san_diego san_diego spanish saint major city california coast pacific_ocean southern_california approximately miles south los_angeles immediately adjacent border mexico estimated population july san_diego eighth largest city united_states second largest california san diego second largest bordering country detroit windsor population people san_diego birthplace california known mild year round climate natural deep water harbor extensive beaches long association united_states_navy recent emergence healthcare development center historically home people san_diego site visited europeans west_coast united_states landing claimed entire area spain forming basis settlement california years later founded formed european settlement california san_diego newly independent mexico reformed mexican republic years later united_states following mexican american war admission california union city seat economic center region san diego metropolitan area san_diego main economic engines military defense related activities tourism international trade manufacturing presence affiliated helped area center research history pre colonial period original inhabitants region known people area san_diego inhabited people spanish period european visit region portuguese born explorer sailing flag sailing flagship claimed bay named site san november sent map california coast arriving flagship san_diego surveyed harbor point named area commonly known november christian religious service record california conducted member expedition celebrate feast day san_diego established hill near settlement europeans state california july year mission san diego founded mission boasted largest native population california living mission proper mission san_diego southern anchor california historic mission trail real mexican period mexico won independence spain san_diego mexican territory mexico began attempting extend authority coastal territory fort gradually abandoned town san_diego grew level land hill mission mexican government mission lands sold wealthy settlers residents town petitioned governor form elected municipal magistrate defeating vote list pre san_diego san_diego losing population 1830s town lost status size dropped estimated residents town mexican land grants expanded number california added local economy united_states went war mexico sent naval land expedition conquer easy time capturing major ports including san_diego southern struck following successful revolt los_angeles american garrison san_diego driven firing shot early october mexican partisans held san_diego weeks october americans recaptured months americans blockaded inside skirmishes occurred daily shot town night drove cattle away hoping americans supporters december americans garrison learned general warner ranch commodore sent mounted force captain march north meet joint command men returning san_diego encountered ensuing fought city san_diego americans suffered worst losses campaign subsequently column led arrived san_diego rescuing battered blockaded command went recover los_angeles force capitulation treaty january result mexican american war territory including san_diego ceded united_states mexico terms treaty mexican treaty tried retain san_diego mexico americans insisted san_diego commercial purpose nearly equal importance san_francisco mexican american border eventually established league south southernmost point include entire bay united_states american period state california admitted united_states year san_diego designated seat newly established incorporated city san_diego elected mayor years later city bankrupt california legislature revoked city charter placed control board trustees remained city charter established today city charter adopted original town san_diego located foot hill area location ideal miles away water promoted new development bay shore called new san diego miles south original settlement decades new development consisted houses pier army depot late 1860s promoted area called new town downtown san_diego promoted area heavily people businesses began relocate location convenient shipping soon eclipsed original settlement known day old town economic governmental heart city san_diego remained relative town arrival railroad connection early 20th century san_diego hosted world panama california exposition held spanish baroque style buildings built remain day central features park buildings intended temporary structures remained continuous use progressively fell disrepair eventually rebuilt original retain architectural style exotic animals featured exposition provided basis 1950s festival called del highlighting area spanish mexican past 2010s proposal large scale celebration 100th anniversary plans abandoned organization tasked putting celebration went business southern portion peninsula set aside military purposes early decades army set series coastal artillery batteries named area fort significant presence began establishment point expanded greatly 1920s city host naval base san diego naval training center san_diego san diego naval hospital camp city early center aviation early world war san_diego proclaiming air capital west city home important airplane developers manufacturers like later founded later founded plane spirit built san_diego world war san_diego major hub military defense activity presence military installations defense manufacturers city population grew rapidly world war doubling final months war japanese plan target multiple cities biological attack starting san_diego plan called operation cherry night called planes filled infected plague crash civilian population centers city hoping spread plague city effectively kill tens thousands civilians plan scheduled launch september carried japan surrendered weeks earlier world war military continued play major role local economy post cold war took heavy toll local defense industries resulting led san_diego leaders seek city economy focusing research science