Clairemont, San Diego

Not to be confused with Claremont, California, the incorporated city in eastern Los Angeles County.
Clairemont, San Diego
Community of San Diego
Clairemont Mesa
Coordinates: 32°49′14″N 117°11′24″W / 32.820461°N 117.190133°W / 32.820461; -117.190133
Country  United States of America
State  California
County San Diego
City San Diego
ZIP Code 92117, 92110, 92111
Area code(s) 858
Website sandiego.gov/clairemontmesa

Clairemont (or Clairemont Mesa) is a community within the city of San Diego which has a population of about 81,600 residents and an area of roughly 13.3 square miles. Clairemont Mesa is bordered by Interstate 805 on the east, Interstate 5 to the west, State Route 52 to the north, and the community of Linda Vista to the south. The community of Clairemont Mesa can be subdivided into the neighborhoods of North Clairemont, Bay Ho, Clairemont Mesa East, Clairemont Mesa West, and Bay Park. [1] [2]

Etymology

Developers Lou Burgener and Carlos Tavares named their community Clairemont after Tavares' wife, Claire.[3]

History

Clairemont Development in the 1950s (courtesy of San Diego Historical Society)
Image that graphically depicts the boundaries of the community (courtesy of City of San Diego Planning Department)

The Kumeyaay Indians came to the canyon area within Clairemont centuries ago in search of food and shelter. It was given the name Tecolote (meaning owl), after this native bird that lives in this canyon. Judge Hyde was one of the first settlers of Clairemont and began farming in Tecolote Canyon back in 1872. Farming and ranching continued in the area until World War II.[4]

In 1887 the Morena Subdivision was mapped. The 1,200 acre subdivision was bounded by streets that are known today as Morena Boulevard on the west, Milton Street on the south, Illion Street on the east, and on the north by an east-west line approximately 1,000 feet north of Gesner Street.[5]

In 1887 a train depot was constructed in the vicinity of Kane Street and Morena Boulevard to accommodate potential buyers in the Morena Subdivision. It was torn down in the early 1920s.[5]

In 1936 the Bay Park Village Subdivision was approved by the City Council. This project, located immediately south of Morena Subdivision and south of Milton Street featured 60 x 100 feet or larger lots for single-family homes. [5]

In 1939 Bay Park Elementary School was constructed at 2433 Denver Street. [5]

In 1950, Carlos Tavares and Lou Burgener developed what became San Diego's largest post-war subdivision. Originally dubbed "The Village Within a City",[6] people started living in this new Clairemont subdivision in May 1951.[7] The design of this new subdivision represented a new concept in community living because it did not incorporate the traditional grid system of uniform blocks and streets. Instead, winding streets and scenic view lots took advantage of the canyons and bluffs overlooking Mission Bay. The first homes, built by Burgener and Tavares Construction Company, had highly customized floor plans.

The developers assembled the necessary acreage to develop Clairemont from three primary land holdings: the Peavey Cattle Ranch, Mission Bay Heights (owned by the Hazard Family), and Tecolote Heights (owned by Jack & Dan Danciger).[6] Before any homes were built in the new development, Tavares & Burgener invested $125,000 in off-street improvements including sewers, water, and access roads; this was necessary because the proposed development was not adjacent to any developed areas.[6] The original subdivision map that used the name “Clairemont” for the first time was approved and recorded by the County of San Diego on October 16, 1950. The map was named "Clairemont Unit #1, Map #2725". This is the area in Clairemont that includes Deerpark Drive, Burgener Boulevard, and Grandview Street from Field Street to Jellett Street. According to Burgener, "Between 1952 & 1954, seven homes were constructed a day".[6] It is also noted that Clairemont was the largest development of its kind in the country.[6]

Within a few years, several thousand houses had been constructed, including single family homes, duplexes and apartments. Since Clairemont was somewhat removed from the city proper, commercial business and retail shopping, schools, libraries and other city amenities were designed into the overall plan. Although the concept of suburban living is commonplace today, this approach was considered novel. Tavares' vision for Clairemont had far-reaching implications for San Diego, as it stretched the city limits outward and began the now familiar pattern of migration from city to suburb.[8]

Marian Bear Memorial Park (aka San Clemente Canyon) and Tecolote Canyon Natural Park were officially designated as parks by the City of San Diego in the 1960s and 1970s.[6] [9]

Geography

View looking west from Clairemont Drive

Clairemont's main geographical characteristics include mesas, canyons and streams. The predominant topographical features are the gently rolling mesas which are separated by canyons. These mesas are where most of the development is confined. Tecolote Canyon runs north-south through the center of this community. San Clemente Canyon runs east-west, bordering the community on the north side. A stream runs through Tecolote Canyon. Trails extend through the bottom of the canyons for hiking or mountain biking.[10] The soil in Clairemont is primarily clay based.

