For those of us with kids, finding the perfect house isn’t only about number of bedrooms and the size of the home. It’s also about the neighborhood. From schools, parks and other perks, families need much more. Let’s take a look at some of the best neighborhoods for families in San Diego.

Carlsbad

Carlsbad is home to Legoland, beaches and museums. As of 2015, the city launched a new campaign that would improve infrastructures, making the city safe for cycling. The entire streetscape is to be changed to make room for biking as a mode of transportation. Schools are also involved in the biking program, with events being held at elementary schools.

Chula Vista

The school district of Chula Vista was the first to dive into the “Live Well San Diego” program. The plan is striving to incorporate nutrition information in schools, as well as farm-to-cafeteria programs, disaster preparedness and even safer routes to and from school. This school district has their own app that helps keep parents up-to-date.

City Heights

If your family enjoys being active, then City Heights just might be the neighborhood for you. Already the home to an impressive YMCA that features a 7,500-square-foot gymnasium, soccer field, two pools and more, City Heights recently added a half-acre skate park backed by the Tony Hawk Foundation.

Encinitas

Another neighborhood with an extraordinary YMCA, the Encinitas branch offers all types of lessons such as swimming, dance, martial arts, music and gymnastics. If you’d rather go outdoors, you can also find miles and miles of trails for biking or horseback riding. Coming soon to Encinitas will be a huge expansion of youth summer camps and other education programs.

Poway

Hailed as having one of the best school districts in San Diego County, Poway has 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools. It also has multiple parks and other open space areas to explore, and many homes are zones to house horses.

For house-hunting parents, it’s important to look beyond the aesthetics of a home. The neighborhood you settle in has to be perfect for your family too. Luckily, San Diego offers many neighborhoods that are family-friendly, making it a great city for any type of family.