$771,288Average Value$546Average Price per Sq Ft46Homes For Sale
A place to plant some roots near downtown San Diego
Since its birth as a citrus farm in the 1800s to its present-day suburban form, the city of Lemon Grove's rich soil has been a nurturing environment for people to plant their roots. "It's a great starter location for all the military and people working downtown because it's remained one of the more affordable places in San Diego, while everything around it has gotten significantly more expensive," says Colleen McDade, owner of McDade Realty Group, who's been selling in San Diego for over 30 years. This small city is less than 10 miles east of downtown San Diego by car or trolley. Still, its modest, single-family homes, green lawns and community gatherings feel like a small-town escape at an approachable price point. "For the money, this is the question," McDade poses. "Do you want a studio downtown or a single-family home in Lemon Grove?" Those who prioritize space often choose the latter. "People want a driveway to park in, places to eat and decent infrastructure without paying too much, and that's what Lemon Grove offers," says McDade.
The City of Lemon Grove signage in Lemon Grove, CA.
Beautiful streets in Lemon Grove, CA.
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Less-expensive single-family homes compared to nearby cities
Lemon Grove is almost entirely residential, with a streetscape of cul-de-sacs sprouting off main thoroughfares that mixes urban efficiency with suburban peace of mind. The city's median home price of just over $750,000 is notably lower than that of its immediate neighbors. For example, La Mesa, the city's neighbor to the north, has a median single-family price close to $950,000. This is mainly due to Lemon Grove's median-price ranch-style and Spanish-inspired homes being on the smaller and older side, built around the 1950s. Still, most homes come with driveways and grassy lawn space. Prices can get up to $1 million for larger Spanish Revivals and remodeled homes throughout the city.
View of Homes in Lemon Grove, CA.
Spanish influence in Lemon Grove extends to architecture-- examples dot the streets.
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Green space and local history at Treganza Heritage Park
The city claims to have "the best climate on Earth." While that might be based on personal preference, residents do enjoy getting outside in San Diego County's famously temperate weather, with temperatures in the mid-60s and 70s year-round. There are community parks dotted throughout the city. Berry Street Park offers lawn space with walking paths and a playground within walking distance of many homes on the east side. Around the town center, Treganza Heritage Park presents a look into the city's history. The park is home to the Lemon Grove Historical Society and Parsonage House, which displays the city's citrus growing history. The adjacent large redwood Tudor Revival, initially called the Atherton Chapel, was the city's first church. Chollas Lake Park provides more open space west of the city. Kids can fish for free in the reservoir, and there's a short dirt walking loop leading through the surrounding natural area.
Lemon Grove Skate Park is of modest size but attracts major talent.
Lemon Grove Little League meets at Monterey Heights Park during summer nights in Lemon Grove.
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Farmers markets and summer concerts
With the Lemon Grove Historical Society celebrating the city's agricultural roots at Treganza Heritage Park, it's fitting that the park also hosts the Lemon Grove Farmer's Market. The market's vendors and farm stands set up in the park every Thursday afternoon. The community also gathers in Treganza Park for the annual Bonfire, held every December. During the summer months, people bring their picnic blankets to Berry Street Park for Movies in the Park and Concerts in the Park.
Lunch is a popular time for Lemon Grove residents to grab some shade or go for a stroll.
The playground at Berry Street Park is a great place to spend time with youngsters.
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Ten miles to downtown San Diego
Lemon Grove's north side is home to some small businesses, but most folks still commute to downtown San Diego for work. Downtown is less than 10 miles west on state Route 94, which runs along the city's north side. Commuters can also catch the San Diego Orange Line Trolley to downtown at Lemon Grove Depot. San Diego International Airport is on the north side of downtown. Sharp Grossmont Hospital is a prominent nearby healthcare facility, 4 miles north.
Lemon Grove is served by the San Diego County Sheriff's department, but crime rates for Lemon Grove specifically are not readily available.
Residents hop on the trolley at Lemon Grove Depot for easy commutes to downtown San Diego.
