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Clairemont (or Clairemont Mesa) is a community within the city of
San Diego San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United States ...
, California, United States. It has a population of about 81,600 residents and an area of roughly . Clairemont Mesa is bordered by
Interstate 805 Interstate 805 (I-805) is a major north–south auxiliary Interstate Highway in Southern California. It is a bypass auxiliary route of I-5, running roughly through the center of the Greater San Diego region from San Ysidro (part of the ...
on the east,
Interstate 5 Interstate 5 (I-5) is the main north–south Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific coast of the contiguous U.S. from Mexico to Canada. It travels through the states of Californi ...
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, Clairemont Mesa East, Clairemont Mesa West, Bay Park, and Bay Ho.


History

Prior to in-migration by Europeans, the area was populated by the
Kumeyaay The Kumeyaay, also known as Tipai-Ipai or by their historical Spanish name Diegueño, is a tribe of Indigenous peoples of the Americas who live at the northern border of Baja California in Mexico and the southern border of California in the Unit ...
people. The Spanish arrived in 1542 and founded Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá nearby in 1769. Judge Hyde was one of the first settlers of Clairemont and began farming in Tecolote Canyon in 1872. Farming and ranching continued in the area until World War II.City of San Diego Website - Parks and Recreation Department
/ref> In 1887 the Morena Subdivision was mapped. The 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 north of Gesner Street. 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. 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 or larger lots for single-family homes. In 1939 Bay Park Elementary School was constructed at 2433 Denver Street. In 1950, Carlos Tavares and Lou Burgener developed what became San Diego's largest post-war subdivision. Originally dubbed "The Village Within a City", Third article in a series. people started living in this new Clairemont subdivision in May 1951. 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). 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. 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". It is also noted that Clairemont was the largest development of its kind in the country. Within a few years, several thousand houses had been constructed, including single family homes,
duplexes A duplex house plan has two living units attached to each other, either next to each other as townhouses, condominiums or above each other like apartments. By contrast, a building comprising two attached units on two distinct properties is ...
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. 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.


Geography

Clairemont's main geographical characteristics appear as a terrain of sandstone coastal mesas with canyons eroded by seasonal streams that support riparian woodlands. The predominant topographical features are the gently rolling mesas which are separated by canyons. These mesas are where most of the development is confined. The main canyon system was given the name Tecolote, by Spanish speaking persons after the native owl that lives in this canyon.
Tecolote Canyon Natural Park
is a protected part the City of San Diego's large parks system. Tecolote Canyon runs north-south through the center of this community, with branches to the northeast. Tecolote Creek, a seasonal stream, runs through the canyon. San Clemente Canyon runs east-west, bordering the community on the north side. Trails extend through both canyons for hiking or mountain biking. The geology in Clairemont is primarily sedimentary. The native vegetation is primarily
chaparral Chaparral ( ) is a shrubland plant community and geographical feature found primarily in the U.S. state of California, in southern Oregon, and in the northern portion of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. It is shaped by a Mediterranea ...
. Trees include
Coast Live Oak ''Quercus agrifolia'', the California live oak, or coast live oak, is a highly variable, often evergreen oak tree, a type of live oak, native to the California Floristic Province. It may be shrubby, depending on age and growing location, but is ...
, California sycamore, and formerly Engelmann Oak. Wildlife in the canyons includes
coyote The coyote (''Canis latrans'') is a species of canine native to North America. It is smaller than its close relative, the wolf, and slightly smaller than the closely related eastern wolf and red wolf. It fills much of the same ecological nich ...
s, 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

City of San Diego Parks in and around Clairemont Mesa- '
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 and is approximately long. There are multiple entrances to park throughout the community; some of these entrances provide public parking and bathroom facilities.City of San Diego Website - Clairemont Community Plan
/ref> 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 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. North Clairemont Community Park - Located at 4421 Bannock Avenue in North Clairemont. This 14.5 acre park has Basketball courts, Multi-purpose sports fields, playgrounds, and a tennis court. MacDowell Neighborhood Park - Located at 5173 Arvinels Avenue in North Clairemont, just north of Innovation Middle School which was previously known as MacDowell School. This 3.14 acre park features wide lawns with shade trees and a playground. A walk/bike path begins in park and runs south to Clairemont Mesa Blvd west of I-805. Rough trails also lead north into San Clemente Canyon and the Marion Bear Memorial Park trail system. Gershwin Neighborhood Park - Located at 3508 Conrad Avenue in North Clairemont. This 5.39 acre park features basketball courts, a playground, comfort station, and a tennis court. Cadman Community Park - Located at 4280 Avati Drive in Clairemont, this 8.36 acre park has baseball, basketball, tennis and a tot lot. Olive Grove Park - Olive Grove Park is located at 5951 Printwood Way in the Clairemont Mesa East neighborhood. It was built on the site of an olive farm that was one of the area's previous uses before re-development as a residential suburb beginning in the 1950s. Mount Etna Neighborhood Park - Located at 4741 Mt. Etna Drive in Clairemont Mesa. A 7.32 acre park with three baseball fields, a playground, and a comfort station. Western Hills Neighborhood Park - Located at 4810 Kane Street in the Bay Park neighborhood of Clairemont. This 12.82 acre park has basketball courts, a playground, and a scenic canyon location. Mount Acadia Neighborhood Park - Located at 3865 Mt. Acadia Boulevard in Clairemont Mesa. This 9.13 acre park has two softball fields, a playground, a tot lot, and a comfort station. East Clairemont Athletic Area - Located at 3451 Mt. Acadia Boulevard in Clairemont Mesa. This 9.13 acre sports park has three softball fields, a baseball field, a playground, and a comfort station. Tecolote Golf Course - This 18-hole 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. YMCA's Krause Family Skate & Bike Park - This destination park is affiliated with the Mission Valley YMCA but is located in the San Diego community of Clairemont Mesa at 3401 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117. Skateboards, bikes, scooters, and inline skates are allowed. The large facility includes beginner, intermediate and advanced skate and BMX courses, a street area, mini ramps, a concrete pool, and the former Dew Tour vert ramp. In addition, the park houses the world's first and only Skatercross track, completed in 2016. The park is open to visitors with paid daily or monthly passes. As of summer 2017, the park was undergoing renovations; with old ramps being torn down and replaced in anticipation of the 2017 Clash at Clairemont, an event sponsored by professional skater Andy Macdonald.


