Section Image

Chollas Creek

Chollas Creek

Neighborhood in San Diego, California

San Diego County 92105

$683,982 Average Value
$584 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Chollas Creek has an active international community

Chollas Creek, like the surrounding City Heights neighborhood, is robustly diverse thanks to the large number of immigrants and refugees – Hispanic, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Somalian – who have settled here over the last few decades. Popular restaurants and markets proudly showcase this diversity, and even the community garden has won acclaim – with a visit by Michelle Obama no less – for its cooperative international spirit. “Chollas Creek is an older area in City Heights, where families may have lived together in homes for generations,” says Thomas Bokmuller, Realtor with Big Block Realty. The neighborhood’s sidewalks, which link to schools and parks, add to the overall sense of community.

A customer shops at African Hair Braiding & Boutique in Chollas Creek.
A customer shops at African Hair Braiding & Boutique in Chollas Creek.
Chollas Creek residents have options for international supermarkets such as Vien-Dong.
Chollas Creek residents have options for international supermarkets such as Vien-Dong.
Tables and benches are found near the bus stops in Chollas Creek.
Tables and benches are found near the bus stops in Chollas Creek.
1/3

Homes are a short walk from Chollas Creek and all of its greenery

Bungalows and ranch-style homes, many built in the 1950s and ‘60s, jostle for space in tightly packed Chollas Creek, but wide streets give the neighborhood some breathing room. Many homes have stucco exteriors, and siding and shingles are also commonly seen. Desert flora and flowering plants brighten many lawns and complement the greenery along Cholla Creek. Home prices range from $500,000 to $855,000. “You’ll find a few up-and-coming spots in the process of revitalization, especially along University Avenue where new multi-family dwellings are planned,” Bockmuller says. The neighborhood also has some condominiums, which range from $395,990 for a one-bedroom to almost $475,000 for three-bedrooms.

Ranch style homes are most commonly found in Chollas Creek, and some have tiled roofs.
Ranch style homes are most commonly found in Chollas Creek, and some have tiled roofs.
A ranch style house near the canyon at Chollas Creek.
A ranch style house near the canyon at Chollas Creek.
1/2

Markets and restaurants reflect the neighborhood’s global diversity

Anyone who needs chile peppers early in the morning is in luck in Chollas Creek. Northgate Market, a regional grocery store showcasing produce from south of the border, opens at 6am. Specialties here include tres leches party cakes, made-to-order guacamole, handmade chorizo and, of course, a wide array of chiles. The tucked-away Madina Market stocks falafel and shawarma and sells certified halal fast food and meats. Dim sum is served all day at Diamond Palace, which is also known its rice dishes. Near Wightman Street Neighborhood Park, Fatuma Restaurant is a top choice for Somali and Mediterranean dishes.

1Banh Cuon Phuong Nga serves authentic Vietnamese food in Chollas Creek.
1Banh Cuon Phuong Nga serves authentic Vietnamese food in Chollas Creek.
Shopping at Northgate Market near Chollas Creek Neighborhood.
Shopping at Northgate Market near Chollas Creek Neighborhood.
1/2

Crawford High School goes state-of-the art with its recent renovations

Marshall Elementary School in the heart of the community offers a Primetime Extended Day Program, which continues the learning experience in a fun way before and after regular school hours, when parents are typically still at work. Niche rates Marshall Elementary a B+ while nearby Mann Middle School earns a B-. Thanks to recent renovations, Crawford High School has state-of-the-art facilities across its campus, including a new three-story building for classrooms, the performing arts and various services. Niche awards the school a B.

Marshall Elementary school in Fairmont Village San Diego.
Marshall Elementary school in Fairmont Village San Diego.
Horace Mann Middle School's newest building is a modern and sleek approach.
Horace Mann Middle School's newest building is a modern and sleek approach.
Crawford High School is located in the College East neighborhood of San Diego.
Crawford High School is located in the College East neighborhood of San Diego.
1/3

Immerse in nature along Chollas Creek in the heart of urban sprawl

A hiking trail ribbons beside Chollas Creek in the Chollas Parkway Open Space Park, which doubles as the neighborhood’s eastern border. This narrow green space is rich with riparian flora, which includes a stand of cholla cactus. A vacant lot in the neighborhood was transformed into Wightman Street Neighborhood Park in 2017. Neighborhood kids can walk to its playground, swing set and basketball courts. Across University Avenue locals can play 18 holes on the public Colina Golf Course. The course is within Colina Del Sol Park, which also has a pool and pickleball courts.

A view from above Chollas Creek shows the green space between homes.
A view from above Chollas Creek shows the green space between homes.
A look at the walking trail that runs along Chollas Creek.
A look at the walking trail that runs along Chollas Creek.
1/2

Easy access to downtown San Diego

The neighborhood is centrally located within greater San Diego, with easy access to Hwy 94/Martin Luther King, Jr, Freeway and I-805. Chollas Creek is seven miles from downtown. Several Metropolitan Transit System buses run along University Avenue and Euclid Avenue.

Chollas Creek has many MTS bus stops.
Chollas Creek has many MTS bus stops.
Chollas Creek is conveniently located near the 94 freeway.
Chollas Creek is conveniently located near the 94 freeway.
1/2

Dirt therapy at New Roots Community Farm brings the neighborhood together

Seventy-six farmers, many of them migrants and refugees, manage almost 100 gardens at New Roots Community Farm beside Cholla Creek. Neighbors gather here to learn from each other while tending their plots. Conceived to offer “dirt therapy” as a way to heal from trauma, the garden connects the community to the natural world and each other. Michelle Obama stopped by in 2010.

New Roots Community Farm is a great way to learn and care for agriculture in Chollas Creek.
New Roots Community Farm is a great way to learn and care for agriculture in Chollas Creek.
Cholla Cacti in New Roots Community Farm in Chollas Creek neighborhood.
Cholla Cacti in New Roots Community Farm in Chollas Creek neighborhood.
1/2
Amy Balfour
Written By
Amy Balfour
Brian Bernhard
Video By
Brian Bernhard

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

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 Miguel Contreras, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

San Diego International

15 min drive

Bus

54th St & University Av

Bus

University Av & Shiloh Rd

Bus

University Av & 50th St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Chollas Creek US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$680,000
Median Single Family Price
$697,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$460,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$584
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
20
Months of Supply
1.20
Median List Price
$695,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
23%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
571
Median Year Built
1960
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,308
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,401
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,013
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
584
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
5,452
Median Age
33
Population Density
23 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.1%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$52,196
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$65,832

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
65.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
15.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.4%
% Population in Labor Force
69.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
9''
Average Winter Low Temperature
50°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

33 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

49 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

48 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Chollas Creek neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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
Chollas Creek
Miguel Contreras
Reign West Collective
Section Image