Downtown San Diego Condo Frequently Asked Questions

Updated July 2026 by Mark Mills, Downtown San Diego Condo Expert

Looking for answers about buying, selling, or living in a Downtown San Diego condo? Below are answers to the questions I'm asked most often after selling Downtown condos for more than 24 years.  This page is in process and I will answer them over the next few weeks....

 

 

Buying Downtown San Diego Condos

• Which Downtown San Diego condo building has the best amenities?

  Answer: Pacific Gate offers the most extensive luxury amenities of any condominium building in Downtown San Diego.

  What makes Pacific Gate unique is that it offers amenities unavailable anywhere else downtown, including:

• Full-service concierge that can assist with restaurant reservations, event tickets, travel arrangements, and other personalized services.

• Three resident Mercedes-Benz vehicles available for owner use.

• A private (HOA owned) 50-foot yacht available for resident cruises.

• Which condo building has the lowest HOA fees in Downtown San Diego? 

• Answer: The Row Home style condos, such as The Kettner Row Homes or "Row Homes on F Street"

 

• Which luxury condo building in San Diego is the best?

• Answer: The best condo building is Pacific Gate.  Does not mean its the best fit for every buyer, reach out to me to discuss if its the right fit for you.  

 

• Which condo buildings have the best bay views in San Diego?

• Answer: The Metropolitan Condos, Harbor Club Condos, Pacific Gate Condos, Bayside Condos, Grande and The Mark.

 

• Which condo buildings allow short-term rentals in Downtown San Diego?

• Answer: None, no HOA allows rentals less than 30 days.  Some Row homes do not have HOA rules and you can do vacation rentals there.

 

• Which condo buildings allow Airbnb in Downtown San Diego?

• Answer: None, no HOA allows rentals less than 30 days.  Some Row homes do not have HOA rules and you can do vacation rentals there.

 

• Which condo buildings allow pets in San Diego?

• Answer: Every condo building allows pets, its most common to see a limit of 2 with no breed restrictions.  Some buildings like CityFront Terrace only allow one dog and tenants can not have a dog.  
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• Which condo buildings have EV charging?

• Answer: Almost every building allows you to install an EV charger at your parking space at your own expense.  A few buildings have a common share charger you may use, such buildings include Pacific Gate and ICON.

 

• Which buildings have guest suites in Downtown San Diego?

• Answer: The Grande, Pacific Gate, Symphony Terrace, The Park (2), Meridian (5) and The Pinnacle.
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• Which buildings have concierge service in San Diego?

• Answer: Pacific Gate has the only true concierge like you would find in a luxury hotel.  That person will make you dinner reservations, get tickets to shows, book catering for your cruise on the yacht, etc.  

 

• Which buildings have 24-hour security?

• Answer:  Too many to list, but a good general rule is high rises have 24/7 staffed security and mid rises do not.  Three high rises that do not have 24/7 staffed lobbies are, Alta, Aria and La Vita.

 

• Which buildings have the largest floor plans in downtown San Diego?
• Answer:  Park Laurel condos have the largest floor plans, starting at 2,625sf, next up is 3,228, and the townhomes and penthouses are even larger.  Also the Renaissance condo have a few floor plans about 4,500sf in two story penthouse and sub penthouse residences.

 

• Which buildings have private elevators in San Diego?

• Answer: Park Laurel condos and Park One condos both have elevators that open directly into your residence.  The Park has a few units with private elevators.  

 

• Which condo buildings have fireplaces in downtown San Diego?

• Answer: Im limiting my answer to just gas fireplaces, those are Grande South (1199 Pacific), CityFront Terrace and Park Place condos, Discovery Condos, Horizons Condos and Park Laurel condos.  
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• Which buildings have pools in Downtown San Diego?

• Answer: In general, every high rise has a pool, except ICON.  All but two mid rise condos do not have pools, the two that do are Gaslamp City Square condos and the Palermo Condos.  

 

• Which buildings have the best gyms in San Diego?

• Answer: The two best gyms in downtown are located at the Savina and CityFront Terrace condos.  Third place is a long way away from these two buildings.  

 

• Which buildings have pickleball nearby in Downtown San Diego?

• Answer: Condos in Little Italy (ie Breeza) and North Columbia neighborhood (ie Bayside) are close to the city pickelball courts at the County Administration building, aka Waterfront Park.  

 

• Which buildings are the quietest in Downtown San Diego?

• Answer: The Meridian is one of the quietest condos because its not too close to the train, airport or freeways.  Also there is 3 feet of air space between floors.

• Which condo buildings have the best resale value in San Diego?

• Answer: Pacific Gate and Savina, as both are the two newest condos with great amenities, 3rd newest is about 10 years older than these two.

 

• Which condo buildings are best for retirees in San Diego?

