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"San Diego" redirects here. For other uses, see San Diego (disambiguation).
San Diego, California
Flag of San Diego, California
Flag
Official seal of San Diego, California
Seal
Nickname: 
America's Finest City
Location of San Diego within San Diego County
Location of San Diego
within San Diego County
CountySan Diego
Government
 • MayorJerry Sanders
Population
 (2005)
 • City1,305,736
 • Metro
3,051,280
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
Websitehttp://www.sandiego.gov/
City Officials
MayorJerry Sanders
City AttorneyMichael Aguirre
City Council
District OneScott Peters, Council President
District TwoKevin Faulconer
District ThreeToni Atkins
District FourTony Young
District FiveBrian Maienschein
District SixDonna Frye
District SevenJim Madaffer
District EightBen Hueso
Other City Symbols
City Flower: Carnation
City Urban Tree: Jacaranda
City Native Tree: Torrey Pine

San Diego is a coastal southern California city located in the southwestern corner of the continental United States. Origingation from the term "A Whales Vagina". It is the county seat of San Diego County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,223,400; as of 2005, the California Department of Finance estimated the city to have 1,305,736 residents. The city is the second-largest in California and the seventh-largest in the United States and is noted for its temperate climate and many beaches. It is also the home of many U.S. military facilities, including U.S. Navy ports, Marine Corps bases, and Coast Guard stations. It is the home port of the largest naval fleet in the world, including two Navy supercarriers (the USS Nimitz and the USS Ronald Reagan) five amphibious assault ships, several Los Angeles-class submarines, and many smaller ships. One of the Marine Corps' two Recruit Depots is located here. San Diego is also known as the "birthplace of naval aviation," though Pensacola, Florida makes a rival claim.

Several Navy vessels have been named USS San Diego in honor of the city.

History

Main article: History of San Diego, California

The area has long been inhabited by the Kumeyaay people. The first European to visit the region was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who claimed the region for Spain in 1542. Yet, the actual name of the city was given by Sebastian Vizcaino when he was mapping the coastline of Alta California for the Viceroyalty of New Spain in 1602. It was named after San Diego Bay, which had been rechristened in 1602 by Sebastián Vizcaíno in honor of the Franciscan St. Didacus of Alcalá, known in Spanish as San Diego de Alcalá de Henares, and whose name was borne by Vizcaíno's flagship

In 1769, the Presidio of San Diego (military post) was established almost at the same time as the Mission San Diego de Alcala by the Franciscan friars led by Junípero Serra. By 1797 the mission had become the largest in California, with over 1,400 natives associated with it, but its fortune had turned for the worst by the 1830s when the locality lost its township status.

With the end of the Mexican-American War and the the gold rush of 1848, San Diego was designated the seat of the newly-established San Diego County and was incorporated as a city in 1885.

In the years preceeding World War I, the anticapitalist labor union IWW led big free speech struggles in San Diego ([1]).

Significant U.S. Naval presence began in 1907 with the establishment of the Navy Coaling Station, which gave further way to the development of the town. Furthermore, San Diego hosted two World's Fairs, the Panama-California Exposition in 1915 and the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935.

Since World War II, the military played an increasing role in the local economy. Following the end of the Cold War the military presence has diminished considerably. San Diego has since become a center of the emerging biotech industry and is home to telecommunications giant Qualcomm.

A series of scandals have developed in the city in the last years. With mounting pressure, Mayor Dick Murphy, in April 2005, announced his intent to resign by mid-July. A few days after his resignation two city councilmembers, Ralph Inzunza and deputy mayor Michael Zucchet, who was to take Murphy's place, were convicted for taking bribes in a scheme to get the city's "no touch" laws at strip clubs repealed. Both subsequently resigned.

Beyond the issues regarding the city government, San Diego has seen some intrigue on the Federal level as well. On November 28, 2005, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Randy "Duke" Cunningham, resigned after a bribery scandal. Cunningham represented California's 50th congressional district, one of San Diego's congressional districts. He is currently serving a one-hundred month sentence in prison.

San Diego has been enjoying an urban renewal since the 1980s with the opening of Horton Plaza, the revival of the Gaslamp Quarter, and the construction of the San Diego Convention Center. A recent boom on the construction of condos and skyscrapers, a gentrification frenzy, and the inauguration of PETCO Park highlight the continuing blossoming of downtown, and have caused the urban growth to move into the once-industrial East Village.

