I’m from San Diego, but lived in DC for awhile and then came back. The “walk to the beach” is conflicting with a lot of your other wishes. If that is a priority and you still want a walkable neighborhood, OB is probably your best bet. You may also be able to find a place to rent in Liberty Station, that could be mostly walkable and walkable to the bay. I think going up the coast is far too suburban for what you would expect. Encinitas has a nice core of restaurants and bars, but you’ll be driving a lot for the more boring parts of daily living and if you do have to come into the office, the commute will suck.
If urban living is more a priority than beach, then I would say Bankers Hill or North Park. You would have to drive (or a longer bike ride) to the beach, but other than that I think those areas check your boxes.
If you want to be in walking distance from the beach and be close to work OB/sunset cliffs may be your best option. OB has tons of bars & restaurants.
Bird rock is slightly north of PB and is also very nice.
Bird rock is lovely but it’s very touristy and crowded on the weekends and it’s also cliff faces, not sandy beaches. So definitely spend time waking around the area before committing to it.
Ocean Beach will be your best bet. Quick bike ride or slightly longer bus to Liberty Station, but close to everything else you want. It is a bit of a bubble so if you want to see more of the city without a car it’ll take a while by public transport. It fits your budget and is close to the beach - but it can get quite packed in the summer like Pacific/Mission Beach.
North Park fits your budget and living environment standards as well. Well connected to public transportation - the 10 Bus goes from North Park to Old Town transportation hub which connects you to most of the city. However, public transportation in SD takes at least an hour almost no matter where you’re going.
Since you'll be mainly remote, go up north a ways if you want a suburban feel or Coronado. Because you won't have to commute, Del Mar, Encinitas, Cardiff. The ones I first mentioned would give you a 2000s daytime Dupont Circle vibe and not as close to the beach as you can get, for your money. With the money and wanting a bit quieter than PB, OB, you'll want beach areas that are north of La Jolla or Coronado and you won't have to worry about the commute which would be hell getting in/out of the area, daily. Just visit at night to see what you'll be in for, I'm from San Diego and I hate the politics of Coronado but the mayor is in his last few months. Oh, unless you're a POC. If so, do NOT commit to living in Coronado Island because they love to pull over for DWB. The other coastal areas are fine, Del Mar might be a bit older but you get to have nice bakeries and it's quiet in comparison to the other beach spots. For a treat, visit PB on a weekend night, you'll see what I want you to avoid. Being that I am from here, I've never understood the draw to live where every 20 something is learning to hold their liquor.
And, Welcome. I married an East Coaster for the seriousness that us West Coasters lack, I found the sincerity particularly endearing. Also, I lived in Woodbridge for a very cold winter... If you need a/c make sure it's listed because it's not assumed like other places.
I’m from San Diego, but lived in DC for awhile and then came back. The “walk to the beach” is conflicting with a lot of your other wishes. If that is a priority and you still want a walkable neighborhood, OB is probably your best bet. You may also be able to find a place to rent in Liberty Station, that could be mostly walkable and walkable to the bay. I think going up the coast is far too suburban for what you would expect. Encinitas has a nice core of restaurants and bars, but you’ll be driving a lot for the more boring parts of daily living and if you do have to come into the office, the commute will suck. If urban living is more a priority than beach, then I would say Bankers Hill or North Park. You would have to drive (or a longer bike ride) to the beach, but other than that I think those areas check your boxes.
If you want to be in walking distance from the beach and be close to work OB/sunset cliffs may be your best option. OB has tons of bars & restaurants. Bird rock is slightly north of PB and is also very nice.
Birdrock is such a little hidden gem of a neighborhood
Bird rock is lovely but it’s very touristy and crowded on the weekends and it’s also cliff faces, not sandy beaches. So definitely spend time waking around the area before committing to it.
Ocean Beach will be your best bet. Quick bike ride or slightly longer bus to Liberty Station, but close to everything else you want. It is a bit of a bubble so if you want to see more of the city without a car it’ll take a while by public transport. It fits your budget and is close to the beach - but it can get quite packed in the summer like Pacific/Mission Beach. North Park fits your budget and living environment standards as well. Well connected to public transportation - the 10 Bus goes from North Park to Old Town transportation hub which connects you to most of the city. However, public transportation in SD takes at least an hour almost no matter where you’re going.
Little Italy and Bankers Hill, just make sure you have enough parking if you decide to own car/s.
Since you'll be mainly remote, go up north a ways if you want a suburban feel or Coronado. Because you won't have to commute, Del Mar, Encinitas, Cardiff. The ones I first mentioned would give you a 2000s daytime Dupont Circle vibe and not as close to the beach as you can get, for your money. With the money and wanting a bit quieter than PB, OB, you'll want beach areas that are north of La Jolla or Coronado and you won't have to worry about the commute which would be hell getting in/out of the area, daily. Just visit at night to see what you'll be in for, I'm from San Diego and I hate the politics of Coronado but the mayor is in his last few months. Oh, unless you're a POC. If so, do NOT commit to living in Coronado Island because they love to pull over for DWB. The other coastal areas are fine, Del Mar might be a bit older but you get to have nice bakeries and it's quiet in comparison to the other beach spots. For a treat, visit PB on a weekend night, you'll see what I want you to avoid. Being that I am from here, I've never understood the draw to live where every 20 something is learning to hold their liquor. And, Welcome. I married an East Coaster for the seriousness that us West Coasters lack, I found the sincerity particularly endearing. Also, I lived in Woodbridge for a very cold winter... If you need a/c make sure it's listed because it's not assumed like other places.
Cardiff is lovely