Why Live in La Jolla Mesa
La Jolla Mesa, bordered by Bird Rock and La Jolla Alta, offers residents stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, San Diego Bay, and downtown San Diego's skyline. The neighborhood features a serene, beachy atmosphere just minutes from the coastline, popular with surfers and families alike. The area is known for its highly rated schools, including Bird Rock Elementary, Pacific Beach Middle, and La Jolla High. La Jolla Mesa consists of two main streets, La Jolla Mesa Drive and Rutgers Road, which branch into smaller cul-de-sacs. Homes here are unique, with many custom-built in the 1950s and remodeled between the 1990s and early 2000s, showcasing Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Revival, and Midcentury modern styles. Residents enjoy lush landscaping and unobstructed views from contemporary remodels of 1950s mansions.
Local features include the 79-acre Kate Sessions Memorial Park, with a mile-long loop trail and playground, and Kellogg Park, adjacent to La Jolla Shores beach, which offers a playground and the only beachfront boat launch in the city. For groceries, residents can visit Gelson's Pacific Beach or Pavilions on Girard Avenue, and the Open Aire Farmers Market on Sundays. Dining options on Pearl Street include Café Milano and Sammy's Woodfired Pizza and Grill. Commuters benefit from easy access to Interstate 5, connecting them to downtown San Diego and the airport, both 10 miles away. Public transportation is available via the number 30 MTS bus. The closest hospital, Scripps Memorial, is conveniently located off I-5 on Genesee Avenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Jolla Mesa a good place to live?
La Jolla Mesa is a good place to live. La Jolla Mesa is considered car-dependent and somewhat bikeable with some transit options. La Jolla Mesa is a suburban neighborhood. La Jolla Mesa has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is somewhat dense in population with 6.7 people per acre and a median age of 44. The average household income is $163,810 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 77.8% of residents. A majority of residents in La Jolla Mesa are home owners, with 31.3% of residents renting and 68.7% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving La Jolla Mesa can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
La Jolla Mesa neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in La Jolla Mesa?
The median home price in La Jolla Mesa is $440,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $88,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.72%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $2,280 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $98K a year to afford the median home price in La Jolla Mesa. The average household income in La Jolla Mesa is $164K.
What are the best public schools in La Jolla Mesa?
The best public schools that serve La Jolla Mesa are:
- La Jolla High School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 25:1 and an average review score of 3.7.
- Pacific Beach Middle has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 19:1 and an average review score of 4.5.
- Mission Bay High School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 21:1 and an average review score of 3.4.
What are the best private schools in La Jolla Mesa?
The best private schools that serve La Jolla Mesa are:
- The Evans School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 6:1 and an average review score of 5.0.
- The Bishop's School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 8:1 and an average review score of 4.6.
- San Diego French-American School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 5:1 and an average review score of 4.8.
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Home Trends in La Jolla Mesa, CA
On average, homes in La Jolla Mesa, La Jolla sell after 92 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in La Jolla Mesa, La Jolla over the last 12 months is $439,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$439,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$365,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$439,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$260
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
27
Median List Price
$440,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
2%