Why Live in Emerald Hills
Emerald Hills in San Diego’s Encanto community offers a laidback suburban lifestyle with a blend of modest home styles and convenient city access. The neighborhood, named after the former Emerald Hills Country Club and Golf Course, features undeveloped green areas like Radio Canyon, providing scenic trails and spacious surroundings. Homes range from tidy 1970s ranches to larger 1950s bungalows and Spanish-inspired stucco ramblers, many equipped with solar panels for energy efficiency. The area is well-connected with trolley stops in nearby Encanto and Valencia Park, making it easy to reach downtown, beaches, and local attractions like Padres games without the hassle of driving. Emerald Hills Park, located behind Henry C. Johnson STEM Magnet Elementary, offers open green spaces, a picnic shelter, playground, and trails that connect to Chollas Radio System Open Space. The Valencia Park/Malcom X Branch Library, upgraded in 2016, provides a Teen IDEA Lab, technology and arts classes, and various community events. For daily needs, residents visit Market Creek Plaza, which includes grocery stores and chain restaurants, and enjoy events at the Market Creek Amphitheatre. Major San Diego attractions, including downtown, Balboa Park, and Mission Beach, are easily accessible via the 805 or MLK Jr. Freeway. Public transportation options include bus stops and the Euclid Avenue trolley station, while medical facilities like Paradise Valley Hospital are just 2 miles away. San Diego International Airport is 10 miles away, also reachable by trolley. Emerald Hills combines peaceful seclusion with convenient access to amenities and transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emerald Hills a good place to live?
Emerald Hills is a good place to live. Emerald Hills is considered car-dependent and somewhat bikeable with some transit options. Emerald Hills has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is somewhat dense in population with 7.7 people per acre and a median age of 35. The average household income is $106,256 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 28.2% of residents. A majority of residents in Emerald Hills are home owners, with 30.8% of residents renting and 69.2% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Emerald Hills can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Emerald Hills neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Emerald Hills?
The median home price in Emerald Hills is $749,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $149,800 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.72%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $3,870 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $166K a year to afford the median home price in Emerald Hills. The average household income in Emerald Hills is $106K.
What are the best public schools in Emerald Hills?
The best public schools that serve Emerald Hills are:
What are the best private schools in Emerald Hills?
The best private schools that serve Emerald Hills are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Emerald Hills, San Diego, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Emerald Hills, San Diego, CA?
Are home prices dropping in Emerald Hills?
Yes, home prices in Emerald Hills are down 33% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Emerald Hills, CA
On average, homes in Emerald Hills, San Diego sell after 77 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Emerald Hills, San Diego over the last 12 months is $316,250, down 48% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$316,250
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$277,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$384
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
24
Median List Price
$749,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
5%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-48%