Local guidesMid-City & East San DiegoSan Carlos
San Carlos
San Carlos is a mostly residential neighborhood inside the City of San Diego, California, in the eastern part of the city beside Mission Trails Regional Park and Lake Murray.
Where is San Carlos, and what is it like?
San Carlos is a neighborhood in the eastern part of the City of San Diego, in San Diego County, California. It is not a separate city. It borders Del Cerro, Tierrasanta, Allied Gardens, the city of La Mesa and Mission Trails Regional Park. The neighborhood reaches north to Cowles Mountain.
San Carlos is part of the Navajo community, a planning area of about 14 square miles (36 km2) that also includes Allied Gardens, Del Cerro and Grantville. It is mostly single-family homes.
How did San Carlos begin?
San Carlos was developed by Carlos Tavares, and the neighborhood is named after him. It was founded in 1970. Tavares also developed Clairemont, which he named after his wife, Claire.
The city-owned San Carlos Recreation Center also opened in 1970.
What is Mission Trails Regional Park?
Mission Trails Regional Park, next to San Carlos, was established in 1974 and covers 7,220 acres (2,920 ha). The San Diego River flows through its canyons and hills. The park has 60 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.
Cowles Mountain is 1,592 feet (485 m) high, the park's highest point and the highest point in the city of San Diego. The Cowles Mountain trail has a 360-degree view of San Diego County. The park's visitor center has exhibits, a library and a theater, and the park is open every day of the year.
The Old Mission Dam in the park was built to supply irrigation water to farmland that fed Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first mission Junipero Serra established in California. The Kumeyaay Lake Campground, beside a small lake in the park, has 46 campsites.
What is Lake Murray?
Lake Murray is a man-made reservoir run by the City of San Diego's Public Utilities Department. It lies south of Cowles Mountain. An earthen dam built in 1894 formed it, and it was first called La Mesa Reservoir. The dam was enlarged in 1919, and in 1920 the lake was renamed for James Andrew Murray, the majority owner of the water company.
The lake covers 171.1 acres (69.2 ha) when full and has a 3.2-mile (5.1 km) shoreline path used by hikers, cyclists and runners. Kayaking and catch-and-release fishing are allowed, and at least 149 bird species have been recorded there.
In 1916, after major flooding in San Diego County, the reservoir became the city's main water source. The City of San Diego took over its operation in 1950 and bought the reservoir and its flooding rights in 1961.
What schools serve San Carlos?
Public schools are run by the San Diego Unified School District. The elementary schools are Daillard, Gage, Green and Benchley/Weinberger. Pershing Middle School serves middle grades.
Patrick Henry High School serves San Carlos, and also Allied Gardens and Del Cerro. The community newspaper is the Mission Times Courier.
Where do people in San Carlos spend time outdoors?
Popular outdoor spots include Lake Murray Community Park, Mission Trails Regional Park and the lake itself. The neighborhood borders Mission Trails Regional Park, and its northern edge reaches Cowles Mountain.
The San Diego Trolley's Green Line serves the Navajo community.
Find a local business in San Carlos
San Carlos is covered by the Mid-City & East San Diego guide. Start with the businesses in San Carlos itself, or look across the whole guide by what they do.
Businesses in San CarlosQuestions about San Carlos
- Is San Carlos a city?
- No. It is a neighborhood within the City of San Diego, California.
- Who is San Carlos named after?
- It is named after Carlos Tavares, the developer, who founded the neighborhood in 1970.
- What park is next to San Carlos?
- Mission Trails Regional Park, which covers 7,220 acres and includes Cowles Mountain, borders the neighborhood.
- What is Lake Murray?
- A man-made reservoir with a 3.2-mile shoreline path, formed by an earthen dam built in 1894.
- Which high school serves San Carlos?
- Patrick Henry High School, which also serves Allied Gardens and Del Cerro.
- Is there a local business directory for San Carlos?
- Yes. San Carlos is covered by the Mid-City & East San Diego guide from Local Business America. It lists local businesses in San Carlos and the towns around it, and it is free to read.
- How do I list my business in San Carlos?
- Open the Mid-City & East San Diego guide and choose Claim your listing. If your business is not there yet, choose List your business. Claiming is free, and a person checks each claim.
- What does a business listing in San Carlos cost?
- Every business has a free listing with opening hours, a map and a link to your website. Essentials is $19 a month and adds a photo gallery, an enquiry form and your Google reviews. Premium is $39 a month and adds a boost to the top of your category and a do-follow link to your website.