The native vegetation primarily includes short brush and cactus. Wildlife in the canyons includes coyotes, rabbits, feral parrots, and owls (from which Tecolote Canyon takes its name).

Many neighborhoods have views of Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean on the west, and Fortuna Mountain and Cowles Mountain to the east. Neighborhoods along Tecolote Canyon have views of this preserved open space canyon system.

Attractions and activities

There are many public entrances into the Tecolote Canyon Natural Park. This image shows an entrance off of Genesee Ave.

Tecolote Canyon Natural Park - Tecolote Canyon runs through the community of Clairemont Mesa and was dedicated by the City of San Diego as Tecolote Canyon Natural Park in 1977. This park is about 903 acres and is approximately six miles long. There are multiple entrances to park throughout the community; some of these entrances provide public parking and bathroom facilities. [11]

Marian Bear Memorial Park - Also known as San Clemente Canyon, it was officially renamed to Marian Bear Memorial Park by the City of San Diego in 1960. Marian Park is roughly 467 acres and runs parallel to the south side of the 52 freeway. The main entrances to the park are off of Regents Road and Genesee Avenue. Both of these entrances provide public parking, restrooms and picnic benches. [12] [13]

Krause Family Skate/Bike Park

Tecolote Golf Course - This 18-hole 3,161-yard golf course located within Tecolote Canyon. A natural creek-bed runs through the golf course, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Sam Snead. [14]

Krause Family Skate/Bike Park - This park is affiliated with the Mission Valley YMCA but is located in the San Diego community of Clairemont Mesa at 3401 Clairemont Drive. Skateboarding, in-line skating, scooters and bikes are allowed in this park. The facility includes a beginner course, intermediate course, advanced BMX course, concrete pool, mini-ramp, and X-Games vert ramp. The park is only open to visitors with paid daily or monthly passes. [15]

Notable residents

Education

Public educational facilities in Clairemont consist of twelve elementary schools, two middle schools, two senior high schools and a community college. Five schools with specialized educational programs are also located in Clairemont. [22] San Diego Unified School District operates public schools in the Clairemont neighborhood.

Elementary and middle schools

Special education

Senior high schools

College

References

  1. ↑ City of San Diego Website - Planning Department
  2. ↑ City of San Diego Website - Clairemont Community Plan-Community Profile
  3. ↑ Kramer, Ken. "About San Diego". KPBS-TV.
  4. ↑ City of San Diego Website - Parks and Recreation Department
  5. 1 2 3 4 Warner, Helga (1997). Clairemont’s Bay Park 1887-1991. University of San Diego Masters Thesis.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brown, Christine (November 2, 1977). "Lou Burgener's Story: Clairemont's future hung on a coin flip". The Sentinel. Third article in a series.
  7. ↑ Stone, Joe (December 8, 1969). "Climate, View Bless Clairemont". San Diego Union-Tribune.
  8. ↑ Journal of San Diego History
  9. ↑ City of San Diego Website - Parks and Recreation Department
  10. ↑ SD webpage-Parks and Rec Dept
  11. ↑ City of San Diego Website - Clairemont Community Plan
  12. ↑ City of San Diego Website - Clairemont Community Plan
  13. ↑ City of San Diego Website - Parks and Recreation Department
  14. ↑ Tecolote Canyon Golf Course Webpage
  15. ↑ Skate park Webpage
  16. ↑ Ken Henderson
  17. ↑ San Diego Union Tribune, July 12, 2011
  18. ↑ Huff Post, July 16, 2013
  19. ↑ Kevin Mitchell
  20. ↑ Lodi News-Sentinel
  21. ↑ http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/people/sdut-tank-rampage-story-symbol-2015may16-htmlstory.html
  22. ↑ City of San Diego Website - Clairemont Community Plan - Educational Services
  23. ↑ Bay Park Elementary Webpage
  24. ↑ Cadman Elementary
  25. ↑ The Child's Primary School K-8
  26. ↑ CPMA Middle School webpage
  27. ↑ Field Elementary
  28. ↑ Hawthorne Elementary
  29. ↑ Holmes Elementary Webpage
  30. ↑ Innovation Middle School
  31. ↑ LaFayette Elementary webpage
  32. ↑ Lindbergh/Schweitzer Elementary School
  33. ↑ Maria Montessori School K-8
  34. ↑ Ross Elementary webpage
  35. ↑ Sequoia Elementary webpage
  36. ↑ Toler elementary webpage
  37. ↑ Whitman Elementary webpage
  38. ↑ Longfellow webpage
  39. ↑ Riley Webpage

External links

Coordinates: 32°49′13.66″N 117°11′24.48″W / 32.8204611°N 117.1901333°W / 32.8204611; -117.1901333

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