As a city, San Diego is made up of dozens of individual neighborhoods, some older, others newer, each with its own quirks and offerings. Mission Valley is one with a lot to give.

Established over 200 years ago, Mission Valley is actually one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Diego. While the mountains lining this long, thin section of the city on both the north and south sides have remained relatively unchanged since its founding in 1769, the same can’t be said for this now buzzing community that continues to bloom. 

What started with one building (now a historic landmark, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala) is now a growing community that earned the top spot on our recent ranking of the best neighborhoods in San Diego.

Here are five reasons why Mission Valley earns the top spot among San Diego neighborhoods. 

It’s One of San Diego’s Most Public Transit-Accessible Neighborhoods

With car maintenance costs and gas prices constantly creeping up almost daily, many San Diego residents make use of the city’s ever-expanding bus and trolley lines.

While the bus lines in San Diego are fairly prolific but not incredibly efficient, the trolley stops are far less common but way more reliable. This is especially true for people living in Mission Valley, since the Green Line slices right through the heart of this community and welcomes residents to board every fifteen minutes at three stops in the neighborhood.

Whether you’re headed to class at San Diego State University or off to a Padres game in East Village, you can make a choice that’s better for the planet, skip the traffic, and avoid the hassle of searching for the perfect parking spot by jumping on the trolley.

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… It’s Also a Commuter’s Best Friend

Looking at a road map, it’s obvious Mission Valley is San Diego’s Rome because (nearly) all roads lead to this part of town. If making use of the prolific public transit options in Mission Valley isn’t an option, one of San Diego’s many freeways will be. 

While some are lucky enough to both live and work in Mission Valley, anyone who needs to commute can jump on the necessary freeway quickly. The 8, 15, and 805 of freeways converge and split off in different directions linking Mission Valley to every corner of the city and the county.

It’s Close to Almost Everything Else in San Diego

Thanks to the wealth of freeways and public transit connections along with the sheer luck of geography, living in Mission Valley makes it easy to soak up San Diego’s unique luxuries. 

Whether you’re looking for a night out with a fancy dinner, craft cocktails, dancing the night away, or a day at the beach full of swimming, surfing, and warm sand, Mission Valley is less than 20 minutes from most everything San Diego has to offer. 

In General, It’s One of San Diego’s Most Convenient Neighborhoods

Residents are often drawn to Mission Valley due to its long list of amenities that make everyday living in this community easy. Not only does it have several trolley stops and access to most of San Diego’s major freeways, but Mission Valley is loaded with everything you need to work, eat, shop, and play right in the neighborhood.

We’re talking big-box stores for one-stop shopping, grocery stores for weekly stock-ups, golf courses for enjoying the year-round sunshine, and multiple shopping malls to meet all you retail needs. Then throw in a football stadium for local games and monster truck rallies, your friendly neighborhood dentists and doctors, and coffee shops—all within 5 minutes of home.

It’s Got Affordable Housing Options

Out-of-towners might not consider any San Diego neighborhood affordable in comparison to housing options outside of California—that sunshine tax is undeniable. However, Mission Valley is oftentimes less expensive than the surrounding neighborhoods due to the large number of high-density housing. 

Homes in Mission Valley are almost exclusively condos which tend to not only offer up some amenities you wouldn't see with a single-family home like pools, spas, gyms, and multiple parking spots, but they also tend to be considerably less pricey.

Typically, prices for a condo is Mission Valley start in the low $200s with the median cost leveling out in the low $400s depending on the location, view, and the size of the condo.  

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