Serra Mesa
Suburban Neighborhood in San Diego, California
San Diego County 92123

Renovated midcentury ranch-style homes with newer houses and condos
On Serra Mesa’s curving streets, neighbors greet each other as they stroll along tree-shaded sidewalks to Ruffin Canyon access points. “Serra Mesa is an established community and the kind of place where people know their neighbors,” Butler says. “Most of the homes were built in the 1950s and ‘60s, and without an HOA, a lot of people have made unique modifications that lend the community an eclectic flavor.” Midcentury ranch-style homes are in plentiful supply in Serra Mesa and sit on manicured lots featuring either desert plantings and landscaping pebbles or green lawns lined with hedges and trees. Most have brightly colored exteriors with Craftsman accents, but newer remodeling has transformed others into two-story modern homes that blend cement, wood and metal materials; prices start at $695,000 for unmodified two-bedroom homes and go up to $1.3 million for renovated properties with added second floors. The Civita Park and Stonecrest developments offer newer houses from the 1990s to 2010s that incorporate Spanish Revival and modern stylings; two-story homes in these communities start at $1.1 million, while three-story homes can cost $1.7 million.The Woodbridge and Civita complexes also offer luxury condominiums. Prices start at $443,000 for ground-level units at Woodbridge with access to a community pool and $576 in monthly dues. Prices top out at $1.7 million for two-story condos at Civita with canyon views and $289 in monthly dues.
Sprawling canyon spaces and scattered parks
The 84-acre Ruffin Canyon Open Space stretches from Mission Valley to the center of Serra Mesa and is filled with natural coastal sage scrub, a rare plant community known for its dark greens. Dirt trails here descend into a ravine lush with palm trees, almond-scented hollies and mariposa lilies that blossom with periwinkle petals. Butler says rec centers and neighborhood parks also dot the Serra Mesa landscape. “You’re going to see youth teams playing at the Serra Mesa Recreation Center’s baseball fields and basketball courts, and Murray Ridge Park gets a lot of people who like to walk their dogs or play tennis. Cabrillo Heights Park is probably the largest, though, and is right next to a school.” Set on 14 acres beside Angier Elementary, Cabrillo Heights Park features green lawns, tree-shaded walking paths and multi-purpose fields suited for softball and soccer.Kearny High's specialized schools
Local kids can start at Angier Elementary, which earns an A-minus from Niche, and can continue to B-plus-rated Taft Middle. Kearny High’s campus is split into four separate academies that specialize in different subjects; the School of Digital Media and Design earns an A, the School of Biomedical Science and Technology an A-minus, the School of Design, Engineering and Technology an A and the School of College Connections an A.Community events at local libraries and churches
On Monday evenings at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library, young children can enjoy Pajama Storytime, as well as sporadic Lego-themed activities in the library’s play area. The 55-plus Serra Mesa Village community also hosts matinees every second and fourth Tuesday at the Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church, and featured films range from obscure Italian classics to family favorites like “Ratatouille.”Interstates all around
Set between Interstate 805 and Interstate 15, and less than a mile north of Interstate 8, Serra Mesa is conveniently located near three of San Diego’s busiest roadways, but its elevation above these freeways helps reduce noise from traffic. Serra Mesa’s central location in the city also makes the 9-mile commute to downtown and the 10-mile trip to the San Diego International Airport easy. Within the community, Sandrock Road, Gramercy Drive and Murray Ridge Road are the main thoroughfares and are lined with bike lanes and MTS bus stops. Less than a mile west in the adjacent Birdland neighborhood, locals will find a host of hospitals — including Donald N. Sharp Memorial Hospital, Rady’s Children’s Hospital and the Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital.Mission Valley's shopping malls
Serra Mesa has scatterings of local dining options like Maggie's Cafe, the Channel 2 Sports Bar and Soup De Jour, which blends elegant ambience with homey meals just south of the Montgomery Gibbs Executive Airport. Most residents head less than a mile south to Mission Valley’s shopping malls for retail and restaurants, though. “You’re only ever 10 minutes from the Mission Valley mall and only 15 minutes from Fashion Valley,” says Butler. “Fashion Valley has more luxury options, while Mission Valley has more of your mall staples like Macy’s and Target.” Centered around clothing lines, Fashion Valley’s outdoor venue features everything from Nordstrom to Versace; dining options here include the Cheesecake Factory and the upscale San Diego chain North Italia. At Mission Valley, shoppers can catch a movie at AMC Mission Valley 20, grab a bite to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings or find a new favorite shirt at Spencer’s. Grocery stores abound at Mission Valley, as locals can choose from Target, Trader Joe’s or Albertson’s a little further north on Mission Center Road.


Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Michael Solis
Keller Williams San Diego Metro
(442) 273-1951
189 Total Sales
1 in Serra Mesa
$935,000 Price
-
Robert Guerrero
CFL Realty
(858) 585-7613
19 Total Sales
1 in Serra Mesa
$443,000 Price
-
Andrea Flint-Gogek
Tranquility Real Estate Services
(619) 613-2567
138 Total Sales
2 in Serra Mesa
$545K - $1.3M Price Range
-
Athir Markos
Keller Williams Realty
(619) 493-1756
172 Total Sales
1 in Serra Mesa
$745,000 Price
-
Joe Carta
Joe Carta Realty
(858) 757-8271
82 Total Sales
2 in Serra Mesa
$730K - $855K Price Range
-
Jorge Alvarez
Compass
(619) 257-3649
76 Total Sales
1 in Serra Mesa
$1,375,000 Price
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Reviews
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Serra Mesa | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
Robbery | 3 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Serra Mesa Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Serra Mesa, San Diego sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Serra Mesa, San Diego over the last 12 months is $975,500, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
-
Friday, Jun 2012 - 3pm
-
Sunday, Jun 222 - 4pm
-
Saturday, Jun 2112 - 3pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Minimal Transit
Transit 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

Bird-themed midcentury charmer convenient to medical, retail and major freeways

Central suburban area with large homes and a local dining scene

Artistic neighborhood with 1920s homes 7 miles from downtown San Diego

Historic San Diego neighborhood with vibrant dining scene 4 miles from downtown

Grantville offers a mix of commercial and residential zones near SDSU campus

Mixed use community with bustling Asian business district and luxury condos