• Answer: Since you can retire at any age I think its safe from housing steering to answer this one.  Retired people often enjoy buildings with the most and best onsite amenities.  The Pacific Gate condos come to mind first because they have a concierge to assist you in getting tickets to local shows as well as hard to get dinner reservations, etc.  Plus having three Mercedes cars in the garage for resident usage and a yacht to take out on the bay really gives a boost in lifestyle thats hard to find in other buildings.  Most of the buildings on my top condo 10 list will have a lot of social clubs and activities among the residents to make new friends in the same building.  

 

• Which buildings are best for second-home buyers?

• Answer: A luxury high rise with 24/7 staffing and luxurious amenities appeal to part time residents because of the security of lock and go lifestyle as well as indulging in the onsite amenities when your in town.  Two of my favorites would be Pacific Gate condos and The Metropolitan condos as both have restaurants on the ground floor for super easy dining access.  

 

• What is the best condo building in downtown San Diego for dogs?

• Answer: Pacific Gate Condominiums, as they have a 2nd floor pet retreat and a big grass area right outside the lobby.  
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Selling a Downtown Condo

• Is now a good time to sell my Downtown San Diego condo?

• Answer: The best time to sell a condo in San Diego is the Spring. Thats when the two big cities (Scottsdale & Palm Springs) with second home buyers come to shop before it gets too hot there.  Another good time is December as a lot of condo shoppers have time off of work and come to visit.  I have always found August to be the slowest month of sales.  
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• How much is my condo worth?
• Answer:  There are a lot of variables and even micro variables when determining the market value.  Best to consult with a Realtor that lives and works downtown and knows the buildings, competition, if the views at risk, etc.  I think you can easily be mislead by Zillow and other automated valuation models, mainly because they dont know the floor plan or view a condo has, which can impact the value tremendously.  They tend to under price the bay view condo and over price the city view condos because they average them out just based on the street address.  
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• Which improvements increase condo value?

• Answer:  New countertops in the kitchen and baths help values a lot.  Second would be making a nice walk in shower, followed by new flooring if the old flooring is dated and try to get same floors in living room and bedrooms.  
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• Should I stage my condo?
• Answer: Yes, your condo will sell faster with furniture in it.  Everyone buys on emotion, and hard to get excited about a vacant condo. Based on my 25 years of touring buyers around.  I have seen buyers that take a long time to buy, look and pass over a vacant condo that may need painting and new floors, then many months later we see it again and they really like it as the flipper, painted it and staged it.  Then the light bulb goes off, O this was the deal I was looking for a little touch up and make it a lot better.  But they did not have the vision to see the possibilities.  
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• Should I sell furnished?

• Answer: Yes if you can, as a lot of condos here in downtown San Diego are second homes and if you sell with furniture buyers can use right away and they like that, makes the property more attractive to them.  
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• How do I prepare my condo for sale?

• Answer: Clean, clean, clean and de-clutter, "less is more".  You might consider having your countertops polished, re-grout bathrooms, paint neutral if needed.
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• What repairs should I make before selling?
• Answer:  As many as you can, no one wants to buy a residence with non working appliances, faucets, etc.  
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• How do I choose the best Realtor?
• Answer: Real Estate is HYPER LOCAL, often the closest living agent is the most knowledgeable about the area and can convince buyers what a great neighborhood or building it is to live in.  Also look for how that Realtor has presented previous listings online.  That is #1, online presentation as you need to get buyers interested as they scroll though the available inventory.   
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• What marketing sells condos the fastest?

• Answer:  A personal tour by the agent representing the property that can tell them the best things about the building, neighborhood and contrast with the competing homes.  Amazing photos always help. not just great photos but amazing photos that have been professionally edited!

HOA Questions

• What do HOA fees include?

• Answer: Building maintenance of common areas including the exterior, often include water, gas and trash as well as insurance on the structure.  Also staff to manage the building.  
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• Which buildings have the highest HOA dues in San Diego?

• Answer: Meridian, Metropolitan and Pacific Gate.

 

• Which have the lowest?
• Answer: Look for condo buildings that do not have any on site staff or amenities.  These would include the few "Row Home" complexes and some of the very small condo buildings.  

 

• Why are HOA dues so expensive in downtown San Diego?
• Answer:  Utilities, insurance and staff (management, security, housekeeping) salaries have risen a lot lately, driving up the HOA fees.  
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• Can HOA dues increase?
• Answer: Yes they almost always go up each year, if not just by the local inflation rate, but also increases in utility rates, insurance rates and big unexpected repairs to the roof of common areas can cause the monthly rate to go up.
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• Are rentals restricted in downtown San Diego condos?
• Answer:  State law is no HOA can require a lease over 30 days, it was common to see 6 and 12 month numiums, but no longer.  I do not know of any HOA in downtown San Diego that allows vacation rentals under 30 days (aka AirB&B).

 

• Can I install hardwood flooring in a condo in San Diego?

