SD Realtor, a lot of communities have their own elementary system. Cardiff where I live is actually separate from Encinitas. Solana Beach I believe is separate from Del Mar for instance. Not sure about RSF. In any case, you have slight differences among LCC and Torrey Pines, but I can’t imagine a few API points here or there tipping the balance that much.

For my money I’d take a nice home in Encinitas over a condo in Carmel Valley, all things being equal. However some people really want to get in TP High School. Depending where you are in CV, everything you do might be more convenient and walkable compared to Encinitas. However much of the growth in CV is in the outlying areas.

LCC and TP aren’t perfect. Nice schools yes, but quite huge, and I would think they totally cater to the achievers, but the middle of the road kids who aren’t that smart or athletic, are probably easily overlooked. Santa Fe Christian, and Cathedral Catholic are also growing in Coastal North County.