When talking about neighborhoods in San Diego, some of the popular ones come to mind first: Downtown, Little Italy, Gaslamp Quarter, or North Park. Each neighborhood has its own vibe and distinct qualities, whether it’s a vibrant nightlife, rich history, or robust amenities.

But what about the other neighborhoods that you don’t hear much about? San Diego has dozens of neighborhoods and pocket neighborhoods, and there’s so much more to discover throughout San Diego County. 

Here are four neighborhoods in San Diego County that deserve a closer look.

Linda Vista

Sunset in  Linda Vista / Photo by Nserrano / CC BY-SA

Meaning “beautiful view” in Spanish, Linda Vista offers views of the oceanfrom its location in central San Diego—near Clairemont Mesa, Bay Park, and Mission Valley. The neighborhood is conveniently located near State Route 163, the I-5, and the I-8. Some nearby landmarks include Tecolote Canyon, the famous Ballast Point Brewing (which was one of the city’s first craft breweries), and the University of San Diego. Linda Vista is also home to the largest skatepark in San Diego. 

Linda Vista is one of the most historic neighborhoods San Diego has to offer, stemming back to WWII when people from all across the country came to the community for jobs. Many of the homes date back to this period (the early 1940s), and the median sale price is $524,500, according to Neighborhoods.com data.

Burlingame

Burlingame Avenue / Photo by Kglavin / CC0

Located in the middle of North Parkand South Park is the historic neighborhood of Burlingame. If you appreciate diverse home styles and want to live in a bit of history, Burlingame has the architecture to fit your tastes. Throughout this neighborhood, you can find California ranch homes, Craftsman Bungalows, Art Deco, Prairie School, Mission Style, Spanish Colonial, and Tudor Revivals.

To solidify its distinctive look, this neighborhood even has sidewalks that abandon the gray standard, opting instead for a faded red color, which dates back to 1912. This is thanks to two project developers who wanted to create “an atmosphere of culture and refinement, sincerity, and truth.”

Encanto Heights

An aerial of the Chollas View neighborhood in Encanto Heights / Photo by Ken Lund / CC BY-SA

In the southeastern portion of San Diego, you’ll find the hilly neighborhood of Encanto Heights. Encanto is broken into two parts: North and South Encanto. Encanto is essentially a cluster of neighborhoods, which include Broadway Heights, Chollas View, Emerald Hills, Lincoln Park, and Valencia Park. Together, these neighborhoods house most of the community’s population. And of course, there’s Encanto, the oldest neighborhood, dating back to 1907. 

Predominantly residential with a rural backdrop, Encanto also has smatterings of industrial and commercial businesses. The neighborhood underwent a renaissance back in 2015, when the commercial and industrial areas expanded. The areas of note in this neighborhood are its historic canyons of South Chollas Valley, as well as the Market Street Village, the hub of the community.

Otay Mesa West

Otay Lake and amphitheater / Shutterstock

Located in the southern portion of San Diego County and within the city of Chula Vista is the residential neighborhood of Otay Mesa West. The most prominent landmarks in this neighborhood are Otay Valley Regional Park as well as Montgomery-Waller Community Park.

Otay Mesa West has reasonably priced homes when compared to other neighborhoods in the area. The neighborhood has amedian sales price in the mid $400s and offers a variety of single-family homes, lofts, condos, and townhouses. And with easy access to freeways such as the I-5 to the west, I-805 to the east, and California State Route 905 to the south, it allows daily commuters to get around town quickly.