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Lower Hermosa

Lower Hermosa

Suburban Neighborhood in La Jolla, California

San Diego County 92037

$5,199,007 Average Value
$2,148 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Home to La Jolla’s Street of Dreams

Bordering the Pacific Ocean's South La Jolla State Marine Reserve, the coastal enclave of Lower Hermosa is home to La Jolla’s coveted Camino De La Costa. Known as the "Street of Dreams," Camino De La Costa is lined with an Instagram-worthy collection of artfully crafted 1920s estates, their rear windows facing the ocean. Ross Clark, a top-selling La Jolla Realtor who handles the luxury division for Compass in San Diego says, “All the way back to its original development, this neighborhood was for those who had the money to buy a large lot and build an extravagant home. Many of those original homes are still here today, and they still afford the luxe life that’s associated with Lower Hermosa.” Here, residents enjoy easy access to the beachfront, stretching from Big Rock Reef in the north to La Jolla Hermosa Park in the south. The Village of La Jolla and La Jolla Boulevard’s commercial corridor are just a short drive or bike ride away, offering blocks of restaurants and shopping.
Seaside Villas are a standout residential feature in Lower Hermosa.
Seaside Villas are a standout residential feature in Lower Hermosa.
Coastal views help make Lower Hermosa one of San Diego's most desirable neighborhoods.
Coastal views help make Lower Hermosa one of San Diego's most desirable neighborhoods.
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Coveted coastal homes

Lower Hermosa's 260 distinctive single-family homes are set along gently winding roads that stretch four blocks inland from the ocean to La Jolla Boulevard. There's no homeowners association, but lawns are well-maintained, and sidewalks are uniformly lined with skinny, towering palms. Many of the neighborhood's Mediterranean Revival- and Spanish Revival-style villas were designed in the 1920s by the same architects who built the local La Valencia Hotel, Herbert Mann and Thomas Shepherd. Also common here are French Normandy-style homes from the 1930s, minimalist mansions from the 1950s through '80s, and full-scale 21st-century rebuilds. “This neighborhood is coveted, but it’s also growing,” says Paloma Aguilar, real estate agent with Compass. “A lot of these homes are newly constructed. They’ll strip the older ones to their bare bones for the location and rebuild them completely.” In La Jolla, the better the ocean view, the higher the home price. Spanish Revival-style villas and minimalist mansions set directly on the shore range between $16 million and $20 million. Newer homes set further inland, on streets like Avenida Cresta and Vista De La Mesa, were built between 1990 and 2018 and range from $6 million to $8 million.
Small lots and custom builds are a hallmark of coastal Lower Hermosa.
Small lots and custom builds are a hallmark of coastal Lower Hermosa.
Spanish influence on architecture in Lower Hermosa is ubiquitous.
Spanish influence on architecture in Lower Hermosa is ubiquitous.
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Nearby one of the world’s leading research schools

Students here can start school at Bird Rock Elementary, continue to Muirlands Middle and finish off at the comprehensive La Jolla High; all three are rated A by Niche. La Jolla High has been around since 1922, offering programs such as Achievement via Individual Determination (AVID), Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) and Voluntary Enrollment Exchange Plan (VEEP). University of California San Diego (UCSD) is 5 miles north of Lower Hermosa, offering undergraduate degrees like Molecular Synthesis and Aerospace Engineering.
La Jolla High hosts Lower Hermosa students for their final years of public school.
La Jolla High hosts Lower Hermosa students for their final years of public school.
Muirlands Middle School
stands proud as a beacon where local kids can learn.
Muirlands Middle School stands proud as a beacon where local kids can learn.
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Walkable scenic overlooks and landmark beaches