tourism start 20th century 1970s american fishing fleet canning industry based san_diego capital world san_diego founded mid-1930s employed people large fishing fleet supported staffed immigrant fishermen japan later italy influence felt neighborhoods like rising costs foreign competition closed early 1980s downtown san_diego decline 1960s 1970s experienced urban renewal early 1980s including opening revival quarter construction opened geography according professor emeritus surface expression north south rose canyon fault zones system miles east bay ranges backbone american continents city lies approximately deep hills separating creating small pockets natural open space scattered city giving hilly geography traditionally san built homes businesses leaving urban relatively wild parts city feel creating gaps neighborhoods contributing low density car centered environment runs middle san diego east west creating river valley serves divide city northern southern segments river flow fresh water focus earliest spanish explorers mission trails regional park lie separate developed areas city notable peaks city limits include highest point city feet feet feet rise east city mountains desert areas half hour drive downtown san_diego numerous farms found valleys northeast southeast city ranking reported san_diego 9th best park system populous cities ranks city park systems formula access service investment communities neighborhoods city san_diego recognizes individual areas given planning area distinct neighborhoods altogether city contains identified neighborhoods downtown san_diego located encompasses northeast surrounded older dense urban communities including east southeast lie north lies interstate communities north valley freeway south include stretching north northern suburbs far northeast portion city encompasses holds agricultural preserve valley occupy northwest corner city south business center golden triangle south beach coastal communities occupies peninsula downtown communities located mexico united_states border physically separated rest city cities narrow strip land connects southern neighborhoods rest city san_diego neighborhood boundaries tend understood residents based geographical boundaries like street patterns city recognized importance neighborhoods organized general plan concept city villages san_diego originally centered old town district late 1860s center focus relocated belief new location increase trade new town present day downtown waterfront location quickly developed eclipsed center san_diego development feet san_diego attributed construction tallest building city time went multiple buildings claimed title san_diego tallest skyscraper including currently tallest building san_diego standing feet tall completed downtown skyline contains super regulation place 1970s set feet limit height buildings mile radius iconic description skyline includes compared tools climate san_diego best climates farmers best summer climates america scored climate classification system san_diego area variously categorized having semi arid climate original classification modified classification mediterranean climate san_diego climate characterized warm dry summers mild winters annual precipitation falling december march city mild climate year round average days low rainfall inches annually summer months range climate san_diego like southern_california varies significantly short geographical distances resulting san_diego city topography bay numerous hills mountains frequently particularly gray june period thick marine layer cloud cover keeps air cool damp miles coast yields bright sunshine approximately miles inland june lasts july causing cloudy skies san_diego entire day absence june inland areas experience significant temperature variations coastal areas ocean serves influence example downtown san_diego averages january lows august highs city miles inland downtown san_diego averages january lows august highs sign global warming scientists average surface temperature water pier increased degrees rainfall coast averages inches precipitation annually average mean rainfall inches median inches rainfall occurs cooler months months december march supply rain february month averaging inches rain months september tend completely dry wet days month rainy period rainfall heavy fall rainfall usually greater higher elevations san_diego higher elevation areas san_diego receive inches rain year rainfall extreme years inches fell city whilst years little inches fallen year month record december inches snow city rare observed times century half records kept snow stayed ground hours higher locations like occasions involved accumulation ecology like southern california majority san_diego current area originally occupied plant community drought resistant shrubs endangered pine bulk population san_diego stretch protected coast steep varied topography proximity ocean create number different habitats city limits including tidal marsh coastal sage habitats low elevations coast prone rates fire increased 20th century primarily fires starting near borders urban wild areas san_diego broad city limits encompass number large nature preserves including mission trails regional park coastal strip continuing north constitute location rare species found steep topography prevents building efforts preservation large number city limits serve nature preserves including canyon natural park number small parks preserves highest counts animal plant species appear endangered species list counties united_states diversity habitat position recorded presence bird species region country san_diego scores high number bird species observed annual christmas bird count sponsored known areas united_states san_diego subject periodic october san_diego site cedar fire called largest california past century fire burned acres km2 killed people destroyed homes addition damage caused fire smoke resulted significant increase emergency room