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As a gated enclave of just 41 newer homes, Maricel rarely has much for sale — and listings move fast. Get on the early-alert list or ask about upcoming and off-market opportunities.
Torrey Highlands · Carmel Valley 92130
Maricel Homes For Sale
The newest neighborhood in Torrey Highlands — a gated enclave of 41 Davidson-built homes with first-floor suites, California rooms, and award-winning Poway Unified schools.
Maricel is the newest neighborhood in Torrey Highlands and one of the very few gated communities in this part of Carmel Valley. Developed by Davidson Communities — a builder inducted into Builder Magazine's Hall of Fame for Design Excellence — Maricel opened for sale in 2012 as a small, upscale enclave of just 41 detached single-family homes. That combination of newer construction, gated privacy, and a boutique scale makes Maricel homes for sale genuinely hard to come by.
Behind the gates, Maricel was designed around modern family living: open floor plans, generous kitchens, and a signature California room in every home that opens the living space to the outdoors. If you're searching for newer Maricel Carmel Valley homes with contemporary layouts and top San Diego schools, this is one of the most sought-after addresses in the entire Torrey Highlands area.
The ResidencesNewer Homes, Built for Indoor-Outdoor Living
Maricel homes are two-story detached residences ranging from about 2,793 to 3,287 square feet, with four to six bedrooms and 3.5 to 4.5 baths across three flexible floor plans. Every plan was designed to adapt to any family configuration — and every one includes a first-floor bedroom suite, a feature that's become one of Maricel's biggest draws for multi-generational households and guests.
The signature detail is the California room: an indoor-outdoor living space in every home that opens completely to the backyard, capitalizing on Maricel's elevated access to trails and open space. Kitchens are built around islands that can seat up to six, and a mud room sits conveniently between the garage and kitchen. On lots averaging around 6,000 square feet behind private gates, Maricel delivers newer construction with a level of finish that's rare in the Torrey Highlands area.
Floor PlansThe Three Maricel Designs
Davidson built Maricel with three two-story floor plans. All three share the hallmark features — a first-floor bedroom suite, a California room, and an entertainer's kitchen island — while scaling up in size and bedroom count.
Plan 1
~2,793 sq ft
4–6 bedrooms, up to 4.5 baths, first-floor suite, California room, 2-car garage.
Plan 2
Mid-size plan
Flexible 4–6 bedroom configuration with first-floor suite and California room.
Plan 3
~3,287 sq ft
Largest plan, up to 6 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, first-floor suite, California room.
All three plans range 2,793–3,287 sq ft with 4–6 bedrooms and 3.5–4.5 baths. Exact configuration varies by home — ask for the plan details on any specific listing.
Community HighlightsWhat Sets It Apart
Gated Enclave
One of the few gated neighborhoods in the Torrey Highlands area, with just 41 homes.
Newest Construction
Built 2012–2013 by Davidson — the most recent homes in Torrey Highlands.
California Rooms
Indoor-outdoor living space in every home, opening fully to the backyard.
First-Floor Suites
A downstairs bedroom suite in all three floor plans — ideal for multi-gen living.
Three Parks
Internal parks and greenbelts within the gates for family recreation.
Top Schools
Willow Grove, Black Mountain & Westview in the Poway Unified School District.
By the NumbersMaricel Details
| Homes in community | 41 gated, detached |
| Builder | Davidson Communities |
| Year built | 2012–2013 |
| Living space | ~2,793–3,287 sq ft |
| Bedrooms / baths | 4–6 bd / 3.5–4.5 ba |
| Lot size | ~6,000 sq ft (up to 0.15 acre) |
| HOA dues | ~$150–164 / month |
| Tax rate | ~1.03% of net value |
| Mello-Roos | ~$3,000–$3,300 / year |
| School district | Poway Unified |
Figures are approximate and drawn from public records; dues, assessments, and configuration vary by home — verify for any specific address.
The LifestyleLiving in Maricel
Life in Maricel offers something distinctive for the Torrey Highlands area: the security and privacy of a gated community paired with genuinely new construction. Inside the gates, three parks and greenbelts give families room to play, and the elevated setting backs to trails and open space. It's a quieter, more controlled environment than the open, connected streets of the surrounding Torrey Del Mar neighborhoods.
The location keeps everyday life easy. Maricel sits just south of Carmel Valley Road with quick access to State Route 56, linking to I-5 and I-15 for commutes toward UTC, Sorrento Valley, and beyond. Del Mar's beaches are less than six miles away, and the shopping and dining at One Paseo, Del Mar Highlands Town Center, and The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch are all a short drive.