La Jolla Hermosa Park, situated at the intersection of Camino De La Costa and Chelsea Avenue, is within walking distance for most residents. This small, quarter-acre park features a picnic table and bench, serving as a scenic viewpoint over the Pacific. Camino De La Costa breaks off into a small street along the southwest portion of the neighborhood, West Camino De La Costa; here, residents can take a small flight of stairs to The Vista Point overlook and Bird Rock Cove, offering expansive views of the coastline and rocky tidepools at the edge of the ocean. To the north of the neighborhood, Windansea Beach is perhaps the most popular in La Jolla. Surfers flock to Windansea for swells and shore break waves.
Windansea beach features small bluffs--great for viewing the beach and ocean.
Windansea beach features small bluffs--great for viewing the beach and ocean.
La Jolla Cove, a short drive from Lower Hermosa, attracts wildlife and humans alike.
La Jolla Cove, a short drive from Lower Hermosa, attracts wildlife and humans alike.
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La Jolla Boulevard leads to busy Bird Rock

Lower Hermosa is exclusively residential, but La Jolla Boulevard leads a half mile south to a busy commercial corridor in neighboring Bird Rock. Here, Beaumont's serves brunch and lunch with a backdrop of live music, while Don Bravo Mexican Restaurant has a more casual vibe. Known for its craft cocktails and rotating Sunday night menus, the bar-restaurant Paradisaea is listed in the Michelin Guide. Locals stop at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters for lattes made with freshly roasted beans, or Wayfarer Bread and Pastry for oven-warm baked goods. Two miles north of Lower Hermosa, the busy commercial-residential Village of La Jolla is considered La Jolla’s downtown. Upscale restaurants here include George's at the Cove, which offers oceanfront dining, and independently owned, high-end shops include Sigi's Boutique and Julyette Paris. On Sundays, the La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market sets up at La Jolla Elementary School campus, offering more than 120 vendors. Area grocery stores within a couple of miles of Lower Hermosa include a Gelson's and the gourmet Valley Farm Market.
Bird Rock Surf Shop features everything one needs to enjoy the beach or the surf.
Bird Rock Surf Shop features everything one needs to enjoy the beach or the surf.
Van Gelder Design is a famous design shop which helps design custom aesthetics for homes.
Van Gelder Design is a famous design shop which helps design custom aesthetics for homes.
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Getting around town

Interstate 5 is about 5 miles northeast via winding coastal roads; the 5 leads roughly 10 miles to Downtown San Diego. La Jolla Boulevard is the area's main thoroughfare, connecting Lower Hermosa with The Village, Bird Rock and Pacific Beach. The neighborhood is connected by a network of trails and sidewalks, allowing neighbors to walk or bike to the nearby by beaches and commercial corridors. The closest bus stop is within the neighborhood on La Jolla Boulevard & Via Del Norte, where the #30 San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Blue Line leads to the Old Town Transit Center downtown. Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla is about 8 miles north via North Torrey Pines Road, and the San Diego International Airport in about 10 miles via the 5.
La Jolla Boulevard is Lower Hermosa's commercial center.
La Jolla Boulevard is Lower Hermosa's commercial center.
Ocean views help make Lower Hermosa a unique neighborhood.
Ocean views help make Lower Hermosa a unique neighborhood.
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Important to know

San Diego County has the second-highest wildfire risk among California counties, according to a FEMA assessment in spring 2023 – with an expected annual loss of $382 million.
Vista Point attracts residents and visitors for its rock formations and wildlife.
Vista Point attracts residents and visitors for its rock formations and wildlife.
The Windansea Surf Shack is one of the oldest and most prominent beach landmarks in San Diego.
The Windansea Surf Shack is one of the oldest and most prominent beach landmarks in San Diego.
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Braxton Chea
Written By
Braxton Chea
Michael Hirsch
Photography Contributed By
Michael Hirsch
Jessica Johnson
Video By
Jessica Johnson

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Marc Lotzof, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

San Diego International

18 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Lower Hermosa US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Lower Hermosa Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$6,500,000
Median Sale Price
$7,260,609
Median Single Family Sale Price
$7,260,609
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,775,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
82%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$2,148

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
224
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1958
Months of Supply
2.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,769
Significantly above the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,958
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,060
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,018

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Marc Lotzof, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
641
Median Age
52
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
30.9%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$192,332
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$213,213

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.5%
College Graduates
62.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.5%
% Population in Labor Force
52.3%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
48°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

35 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

56 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

32 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Lower Hermosa