Demographics

San Diego's skyline at night

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 1,223,400 people, 450,691 households, and 271,315 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,456.4/km² (3,771.9/mi²). There were 469,689 housing units at an average density of 559.1/km² (1,448.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 47.18% White, 9.86% African American, 1.62% Native American, 13.65% Asian, 0.48% Pacific Islander, 12.39% from other races, and 4.83% from two or more races. 25.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The city's Asian ethnicities breakdown accordingly: Filipino (6.1%), Vietnamese (2.2%), Chinese (1.9%), Other Asian (1.5%), Japanese (0.8%), Korean (0.6%), Asian Indian (0.6%).

There were 450,691 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,733, and the median income for a family was $53,060. Males had a median income of $36,984 versus $31,076 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,609. 14.6% of the population and 10.6% of families were below the poverty line. 20.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Current estimates

According to estimates by the San Diego Association of Governments, the median household income of San Diego in 2005 was $62,085 (not adjusted for inflation). When adjusted for inflation (1999 dollars; comparable to Census data above), the median household income was $50,415.

Communities and neighborhoods

Old Town, San Diego
Further information: [[:San Diego County, California]]

Northwestern: Bay Ho, Bay Park, Carmel Valley, Clairemont, Clairemont Mesa, Del Mar Heights, Fairbanks Country Club, La Jolla, La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Village, Linda Vista, North City, North Clairemont, Pacific Highlands Ranch, Sorrento Hills, Sorrento Valley, Torrey Hills, Torrey Pines, University City, Via de la Valle

North Central: Kearny Mesa, Mission Village, Serra Mesa, Birdland, Murphy Canyon

Northeastern: Carmel Mountain Ranch, Miramar, Miramar Ranch North, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, Sabre Springs, San Pasqual, Santa Luz, Scripps Ranch (Scripps Miramar Ranch), Sorrento Mesa, West Bernardo

Eastern: Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, East Elliott, Grantville, Lake Murray, Mission Valley East, Navajo, San Carlos, Tierrasanta

Western: Crown Point, La Playa, Loma Portal, Midtown, Midway, Mission Bay Park, Mission Beach, Morena, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Peninsula, Point Loma, Point Loma Heights, Roseville-Fleetridge, Sunset Cliffs

Central: Balboa Park, Banker's Hill, Centre City, Core-Columbia, Cortez, Gaslamp Quarter, Golden Hill, Grant Hill, Hillcrest, Harborview, Horton Plaza, Little Italy, Logan Heights (Barrio Logan), Marina, Memorial, Mission Hills, Mission Valley, Mountain View, North Park, Old Town, Park West, Sherman Heights, South Park, Stockton, University Heights, Uptown

Mid-City: City Heights, College Area, Chollas Creek, Darnall, El Cerrito, Gateway, Kensington, Normal Heights, Oak Park, Rolando, Talmadge, Webster

Southeastern: Alta Vista, Broadway Heights, Chollas View, Emerald Hills, Jamacha, Lomita, Lincoln Park, Mountain View, Mt. Hope, North Bay Terraces, North Encanto, Paradise Hills, Shelltown, Skyline, South Bay Terraces, South Encanto, Southcrest, Valencia Park

Southern: Egger Highlands, Nestor, Ocean Crest, Otay Mesa, Otay Mesa West, Palm City, San Ysidro, Tijuana River Valley

Downtown San Diego

Economy

Tagged as one of six centers of innovation, San Diego community business entrepreneurs and civic entrepreneurs are building one of the great technology regions of the twenty-first century.

In 1976, Price Club, now Costco, launched a new concept in retail distribution, the warehouse club with its first location on Morena Boulevard.

San Diego's leaders made a commitment in the 1980s to diversify the economy and encourage the growth of high technology companies. They were motivated by the desire to move away from the boom or bust cycles that dependency on just two core industries had created. No one could have predicted the success with which the region has developed key technology industries. Developing in parallel, and in today's technology environment, finding more and more cross-fertilization opportunities, San Diego's core technology sectors have become leading centers for biotechnology, communications and software development.

