure to visit Bouluci Boutique.
Where to dine
Pacific Beach real estate is a great place to call home, and if you're looking for some good food while searching for Pacific Beach homes for sale there are many options. You can find good eats no matter what your preferences are. Some local favorites include Baja Beach Cafe, The Fishery, and JRDN Restaurant.
Baja Beach Cafe is a great place for all your lunch, dinner, or brunch needs. Lunch and dinner selections include Carne Asada Fries, Grilled Fish Mango Salad, and the Prime Rib Entree Platter, and there’s also a two-for-one happy hour that will keep you coming back for more. For brunch, enjoy options like the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on Toasted Brioche, or the Fajita Breakfast Skillet. End your meal with something sweet, like the local favorite Banana Cheesecake.
The Fishery offers a seasonally changing menu based on the variety of fish in the seafood market at the restaurant's center. Seafood lovers who enjoy selections like mussels, clams, shrimp, and fish & chips will love dining at this fantastic location.
Photo Courtesy of JRDN
For a more lounge-based dining experience, check out JRDN at Tower 23, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast options include pancakes and Steak + Egg Rancheros. For lunch, get the highly recommended Lobster BLT. Popular dinner selections include the Yellowtail Sushi Roll, Grilled Hamachi Collar, and the Grilled Lamb Lollipops. Be sure not to skip the delicious dessert offerings, like the Blackberry Sea Salt Cheesecake or Mangoneada Semifreddo.
Where to play
Beaches
Tourmaline Surfing Park at Tourmaline Beach is not open for swimming but is a great place to go surfing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing. Residents of Pacific Beach real estate can sunbathe here or bring a picnic to enjoy.
Law Street Beach, which is part of North Pacific Beach, is a local favorite since it remains relatively quiet. It can be accessed at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Law Street, and residents or tourists will find free parking on the street and access to the sands via a ramp and stairs. This beach is especially popular with local families and is great for swimming and surfing.
Pacific Beach lends this area of San Diego its name. This beach can be found between the Crystal Pier and Pacific Beach Drive, and is a great place for fishing on the pier, playing volleyball with friends, running, cycling, and of course, water activities like swimming, surfing, and bodyboarding.
Parks
Fanuel Street Park is a local hotspot for its playground and access to the beach, where it’s possible to participate in Paddle Board Yoga.
Kate Sessions Park covers nearly 80 acres near Mission Bay. The park is divided into two sections, with the first catering to traditional park activities like frisbee games, kite-flying, and picnics and the second section being suited for hiking and nature walks.
Families with pups are sure to enjoy a visit to Capehart Dog Park. The park spans one acre and offers two sections so that large dogs are separated from small dogs, which lets both the pet and pet owner feel safe and secure. Human companions will enjoy the park's several amenities, such as picnic tables and benches to rest and socialize with other dog owners.
Out of the ordinary experiences
For those who enjoy puzzles and watching TV mysteries, a fun way to spend the afternoon is a visit to Quicksand Escape Games, which has been rated in the top 10 of USA Today's list of "Best Escape Rooms in America." Escape games are perfect for small groups and require players to work together to find clues and solve puzzles in order to escape the room before time runs out. If you’re looking for a team-building or bonding experience, look no further than Quicksand Escape Games.
Another popular activity near Pacific Beach real estate is visiting Belmont Park and riding the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. Originally constructed back in the 1920s, the wooden coaster was restored in the early 1990s and has a maximum height of 75 feet with a maximum speed of 48 miles per hour. If you enjoy thrill rides, the chance to ride this vintage coaster is not to be missed.
If Pacific Beach sounds like the right fit for you and your needs, don't hesitate to start searching for Pacific Beach homes for sale today. With a wide variety of things to do in the area, you're sure to find the perfect place to call home. For help with the home search and home buying process, consult a local Realtor such as Tiffany Torgan today!
