Holiday Home in Israel for San Diego Families
Holiday Home in Israel for San Diego Families
For families from Del Mar, La Jolla, Carmel Valley and Scripps Ranch, trips to Israel often center on the holidays, a child's gap year or visits to relatives. Because the journey is long, many prefer longer stays, which makes a holiday home an appealing alternative to hotels. Owning a second home ten time zones away requires planning around location, building choice, upkeep and whether to rent it out between visits. This guide covers the questions San Diego families usually ask and the areas that tend to suit them.
Longer Stays Make a Holiday Home Worthwhile
Because of the distance from the West Coast, San Diego families often visit for several weeks at a time rather than a few days. That pattern favors a home with a full kitchen, laundry and space for extended family.
Some retirees split the year between Southern California and Israel, which makes a well-located holiday home even more practical.
Families who surf, sail or dive in San Diego often look for similar activities in Israel, and the Mediterranean coast and the Red Sea both offer options. Planning the home around how your family actually spends its free time makes each visit more rewarding.
Seaside Options
Herzliya, Netanya and the Tel Aviv coastline offer promenades and beaches that feel familiar to San Diegans. Caesarea offers a quieter setting with its ancient harbor. Further south, Ashkelon and Ashdod have long beaches, while Eilat on the Red Sea offers winter sun and diving.
Tel Aviv and Herzliya for city beaches
Netanya for cliffs and promenades
Caesarea for a calm, residential feel
Eilat for Red Sea winter stays
Jerusalem for the Holidays
Families who travel mainly for the High Holidays or Pesach often prefer Jerusalem, where the atmosphere of the festivals is strongest. Neighborhoods such as the German Colony, Baka and Rehavia are walkable to synagogues and cultural sites.
Some families combine a Jerusalem apartment with day trips to the beach, since the coast is reachable by train.
Choosing a Low-Maintenance Building
Look for buildings with an elevator, secure parking, an active building committee and a protected room. Seaside homes face salt air, so ask about the condition of balconies, window frames and air conditioning units.
Durable finishes and good ventilation help the apartment remain in good condition between long absences.
Upkeep from Ten Time Zones Away
A local caretaker can check the apartment, air it out, handle building matters and prepare it before arrival. Pay arnona and building fees by standing order from an Israeli bank account.
With Israel ten hours ahead, updates from your caretaker often arrive overnight San Diego time, ready for you in the morning.
Renting Between Visits
Owners sometimes rent for mid-term periods to visiting academics, professionals or students, or for short stays where municipal rules and building bylaws permit. Rental income carries Israeli tax obligations and US reporting, so involve an Israeli tax advisor and a US CPA.
Reserve your own family periods well in advance, especially around the holidays.
Buying Carefully
Treat the purchase with full due diligence. An independent Israeli lawyer should verify title, planning and the contract, and explain how purchase tax may apply to a second home. Schedule viewings to coincide with a family trip to reduce travel.
Frequently asked questions
Which Israeli coastal city is most like San Diego
Many San Diegans feel at home in Herzliya, Netanya or Tel Aviv, each with its own character.
Can we rent the apartment when we are in California
Often yes, depending on building rules, local regulations and tax planning.
Does sea air affect maintenance
Yes. Seaside apartments need attention to balconies, windows and air conditioning units, so regular checks are important.
Should a holiday home be in Jerusalem or by the sea
It depends on how your family uses it. Holiday-focused families often prefer Jerusalem, while beach lovers choose the coast.
Elkayam Group
Elkayam Group, formally Kobi Elkayam Real Estate Ltd, is a Tel Aviv company on Rival Street 37 whose family roots go back to 1945 through three generations. It is active in development, urban renewal and combination deals together with backing companies and partners, can provide guarantees, and communicates with clients in Hebrew, English and French.
Imagining a holiday home in Israel for your San Diego family. Contact us to explore coastal and Jerusalem options.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com · Rival St 37, Tel Aviv