4811 E Alder Drive, Kensington: A Renovated 1943 Canyon-View Home with an Income-Producing ADU Suite

Quick Answer

4811 E Alder Drive is a 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom, 3,222-square-foot single-family home listed at $2,449,000 (MLS #NDP2602637) on a private 0.57-acre canyon-view lot in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego, CA 92116. Originally built in 1943 and extensively renovated, the two-story home has no HOA, an attached 2-car garage with driveway space for four more vehicles, a gas-heated in-ground pool, a wine room, and a fully self-sufficient lower-level ADU-style suite with its own bedroom, full bathroom, kitchenette, and private exterior entrance. The property is zoned R-1 (single-family residential) and served by San Diego Unified School District, with Franklin Elementary School roughly half a mile away. Full details, photos, and a Matterport 3D tour are available on the live listing at 4811 E Alder Drive.

At-a-Glance Property Facts

A 1943 Kensington Original, Fully Renovated for Modern Living

The home at 4811 E Alder Drive dates to 1943, placing it squarely in the era that defined Kensington's architectural character, and it has since been extensively renovated to meet the expectations of modern California buyers. Kensington's pioneering subdivision dates back to 1910, and the neighborhood is known for its stone gateways, ornamental lighting, curving streets, and a strong candidate case for historical-district designation (City of San Diego Kensington-Talmadge Community Plan). Inside, the home keeps that period character alive with beamed ceilings, rich hardwood floors, and a wood-burning fireplace anchoring a sun-drenched living room measuring 25 by 16 feet. The renovated chef's kitchen adds a professional 6-burner gas range, premium stainless appliances, a breakfast bar, and an open layout connecting to a formal dining room, giving the home the blend of vintage character and contemporary function that is difficult to find elsewhere in the 92116 zip code at this price point.

An Income-Producing ADU Suite with Its Own Entrance

The single most distinctive feature of 4811 E Alder Drive is its lower-level accessory suite: a fully private space with its own bedroom, full bathroom, kitchenette, and dedicated exterior entrance, separate from the main house. This kind of self-sufficient layout is exactly what California's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) framework was built to encourage, and the state has continued to expand ADU flexibility through 2026, including a March 2026 update to the state ADU Handbook (California HCD ADU Handbook, March 2026). The City of San Diego separately permits one ADU and one junior ADU (JADU) on any single-family zoned lot, and ADUs are exempt from providing additional off-street parking (City of San Diego ADU Toolkit).

One important legal note for buyers evaluating this suite as a rental: as of January 1, 2026, California law (AB 1154) prohibits junior accessory dwelling units from being used as short-term rentals, requiring any JADU rental to run longer than 30 days (BBK Law summary of 2025 ADU legislation). Whether this specific suite qualifies as a full ADU, a JADU, or an unpermitted bonus space affects which rental rules apply, so buyers interested in the income potential of this space should verify its exact permit status with the City of San Diego's Development Services Department before assuming short-term rental use is available. Independent of the exact classification, the long-term rental income potential is well documented: regional ADU studies show most market-rate units renting between roughly $1,200 and $2,700 a month depending on size and location (ABAG Affordability of Accessory Dwelling Units Report).

Resort-Caliber Backyard on a Private, No-HOA 0.57-Acre Lot

Step outside and the 0.57-acre lot delivers rare space for the neighborhood: a gas-heated in-ground pool, multiple shaded outdoor gathering areas, and canyon views that carry across the tree line. The fully fenced lot means no neighboring structure is visible from the pool deck or the canyon-view terrace, a level of privacy that is genuinely uncommon this close to the walkable core of a major San Diego neighborhood. Because there is no HOA, owners have full control over the property without monthly dues or an association's architectural review process, a detail confirmed directly on the listing's mortgage calculator, which shows $0 in HOA dues. The property's Area & Lot details list canyon, pool, and tree/woods views, and lot features including 0-1 unit per acre, a cul-de-sac location, front yard, and landscaping.

A Flexible Lower Level: Wine Room, Family Room, and Bonus Sunroom

Beyond the ADU-style suite, the lower level of 4811 E Alder Drive includes a spacious family entertainment room, a wine room with custom racking, and a sunlit bonus sunroom that can serve as a home gym, art studio, or private office. For a buyer relocating to San Diego from a higher-cost remote-work market, that combination of a dedicated home office space and income-producing suite under one roof is a meaningful differentiator versus a standard single-purpose floor plan.

Location, Commute, and Walkability

4811 E Alder Drive sits in Kensington, a Mid-City San Diego neighborhood bordered by Interstate 15 to the west and Interstate 8 to the north, with Normal Heights and City Heights as neighboring communities (Wikipedia: Kensington, San Diego). The neighborhood's commercial spine, Adams Avenue, is walkable from the property (roughly 0.6 miles / a 2-minute drive) and is managed by the Adams Avenue Business Association, which runs the business improvement district stretching from Kensington through Normal Heights to University Heights (Adams Avenue Business Association).

Distances and drive times calculated using routing data referenced against the property's public listing coordinates; actual traffic conditions will vary.