The prewar commercial district of Lemon Grove has independent businesses lining the street.
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Family-run eateries on Broadway, more at Marketplace at The Grove
Most of the city's activity is on the north side around Broadway and Lemon Grove Avenue. Many restaurants along these thoroughfares are locally owned, like Lemon Grove Bistro and Giardino Italian. The surrounding shopping plazas offer basic groceries and organic produce at stores like Sprouts. Just down the road, Marketplace at The Grove has a Target, Sam's Club and other department stores.
Sprouts Market provides fresh, organic food right in the neighborhood of Lemon Grove.
Locally owned restaurants keep things light and airy with local flora as decor.
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Highly ranked Grossmont Union High School District and charter high schools
The Lemon Grove School District serves the city's students from kindergarten to eighth grade and receives a C-minus grade from Niche. They move on to the Grossmont Union High School District, a top 10 school district in San Diego, earning an A. Helix Charter School, the No. 1 charter high school in San Diego, is just north in La Mesa.
. Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences & Humanities is a K to eight school.
Mount Miguel High School is outside of Lemon Grove and serves the surrounding community.
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Written By
Ed Coombs
Video By
Anne Sheridan
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jeannine Savory,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Lemon Grove, CA sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Lemon Grove, CA over the last 12 months is $760,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Lemon Grove is know for having the “Best Climate on Earth.” Only 12 miles to Downtown and 10 miles to the airport! Spacious and thoughtfully upgraded, this home sits on a large .32 acre lot at the end of a peaceful street with no through traffic. Step inside to the first living area, where light wood laminate flooring, large windows, and shiplap accent walls create a bright, airy atmosphere. The
Charming Mid-Century Home in the Heart of Lemon Grove! Welcome to 3015 Olive Street, a delightful single-level home offering vintage character and modern possibilities. Located on a quiet, well-established street, this 3-bedroom, 1-bath residence sits on a generous 7,100 sqft lot—perfect for gardening, entertaining, or even adding an ADU for extra income potential. Inside, you’ll find all
Discover this stunning modern tri-level townhome, built in 2023, featuring an impressive design and abundant natural light throughout. With no Mello Roos, solar panels this home has an open-concept main level with soaring 9-foot ceilings, a spacious living area, and a contemporary kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances and a large center island, ideal for entertaining. This exquisite
Lemon Grove is know for having the “Best Climate on Earth.” Only 12 miles to Downtown and 10 miles to the airport! Spacious and thoughtfully upgraded, this home sits on a large .32 acre lot at the end of a peaceful street with no through traffic. Step inside to the first living area, where light wood laminate flooring, large windows, and shiplap accent walls create a bright, airy atmosphere. The
Step into timeless elegance with this beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home has been thoughtfully modernized for today’s lifestyle. Spanning 1,490 square feet, this home seamlessly blends vintage charm with contemporary comforts and modern-day fresh renovations. The heart of the home is its open-concept kitchen, living, and dining area—a perfect setup for entertaining. The modern kitchen
PRICE IMPROVEMENT! REDUCED $40,000! Discover your new beginning at this amazing Canyon Rim Home. PRICE IMPROVEMENT! REDUCED...Enjoy Spectacular Sunset Views while swimming in your sparkling pool. The Pergola Patio overlooks the valley with gentle breezes & covers the entire back of the home. Located at the end of quiet Cul-de-sac. 4th bedroom has separate entrance & exits to the pool. Laminate
Experience modern luxury at Celsius apartments in San Diego, CA. We offer upgraded one, two, or three-bedroom apartment homes for rent that offer open floorplans and modern design elements. Enjoy amenities such as energy-efficient stainless steel appliances, nine-foot ceilings, and private balconies. Celsius apartment homes deliver a full spectrum of smart living choices. Our smoke-free,
Beautiful, recently remodeled/updated in 2021, modern 1 bed/1 bath just off Massachusetts Avenue in Lemon Grove. All new appliances, including refrigerator, induction cooktop, convection microwave, dishwasher, and stacked laundry center. Hardwood flooring throughout the unit, all lighting uses energy-saving LED technology, and updated double-paned windows keep the unit quiet and comfortable
Get ready to turn up the heat at Kelvin - a collection of artfully designed apartment homes that redefine modern living. Discover contemporary living at its finest with our collection of apartments in La Mesa, CA, complete with sleek finishes and thoughtful design. Beyond your front door, you'll discover an incredible rooftop amenity center that extends the comforts of home, providing comfortable
Community is the biggest part of this small neighborhood seven miles east of downtown San Diego. Broadway Heights’ youth council was responsible for renaming Weston Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Way, the first street in San Diego to be named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Broadway Heights Community Council has played a vital role in keeping the neighborhood’s crime rate among the lowest in the county. The council also runs a program in which youth members are mentored, tutored and assisted in developing leadership skills. “That area is a lot more family-oriented than most,” says Simon Tran, a DT America Realty licensed realtor with two years of experience selling homes in the area. “You’re not going to see a lot of young couples or individuals renting there. You’ll see a lot of families with younger kids.”