Maricel appeals to buyers who want a low-maintenance, move-in-ready home with modern layouts — especially multi-generational families drawn to the first-floor suites and professionals who value gated privacy. For anyone comparing newer Carmel Valley homes with contemporary floor plans, Maricel stands nearly alone in combining gates, recent construction, and a top San Diego school assignment.
How It ComparesMaricel vs. Nearby Torrey Highlands Communities
Maricel stands out as the newest and one of the only gated options in the area. Here's how it compares with neighboring communities if you're weighing Carmel Valley homes nearby.
| Community | Homes | Built | Home Size | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maricel | 41 | 2012–13 | ~2,793–3,287 sq ft | Newest, gated |
| Terrazzo | 44 | 2001–03 | ~3,094–4,023 sq ft | Spacious detached |
| Villamontes | 118 | 2002–03 | ~2,156–2,712 sq ft | Larger family enclave |
| Fairbanks Highlands | 93 | 2001–02 | ~3,881–5,463 sq ft | Guard-gated estates |
Maricel is the go-to for buyers who want the newest construction and gated privacy without stepping up to the guard-gated estate scale of Fairbanks Highlands.
SettingLocation & Surroundings
Maricel sits immediately south of Carmel Valley Road in the Torrey Highlands area, just east of the Torrey Del Mar Apartments. It's a tucked-away, gated pocket of the 92130 that still keeps shopping, dining, beaches, and the freeway network within an easy reach via the SR-56 corridor.
- Three internal parks & greenbelts
- Trail & open-space access nearby
- The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch
- One Paseo & Del Mar Highlands Town Center
- Del Mar beaches — less than 6 miles
- Quick SR-56 access to I-5 and I-15
EducationMaricel Schools
Maricel is served by the award-winning Poway Unified School District. Confirm current boundaries for any specific home.
Willow Grove
Poway Unified — the assigned elementary for Maricel.
Black Mountain
Poway Unified middle school on the SR-56 corridor.
Westview
Poway Unified — a top-ranked North County high school.
Good to KnowMaricel FAQ
Is Maricel a gated community?
Yes. Maricel is one of the few gated communities in the Torrey Highlands and Torrey Del Mar area of Carmel Valley — a small, private enclave of just 41 detached single-family homes behind gates.
Who built Maricel and when?
Maricel was developed by Davidson Communities (Davidson Homes), a Del Mar-based builder known for design excellence. Homes first sold in 2012 and the community was completed in 2012–2013, making it the newest neighborhood in the Torrey Highlands area.
How big are Maricel homes?
Maricel offers three floor plans ranging from about 2,793 to 3,287 square feet, with four to six bedrooms and 3.5 to 4.5 baths. Every plan includes a first-floor bedroom suite and a California room. Lots average around 6,000 square feet. Verify exact size for any specific address.
What is a California room?
A California room is a covered indoor-outdoor living space that opens fully to the backyard, blending interior comfort with outdoor entertaining. Every Maricel home includes one — a signature feature that takes advantage of the community's elevated setting near trails and open space.
What are the HOA fees and taxes?
Monthly HOA dues in Maricel run approximately $150 to $164, the tax rate is roughly 1.03% of net value, and Mello-Roos assessments are typically about $3,000 to $3,300 per year. These figures are approximate — confirm the current numbers for any specific property.
What schools serve Maricel?
Maricel is served by the award-winning Poway Unified School District — specifically Willow Grove Elementary, Black Mountain Middle, and Westview High. Nearby private options include Cathedral Catholic High School and the San Diego Jewish Academy. Always verify current boundaries for a particular home.
Are Maricel homes good for multi-generational living?
Very much so. All three Maricel floor plans include a first-floor bedroom suite, which makes them a natural fit for extended families, live-in help, or long-term guests. Combined with flexible layouts and California rooms, the homes adapt easily to a range of household configurations.
How does Maricel compare to other Torrey Highlands communities?
Maricel is the newest and one of the only gated neighborhoods in the area. Compared with the early-2000s Torrey Del Mar communities like Terrazzo and Villamontes, Maricel offers more recent construction and gated privacy, while remaining more intimate and modern than the guard-gated estate community of Fairbanks Highlands.
Keep ExploringNearby Torrey Highlands Communities
Local ExpertiseYour Torrey Highlands Real Estate Expert
With only 41 homes behind the gates, Maricel rarely has inventory — and when it does, it moves fast. I know these floor plans and the families who love them, including opportunities that never reach the MLS. Let's find the right one for you.