Coastal Southern California offers a year-round lifestyle enjoyed by many residents and visitors alike. Who can resist the miles of beaches, great surfing, beautiful sunsets, fabulous weather, terrific views of land and endless sea, tons of shopping from funky to chic, and more restaurants and watering holes than you can possibly visit in a lifetime.

The San Diego County coastline is like no other, with a string of communities stretching from downtown almost 40 miles to the southern edge of Camp Pendleton (plus a string of communities south of San Diego to the Mexico border). Each town (e.g., from north to south – Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla) has its own look, feel and personality, and discovering the one that appeals most to you and delivers the greatest pleasures is a treat. And if you are buying a new home, your budget will also determine where you might live along the sea.

Pacific Beach is a San Diego neighborhood sandwiched between the ocean and Mission Bay (originally known as False Bay back in the 1800s) and park, a 4500 acre water recreation area. The name sort of says it all. To the north is one of the most expensive communities in San Diego, La Jolla, with Mission Beach merging rather seamlessly to the south.

Location-wise, PB, as it is often fondly called, provides easy access to the delights of downtown (say the Gaslamp District or Marina), should you desire to actually leave the area, as well as a quick trip to the airport. The 5 freeway is to the east providing commuting options north and south.

Pacific Beach is a community of about 40,000 residents and over 1200 businesses, along with a myriad of restaurants and bars, and plenty of hotels on or near the beach (Crystal Pier with its unique hotel OVER the ocean is a favorite; the pier has been a landmark in of Pacific Beach since 1927). The history of Pacific Beach from the late 1800s where it was only a plot of dirt along the ocean, to its current state, is a fascinating read.

Where does one begin to describe a beach town like Pacific Beach that offers so much to so many? Certainly photos help understand what PB is all about. Eclectic and casual are two words that immediately come to mind. Diverse, playful, funky and fun seem appropriate as well.

Pacific Beach is popular with the younger generations, and those who enjoy a good party, hanging out at the pubs or the beach. But Pacific Beach also appeals to tourists because of the beaches, the variety of things to do and places to stay, and the casual lifestyle to enjoy year-round.

Pacific Beach is a town of opposites that merge rather nicely. You can enjoy living in an ocean-view or ocean-front home worth millions, shack up in a studio condo, live in a high-rise with ocean or bay views, or enjoy a run-down beach cottage. You may enjoy more expensive dining and boutique shopping, or prefer experience the most casual eateries and bargain shops.

Need a tattoo? Got it. Want a new surfboard? Got that too. You name it, Pacific Beach probably has it (well, no Tiffany’s and things like that but that is not the PB culture). Hungry? PB has lots of restaurants in all shapes and sizes, and a broad range of foods to sample – here’s a place to start your search.

Of course lots of folks are here for the beach. And Pacific Beach has it – about 2 miles long, plus a cement “boardwalk” to enjoy walks or bike riding. Whether you like to surf, watch the sun set, or walk on the beach, PB has something to suit everyone’s taste.

As a beach community, Pacific Beach homes vary quite a bit in style, size, condition, location, views, and of course price. Detached homes for sale in Pacific Beach (as of the end of January 2008 there were 93 total) range from a 2 bedroom 1 bath 864 SF property for $470,000 up to a 5 bedroom, 7 bath 2700 SF ocean front home for $6.4 million; over 50% of the detached homes for sale are priced at over $1 million.

There are 184 attached homes for sale in Pacific Beach ranging from a 420 SF studio for $220,000 to a 3500 SF, 3 bedroom/3 bath condo for $3.295 million (24% of the attached homes are over the $1 million price point).

Enjoy the show (there's music so turn on your volumn)