Traveling is also easy for walkers since the streets of Broadway Heights are lined with sidewalks, and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System reaches Broadway Heights, serving the neighborhood with bus stops along nearby Massachusetts Avenue. Along the neighborhood’s westside, Martin Luther King Junior Freeway puts downtown San Diego just seven miles away. The freeway also connects to Interstates 8 and 805, giving drivers access to other parts of California and the country at large.
Less than two miles away, College Grove Mall offers big box stores like Target and Walmart for everyday essentials. The shopping center also holds a Starbucks and a McDonald’s, but Rubio’s Coastal Grill adds local flavor to the mix with their fish tacos. Just off Broadway, Lemon Grove Plaza and its surrounding streets offer a selection of chain and local restaurants alongside specialized national brands like GameStop, Petco and CVS. Residents who prefer to support locally-owned restaurants can try the pho at Pho Royal or grab an iced coffee at Royal Pearl Tea. “You can kind of get to anything you need within a fifteen-minute drive,” Tran says. “So even if there isn’t a lot to do within a five-mile radius, you can still do all the fun stuff that San Diego has to offer.”
At Chollas Lake Park, residents can fish the 16-acre lake or hit the trails that weave around the lake and throughout the park. The park also holds archery and fishing lessons and features a basketball court, picnic tables and a children’s playground. Though smaller than Chollas Park, nearby Berry Street Park offers a playground, a dog park and picnic shelters. Small community events can also be held at Berry Street Park, and outdoor movie nights are popular with residents in the summer.
With just under 200 houses, home inventory is limited in Broadway Heights. Most of the neighborhood’s homes were built around 1960, and the architecture favors the popular ranch-style homes of that time. Homes are typically well-maintained, and interior stylings are up to date with modern trends, which adds to their appeal. Lots can come with tropical trees, gravel or grass, but lot sizes are all relatively similar with the median size around a quarter acre. Prices can range from $737,000 for a stucco-sided, ranch-style home to just over $1 million for a ranch-style home with stone and stucco siding. Rising 42% from the previous year, the median home price in Broadway Heights is $922,500.
As part of the Lemon Grove School District, Broadway Heights students can start their education and enroll in the before and after school program at San Miguel Elementary School, which offers kindergarten through 6th grade and earns a B-minus on Niche. Middle school students can attend nearby Lemon Grove Academy Middle School, which earns a B. For grades 9 through 12, students can attend Mount Miguel High School, which earns a B-plus.
With downtown San Diego just seven miles away, Broadway Heights residents are close to events like Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival and Comic-Con International. Smaller local events are popular throughout the city, with Summer Movies in the Park held at various parks around the county.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Lemon Grove Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
26,579
Median Age
39
Population under 18
24.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$75,661
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$90,074
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85%
College Graduates
20.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.1%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.9%
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®®
36/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®®
54/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®®
38/ 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.
