Bay Park - San Diego, CA

Although the Bay Park area, along with nearby Linda Vista, was first settled in the 1880s, a flood in 1916 wiped out much of the area. Redevelopment began in earnest in the late 1940s when state-owned tidelands were cleared to create what is now Mission Bay. The bay and its various islands are almost completely man made with 75 percent of the area devoted to recreational use. Bay Park's proximity to Mission Bay helps make it a desirable community.

While Bay Park doesn't contain any museums, Balboa Park to the south provides a treasure trove of museums for art and history lovers. The Greater San Diego Chamber Orchestra makes its home in nearby Linda Vista. While the quiet, residential nature of Bay Park doesn't allow for much in the way of festivals, check out the Taste of Morena festival in May to sample many of the local restaurants.

While many residents of Bay Park head to Pacific Beach, downtown or Mission Bay for an evening out. If you prefer to stick close to home, you can still find plenty of bars, gastropubs, plus a few restaurants in the Bay Park neighborhood with most of them right next to Mission Bay.

Luce Bar & Kitchen combines the feel of an old-school tavern with the airy vibe and great cuisine of a modern gastropub. Head here when you want to watch the game on a big-screen TV and add amazing food to the experience. Locals rave about the lamb or carnitas tacos, margarita pizza and pulled pork sandwich. Ask the bartender to make you a special cocktail, maybe a grapefruit mimosa, and don't forget to save room for the gelato ice cream sandwich.

Dan Diegos Euro Cafe and Pub seems like any other bar when you walk in, but the food goes far beyond the ambiance. The eclectic menu features German and Italian foods, and you can choose from ultra-spicy chicken wings, smoked salmon or the rich and amazing Euro grilled cheese among many other options. With 150 beers available, you can find a new favorite, and don't forget to order the famous bread pudding.

When you have something to celebrate, Acqua at the San Diego Hilton provides both cutting-edge food and a tranquilly beautiful view. Ask for a table overlooking the bay and the boardwalk to enjoy a stunning San Diego sunset. Whether you choose seared scallops, swordfish, tuna tartare or venison, Acqua makes it an evening to remember.

Locals head to the High Dive Bar & Grill to experience the friendly atmosphere and constantly changing draft beer menu. This upscale dive bar truly loves Chargers fans, and the fans return the love by showing up to cheer for home games during football season. If you're looking for some music or dancing, however, you'd be better off heading south toward Linda Vista or even the Gaslamp District or east to Mission Valley.

San Diego buses connect Bay Park to the downtown area as well as to Mission Bay and the beaches beyond. Most Bay Park residents, however, choose to drive their own cars to get where they need to go. While you can probably find street parking near your apartment, expect to pay for valet parking or a parking lot in some areas of Mission Bay.

While you may be able to get a cab from a local Mission Bay hotel, you should call one if you need a ride, or use the Uber or Lyft apps. Pick up Interstate 5, which runs right through Bay Park, to head downtown or north toward North County, Orange County or Los Angeles. While the neighborhood is fairly hilly for biking or walking, nearby Mission Bay Park and Tecolote Canyon provide bike paths and hiking trails for those seeking some recreation and exercise.

A large section of Mission Bay Park runs all along the western edge of Bay Park, providing residents with a place to go for a run, have a barbecue, go rollerblading or build a bonfire. A playground for the kids keep them happy, and they can play in the water with no worries about heavy surf. Although the park gets crowded on weekends, the free parking and easy access keep Bay Park locals coming back. Since Mission Bay Park wraps all the way around Mission Bay, just keep wandering until you find a spot you like.

Rent a boat, do a little water-skiing, go for a swim to get some exercise or just relax and watch everyone else enjoying themselves. Rules regarding dogs vary from one area of the park to another; leashes are required in some areas with no dogs are permitted in others, so check signs carefully if you have your four-legged friend with you.

In October, head to Tecolote Shores at the south end of Bay Park to participate in the San Diego Dragon Boat Festival, or watch and cheer the racers from shore.

The Bay Park area manages to combine exceptional livability with a cost of living that's about 7 percent lower than that of San Diego in general. You can grab a bus to downtown for only $2.25, but if you choose to drive, expect to pay about 10 percent more for gasoline than the national average.

One-bedroom apartments are rare in Bay Park, which runs more to single-family homes and larger condos, but if you can find one, expect to pay about $1,750 per month. Stopping for a beer in a pub along Mission Bay runs around $5 to $7 for a pint.

The Bay Park neighborhood features little in the way of shopping with most residents heading downtown or east to Mission Valley for their major shopping excursions. However, a few local shops provide opportunities for locals to run their errands a little closer to home.

Hunting enthusiasts can find knowledgeable, advice, and assistance at Discount Gun Mart. The establishment also provides an indoor shooting range with separate areas for rifles and pistols.

Bring home flowers by stopping in at Tessfresh and Tessilk Flowers. Located on Morena Boulevard, this shop can provide you with fresh bouquets or centerpieces for your apartment.

Most of the supermarkets frequented by Bay Park locals are a bit to the east, but the immediate neighborhood includes some specialty stores. Siesel's Old Fashioned Meats is an old-school butcher shop that sells meats ranging from dry-aged steaks to rabbit. K and L is a small, local, family-owned grocery store that carries all the basics and has an in-store deli to make you fresh sandwiches when you don't feel like cooking. Head to the Linda Vista Farmers Market or the when you want farm-fresh, local produce.