$3,709,024Average Value$1,521Average Price per Sq Ft
Competitively priced homes
Set just inland from the Pacific coast, Upper Hermosa is a hilly seaside suburb overlooking the South La Jolla State Marine Reserve. Homes here aren't quite as pricey as the neighboring Lower Hermosa, but it still affords residents roughly 2-mile proximity to beaches like Windansea and ocean overlooks like Vista Point. “Upper Hermosa is a very desirable area, with a lot of beautifully updated older homes. But it’s actually hard to find a house here, as not a lot come on the market," says Ross Clark, a top-selling La Jolla Realtor who handles the luxury division for Compass in San Diego. "When they do, they get snatched up. In fact, I recently sold a tear-down in Upper Hermosa for $2 million. I got 25 offers right away, and that’s just for the dirt value. That tells you how hot Upper Hermosa is.” Though the neighborhood is exclusively residential, it's within 3 miles north or south of some of La Jolla's most popular shopping and dining.
Off street parking and detached garages can be found throughout Upper Hermosa.
Spanish revival homes brighten residential streets with bright Spanish tile.
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Hillside homes with ocean-facing balconies in the low millions
Upper Hermosa's streets are laid out on a grid and bisected east-west by La Canada, the neighborhood's central thoroughfare. Heading east toward the hills, La Canada is lined with two-story Spanish-style homes built between 1960 and 1980; at the top of the hill, three-bedroom Contemporary 1980s homes overlook the Pacific, ranging from $3.5 to $4 million. Prices here are determined by the size of the homes and number of bedrooms. At the far western end of the neighborhood, La Jolla Hermosa Avenue is lined with two- to five-bedroom ranch-style homes that range from 1,500 to 4,000-square-feet. Prices range from $2 million for a two-bedroom with under 2,000-square-feet of space to around $5 million for a five-bedroom with over 4,000 square-feet of space. A three-bedroom, 2,500-square-foot home would cost around $3 million. In the neighborhood's center, renovated Craftsman- and ranch-style homes that were built in the 1940s sit along Waverly and Beaumont Avenue; two-bedroom homes here are priced between $2 million and $2.5 million; four-bedroom homes go for between $4 million and $4.5 million.
Upper Hermosa sits between La Jolla and Bird Rock in greater San Diego.
Palm lined streets make Upper Hermosa particularly photogenic.
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Bike trails wind through the neighborhood
In the neighborhood's northwest corner, Via Del Norte Park is a small green space set on the same lot as La Jolla United Methodist Church Nursery School. The gated playground here is the school's private property, but the park's picnic tables and benches are open to the public. Residents can be seen biking or jogging around the La Jolla Bike Path, which leads from Via Del Norte Park to La Jolla Hermosa Avenue.
In small pockets of the Lower Hermosa neighborhood, Vista Point and La Jolla Hermosa Park offer expansive ocean views. Windansea Beach is a mile north in the Beach Barber Tract area; immortalized by the Beach Boys in "Surfin' USA," Windansea remains a popular surf spot, but residents also head there to watch the sunset or go for a morning walk. The nearly 80-acre Kate Sessions Park is 3 miles away, with a modern play area, hiking paths and a large open field, as well as views of Mission Bay.
A dog runs along side its owner on the trail next to the park at Via Del Norte. This trail is throughout all of Upper Hermosa
Three story homes in Upper Hermosa take advantage of beach views
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A-rated schools across the board
Local kids can start school at Bird Rock Elementary, continue to Muirlands Middle School, then finish up at La Jolla High; all three earn an A or higher from Niche. La Jolla High students have the opportunity to contribute to the school's official publication, Hi-Tide, as credited journalists.
La Jolla High School serves students in Upper Hermosa.
Muirlands Middle School
stands proud as a beacon where local kids can learn.
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Interstate 5 leads to Downtown San Diego
Interstate 5 is about 5 miles northeast, reachable via the coast; the 5 leads 10 miles south to Downtown San Diego. La Jolla Boulevard is the area's main thoroughfare, connecting Upper Hermosa with Bird Rock and Pacific Beach. The closest bus stop is 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, and San Diego International Airport is about 10 miles south via the 5.
Short drive to the shops of Bird Rock
The closest shopping, dining and salons are in neighboring Bird Rock, less than a mile south along La Jolla Boulevard. Dodo Bird Donuts serves up espresso, sandwiches and fresh baked goods for breakfast, while Paradisaea restaurant offers fresh seafood, low lighting and swanky decor. Wheat & Water brings in a happy-hour crowd for wood-fired pizza and craft cocktails. Further south in Pacific Beach, locals stock up on groceries at Gelson's.
The busy Village of La Jolla, known locally as Downtown La Jolla, starts a mile north of Upper Hermosa, with an upscale shopping, dining and art scene. "This area can get touristy and congested," says Lori Nelson, Client Care Team Captain of The GreenHouse Group San Diego Brokerage. "If you need to head over there, be sure to avoid it during rush hours." There's a Pavilions grocery store in The Village, as well as more than 30 art galleries that showcase various media in genres ranging from Conceptual to Contemporary. During high tide at The Marine Room restaurant, ocean waves gently splash against the floor-to-ceiling windows.
La Jolla Boulevard is lined with boutique shops.
Bird Rock Surf Shop features apparel for the beach, surf and town.
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San Diego Fire Department 13 sits north
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. While the La Jolla region is in a low-moderate risk area, San Diego Fire Department Station 13 is set about a mile north of Upper Hermosa in case of emergencies.
Written By
Braxton Chea
Photography Contributed By
Michael Hirsch
Video By
Jessica Johnson
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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
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 neighborhood?
Reach out to
Jeff Davidson,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Via Del Norte
Ellen Browning Scripps Park
La Jolla Hermosa Park
Picnic Area
Beach
Ocean
Calumet Park
Trails
Beach
Multi-Purpose Field
Tourmaline Surfing Park
Bird Rock Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Starkey Mini Park
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Hiking
Windansea Park
Vista Point
Transit
Airport
San Diego International
17 min drive
Bus
La Jolla Bl & Via Del Norte
Bus
La Jolla Bl & Mira Monte Plaza
Bus
La Jolla Bl & Mira Monte
Bus
La Jolla Bl & La Canada
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Upper Hermosa
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Upper Hermosa Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Upper Hermosa, La Jolla sell after 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Upper Hermosa, La Jolla over the last 12 months is $3,700,000, up 35% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$3,500,000
Median Sale Price
$3,700,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$3,700,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
17
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
35%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,521
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
245
Median Year Built
1954
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,621
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
9,147
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Jeff Davidson,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
711
Median Age
46
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$140,540
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$177,159
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.3%
College Graduates
77%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
41.9%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
50.9%
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®
46/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
60/ 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.
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.
