Carmel Mountain Ranch, sometimes shortened to simply Carmel Mountain, such as on maps, or abbreviated to CMR by local residents and organizations, is a community of San Diego, California in the northeastern part of that city.

The community is bounded by the city of Poway to the east, and other communities of San Diego, Rancho Bernardo to north, Rancho Penasquitos to the west, and Sabre Springs to the south.Geography

Economy

Sears, Petco, and Best Buy are among the biggest retailers in this shopping center; however, there are dozens of others, and a directory can be viewed on the referenced website below. It is the largest in terms of area of the centers.

Retail

There are several shopping centers located adjacent to one another:

• Carmel Mountain Plaza
• Carmel Mountain Ranch Town Center
• Carmel Mountain Ranch Home Center
• Price Plaza

Commercial

The Carvin Corporation is headquartered near these centers, as well.

Transportation

Ralph’s grocery store, banks, and retail shops are located here, including aPinkberry, the only other one in the city aside from downtown.

Thoroughfares

The 15 runs along the western edge of Carmel Mountain, and a noticeable stone marker, complete with sign and flags, is visible from the northbound lanes to act as a gateway immediately before the Carmel Mountain Road exit, which is the primary road serving the community. The eastern terminus of the 56 becomes Ted Williams Parkway as it enters the community; however, it retains its freeway characteristics until it crosses Rancho Carmel Drive.

Public

There are local bus routes While Carmel Mountain does not share in the name, the Sabre Springs / Penasquitos Transit Station, which provides direct access to the managed express lanes on the 15, is located adjacent to the community.

Community events

Costco Wholesale is the main anchor here; however, there are other, smaller stores, such as eateries and a bank too.

Every year the local Chamber of Commerce, headquartered within the community, hosts a fall festival at which local businesses, community organizations, and school representatives can set up information booths and interact with attendees.

Also, every Christmas, graduates from Meadowbrook Middle School host the “CMR Olympics”.

Parks and recreation

Carmel Mountain Ranch Community Park is located just north of Ted Williams Parkway on Rancho Carmel Drive, just east of the 15. Highland Ranch Park is located north of Eastbourne Road and slightly northeast of Highland Ranch Road.

The Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club sprawls much of the community and is available for golf tournaments, weddings, and other events.

Schools

The Home Depot is the anchor of this center; however there are multiple restaurants and smaller shops as well.

Carmel Mountain Ranch is served by the Poway Unified School District.

High schools

High schoolers feed into Rancho Bernardo High School.

Middle schools

Middle schoolers feed into Bernardo Heights Middle School in Rancho Bernardo, Meadowbrook Middle School in Poway, or Black Mountain Middle School in Rancho Penasquitos.

Elementary schools

• Highland Ranch Elementary
• Shoal Creek Elementary
• Creekside Elementary

Sports

There is a baseball league for 1st Grade – 6th Grade.