Life Sciences In June 2004 San Diego was ranked as the No. 1 biotech cluster in the U.S. by the Milken Institute. The honor was bestowed for the region’s climate of innovation and its success in bringing products to market, establishing new companies and creating jobs. Recently, Biosite Inc.’s Triage® Cardio ProfilER and Biogen IDEC’s Zevalin™ have joined Agouron (now Pfizer) Pharmaceuticals' Viracept®, Ligand Pharmaceuticals' Targretin®, and Biogen IDEC’s Rituxan® as successful products developed in San Diego. Corporate giants Merck, Pfizer, Dow, Novartis and others have developed key partnerships with local biotech pioneers, fostering growth while providing companies with the financial freedom to develop innovative new products.

Fueled by the research being done at San Diego's world class universities and institutes, and supported by a business-friendly public sector while having the highest number of science-based Nobel winners in the world who call San Diego home, the San Diego region is now recognized as a hotbed for new companies. San Diego's biotechnology community is the third largest in the country. San Diego's communications industry is one of the fastest growing in the country and has earned the title of wireless communications capital of the world.

The economy of San Diego is also influenced by its port, which includes the only major shipbuilding yard on West Coast, as well as the naval base.

Crime

San Diego has had a declining crime rate since the early 1990s. In 1991 the number of murders was 167, in 2004 the number of murders was only 62. San Diego is now one of America's safest cities.[citation needed]

Education

See also: High Schools of San Diego and San Diego City Schools

Accredited Law Schools in San Diego include (alphabetical):

Culture

San Diego has a strong Latin American influence due to its proximity to the international border between the United States and Mexico. In addition, San Diego has other significant immigrant communities that continue to influence San Diego. Older immigrant groups included those from Sicily and Portugal, having settled in Little Italy and Point Loma respectively. Newer immigrants have arrived from former Soviet Republics (notably Ukraine, Russia and Caucasia), Greece, the Philippines, South East Asia, China, the Pacific Islands, Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Brazil, the Horn of Africa and South Africa.

Cuisine

Owing to its privileged position on the Pacific Ocean and its warm Mediterranean-style climate, San Diego enjoys an abundance of quality produce and dining. With a myriad ethnic and cultural mix, San Diego is well known for its wide selection of cuisines. One can find excellent Mexican, Italian, Greek, Latin, Indian, Central and East Asian, Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander food throughout the city. The city's long history and close proximity to Mexico has endowed an endless array of Mexican cafes and restaurants. Regional homemade specialties, border fare and haute cuisine are all easily available.

San Diego's warm, dry climate and access to the sea have also made it a natural center for the production of fruit and vegetables. Long a center of the tuna industry, San Diego benefits from an abundant seafood supply.

Several of the finest choices of dining can be found in the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, La Jolla and Old Town. The city's many immigrant and ethnic groups have heavily influenced local eating habits, interests, and tastes.

Local specialties include:

  • Mexican cuisine (including carne asada, burritos, fish tacos, enchiladas, and ceviche)
  • Woodfired, California-styled Pizza
  • Wide variety of salads made from fresh, local produce (including Caesar, Greek, Mixed, and Caprese Salads)
  • Southern Italian-styled pastas, panini, and pizzas
  • Varieties of shish kebabs, shashlyk, and Gyros
  • Southeast Asian specialties including spring rolls, egg rolls, and speciality noodle soups.
  • Locally produced, artisan bread
  • Local Wines (San Pasqual Valley, Rancho Bernardo)
  • Locally produced (from the mountains near Julian) hard and sweet apple cider
  • Various fruits and vegetables (including avocados, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, eggplant, oranges, lemons, limes, strawberries, grapefruit, grapes, apples, pomegranates, persimmons, and melons)

Several chain restaurants have gotten their start in San Diego. These include Jack in the Box, Pat & Oscar's, Souplantation (March 1978), Rubio's (1980s), and Anthony's Fish Grotto (1950s). Rubio's fish tacos were also featured at the 1996 Republican National Convention.