visits respiratory problems eye smoke poor air quality caused schools close week years later destroyed areas particularly communities demographics city population according census distributed land area square miles km2 urban area san_diego extends administrative city limits total population making largest urban area state los_angeles metropolitan area san_francisco metropolitan area riverside san form metropolitan areas california larger san_diego metropolitan area total population census people living city san_diego represents population increase people households families reported estimated city population population density inhabitants square mile km2 racial makeup san_diego white african american native american asian filipino chinese vietnamese indian korean japanese thai pacific native hawaiian races races ethnic makeup city hispanic latino race total population mexican american puerto rican december san_diego largest homeless population united_states city homeless population largest percentage homeless veterans nation january estimates revealed household median income san_diego rose city population rose population non hispanic whites pacific blacks american indians races median age years compared years overall years non hispanic whites largest group ages non hispanic whites constituted population older households children age living married couples living female husband present non families households individuals account living years age older average household size average family size reported san_diego residents median age quarter residents age age ages constitute san_diego population second highest percentage major city regional planning agency provides tables breaking city population year age groups median income household city median income family males median income versus females capita income city according forbes san_diego fifth wealthiest city families population poverty line including age age nonetheless san_diego rated fifth best place live united_states money magazine san_diego named ninth lgbt friendly city city seventh highest percentage gay residents additionally city prominent universities named lgbt friendly campuses nation according study population city identified christians attendance variety churches considered protestant roman catholic beliefs claim religious affiliation study says religions including judaism buddhism islam collectively population economy largest sectors san_diego economy defense military tourism international trade research manufacturing respectively san_diego designated forbes columnist best city country launch small business company defense military economy san_diego influenced port includes major submarine yards west_coast major national defense contractors started headquartered san_diego including cubic san_diego hosts largest naval fleet world home ships tenant commands sailors soldiers civilian employees contractors percent civilian jobs county military related businesses rely contracts military bases san_diego include navy facilities marine_corps bases stations city home majority surface combatants navy west_coast amphibious ships variety vessels tourism tourism major industry owing city climate beaches numerous tourist attractions amusement park san diego zoo park san_diego spanish mexican heritage reflected historic sites city old town san diego state historic park local craft industry attracts increasing number visitors beer tours annual san diego beer week november san_diego called america craft beer capital hosted million visitors collectively spent estimated billion locally visitor industry provides employment people san_diego cruise ship industry second largest california numerous cruise lines operate san_diego cruise ship business steady decline peaking port hosted ship calls passengers number ship calls fallen estimated local sight seeing cruises offered available whale watching cruises observe migration gray peaking mid january sport fishing popular tourist attraction san_diego home southern_california biggest sport fishing fleet international trade san_diego commercial port location border international trade important factor city economy city authorized united_states government operate foreign trade zone city shares mile border mexico includes border crossings san_diego hosts busiest international border crossing world neighborhood san port entry second primarily commercial border crossing operates area largest commercial crossing california baja california border handles highest volume trucks dollar value trade land crossings port san diego cargo facilities located tenth avenue marine terminal terminal facilities containers bulk cargo frozen storage handle import export port san diego handled short tons total trade foreign trade accounted short tons domestic trade amounted short tons historically fishing canning san_diego major industries american fishing fleet longer based san_diego companies chicken sea headquartered companies san_diego hosts major producers wireless cellular technology founded headquartered san_diego largest private sector employers san_diego wireless industry manufacturers headquartered include wireless largest software company san_diego security software company san_diego headquarters security company san_diego designated innovation center collaboration potentially wireless life sciences presence research institutions helped fuel growth san_diego second largest cluster united_states boston area companies area particular nearby areas home offices research facilities numerous companies major companies like headquartered san_diego companies offices research facilities san_diego san_diego home contract research organizations provide variety contract services companies employers according city comprehensive annual financial report employers city real estate san_diego high real estate prices median price house san_diego february median home price significantly dropped san_diego metropolitan