Would love to hear opinions to what you all think is the best place to live in SoCal for triathlon training. Currently, I can live in any location with my work. I would like a place where there is nightlife and the people are young. Preferably also a place that is not crazy expensive either (I hear you thinking yeah right). I have heard good things about San Diego, but hear it is also crowded, and I would be better up north in Poway, Encinitas, Escondido or even as far as Carlsbad. I have also heard that around LA certain burbs are good such as Pasadena, Thousand Oaks, Irvine, and Malibu. The last one seems too expensive though to be honest. I would also love a place that is more green and less arid. If you can comment on any of these places either good or bad / pros or cons, it would be greatly appreciated.
The thing about Southern California is living in a way that limits the need to drive. If you can live, work, and play in close proximity, then you’re good to go. I’m partial to San Diego and if I were to move back, I’d try to do Solana Beach or Encinitas.
“I would also love a place that is more green and less arid.”
Well, you just eliminated SoCal as a place to live. We’re basically a desert, with sprinkler systems added for lawns and shrubs and to appear green. Try NorCal, its much greener and less arid up there.
Personally, I would stay away from the LA area (more crime, more traffic and congestion and worse air quality). I loved the northern San Diego area; Encinitas, Solana Beach, Carlsbad. If you want more green and less arid, stay close to the shore. The San Diego area will provide a better quality of life I’m my opinion, not to mention San Diego is as good as it gets for the tri culture. I could go on and on about what a great town San Diego is, lots of local breweries, tons of good restaurants, great beaches…
I live in San Clemente (As south in Orange County as you can get - about 40 miles North of Carlsbad) and I find it to be perfect for training. It’s easy access to flat fast rides through San Onofre and Pendleton (with little to no traffic), and good proximity to Santiago Canyon if you want more rolling hills. It’s also more affordable than some of the other coastal communities (relatively speaking). I agree with the other comments on LA. Far too congested. No shortage of nice places to train further South.
I live in Irvine…it’s awesome for running/biking. However, it’s the most boring city in America. If you’re single and want a life, pick something like San Diego. I agree that Santa Barbara, etc. would be better if you want green. Ideally, I’d recommend something NoCal, Portland, Seattle if you want a balance of green, social scene, and training. Don’t rule out Colorado and other western locales too.
Sure San Diego tri club is very strong plus we get the best monthly meets. Not to forget competitor radio interviews thank to mr Babbitt are always a great event when they happen. Then there is the biking in the mountains for long rides. And if that’s not enough LA is only a short drive. Choose north county SD and a little inland east of the I5 may give you an ocean view or at least the sea breeze.
I did recall on Rich Roll podcast how some love that part of LA for biking out of.
I guess if you enjoy an overcrowded city, full of inland empire trash, and “Bro’s” headed your way all summer. Huntington is the tourist trap of the beach towns. “Surf City, Brah.”
San Clemente is a good suggestion. Great training opportunities, plus some good mountain biking and trail running near by. It will be a bit more expensive than San Diego though.
Anywhere in north county San Diego would be a good choice (Encinitas, Carlsbad, Solana Beach, Del Mar etc…). There is a reason that so many pro triathlete have settled there. I would avoid San Diego city proper. Too crowded and hard to get away to good cycling. It is workable, and I have done it, but it is not ideal.
Ventura looks interesting. it is a quiet area, but close enough to LA and Malibu to get some civilization. Great riding and running.
San Louis Obispo is a great place to live. For a cyclist, it would be hard to beat.
Of course Santa Barbara is a beautiful city and would make a great choice. Bring your $$$$ though. I read somewhere that Oprah Winfrey is only the 135th richest person in Santa Barbara and it is a small town!
Your best bet is make a trip down to San Diego and drive through all of the above mentioned towns. You can get there in one day, but I would plan to stay a day in each area to really get a feel for the town.
I live in Irvine…it’s awesome for running/biking. However, it’s the most boring city in America. If you’re single and want a life, pick something like San Diego. I agree that Santa Barbara, etc. would be better if you want green. Ideally, I’d recommend something NoCal, Portland, Seattle if you want a balance of green, social scene, and training. Don’t rule out Colorado and other western locales too.
In 1991, I swore I would never live in Irvine because it was so boring and sterile. In 1992, I begrudgingly shared an apartment with a friend and that lasted for 6 years, leading to me buying a place here. 22 years and counting. Yes, it is boring but it is generally close to everywhere I want to go.
If you can compromise on you desire for green, I think the San Diego burbs are a good choice. Big Tri community, great places to swim, bike, run. Good nightlife, etc.
I guess if you enjoy an overcrowded city, full of inland empire trash, and “Bro’s” headed your way all summer. Huntington is the tourist trap of the beach towns. “Surf City, Brah.”
I’m with you. I would definitely not choose HB. It’s at least 10 miles from any really good riding (unless traffic lights are your thing). And the Bro culture is not my idea of “nightlife”. I’m sure it appeals to some but the thread is not over because of HB.
Great thanks for the information. For those who recommended Nocal, to be honest it seems too cold for me. I like the heat - the hotter the better. Florida would be a choice, but the lack of hills and great cycling make me less interested. And, like I said I do like the greenery (or, at least some of it). Part of me would like to go a little East of either San Diego or LA for the fact that it is going to be warmer. But, I would imagine it would be more desert like and less nightlife. Maybe I should rephrase the question a little bit, out of all the towns listed on the post is there any place you would not go too?
Technically it is San Marcos, but it just on the outskirts of Carlsbad. Very nice younger area, with trails and one of the most popular north county bike routes out your door.
The new Alga Norte Community center also puts a 50m pool 5 miles away.
10 miles to the coast with easy access to east county long ride routes. Plus we don’t get the Marine layer up there.
You won’t get the night life up here, but it’s a short drive to all of the North County spots, and isn’t quite as crowded.
I live in Huntington Beach and I do like it but it does have it’s down side as some pointed out.
I’ve always liked south OC and north SD county.
I agree with Mike
San Clemente is a good suggestion. Great training opportunities, plus some good mountain biking and trail running near by. It will be a bit more expensive than San Diego though.
Anywhere in north county San Diego would be a good choice (Encinitas, Carlsbad, Solana Beach, Del Mar etc…). There is a reason that so many pro triathlete have settled there. I would avoid San Diego city proper. Too crowded and hard to get away to good cycling. It is workable, and I have done it, but it is not ideal.
I just moved here less than a month ago and my initial selection was wrong. Aliso Viejo will be off my list when my 6 month lease expires. It’s too hilly for daily enjoyable runs and the traffic speed is scary for bicycling.
San Clemente looks interesting and it’s still a reasonable drive to work. That’s what I get for listening to company management for living selections instead of my ST connections
I just moved here less than a month ago and my initial selection was wrong. Aliso Viejo will be off my list when my 6 month lease expires. It’s too hilly for daily enjoyable runs and the traffic speed is scary for bicycling.
It’s going to be tough for you to get away from the traffic speeds in SoCal. I ride in Santiago Canyon and down to Aliso Viego 1x a week…the cars scare me too but I love the hills.
Part of me would like to go a little East of either San Diego or LA for the fact that it is going to be warmer.
It will be warmer in summer… not winter. But the air pollution moves inland (and it can be very bad), so you definitely want to be near the coast.
Also, S CA can get a lot of rain some winters.
Frankly I think you should find a winter and a summer place if possible, since it sounds like you are flexible. Somewhere around Phoenix would be good in winter, and in summer there are many good options that are warm, green, and dry. Farther north along the west coast would probably be ideal in summer.
