Scripps Ranch is a charming neighborhood suburb in the northeast part of San Diego County. Though inland, it’s still only about a half hour drive to the beach and close to many booming companies and attractions.
History
Scripps Ranch, like many things in Southern California such as the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and Scripps College, was named after the Scripps newspaper family. E.W. Scripps at first thought he was building a vacation home to get out of Illinois’ frigid winter. He bought 400 acres of land, gave part of it to his sister, Ellen Browning Scripps, and built a ranch there at the site of where the members-only Scripps Ranch Swim and Racquet Club a community hub, now stands. He also built a castle, called Miramar, where the community of Miramar is today.
Real Estate
Scripps Ranch is considered one of the premiere neighborhoods of San Diego County. With a population of 29,000 and home values at a median of around $700K, Scripps Ranch is a desirable area for families. It has top-rated public and private schools and a variety of public parks and open spaces.
The outlook for real estate here is good, with a 9% increase in home sales over last year. Houses here retain their value in an area that has very few vacancies. While there are many single family homes, there are also a lot of condos and townhouses for sale, too, at prices well below $500K. If you’re looking for well-maintained and clean houses, Scripps Ranch is the perfect San Diego neighborhood for you!
Commuting
Scripps Ranch is home or close to many large high tech companies in the area. Among them, Intuit, one of the region’s largest employers, is located in nearby Rancho Bernardo. Broadcom is also close by, as is Fitbit.
If you work on the northwest side of the county over in UTC and Sorrento Valley, the commute’s not bad either—less than 10 miles. The commute to downtown San Diego is a bit longer at 18 miles.
Things to Do
There are lots of things to do in Scripps Ranch. Whether you have a growing family or you’re single, activities abound. Hoyt Park hosts Symphony in the Park, a concert series that has most sessions during the summer, but since San Diego is so mild, it also has a couple of concerts in the fall and winter. There’s a farmer’s market on the site of Innovations Elementary every Saturday, with produce from local growers, as well as kid-entertainment like face painters and balloon artists. Vendors also serve a variety of different foods for breakfast and lunch.
The Scripps Ranch Theatre is a popular and well-regarded community theater run by all volunteers, putting on many different shows, including those written by local playwrights. The Erin Hanson Gallery sells California impressionist paintings created by the local artist; there are frequent shows here open to the public.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, formerly the Wild Animal Park, is a few minutes up Interstate 15 in Escondido. At this massive zoo, you can ride a tram through wild animal habitats, take a behind-the-scenes tour, sleep overnight in the park, take a hot air balloon ride, or zip line.
Scripps Ranch also offers many opportunities for hiking in and around the area. Black Mountain Open Space Park has a variety of trails where you can hike, stroll, or horseback ride. Mountain biking is also a popular pastime in these parts with many options.
Golfing is another big thing around here, with several different courses to choose from. In this area, there’s the executive course, Oaks North; the course at the Rancho Bernardo Inn; and, in nearby Poway, the Maderas Course, the top-rated course in San Diego County.
Restaurants
Despite Scripps Ranch being a suburb rather than a city spot, there are dozens of different restaurants in and around the area. Some of the most popular local spots include Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese grill where you can barbecue your own food at the traditional grill right at your table—including s’mores.
Ballast Point Brewing is a local brewery that’s become popular worldwide in recent years. The kitchen serves Californian cuisine. Cutwater Spirits Tasting Room and Kitchen serves up burgers, sandwiches, and its signature vodkas, whiskeys, and gins made on the premises. You can even get a distillery tour at the same time.
Shopping
Scripps Ranch has a few different shopping centers with grocery stores, including Scripps Ranch Marketplace, which includes a bank, a Starbucks, and other standbys. By 2020, a project called Watermark will bring in a Whole Foods, a movie theater, more restaurants, and a Marriott hotel.
Only a few minutes further away is Mira Mesa, which has many more shops and a movie theater. Mira Mesa Market includes this, as well as the region’s largest Barnes and Noble bookstore, and many different chain restaurants.
Scripps Ranch is a family-oriented, quiet area that nevertheless has a lot of different activities to keep you occupied. Whether you want a local brew, a nature run, or a relaxing round of golf, Scripps Ranch has it all.
coastalpremierproperties.wordpress.com 