San Diego

The city stretches along the Pacific Ocean for 70 miles (113 kilometers) with beaches and encompasses different districts from downtown to residential La Jolla, plus several hills and canyons inland.

Spanish colonizers founded the settlement on July 16, 1769, as California's first European location. The community grew rapidly after connecting to the transcontinental railroad in 1885 and expanded substantially through Navy installations during World War II.

Home to numerous military installations, the Navy shapes city life and supports a major aerospace industry that provides thousands of jobs and contributes to the regional economy.

The trolley system connects three main lines through 53 stations between downtown, Mission Valley, and the Mexican border. The international airport sits just 3 miles (5 kilometers) from downtown and offers direct flights to many destinations across North America and beyond.

The Gaslamp Quarter downtown preserves 94 historic Victorian-era buildings across 16 blocks that now house restaurants, shops, and nightlife, making it one of the best-preserved urban Victorian districts in the American West.

Location: San Diego County

Inception: July 16, 1769

Address: San Diego, CA, USA

Website: https://sandiego.gov

GPS coordinates: 32.71500,-117.16250

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:10