Schools Serving 4811 E Alder Drive

The property falls within San Diego Unified School District, and the listing description names three specific schools: Franklin Elementary School, Lewis Middle School, and Patrick Henry High School.

• Franklin Elementary School, located at 4481 Copeland Avenue, is a magnet school offering a Gifted & Talented program, rated a B overall on Niche with an A for diversity and an A-minus for teachers (Niche: Franklin Elementary School; GreatSchools: Franklin Elementary School). It is genuinely close to the property, roughly 0.9 miles by car (about 3 minutes), consistent with the listing's claim of proximity.
• Lewis Middle School, located at 5170 Greenbrier Avenue in the Allied Gardens area, offers a Gifted & Talented program and Project Lead The Way curriculum and carries an A-minus overall Niche grade (Niche: Lewis Middle School; GreatSchools: Lewis Middle School). It sits about 4.3 miles from the property, roughly a 10-minute drive.
• Patrick Henry High School, at 6702 Wandermere Drive in the Del Cerro/Allied Gardens area, offers AP coursework and a 9/10 GreatSchools test-score rating, and carries an A overall Niche grade (GreatSchools: Patrick Henry High School; Wikipedia: Patrick Henry High School). It is about 7.0 miles away, roughly a 14-minute drive.

Worth noting for buyers: while Franklin Elementary is genuinely close to the property (matching the "within 0.6 miles" language on the live listing when measured as a straight line), Lewis Middle School and Patrick Henry High School are farther away by both straight-line and driving distance, at roughly 4.3 and 7.0 miles respectively. All three remain reasonable, short commutes within San Diego Unified School District (San Diego Unified School District; CDE District Profile: San Diego Unified).

Kensington Market Context

Kensington has run hot in 2026. Redfin's neighborhood data shows a median sale price of roughly $1.7 million over the three months ending May 2026, up nearly 30% year over year, with homes selling in a median of just 15 days in a market Redfin classifies as "most competitive" (Redfin: Kensington, CA Housing Market). Zooming out to the broader 92116 zip code, Realtor.com puts the median home price at $1,395,000 with a median price per square foot of $851 (Realtor.com: 92116 Housing Market Overview). At $2,449,000 for 3,222 square feet, 4811 E Alder Drive sits above the zip code median on both price and price-per-square-foot, reflecting its larger lot, pool, renovated finishes, and income-producing suite, features that are far from standard at the zip code's median price tier. Zillow's broader Kensington neighborhood tracker shows typical home values around $1.5 million, also underscoring how much this property's lot size, ADU flexibility, and pool separate it from a typical Kensington resale (Zillow: Kensington, CA Housing Market).

Citywide, San Diego's population sits at roughly 1.4 million residents with a median household income around $108,000 and a median owner-occupied home value near $907,000, according to the latest Census Bureau data, useful context for why a $2.449 million estate-lot property with income potential draws particular interest from relocating out-of-state buyers (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: San Diego city, California).

HOA and Property Tax Considerations

4811 E Alder Drive carries no HOA and no HOA dues, confirmed both in the listing description and the property's mortgage calculator. Property taxes in San Diego County are based on the standard California framework: a 1% base tax rate plus voter-approved bonded debt, with any change in ownership triggering a reassessment to current market value under Proposition 13 rules, after which increases are capped at up to 2% annually absent new construction or additional bond measures (San Diego County Property Tax FAQ). Buyers should also check the property's Assessor Parcel Number for any special assessments or Mello-Roos fees, which are searchable through the county's official records system (San Diego County Assessor Property Records). The property is zoned R-1, single-family residential, which permits one primary dwelling plus ADU/JADU accessory structures under current city rules (City of San Diego Zoning).

Who This Property Fits

• Multigenerational households: the ADU-style suite offers a private, separately entered space for aging parents or adult children, a growing driver of home purchases nationally, with the National Association of REALTORS reporting that 14 to 17% of recent buyers purchased a multigenerational home specifically for caretaking or cost-sharing reasons (NAR 2026 Generational Trends Report).
• Out-of-state relocators: buyers moving from Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Seattle, or major East Coast metros gain a rare combination in this price range: a renovated character home, an estate-scale no-HOA lot, a heated pool, and income-producing flexibility.
• Remote workers: the bonus sunroom and lower-level flex spaces suit a home office, art studio, or yoga space without sacrificing a bedroom.
• Investor-minded owner-occupants: the ADU-style suite offers a path to offset carrying costs through long-term rental income, subject to verifying the unit's exact permit classification with the City of San Diego.
• Entertainers: the pool, wine room, and open-concept main level are built for hosting, both indoors and out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the address and price of this Kensington home? The property is located at 4811 E Alder Drive, San Diego, CA 92116, in the Kensington neighborhood, listed at $2,449,000 under MLS #NDP2602637.

How many bedrooms and bathrooms does 4811 E Alder Drive have? The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms across 3,222 square feet, with 3 bedrooms on the main level and the fifth bedroom located in the lower-level ADU-style suite.