Events

Shopping malls

Sites of interest

File:Whale sculpture at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.JPG
Whale sculpture in front of the Birch Aquarium
Crystal Pier

San Diego is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. Among the many attractions are its beaches, climate, and deserts. Noted San Diego tourist attractions include:

(* An asterisk designates National Historic Landmarks)

San Diego is about two hours south of Los Angeles, California and north adjacent to Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Sports

Club Sport League Stadium Logo
San Diego Chargers Football AFL 1961-1969, NFL 1970-Present Qualcomm Stadium File:SanDiegoChargers 100.png
San Diego Gulls Hockey ECHL iPayOne Center
San Diego Padres Baseball MLB PETCO Park File:SanDiegoPadres 100.png
San Diego Riptide Arena football Arena Football League 2 iPayOne Center
San Diego Surf Dawgs Baseball Golden Baseball League Tony Gwynn Stadium
So Cal Scorpions Football WPFL Edward's Stadium File:SoCalScorpionsLogo 125x80.png
San Diego Siege Basketball National Women's Basketball League Harry West Gym

San Diego has several sports venues. Jack Murphy Field at Qualcomm Stadium hosts football and soccer games. Three Super Bowls have been held there. Baseball can be seen at Petco Park and Tony Gwynn Stadium. iPayOne Center, formerly the San Diego Sports Arena, hosts hockey, arena football, and basketball, which is also hosted at Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl. Jenny Craig Pavilion at the University of San Diego hosts basketball and volleyball games.

SDSU Aztecs (MWC) and the USD Toreros (WCC) are NCAA Division I teams. The UCSD Tritons (CCAA) are members of the NCAA Division II while the PLNU Sea Lions (GSAC) are members of the NAIA.

  • San Diego is the primary setting and filming location for the 1986 movie Top Gun about the real-life TOPGUN program. At the time the movie was made, the TOPGUN program was based at the former Naval Air Station Miramar, which is currently the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in San Diego. The bar featured in the movie's piano scene, Kansas City BBQ, is on the corner of Kettner Boulevard and West Harbor Drive (near the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel) and contains memorabilia from the film.
  • In the comic book series Aquaman, half of San Diego was plunged into the Pacific Ocean by an earthquake. A large number of survivors who were unwittingly mutated into water-breathers due to related illegal genetic experimentation have formed a community known as "Sub Diego" in the remains of the submerged portion of the city.
  • The Season Two finale of television series Quantum Leap, "M.I.A", was based around San Diego's Naval Base.
  • In a 2002 episode of Without A Trace, several agents head to San Diego to investigate the disappearance of a businessman.
  • Scenes from the movie Traffic were filmed in San Diego.

Transportation

Public mass transportation

File:LRT San Diego 013.jpg
Trolley (LRT) Old Town, San Diego

San Diego has trolley (LRT), bus [2], Coaster [3], and Amtrak service. However, these systems serve limited routes and schedules, often most efficient around the downtown and uptown areas; the vast majority of transportation in San Diego is by private automobile.

The bus is available in almost all major routes within the city proper, although they tend to converge downtown and various transit centers. Typical wait times vary from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on location and route. Trollies arrive every 15 minutes, with lines extending from Old Town all the way south to the US-Mexico border in San Ysidro, and west-east from Old Town, traversing Mission Valley all the way to neighboring El Cajon and Santee. Ferries are also available every half hour crossing San Diego Bay to Coronado.

Private motoring

San Diego includes a comprehensive collection of freeways, highways, major arterial roads, and streets that forms circles around the interior and outlying areas in the county. Almost every major freeway in the county crosses through the city, but all are important to the flow of goods and people into and out of the city.

Cycling

San Diego's roadway system provides an excellent network of routes for travel by bicycle. The climate in San Diego makes cycling a convenient and pleasant year-round option. Many San Diego cyclists belong to the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition which represents the rights and interests of cyclists throughout the county.

Air

San Diego International Airport, also known as Lindbergh International Airport or Lindbergh Field, is the primary commercial airport serving San Diego. It is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the nation, serving over 16 million passengers every year. Other airports include Brown Field Airport (Brown Field) and Montgomery Field Municipal Airport (Montgomery Field).

Sea

The Port of San Diego manages the maritime operations of San Diego harbor and the airport. San Diego has a growing cruise ship operation and cargo operations are also a major sector with produce imports from South America, vehicle imports from Germany and Japan and Mexico and other trade operations.

San Diego is also home to General Dynamics' National Steel and Shipbuilding Company(NASSCO), the largest and only shipyard on the West Coast of the United States. It is capable of building and repairing large ocean-going vessels. The yard constructs commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command, which it has been producing since 1960.

Military institutions

Sister cities

San Diego has fifteen sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):

Notable residents

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to San Diego.

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