POPULATION: 2,956,746 (Urban), 3,095,313 (Metro) | TIME ZONE: Pacific | CLIMATE: Mediterranean climate (warm, dry summers, mild winters, most annual precipitation between December and March)
120 miles south of (and a world apart from) Los Angeles, San Diego sits on the U.S. border with Mexico. This is where the state of California was born. Originally claimed for Spain in 1542, it became home to the first European settlement in California in 1769, and was admitted to the Union in 1850 after the Mexican-American War. Known for having a mild climate all year round, San Diego has exceptional beaches and a long-standing relationship with the U.S. Navy—who is San Diego’s single largest employer. Running a close second is the University of California San Diego. Running a distant third is Sharp Health Care, a reflection of San Diego’s emergence as a healthcare and biotechnology development center. But another major industry here is tourism. Between the climate, the beaches, and endless attractions from Balboa Park to the San Diego Zoo to SeaWorld San Diego, there’s plenty to do. Additionally, the Spanish and Mexican heritage is very much alive here. From place names to the historic sites to the cuisine, the Latin legacy here is in evidence.
NICKNAME(S)
America's Finest City
MOTTO(S)
Semper Vigiland (Ever Vigilant)
RANDOM SONG ABOUT THE CITY
San Diego Serenade, by Tom Waits
PRO SPORTS TEAMS
San Diego Chargers (NFL)
San Diego Padres (MLB)
San Diego Flash (NPSL)
San Diego Gulls (AHL)
San Diego Surf (ABA)
San Diego Sockers (MASL)
San Diego Sting (WFA)
ALSO KNOWN FOR...
A Farmers' Almanac top-ten best climates ranking
According to Forbes, San Diego is the 9th safest city in the country.
#1 avocado producer in the nation
The first drive-in restaurant
The country’s largest wooden structure (Hotel Del Coronado)
70 miles of beach
The San Diego Zoo
Ron Burgundy
More farms than any other U.S. city
Dr. Seuss
The invention of WD-40
Shaun White, Dennis Hopper, Ray Kroc, Greg Louganis, Nick Cannon, Jonas Salk, Robert Duvall, Cameron Diaz, Tony Hawk, Mayim Bialik, Cleavon Little, Tug McGraw, Sally Ride, RuPaul, Ricky Williams, Ted Williams, Frank Zappa