Del Cerro, San Diego: Homes for Sale & Neighborhood Guide
Quiet hillside streets above SDSU and Mission Valley, with canyon and mountain views, mid-century homes, and Lake Murray and Mission Trails close by.
Del Cerro is a quiet hillside neighborhood in San Diego’s 92120 ZIP, above SDSU and Mission Valley, known for canyon and mountain views and 1950s–70s ranch and mid-century homes. In September 2026 the 92120 median detached sale was $1,300,000 (GSDAR). Del Cerro has about 1,950 detached homes and 800 attached homes (U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024).
Boundary: approximate neighborhood outline by Jamile Storck and Jed Bratt. Map tiles © Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, NGA, EPA, USDA, NPS, © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Del Cerro Market · September 2026
ZIP 92120 · compared with August 2026 and September 2025
Source: Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® Local Market Updates for 92120 (Allied Gardens, Del Cerro): September 2026 (current as of Oct 5, 2026) and August 2026 (current as of Sept 5, 2026). Sept 2025 figures are as shown in the September 2026 report. All data from the San Diego MLS. Medians do not account for sale concessions. Small sample sizes can swing percentages.
Market trend
Median sales price, ZIP 92120, all property types. Source: SDMLS via InfoSparks, updated monthly.
Del Cerro Homes for Sale
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Living in Del Cerro
The vibe
Del Cerro means "of the hill," and the name fits. Winding residential streets climb above I-8, with many homes looking out toward Cowles Mountain, Mission Valley, and the canyons. Many houses date from the 1950s through the 1970s: ranch homes, split-levels, and some standout mid-century designs. It is quiet and almost entirely residential, yet SDSU, Mission Valley, and the freeway are minutes away.
Things to do
- Lake Murray: a paved shoreline path of about 3.2 miles each way to the dam gate, plus shore fishing and small-boat and kayak rentals
- Mission Trails Regional Park: more than 8,000 acres and about 60 miles of trails
- Cowles Mountain: at about 1,593 feet, the highest point in the City of San Diego
- SDSU events and Snapdragon Stadium nearby, plus Mission Valley shopping
- Allied Gardens/Benjamin Library on Zion Avenue
Schools
Hearst Elementary
Grades K-5
Lewis Middle
Grades 6-8
Patrick Henry High
Grades 9-12
Ratings out of 10: ELA and math = % of students meeting or exceeding the 2025 CAASPP standard, divided by 10; overall = average of the two. Source: California Dept. of Education (caaspp-elpac.ets.org). School assignment changes, so confirm with the district before you buy.
Getting around
I-8 runs along the south edge, with College Avenue and Waring Road as the main on-ramps. The SDSU Transit Center trolley stop on the Green Line is just across the freeway on campus. Most residents drive, and SDSU game days and the school year can add traffic on College Avenue.
Neighborhood Insight
Many lots are on slopes, so expect stairs, retaining walls, and drainage to check during inspections. Canyon-edge streets can fall inside the City's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which affects building standards, brush clearance, disclosures, and home insurance. In June 2018 a 38-acre brush fire near Adobe Falls Road led to about 80 home evacuations; no homes were damaged. Check the exact address on the City's fire hazard map and get insurance quotes early.
Del Cerro Neighborhood Tour
An overview of Del Cerro from Jed Bratt on The Real Estate Jedi channel.
Around Del Cerro
Del Cerro FAQ
What is the median home price in Del Cerro?
In September 2026 the median sale in ZIP 92120 was $1,300,000 for detached homes and $550,000 for condos and townhomes, per GSDAR. The ZIP also includes Allied Gardens and part of Grantville, and monthly samples are small, so the year-to-date medians through Sept 2026 ($1,175,000 and $499,500) are steadier.
Who can help me buy or sell a home in Del Cerro?
Jamile Storck and Jed Bratt bring 17+ years of hands-on experience and 200+ personal transactions, and have helped hundreds of happy clients. They have bought, sold, renovated and relocated themselves using VA, FHA and investor loans. Text Jamile or Jed, or book a call.
What types of homes are in Del Cerro?
Many houses date from the 1950s through the 1970s: ranch homes, split-levels, and some standout mid-century designs, many with views toward Cowles Mountain, Mission Valley, and the canyons. Many lots are on slopes.
Which schools serve Del Cerro?
Del Cerro is in San Diego Unified. Many homes are served by Hearst Elementary, Lewis Middle, and Patrick Henry High, but assignments go by address. Confirm the assigned school for the exact address with SDUSD.
Is Del Cerro a good place to live?
It suits buyers who want a quiet, almost entirely residential hillside neighborhood with views, close to Lake Murray, Mission Trails Regional Park and Cowles Mountain, with SDSU, Mission Valley and I-8 minutes away. Trade-offs to weigh: sloped lots, fire-zone rules on canyon-edge streets, and SDSU game-day traffic on College Avenue.
What is there to do near Del Cerro?
Lake Murray has a paved shoreline path of about 3.2 miles each way, plus fishing and boat and kayak rentals. Mission Trails Regional Park has more than 8,000 acres and about 60 miles of trails, and Cowles Mountain, at about 1,593 feet, is the highest point in the City of San Diego.
Is Del Cerro in a fire zone?
Parts of it are. Canyon-edge streets can fall inside the City of San Diego's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which affects building rules, brush clearance, and insurance. Check the exact address on the City's map.
How is the commute from Del Cerro?
I-8 runs along the neighborhood's south edge, so Mission Valley and the freeways are close. The SDSU Transit Center on the Green Line trolley is just across the freeway.
How do I find out what my Del Cerro home is worth?
Use the free home value tool on this page for an instant home value estimate.
Neighborhoods Nearby
Twelve neighborhoods closest to Del Cerro, with Sept 2026 median sale prices by ZIP from GSDAR.
Your Realtors: Jamile Storck & Jed Bratt
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