Education

San Diego Mesa College 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.
San Diego Unified School District San Diego Unified School District (formerly known as San Diego City Schools) is the school district based in San Diego, California, United States. It was founded in 1854. As of 2005 it represents over 200 institutions and has over 15,800 employee ...
operates public schools in the Clairemont neighborhood. Elementary and middle schools * Alcott Elementary * Bay Park Elementary * Cadman Elementary * The Child's Primary School * CPMA Middle School (Creative Performing Media Arts) * Field Elementary * Hawthorne Elementary * Holmes Elementary * Innovation Middle School * LaFayette Elementary * Lindbergh/Schweitzer Elementary School * Maria Montessori Schools * Marston Jr. High * Ross Elementary * Sequoia Elementary * Toler * Whitman Elementary Special education * Longfellow Magnet * Muir Alternative * Riley Alternative School * Schweitzer * Wiggen Senior high schools *
Clairemont High School Clairemont High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12. It is located in the community of Clairemont Mesa, San Diego, California, United States. It is part of the San Diego Unified School District. The campus is situated close to the ...
* James Madison High School College *
San Diego Mesa College San Diego Mesa College (Mesa College or Mesa) is a public community college in Clairemont Mesa in San Diego, California. It is part of the California Community Colleges and the San Diego Community College District. It is the largest communi ...
Supplementary education * In 2015 the Minato School, a weekend Japanese school, began using Madison High to hold classes.


Notable residents

*
John P. Dolan John Patrick Dolan (born June 8, 1962) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as bishop in the Diocese of Phoenix since August 2022. Early life and career Dolan was born June 8, 1962, in San Diego to Catherine and Gerald ...
, Catholic prelate *
Adam Gnade Adam Gnade ( ) is a San Diego, California-born American musician and author currently living on a farm in rural Kansas. In his bio he defines his music as "talking-songs", which he describes as mixing the spoken vocals of talking blues songs w ...
, novelist *
Mark Hamill Mark Richard Hamill (; born September 25, 1951) is an American actor and writer. He is known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the '' Star Wars'' film series, beginning with the original 1977 film and subsequently winning three Saturn Awards ...
, actor, played Luke Skywalker in ''Star Wars'' films *
Ken Henderson Kenneth Joseph Henderson (born June 15, 1946) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from through for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, ...
, former Major League Baseball player 1965-1980 *
Major Garrett Major Elliott Garrett (born August 24, 1962) is an American journalist who is chief Washington correspondent for CBS News. Garrett is the host of ''The Takeout'' podcast and was a correspondent for ''National Journal''. Prior to joining ''Nation ...
, journalist *
Kris Jenner Kristen Mary Jenner ( Houghton , formerly Kardashian; born November 5, 1955) is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman. She rose to fame starring in the reality television series ''Keeping Up with the Kardashians'' (2007� ...
, television personality, star of reality TV show ''
Keeping Up With The Kardashians ''Keeping Up with the Kardashians'' (often abbreviated ''KUWTK'') is an American reality television series which focused on the personal and professional lives of the Kardashian–Jenner blended family, airing between 2007 and 2021. Its prem ...
'' * Kevin Mitchell, baseball player and 1989 National League MVP,
San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yo ...
* Shawn Nelson, U.S. Army veteran and plumber who stole a tank and drove it around Clairemont * Cleophus Prince Jr., the "Clairemont Killer" * Nawaf al-Hazmi, alleged 9/11 hijacker *
Kendra Wilkinson Kendra Leigh Wilkinson (formerly Baskett; born June 12, 1985) is an American television personality and model. She is known for being one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends and for her role on the E! reality television series ''The Girls Next Door'', ...
, model and television personality * Luís Alberto Urrea, writer and poet *
Pete Wilson Peter Barton Wilson (born August 23, 1933) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 36th governor of California from 1991 to 1999. A member of the Republican Party, he also served as a United States senator from California betw ...
, former mayor of San Diego and governor of California * Todd Gloria, politician, Mayor of San Diego, California *


References


External links


Clairemont Community NewsCity of San Diego website - Clairemont Mesa community profile
{{Coord, 32, 49, 13.66, N, 117, 11, 24.48, W, type:city_region:US_dim:7200, display=title Neighborhoods in San Diego Populated places established in 1950 1950 establishments in California