area worst housing metropolitan areas united_states consequently san_diego experienced negative net migration significant number people moved adjacent daily jobs san_diego leaving region altogether moving affordable regions country san_diego home prices peaked declined nationwide trend december home prices percent peak median home price declined culture popular museums located location located branch located downtown downtown branch consists building opposite streets columbia district downtown home historic ship exhibits belonging headlined unrelated featuring uss midway aircraft carrier performs regular basis directed civic center plaza directed ranked opera companies united_states old globe theatre park produces plays musicals annually directed produced world plays musicals gone win nominations broadway seat state art theatre hosts music dance theatre performances produces variety plays musicals hundreds movies dozen shows filmed san_diego tradition going far sports san_diego home major professional teams national_football_league play stadium major_league_baseball san_diego_padres play park san_diego hosts ncaa universities men women basketball games played arena prominent sports include college football soccer basketball teams members san_diego hosted sports events nfl super bowl championships held stadium college football annual bowl games held stadium holiday bowl parts played park hosts international soccer games events soccer american football track field played stadium city stadium constructed rugby union developing sport city begins play pro rugby competition major international rugby event held san_diego represented home club captain san_diego participate starts located city annual golf tournament occurs golf course course site open golf championship hosted yacht races times period amateur beach sport line invented san_diego annual world line championships held mission bay year government local government city governed mayor member city council city form government changed council manager government strong mayor government change brought vote mayor effect chief executive officer city council legislative body responsible police public safety streets water sewer service planning similar services borders san_diego sanctuary city participant program city employee residents payroll greater million members city council elected single member districts city mayor city attorney elected directly voters entire city mayor city attorney council members elected year terms term limit elections held non partisan basis california state law identify democrats republicans registered democrats outnumbered republicans city democrats currently hold majority city council current mayor republican san_diego includes 1st 2nd 3rd 4th districts county officers elected city residents include sheriff district attorney areas city immediately adjacent administered port san diego quasi governmental agency owns property responsible land use planning similar functions san_diego member regional planning agency public schools city managed funded independent school districts state federal representation california state senate san_diego split 38th 39th 40th districts represented respectively san_diego split districts represented respectively united_states house_of_representatives san_diego split california 49th 50th 51st 52nd 53rd congressional districts represented respectively major scandals san_diego site san_diego free speech fight city restricted speech tortured killed member blamed million damages accused causing san_diego worst flood japanese american farmers died mayor forced resign post found guilty count conspiracy counts related alleged failure report campaign contributions series appeals counts dismissed based claims misconduct remaining conspiracy count reduced dismissed scheme city employees led san_diego pension scandal resulted resignation newly elected mayor criminal indictment pension board members charges finally dismissed federal judge november congressman resigned convicted federal charges represented california 50th congressional district includes northern portion city san_diego sentenced month prison sentence city council members deputy mayor briefly took acting mayor murphy resigned convicted wire fraud conspiracy commit wire fraud taking campaign contributions strip club owner associates allegedly exchange trying repeal city touch laws strip clubs subsequently resigned sentenced months prison judge acquitted seven counts granted petition new trial charges remaining charges eventually dropped july supporters mayor asked resign allegations repeated sexual harassment ensuing weeks women came forward publicly claim sexually harassed multiple individuals groups called resign agreed resign effective august subsequently pleaded guilty count false imprisonment battery charges sentenced house arrest probation crime san_diego ranked 20th city america according forbes magazine san_diego ninth city list cities like major cities san_diego declining crime rate crime san_diego increased early 2000s san_diego sixth lowest crime rate city half million residents crime rate overall dropped evenly category violent crime decreased period property crime increased total property crimes people lower national average according statistics compiled fbi violent crimes property crimes violent crimes consisted aggravated assaults motor vehicle acts arson defined property offenses san_diego lowest murder rate largest cities united_states education public schools san_diego operated independent school districts majority public schools city served second largest school district california includes schools elementary schools middle schools alternative schools high schools charter schools adjacent school districts headquartered outside city limits serve schools city include san union high school district union high school district addition number private schools city colleges universities according education rankings