SD Love Blog
Highlighting our San Diego, one post at a time.
Neighborhood deep-dives, kid-friendly outings, honest food picks, and the market news that actually matters.
Is Rancho Peñasquitos a Good Neighborhood for Families? Prices, Schools, and the Canyon
Poway Unified schools, established homes and canyon trails. A practical look at family life, housing costs and what to check before buying in Rancho Peñasquitos.
Closing Costs for San Diego Buyers: What to Budget on a $900,000 Purchase
The cash you need besides the down payment: line items, a $900,000 example, the supplemental tax bill, and what you can negotiate.
San Diego Turkey Trots 2026: Five Thanksgiving Morning Runs, Start Times, and Which to Sign Up For Now
Coronado, Balboa Park, 4S Ranch, Oceanside and a free Escondido race. Start times, kids' runs and the sign-up dates that matter now.
Coronado Holiday Season 2026: Skating, Tree Lighting, and the Bay Parade of Lights, Date by Date
Beachfront skating, a free lightshow and December boat parades. Confirmed 2026 dates, ticket prices and a practical family plan for Coronado.
Día de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego 2026: What's Free, What to Confirm, and How to Get There
Free plaza displays, confirmed October 31 to November 2 celebrations, and a Monday evening procession. Here is how to plan your Old Town visit.
Tide Pooling in San Diego With Kids: Where to Go This Winter and What to Know First
Where to explore tide pools with kids this winter, how to choose a daylight low tide, and what to check before heading to the coast.
Balboa Park December Nights 2026: Dates, Parking, and a Plan for Going With Kids
December Nights returns Dec. 4 and 5 with free admission. Here is a practical family plan, plus what to verify before you go.
Is Bird Rock a Good Neighborhood for Families?
A compact coastal neighborhood with a K-5 school, a local main street and a rocky shoreline. Here is the full family picture.
Rates Are Above 7%. Ask the Seller for a Rate Buydown Instead of a Price Cut
A seller credit may lower your payment more than the same dollars off the price. Here is how temporary and permanent buydowns compare.
San Diego Farmers Markets by Day of the Week
A current day-by-day guide to San Diego farmers markets, with hours, locations and recent market moves.
Is Scripps Ranch a Good Fit for Families? Schools, Lake Miramar and the Insurance Question
Four elementary schools, a 4.9-mile lake loop and a real fire insurance conversation. What living in Scripps Ranch looks like for families in 2026.
What Midway Rising Means If You Live, Buy or Sell Near the Sports Arena
The current plan would bring 4,254 rental homes, a new arena and 14.54 acres of public space to the Sports Arena site. Here is what is approved, pending and worth watching.
The Best Pumpkin Patches Around San Diego for Fall 2026
Six San Diego pumpkin patches worth the drive this fall, from free Liberty Station to Valley Center hayrides, with current dates, costs and parking tips.
How to Time Your San Diego Home Sale Around the School Year
Want to move before the first day of school? Here is how to work backward from the calendar without leaving your family a last-minute scramble.
Is Bay Park a Good Fit for Families? A San Diego Neighborhood Guide
Median prices, an 8/10-rated elementary school, and a 16-minute trolley to downtown. Here's what makes Bay Park work for San Diego families.
The Best Dog Beaches, Parks, and Hikes in San Diego Right Now
A practical guide to San Diego's off-leash beaches, fenced dog parks, and dog-friendly hikes, with hours and leash rules.
San Diego Neighborhoods and Schools: A Family Guide
A practical look at San Diego school districts, standout schools, and the neighborhoods they serve, plus what to verify for a specific home.
SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular 2026: Dates, Times & What Families Need to Know
Spooktacular runs weekends through Nov 1 and is included with admission. Here's what's on, what's changed, and how it differs from Howl-O-Scream.
Adams Avenue Street Fair 2026: A Family Guide to Normal Heights' Free Festival
The Adams Avenue Street Fair returns Sept 19-20, 2026. Free entry, six stages, carnival rides. Here's how to do it with kids in tow.
What Does a $1 Million Home Actually Cost Per Month in San Diego?
A real San Diego payment breakdown at $900K, $1.1M, and $1.5M, plus a calculator for taxes, HOA, and Mello-Roos.
Should You Buy Now or Wait for Lower Rates in San Diego? Run the Numbers
Compare buying today vs. waiting for rates to drop, with a San Diego calculator for price growth, rent, and refinance cost.
San Diego Homes With Price Reductions: Where Buyers Actually Have Room to Negotiate
22% of San Diego listings have price cuts, but most homes still sell near asking. Here's how to tell an opportunity from a warning sign.
What It Really Costs to Buy in Carmel Valley in 2026
Carmel Valley's median is $1.7M. Here's the real monthly cost once you add Mello-Roos, HOA, and insurance, plus who the neighborhood actually fits.
Condo or House in San Diego? The True Monthly Cost Comparison
A condo's lower price doesn't always mean a lower payment once HOA, insurance, and financing rules are factored in. Here's the real comparison.
I Have a 3% Mortgage. Should I Still Sell My San Diego Home?
Rate lock-in is real, but it doesn't have to trap you. Four scenarios for San Diego homeowners weighing a move despite a low existing rate.
Is a VA Loan Still Worth It in San Diego With Rates Near 7%?
Higher rates change the payment, but not the VA loan's core advantages. Here is how zero down, funding fees, and entitlement work in San Diego.
Best San Diego Neighborhoods by Budget: Where $900K, $1.1M, and $1.5M Actually Goes
What your San Diego budget actually buys, from value-oriented inland areas to coastal luxury, organized by price point instead of a generic list.
My Favorite San Diego Hikes
Coastal bluffs, inland summits, and the waterfalls tucked in the canyons between. The trails San Diegans keep coming back to, and everything you need to know before you park the car.