Overview of Western San Diego

If you choose a Western San Diego rental, you’ll be living in one of the more time-honored sections of the city. This collection of residential and retail neighborhoods stretches from the cliffs of Point Loma to the historic heart of California, in Old Town. Included in Western San Diego are the communities of Burlingame, Hillcrest, Linda Vista, Midtown, Midway District, Mission Hills, Mission Valley West, Morena, North Park, Ocean Beach, Old Town, Point Loma, and University Heights.

It was on Point Loma that Europeans first set foot on California soil. That was during the 1542 expedition of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. The Spanish built the first European settlement in California in Old Town, in 1769. Even leaving this early exploration aside, Western San Diego was built up before many other parts of the city. Developers had a go at Ocean Beach in 1887, but since it took two and a half hours to get Downtown from there by carriage, it didn’t take off. Rail service made these areas more accessible in the early decades of the 20^th century.

Western San Diego Lifestyle and Entertainment

Western San Diego incorporates a number of active commercial areas. In Hillcrest, you’ll find locally owned shops, restaurants, and bars. The extensive malls in Mission Valley West serve as a shopping mecca for San Diegans. There are unique restaurants and cute coffee shops in North Park—plus bars and nightclubs, too. If you’re looking for alternative businesses like tattoo parlors or head shops, check out Ocean Beach. University Heights stays active with restaurants and live entertainment.

If you want to spend some time outdoors, Western San Diego provides ample ocean-side entertainments. Ocean Beach Municipal Pier is open 24-hours. There’s also Dog Beach, perhaps the first leash-free area in the country. San Diego State Historic Park in Old Town and Shoreline Park on Shelter Island are other good options.

Western San Diego Info and the Rental Market

Western San Diego is known for its early 20^th century homes in Craftsman Bungalow, Mission Revival, and other styles. You’ll find rentals like these in neighborhoods such as North Park and Burlingame. There are also plenty of modern apartments, condos, cottages, and more available in this part of the city. Average rents range from a high of $1,781 in Mission Hills to a low of $1,115 in University Heights and parts of Point Loma.

This part of San Diego is relatively easy on commuters. The San Diego Trolley runs through Midtown, Old Town, and Mission Valley. Public buses serve most of these neighborhoods well. Interstate 8 terminates in Ocean Beach and Interstate 5 runs beside Old Town and Mission Hills.

Western San Diego Resources

There are United States Post Offices in neighborhoods such as University Heights, Midway District, and Roseville-Fleet Ridge. The San Diego Public Library operates Ocean Beach, Mission Hills, University Heights, and other branches. Western San Diego falls within San Diego City Council Districts 2 and 3. Scripps Mercy Hospital and the UCSD Medical Center are in Hillcrest.

Western San Diego Zip Codes

Zip codes serving Western San Diego are 92101, 92103, 92104, 92107, 92110, 92116, 92140, and 92152.