Climatic "sweet spots" (San Diego, Oceanside: place to live, garden, moving to)

[AceOfHearts]

I understand the climate in San Diego County varies greatly from one location to another. And I've read more than one post claiming this location or that location is in a "sweet spot." Personally, I would define a sweet spot as one that doesn't get too hot, but still gets plenty of sunshine and is not stuck in the marine layer for months on end. Also, a nice ocean breeze helps. I know some people like the marine layer, but i prefer sunshine without the heat. Which areas in San Diego County fit the bill?

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by AceOfHearts

I understand the climate in San Diego County varies greatly from one location to another. And I've read more than one post claiming this location or that location is in a "sweet spot." Personally, I would define a sweet spot as one that doesn't get too hot, but still gets plenty of sunshine and is not stuck in the marine layer for months on end. Also, a nice ocean breeze helps. I know some people like the marine layer, but i prefer sunshine without the heat. Which areas in San Diego County fit the bill?

Get yourself a copy of The Sunset Western Garden Book. Even a used older edition will do. Climate Zone 23 is the sweet spot.

Generally, this zone is generally starts about 5 miles inland from the coast/bay but not way inland. It includes places like Vista and La Mesa (center of the zone) and Fallbrook (on the warm side of the zone).

Here's a link, although I think seeing the map in the book is better:

Sunset climate zones: San Diego region - Sunset

[echo42]

I live in Bonita and very pleased with the micro-climate here. We are about six miles from the coast, as the crow flies and have a slight bit of elevation. We don't get much marine layer nor fog. We have a few mountains that separate us from East County so we don't get the brutal heat of El Cajon in the summer or the cold of the mountains in the winter.

[Mugsy]

For our budget and climate preference:

Palm Avenue between the 5 and 805 in Palm City/Nestor

[bloom]

Mission Hills is west of inland heat (even east part of Hilcrest is hotter) and east of marine layer.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

You could probably take a protractor on a map and run a line parallel to the Coast 5 miles inland and be pretty close. Give or take 2 miles either direction of that line.

[Cardiff Kook]

I like being just east of the 5 about a mile inland. The marine layer burns off by 9-10 am nearly every day (its already sunny here now) and you get stable temps that never get too hot or too cold as well as a nice ocean breeze

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by bloom

Mission Hills is west of inland heat (even east part of Hilcrest is hotter) and east of marine layer.

Every sweet spot is personal, and technically I live in the sweet spot of Zone 23, but I agree with Bloom. My sweet spot would be Zone 24, but above the Coastal Plain in places like Mission Hills, Bankers Hill, and the coastal area of Clairemont above Mission Bay (Bay Ho). Zone 23 is too hot for my tastes.

[Encinitan]

Keep in mind that this May and June has been the clearest in recent memory. May Gray never showed up and so far June Gloom is a no-show as well. The gray clouds that usually hug the coast and up to a couple miles inland have mostly given way to clear sunshine in the mornings even at the beach. It's been amazing. Not the norm, for sure.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Marine Layer burn off will vary throughout the county from South Bay to Oceanside (eg. marine layer burn off isnt necessarily the same throughout.)

Even though its not the most desirable place to live by any stretch, our city slogan is the 'The Best Climate on Earth." For me I would have to agree since moving to this area from downtown over 3 years ago.