Trying to understand microclimates (San Diego, Ramona: home, landscaping, neighborhoods)

[eric3]

I am researching a move to North County San Diego and trying to get a handle on weather. I am looking at areas like 4s Ranch, Santa Luz, The Crosby, Cielo, maybe RSF. I understand the differences in the weather between the coast and say, Ramona are drastic but I am trying to fine tune the in between.
I found the attached map that gives some idea but I am still trying to get specific.
First, the areas I am looking at seem to be pretty much on the line. Is this line indicative of a particular mountain range/ridge that I might be able to see on a terrain map?
Also would you say that as you go east the temperature change would be gradual based on distance or again, it there a drastic change near these lines due to some physical obstacle?

What I am looking for is a happy medium between the 2 extremes of coast and desert. Certainly some cooling sea breezes are nice at times, but I could do without the marine layer of the coast. 70's are perfect, but I would rather have the occasional 80-85+ in the summer rather than 60's often seen right at the coast. So I guess I am looking at somewhere that is 5-10 degrees warmer during the day than the coast in the summer. And without as much of the fog/clouds, june gloom as the coast. But not somewhere that swelters to the point of staying inside in the AC all summer.

Am I looking in the right areas for this weather?

[kettlepot]

Are you talking about the line between 1 and 2 (Coast/Inland) or the line between 2 and 3 (Inland/Mountains)?

Looking at your desired temperature ranges, I'm guessing you are currently looking at the line between 1 and 2. I would say go east from line 1 about 25% of the way towards line 2. At that point you will have less of the marine layer. No marine layer means temperatures in the 90s and low 100s in the summer time. Given your temperature desires I would not go further east than 50% of the way between the 1/2 line and the 2/3 line.

The line between 1 and 2 is created by a barrier formed by the coastal bluffs. If the bluffs are right on the coast, zone 1 and the fog is able to roll up and over the bluffs a little bit (i.e. UCSD/La Jolla). If the bluffs are further inland the bluffs are the barrier between 1 and 2 and the fog stops though the marine layer will penetrate. But again no marine layer means HOT temperatures. You can't have temperate weather AND perpetually blue skies.

If you actually are talking about the line between 2 and 3 then you will get plenty of sun and plenty of 90+ degree days. No actual sea breezes make it that far inland.

[eric3]

I was talking about the line between 2 and 3 which is right on where 4s ranch/Santa Luz is, it seems. Inland type zone is what I want, just didn't think I wanted to go into the Mountain Zone.
Your temps seem very high to me. I have been tracking temps for 92127 (4S ranch) for the past few months and have only seen one intraday reading higher than 90 and that was during that little heat wave you had in early June. It is typically right in that 5-10 degrees higher than the Lindbergh Field temp. When I was there for 2 weeks in May, this also seemed to be the case.

I haven't heard anyone talk about high 90's or 100 in those neighborhoods I mentioned at all.

Any other comments from 4S residents?

[sdurbanite]

So far, July has been much cooler than normal. Temps in the upper 80's/low 90's are quite typical for the 92127 zip code during the summer. High 90's/100's usually occur during the heatspells.

Monthly averages for 92127
Average Weather for San Diego, CA - Temperature and Precipitation

10 day forecast for 92127
10 Day Weather Forecast for San Diego, CA (92127) - weather.com

[CrissCT]

Originally Posted by eric3

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Any other comments from 4S residents?

Even within 92127 the temperature varies a little I feel. 4S ranch is just a little closer to the ocean than Ranch Bernardo proper and therefore a little nicer. Of course, as much as I love 4S, I don't think it gets much better than Rancho Santa Fe.

We just moved out of 4S Ranch (moving to Connecticut) a few weeks ago after 3 years (but still own a home there), if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them. It is a great community.

[eric3]

Thankis for the info. That weather forecast is very different from the one I am looking at for 92127
San Diego, California (92127) Conditions & Forecast : Weather Underground
This reading is from Bel Etage in Santa Fe Valley.

This is my concern, weather seems very different just a short ways away. Trying to figure out where that "line" is. Guess there is no substitute for going there.

THanks

[eric3]

I started poking around the weatherUnderground website and it actually gives quite a bit of detail and you can see the exact location the weather reading is being taken at.
And I do see what you are talking about.
The Santa Fe Valley weather node is immediately west of 4S and when I look at the daily high temps, they are mid to high 80's recently with spikes to 100+ back during the June heat wave.
When I compare them to a node in CV at Senterra, near Fairbanks Country club, the highs are 7-9 degrees hotter in 4S.

So maybe I am looking too far east and need to be looking in CV.

Thanks again,

[CrissCT]

Originally Posted by eric3

I started poking around the weatherUnderground website and it actually gives quite a bit of detail and you can see the exact location the weather reading is being taken at.
And I do see what you are talking about.
The Santa Fe Valley weather node is immediately west of 4S and when I look at the daily high temps, they are mid to high 80's recently with spikes to 100+ back during the June heat wave.
When I compare them to a node in CV at Senterra, near Fairbanks Country club, the highs are 7-9 degrees hotter in 4S.

So maybe I am looking too far east and need to be looking in CV.

Thanks again,

If by CV you mean Carmel Valley, then you are going to get the fog and gloom you wanted to avoid. Many parts of 4S have a nice breeze - like you said you are probably just going to have to go visit and see for yourself.

[eric3]

Originally Posted by CrissCT

Many parts of 4S have a nice breeze - like you said you are probably just going to have to go visit and see for yourself.

Ivy Gate?

[CrissCT]

Originally Posted by eric3

Ivy Gate?

Ivy Gate is beautiful and there are some deals there right now. 2 things I don't like about it are that it is at the same entrance as the Middle School - which if you have ever seen drop off or pick up at the school it is just crazy. Second thing is the proximity to the main road - it is just too close for my taste. We have friends that live there and they get a wonderful almost constant breeze/wind not to mention they have a spectacular view and landscaping.

If I was going to spend that kind of money I would choose one of the gated communities on the North Side such as Bel Etage or Santa Fe Valley. (I also like the elementary school better on that side). They are technically not 4S Ranch but still go to the 4S schools and activities.