“As soon as we moved in, a lot of our neighbors introduced themselves in the first week,” says Morgan Liberatore, four-year resident of Crest and owner of Morning Owl Fine Art Photography based in the neighborhood. “There’s a lot of generational families living in Crest.” Roughly 25 miles east of downtown San Diego, Crest is a small hilltop community with beautiful views, a McDonald Family Farm and a gas station that sells the neighborhood’s best pizza.
An elevated view above Crest shows the hilly landscape and windy roads.
Residents enjoy a run on the quiet neighborhood streets of Crest.
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A variety of home styles in a beautiful setting
Crest homes come in an incredible variety of prices, styles and sizes. The median home price in Crest is $830,000, up 12% from the previous year. But prices can range from $255,000 for a three-bedroom manufactured home to $5.5 million for a five-bedroom Mediterranean villa. “We bought our house in 2020, and it’s increased at least 45% in value since then,” Liberatore says. “We purchased it from a family trust and one of their requirements was that it had to be bought by a family. So ours wasn’t even the highest offer.” As with much of Southern California, Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial stylings are the predominant aesthetic, but modern homes are becoming increasingly popular as the area is developed. Though a small community, Crest Sky Lodge North offers a gated community of manufactured homes. The prize of the neighborhood, though, is its position. Crest sits atop a hill surrounded by rocky, rolling terrain, and many of its homes come with stunning views of the Southern California landscape.
Farmhouse style homes are found in Crest with sweeping views.
In the hills of Crest are large custom homes such as this mediterranean villa.
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Cajon Valley Union School District
Crest School offers kindergarten through 8th grade classes to students as part of the Cajon Valley Union School District. Crest Elementary offers before and after-school care and earns a B on Niche. At A-minus-rated Granite Hills High School, students can join the Granite Hills Eagles football team, which won the 2022 California State 2-A football championships. The school also offers any other sport sanctioned by the California Interscholastic Federation, and the marching band regularly plays in annual parades and events throughout the area.
Crest School offers education from kindergarten to 8th grade.
Granite Hills High offers an outstanding education to its students.
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Locally-grown food without leaving home
La Cresta Restaurant and Caffe is Crest’s only restaurant, and it’s also a spot for residents to gather for the weekend. “Fridays and Saturdays, they normally have a live band in the parking lot or inside,” Liberatore says. For the best pizza, Liberatore says residents should head to the neighborhood’s gas station, Crest Foods. “You can also grab anything from the liquor store. Even milk, eggs and avocadoes,” she says. “And there’s a farm that sells all sorts of goodies. It’s called McDonald Family Farm. It’s one of the generational families in the area.” For more extensive grocery trips, there’s Albertsons on Broadway or Walmart on Camino Canada.
La Cresta Restaurant & Cafe features a bar and live music in Crest.
For quick shopping, residents can grab items from La Cresta Liquor in Crest.
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Upgrades coming soon to South Lane County Park
Even as a small community, Crest offers residents a couple of parks to enjoy. South Lane County Park offers 10.5 acres of trees, grassy fields and hiking trails. Plans are being developed to upgrade the park to provide more amenities, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2025. At Nancy Jane County Park, residents can join a pickup game, hit the playground or enjoy a picnic in the shade of the gazebo.
Children love to play at Nancy Jane Park in Crest.
South Lane Park is a great place to walk among trees in Crest.
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Residents will need a car
Since Crest is somewhat tucked in the hills, the closest public bus stop is six miles away, at the intersection of Camino Canada and Los Coches Road. Walkers may want to exercise caution as sidewalks are rare, and many of Crest’s roads are narrow stretches of dirt and gravel. However, with Interstate 8 less than five miles away, Crest drivers have relatively easy access to interstate travel.
A view from above Crest shows spacious lots and vast nature.
A look at the 8 freeway that is nearby Crest.
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Neighborhood events at the community association
With downtown San Diego less than 25 miles away, Crest residents are a drive away from the city’s biggest events. However, Crest’s surrounding area offers smaller community events like SDSUxCSUSM Vietnamese Culture Night at Grossmont College and yoga classes at the Crest Community Association Clubhouse.
The clubhouse of Crest Community Association in Crest is home to many events.
A look at the Community Association Clubhouse entrance in Crest.
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High risk of wildfires in the future
According to data from Risk Factor, all of the homes in Crest are at risk of being impacted by wildfires over the next 30 years. In 2003, a wildfire occurred in Crest, covering more than 1,000 square miles. The risk of recurring fires is expected to increase in the area over the next 30 years.
Crest is surrounded by large mountain landscapes with views all around.
Crest offers a diverse landscape with large trees to cacti.
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Photography Contributed By
Stephen Cammell
Video By
Matt Doe
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dave Zimkin,
an experienced agent in this area.
City Ventures' newest neighborhood in El Cajon. Solar included townhomes featuring all-electric stainless kitchen appliances and smart built-in technology. Lot 17 features 4 bedrooms, open kitchen with island. Photos are of model home and not actual home for sale.