released percent san ages older hold bachelor degrees census ranks city ninth educated city united_states based figures public colleges universities city include includes private colleges universities city include usd san_diego campus san diego campus san diego campus satellite campus medical school city law schools city include thomas jefferson school law law school libraries city run system headquartered downtown branches city libraries reduced operating hours city financial problems city increased spending libraries million new story park boulevard street opened september addition municipal public library system nearly dozen libraries open public run governmental agencies schools colleges universities noteworthy love library media following published city daily newspaper online portal alternative times san_diego free online newspaper covering local news metropolitan area non profit online news outlet covering government politics education neighborhoods arts business oriented daily newspaper san_diego led local markets percent penetration according san_diego television station began broadcasting licensed seven television stations los_angeles channels available san_diego relative proximity larger city began licensing channels making possible cities san_diego acquire stations stations based mexico serve san_diego market television stations today include cbs abc regional pbs nbc america gala independent fox san_diego percent cable penetration rate ratio mexican licensed stations san_diego largest media market united_states legally unable support television station power stations regulations metropolitan areas fewer power television stations require unique station owners remain formed seven power stations california san diego market owns considered legal definition common ownership power low power television stations market permitted regardless number stations licensed area mexico san diego market owns owns owns license holder run california based subsidiary san_diego television market limited san_diego county market extends western arizona neighboring orange riverside counties los_angeles market past missing network affiliate available cable san_diego radio stations san_diego include nationwide broadcaster clear smaller stations networks stations include star news talk free radio san diego rock station number local spanish language radio stations infrastructure utilities water supplied residents city receives water california gas electric utilities provided division street lights middle 20th century city mercury street lamps city decided replace efficient lamps proposal triggered outcry observatory miles north city said proposed lamps increase light pollution interfere astronomical observation city altered lighting regulations limit light pollution miles city announced plans upgrade street lighting new energy efficient street lights use induction technology modified form lamp produces broader spectrum lamps new system predicted save million year energy maintenance costs city stated changes neighborhoods safer increase light pollution san_diego announced plans city install controlled street lighting intelligent lighting system control led street lights transportation automobile primary means transportation percent residents san_diego served network freeways highways includes interstate runs south north los_angeles interstate runs east arizona interstate runs northeast las_vegas salt_lake_city interstate splits near mexican border major state highways include connects downtown connects downtown northeast city intersects merges connects connects valley spans san diego bridge passes connects stretch passes san_diego oldest freeway called america beautiful san_diego roadway system provides extensive network routes travel bicycle dry mild climate san_diego makes cycling convenient pleasant year round option time city hilly canyon like terrain significantly long average trip distances brought strict low density laws somewhat restrict cycling purposes older neighborhoods downtown tend utility cycling oriented partly grid street patterns absent newer developments farther urban core suburban style arterial roads common result vast majority cycling related activities recreational cycling efforts san_diego rated best city cycling cities population million san_diego served san diego light rail system bus system commuter rail northern san_diego county served light rail line primarily serves downtown surrounding urban communities east county coastal south bay planned extension operate freeway planned operation amtrak coaster trains currently run coastline connect san_diego los_angeles riverside amtrak stations san_diego downtown san_diego transit information public transportation available web phone area city primary commercial airport san known busiest single runway airport united_states served million passengers dealing increasingly larger number year located miles downtown maintains scheduled flights rest united_states including hawaii mexico canada japan united_kingdom operated independent agency addition city operates general aviation airports montgomery field brown field border terminal direct access passengers walking mexico border catch flight mexican numerous regional transportation projects occurred recent years congestion san_diego notable efforts improvements san_diego freeways expansion doubling capacity cruise ship terminal port freeway projects included expansion merge rush hour spot freeways meet expansion interstate underway addition high occupancy vehicle managed lanes connecting near mexican border according assessment percent streets san_diego acceptable driving condition proposed budget fell million short bringing city streets acceptable level port expansions included second cruise terminal broadway pier opened airport projects include expansion currently construction slated completion summer notable people sister cities san_diego sister cities designated
San Diego