small towns outside san diego (El Cajon, Poway: hotel, houses, movies)

[madjoe]

my wife and i are coming out to the san diego area to scope out small towns away from the city.we are looking for a town or small city that has a small town feel to it,low in crime,great views,good restuarants,hospitals,a nice looking town center to do shopping,and many other intangibles that go with a small community.we heard of these towns,and small cities if someone could please give us some input on the following,and any others that are not known to me....poway,fallbrook,santee,rancho bernardo,romona,bonsall,and escondido...

[gizmo980]

Moving to the San Diego forum...

[FashionD]

Unfortunately I don't think you're going to find a small-town feel in San Diego. I've lived here for 9 years and haven't found it yet. I guess it all depends on what you consider a "small-town" though.

Most of the good restaurants are in miscellaneous places throughout the county. Hospitals are in central locations, not in small towns.

You may like Poway, although when I'm there, I just feel like it's a big town, just far away from everything...even though it does have much of what someone needs. I do believe you have to drive out of Poway to go to the movies or good restaurants, but like I said, it all depends on what you consider a small town.

Good luck.

I should say that I live in Tierrasanta and believe it to be the best fit for me and wanting a small town feel. It's away from the hectic-ness of the city, but actually very central. You travel a couple miles down a hill and you're in the center of everything. Tierrasanta is right next to Mission Trails, which is scenic and provides nice views.

[Pugetsoundman]

Solana Beach is a very nice small town with a really nice shopping area called the Design District, a small music scene at the Belly Up, great food within walking distance and a small non-smoking beach. We have stayed at the Courtyard-Solana Beach. It is about 4 blocks from the Design District. Make sure you get a room in the back on the second floor; very quiet with a view of the ocean. The courtyard rooms are nice also. Parking is off-street, gated and secure, underneath the hotel. My wife and I have stayed there 3-4 times while visiting her brother who lives a few blocks away. (He has cats now and we are too allergic.)

[jksouthbay88]

Originally Posted by FashionD

Unfortunately I don't think you're going to find a small-town feel in San Diego. I've lived here for 9 years and haven't found it yet. I guess it all depends on what you consider a "small-town" though.

Most of the good restaurants are in miscellaneous places throughout the county. Hospitals are in central locations, not in small towns.

You may like Poway, although when I'm there, I just feel like it's a big town, just far away from everything...even though it does have much of what someone needs. I do believe you have to drive out of Poway to go to the movies or good restaurants, but like I said, it all depends on what you consider a small town.

Good luck.

I should say that I live in Tierrasanta and believe it to be the best fit for me and wanting a small town feel. It's away from the hectic-ness of the city, but actually very central. You travel a couple miles down a hill and you're in the center of everything. Tierrasanta is right next to Mission Trails, which is scenic and provides nice views.

FashonD
You know I have to beg to differ on your first line.All of SD feels way too small town-ish to me.Once again though I do agree wtih your locals;seems like I always do.

[jkoz]

Lakeside, Alpine, Jamul, Harbison Canyon and Crest are all areas that have somewhat of a small town/rural feel yet are reasonably close to the city.

[FashionD]

I guess I watch too many Lifetime movies and my view of a small-town is one where everyone knows each other, there's not much to do, but the quaint and charming houses and tree-lined streets make it all worth it. Oh, and it always seems to be east coat weather. :-p

[kcda]

The only place that feels like a "small town" to me in San Diego is Julian. Everywhere else (i.e. Jamul) are too close to other populated areas like Rancho San Diego so they don't really have that "small town" quaint and removed feel.

[Kasey77]

Pine Valley is small town that is not too well known in San Diego. Its less touritsy than Julian and has better access to the freeway. It is 5o minutes to dt San Diego. I lived there for 15 years. It is the best of all worlds. Clean air, rural...can ride your horse on the streets. Yet, in a short time you can be in the hustle and bustle of San Diego. It is San Diego county, still. And the neighbors do know you. It has the small town feel.

[msdebagain]

we just recently moved to Pine Valley from Imperial Beach. i love it here. small town feel. There are a couple of restaurants, and markets. its only 15 min to Alpine, which is bigger, and then 25 min to El Cajon. all filled with hospitals, doctors offices, nice restaurants. but here, in PV you can leave your car unlocked, its quiet at night, and the nighttime sky is gorgeous. my daughter is a sophomore at the highschool. they have bus pick up, so its convenient for the children.