City Ventures' newest neighborhood in El Cajon. Solar included townhomes featuring all-electric stainless kitchen appliances and smart built-in technology. Lot 18 features 3 bedrooms, open kitchen with island. Photos are of model home and not actual home for sale.
This might be just what you've been looking for. Absolutely gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath. Main house 2640 square feet with attached 2 car garage. On 1.12 acres of park like grounds with mature oaks and seasonal creek running through a portion of the property. Property also has a 25x40 detached workshop with 50 amp sub panel; its own bathroom. Three large, roll up access doors, one of them 14
This is NOT for the faint of heart... Fixer, unloved for years! Damaged by fire somewhere in time with a number of surrounding homes complete fire losses years ago, subsequently rebuilt into large, beautiful homes. You name it - this one needs it! Set in the quaint, quiet community of Crest. For the right person, opportunity is knocking!
Build your custom retreat in the peaceful Crest community of El Cajon. This ~0.17-acre lot sits on Highline Trail among established homes, offering hillside ambiance and views. County records indicate RR (Residential Rural) zoning—great for a single-family home; buyers to verify all development standards with the County. Convenient access to I-8 and local amenities while still feeling tucked
Welcome to this beautifully remodeled townhome overlooking the lush fairways of a scenic golf course. This light-filled residence offers an open floor plan with a warm, inviting ambiance throughout. The home features new plush carpeting, updated bathrooms, and a modern kitchen designed for both functionality and style. The kitchen showcases rich espresso cabinetry, quartz countertops, stainless
Across its blanket of mountain vistas, Harbison Canyon holds a range of rural properties just northeast of San Diego. It’s also known for its highly rated schools and proximity to stunning California wilderness. Gregg Phillipson, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who has sold homes in the area for more than 30 years, says, “Harbison Canyon is very private, very rural. It’s the outback of San Diego while being close to the city. And because it’s not a planned development, there’s a big range of property and lot sizes in Harbison Canyon. You’ll see everything from small ranch-style homes on a quarter-acre to custom multi-million-dollar homes on 10 acres.”
In rural residential Harbison Canyon, residents can find acres of wilderness on which to build for under $200,000, or charming 1930s country-ranch-style homes that have been completely remodeled for around $750,000. Buyers will also find newer builds from the late 2000s with natural-hue stucco exteriors and sweeping backyard mountain views. Contemporary homes built in 2019 or later tend to have a Spanish Colonial flair and cost around $800,000. Buyers will also find custom estates with amenities like private solar fields and resort-style infinity pools that go for closer to $1.5 million.
One of Harbison Canyon’s best assets is its miles of hiking trails through Crestridge Ecological Reserve, which have entry points on residential streets. From the south side of the neighborhood, residents can trek to a visitor center to learn about the reserve’s flora and fauna. This 2,800-acre span connects the Lakeside Ecological Reserve to San Diego Wildlife National Refuge. Residents can expect to spot eagles or Cooper’s hawks across the open sky or possibly glimpse coyotes or deer. Residents can follow trails northwest to the 40-acre Flinn Springs County Park to relax, picnic on the law or play at the playground and ball fields.
Locals love Mary Etta’s country-style café right beside Flinn Springs County Park for everything from coffee to a quick bite to cocktails and comfort food. Residents can also stop in for burritos and tacos at Rosarito’s Mexican Food or Texas-style barbecue at Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs. Residents don’t typically mind driving short distances to expand their shopping and dining choices. There are convenience foods at the small Rainbow Farms Market in Crest and an Albertson’s to fulfill larger grocery runs just 6 miles west. “And while you don’t have malls or fancy restaurants within Harbison Canyon,” says Phillipson. “You can drive just up the road to Alpine or Rancho San Diego for cafes or groceries, or shop at the Parkway Plaza mall in El Cajon less than 10 miles west. It’s country living, but everything you need is close by.”
For the community’s youngest students, school options included either Crest, Rios or Shadow Hills Elementary, all of which have an overall B grade on Niche. Students then move on to Los Coches Creek Middle, which has an overall B-plus on Niche. Older students attend Granite Hills High School, which has an overall A-minus on Niche. Granite Hills High boasts a championship wrestling team, and a new $7 million performing arts center, named The Boz in honor of director Barry Bosworth who directed the Eagle Theatre program for 30 years.
Interstate 8 borders the northern border of the community, offering ease of travel to San Diego's major employers, dining, retail and entertainment. Mountain View Road also connects residents to the nearby communities of Crest and El Cajon. When residents need to travel outside the San Diego area, they’re just about 35 miles from San Diego International Airport. While city amenities are still convenient, Harbinson Canyon offers space and serenity in San Diego’s outback.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Crest Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,773
Median Age
43
Population under 18
22.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$114,481
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$130,587
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.4%
College Graduates
27.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.9%
% Population in Labor Force
57.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
11/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
28/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