• Answer: Yes I think every condo in downtown San Diego will allow wood floors in the living room some buildings have restrictions for the bedrooms that bedrooms can only have carpet.  

 

• Can I remodel a condo in downtown San Diego?

• Answer:  Yes you can remodel you San Diego condo, every HOA will require you to submit your remodeling plans to ensure your not going to say cut into a wall and cut a common water pipe, or make changes that will disturb your neighbors when completed.  Every time you change the flooring you need to show the HOA the type of under-layment your putting in and its sound attenuation rating.  

 

• Can I install EV charging?

• Answer: Most buildings allow it.  You the owner will have to pay to run the electric conduit from a common area of the garage to your space and buy your owner charger.  As of 2026 I would budget $10K for this.  There might be instances where after a few people have installed them the buildings electric capacity is maxed out and you will have to wait for the HOA and SDG&E to bring more electric capacity into the building from the street.

Luxury Condo Questions

• What is the most expensive condo building?

• Answer:  Pacific Gate is the most expensive condo building in downtown San Diego.  
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• What are the most exclusive condo buildings?

• Answer: The most exclusive condo building in downtown San Diego is The Metropolitan, there are less than 40 units in the complex, it sits on top of the Omni hotel, has its own lobby, staff and roof top pool.  
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• Which building has the best penthouses?

• Asnwer: The best penthoues in San Diego are at these condo buildings: Pacific Gate, The Pinnacle, Harbor Club and Sapphire Tower.  All of these penthouses take up the entire top floor.  Some have never resold since the building was brand new.  If I had to guess at the prices, would be. Pacific Gate $15 million, The Pinnacle $15 million, Harbor Club $5 million and Sapphire Tower $8 million. 

 

• Which buildings have valet parking?

• Answer: The Meridian and CityFront Terrace are the two buildings in downtown San Diego that has valet parking.
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• Which buildings have marina views?

• Answer: Many buildings have views of the Marina, some partial views.  The buildings with unobstructed views of the marina are: Harbor Club, Horizons and The Pinnacle.
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• Which buildings have yacht access?
• Which buildings have smart home technology?
• Which buildings have the largest balconies?

Pacific Gate Questions

• Is Pacific Gate worth the money?
• Why is Pacific Gate so expensive?
• What are HOA fees at Pacific Gate?
• Which floor plans are best?
• Which direction has the best views?
• Which stacks have the least afternoon sun?
• How many condos sell each year?
• Is Pacific Gate appreciating?
• How long do condos take to sell?
• Are there any upcoming listings?

Savina Questions

• Is Savina better than Pacific Gate?
• Is Savina built by Bosa?
• Which Savina floor plans are best?
• Does Savina allow pets?
• Is Savina a good investment?
• Which side has the best views?

Building Comparison Questions

• Pacific Gate vs Savina
• Pacific Gate vs Bayside
• Bayside vs Electra
• Pinnacle vs CityFront Terrace
• Renaissance vs Park Place
• Harbor Club vs CityFront Terrace
• Sapphire vs Electra
• Alta vs The Grande
• Savina vs The Grande North
• Pacific Gate vs The Grande

Neighborhood Questions

• Marina District vs Little Italy
• Columbia District vs Marina District
• East Village vs Columbia
• Best neighborhood for retirees
• Best neighborhood for walking
• Best neighborhood for restaurants
• Safest neighborhood downtown
• Best neighborhood for dogs
• Best neighborhood for nightlife
• Quietest neighborhood

Investment Questions

• Which buildings have appreciated the most?
• Which buildings cash flow best?
• Are Downtown condos appreciating?
• Is now a buyer's market?
• Is now a seller's market?
• Which buildings have the lowest vacancy?
• Which condos are easiest to rent?
• Should I buy before mortgage rates fall?
• Are luxury condos outperforming entry-level condos?

Lifestyle Questions

• Which buildings are closest to the waterfront?
• Which buildings are walkable?
• Which buildings are near Petco Park?
• Which buildings are near Seaport Village?
• Which buildings are near Little Italy?
• Which buildings have the best sunset views?
• Which buildings have rooftop decks?
• Which buildings are best for entertaining?
• Which buildings have the best concierge?
• Which buildings are best for dog owners?

These are especially valuable because they align with people searching for an agent:

• Who is the best Downtown San Diego condo Realtor?
• Who sells the most luxury condos downtown?
• How do I choose a Downtown San Diego condo specialist?
• Why hire a condo specialist instead of a general Realtor?
• What should I look for in a listing agent?
• How many condos has Mark Mills sold?
• Why work with a Realtor who lives downtown?
• Why hire a Pacific Gate resident to sell my condo?
• Who has sold the most condos in Pacific Gate?
• Who is the best Realtor for selling a condo in CityFront Terrace?
• Which Realtor knows Downtown San Diego condo buildings the best?