San Diego has been referred to by historians as the "birthplace of California." The influence of Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo continues to pervade the city today; Cabrillo landed in San Diego Bay and claimed the region for Spain in 1542. In 1769, Father Junipero Serra established the Mission San Diego de Alcala. The mission was one in a series of 21 missions that ultimately extended all the way to Northern California. (Click here for an online historical mission tour.) The Spanish weren't the first group to populate modern-day San Diego, however; the region originally was populated by Indians, and Mexicans also governed the area for period of time. Those influences are felt today by the maintenance of those well-preserved missions, which draw tourists by the thousands, and also by the city's names for its streets and countless attractions; many of them convey its proud history.

In 1848 the Mexican War resulted in the annexation of California to the United States. At that point, San Diego came into its own with a surge of development. In 1868, development began in San Diego's "New Town," now called the Gaslamp Quarter. (For a tour of the city's Gaslamp Quarter, head to .) The attention given to New Town left the city's Old Town in the shadows until 1969, when the San Diego's Bicentennial celebration spurred restoration efforts and new interest in Old Town. Old Town is now considered the true heart of "old San Diego."

With an average daily temperature of 70 degrees, one of San Diego's biggest selling points is its climate. The city enjoys 70 miles of Pacific Ocean beaches and two bays, as well as nearby mountain ranges and a desert. That varied topography keeps temperatures on an even keel throughout the year -- not too warm, and never too chilly. With its proximity to the water, San Diego has its share of breathtaking scenery and an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. San Diego County's beaches include: Blacks Beach; La Jolla Shores; La Jolla Cove; Children's Pool; Windansea Beach; North Pacific Beach; Pacific Beach; Mission Bay Beaches; Mission Beach; South Mission Beach; and Ocean Beach.

San Diego has developed a national reputation as a small haven for retirees; however, that notion is a misconception. San Diego actually is the nation's sixth-largest city (San Diego County has a population of more than 2.5 million) and the second largest in California. The city's carefully planned highway network connects a series of distinct neighborhoods, each one of them with a small-town feel. The city's most expensive real estate lies along the 70 miles of Pacific Ocean that surround it.

Nearly two-thirds of San Diego's employment comes from the biomedical industry. As in many other cities, however, telecommunications has moved into first place in San Diego as the most rapidly growing industry. Software and multimedia companies -- both relocations and start-ups -- continue to call the city their home. And wherever there's cutting-edge technology, educational institutions aren't far away; San Diego boasts several world-renowned research facilities and prestigious universities. Among them: the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, The Scripps Research Institute/Scripps Clinic, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, the University of California at San Diego, the University of San Diego, and San Diego State University.

On the real estate front, pricey vacation homes and seaside condos comprise a large percentage of local Realtors' business. Believe it or not, affordable single-family homes -- many of them in the mid-$100K range -- can and do exist in San Diego. Regardless of your budget, you'll find something that meets your needs here. Obviously, if you can hear the ocean waves, it's safe to assume you'll pay for that privilege. Resign yourself to driving to the beach or taking a short walk to get there, however, and your budget will thank you for it.

When it's time to get out and explore, the possibilities are endless in a city with such varied topography. Wine lovers may head to their choice of 15 nearby vineyards, including the Orfila Vineyards, located in the Pasqual Valley 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Favorite sports of natives and tourists to San Diego include windsurfing and kayaking, as well as cycling and hiking through nearby mountain passes. If the many Navy ships at port didn't tip you off, sailing opportunities are many in San Diego. Yacht clubs cater to those with deeper pockets. Those of us who seek a little relaxation on the water may choose from a dinner cruise, ferry ride, or water taxi ride on the Pacific. Some of the taxis have glass bottoms in order to provide a close-up view of marine life.

Other popular attractions include Balboa Park, home of the famous San Diego Zoo and Japanese Friendship Garden; San Diego Wild Animal Park; Sea World; and Stephen Birch Aquarium.

Whether you're here as a result of the city's high-tech growth or you're just passing through, San Diego aims to please -- and it succeeds. With its geographical variety, multicultural influences, and friendly weather, if you haven't found something to suit your tastes in San Diego, it simply doesn't exist.

Published: August 13, 1998

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