About San Diego

San Diego is a jewel.

It dazzles in so many ways.  Picture perfect weather, miles upon miles of sandy beaches, cool ocean breezes, dozens of fun and educational attractions, and a consummate laid-back attitude attract more than 30 million visitors annually.  Part of that draw is an average temperature that varies little from 70 degrees and only 42 rainy days per year.

More than three million people live in San Diego County, spread out over more than 4,200 square miles.  The city of San Diego has 1.3 million residents, making it one of the ten largest in the United States.  

However, the city has an intimate charm with charismatic neighborhoods and communities such as Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, the Gaslamp Quarter, Point Loma, Chula Vista, Old Town, La Jolla, North Park, and many others.  These neighborhoods have unique identities that combine to create a city rich in exploration and diversity.

Although it is an old city, often cited as the birthplace of California, San Diego is also a thoroughly modern city.

Discovered in 1542 by European explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, San Diego was originally named San Miguel and given its current name 60 years later, in 1602. European settlement began with the founding of the first Catholic mission, Mission San Diego de Alcala, in 1769. From 1821 through 1848, this area belonged to Mexico but was ceded to the U.S. in 1848 due to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Today, the proximity to Mexico still plays an important role in the city’s international flavor, creating a robust local and international economy.  Many visitors head across the border to enjoy luxury spas, beachfront resorts, golf courses, multicultural festivals and celebrations, colorful neighborhoods, and nightlife.

There’s no shortage of things to do in San Diego.  Great weather means San Diego is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise.  You can enjoy loads of land-based activities or opt for ocean fun with beach and tidepool visits, surfing, kayaking, jet skiing, sailing, cruises, and more.

Popular family destinations include LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo, PETCO Park, Scripps Aquarium, SeaWorld, USS Midway Museum, and cultural attractions that dot the city, including 18 museums spanning 1,200 acres in world-class Balboa Park. 

Adult fun reigns supreme as well.  Nearby casinos, spas, wineries, golf courses, breweries, five-star resorts, art and shopping destinations, and nightlife hotbeds in places like the Gaslamp Quarter and beach communities add to a bustling culinary experience fueled by dozens of cultures that bring a unique flavor to the city.