Does this home have an ADU or income-producing suite? Yes. The lower level includes a fully private, self-sufficient suite with its own bedroom, full bathroom, kitchenette, and separate exterior entrance, designed to function as an income-producing accessory unit or space for extended family.

Can the lower-level suite be used as a short-term rental? It depends on the unit's exact permit classification. As of January 1, 2026, California law prohibits junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) from being rented short-term, requiring rental terms longer than 30 days. Buyers should confirm the suite's specific ADU or JADU status with the City of San Diego before planning short-term rental use.

Is there an HOA at 4811 E Alder Drive? No. The property has no HOA and no monthly HOA dues, giving the owner full control over the property without association fees or architectural review requirements.

What school district serves this property? The property is served by San Diego Unified School District.

Which specific schools serve 4811 E Alder Drive? The listing names Franklin Elementary School, Lewis Middle School, and Patrick Henry High School, all part of San Diego Unified School District.

How far is the home from Franklin Elementary School, Lewis Middle School, and Patrick Henry High School? Franklin Elementary is about 0.9 miles away (roughly a 3-minute drive), Lewis Middle School is about 4.3 miles away (roughly a 10-minute drive), and Patrick Henry High School is about 7.0 miles away (roughly a 14-minute drive).

What is the lot size and does the property have privacy? The lot is 0.57 acres and fully fenced, with no neighboring structures visible from the pool deck or canyon-view terrace, offering unusually strong privacy for a walkable urban San Diego neighborhood.

Does the home have a pool? Yes, a private, gas-heated, in-ground pool sits in the backyard, surrounded by multiple shaded outdoor gathering areas and canyon views.

How old is the home and has it been renovated? The home was originally built in 1943 and has been extensively renovated throughout while retaining original character details like beamed ceilings and hardwood floors.

What is the square footage of the home? The home offers 3,222 square feet of living space; the listing does not provide a separate square footage breakdown between the main house and the lower-level suite.

How much parking/garage space does the property have? The home has an attached 2-car garage plus driveway parking for four additional vehicles, for six total off-street parking spaces.

What are property taxes like in San Diego County for a home at this price? San Diego County property taxes follow the standard California framework of a 1% base rate plus voter-approved bonded debt, with reassessment to market value at the time of purchase under Proposition 13, after which annual increases are capped at up to 2% absent new construction or new bond measures.

How far is 4811 E Alder Drive from Downtown San Diego and the airport? Downtown San Diego is approximately 7.2 miles away, about a 12-minute drive, and San Diego International Airport is approximately 9.2 miles away, about a 15-minute drive.

What is the Kensington neighborhood like? Kensington is a historic San Diego neighborhood dating to a 1910 subdivision, known for stone gateways, curving streets, and its walkable Adams Avenue commercial corridor of coffee shops, restaurants, and the Ken Theatre. It borders Normal Heights and City Heights and sits within San Diego City Council District 9.

Is this home a good fit for buyers relocating from out of state? Yes. Buyers relocating from Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Seattle, or East Coast metros often prioritize indoor-outdoor living, privacy, and income flexibility, all of which this property offers through its pool, canyon-view lot, and ADU-style suite, combined with no HOA restrictions.

How do I schedule a private showing of 4811 E Alder Drive? Contact listing agent Nick Wright at (760) 518-7240 or [email protected], or use the scheduling tool on the live listing page to book a private appointment.

Schedule a Private Showing

Interested in touring 4811 E Alder Drive in person? Contact Nick Wright, Compass (CA DRE #02036150), at (760) 518-7240 or [email protected], or visit the live listing at 4811 E Alder Drive, San Diego, CA 92116 to view the full photo gallery, Matterport 3D walkthrough, and to request a private showing.

Sources

1. 4811 E Alder Drive live listing, The Wright Group SD
2. GreatSchools: Franklin Elementary School
3. Niche: Franklin Elementary School
4. GreatSchools: Lewis Middle School
5. Niche: Lewis Middle School
6. GreatSchools: Patrick Henry High School
7. Niche: Henry High School
8. Wikipedia: Patrick Henry High School (California)
9. San Diego Unified School District
10. California Department of Education District Profile: San Diego Unified
11. San Diego County Assessor: Property Records
12. San Diego County Property Tax FAQ
13. California HCD Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook, March 2026
14. BBK Law: Governor Newsom Signs Four New ADU Bills
15. City of San Diego: Accessory Dwelling Units
16. City of San Diego: Zoning
17. City of San Diego: Official Zoning Map Divisions, Residential Base Zones
18. Redfin: Kensington, CA Housing Market
19. Zillow: Kensington, CA Housing Market
20. Realtor.com: 92116 Housing Market Overview
21. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: San Diego city, California
22. Wikipedia: Kensington, San Diego
23. Adams Avenue Business Association
24. City of San Diego: Kensington-Talmadge Community Plan
25. NAR: 2026 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends press release
26. NAR: 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report (PDF)
27. ABAG: Affordability of Accessory Dwelling Units Report
28. Homes.com: Kensington Neighborhood Guide