I used to work in this district before they opened Canyon Crest. Back then a lot of people wanted their kids to go to San Dieguito Academy because it was a smaller school. If I remember correctly, SDA had less than 2000 kids (maybe 1500?) at a time when Torrey Pines had more than 3000.
People want to attend Canyon Crest in large part because of their performing arts program.
However, many athletes choose to stay at Torrey or La Costa Canyon because they have much more competitive athletic teams. SDA and CCA play in smaller divisions and don’t have football teams.