San Diego travel guide — San Diego tourism and travel information

San Diego travel guide

about San Diego

San Diego is a city located in the southwestern corner of the state of California (and thus in the southwestern corner of the continental United States). It is the county seat of San Diego County, California. The city is noted for its temperate climate and beautiful beaches. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,223,400. The city is the second largest in California and the seventh largest in the United States.

San Diego is the home of numerous military facilities including Navy ports and Marine bases. It is the home port of three Navy supercarriers, the USS John C. Stennis, the USS Nimitz and the USS Ronald Reagan, five amphibs, several nuclear submarines, and numerous smaller ships. One of the United States Marine Corps' two Recruit Depots is located here. Several Navy vessels have been named USS San Diego in honor of the city.

San Diego geography

San Diego is located at 32°46'46" North, 117°8'47" West (32.779541, -117.146344).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 963.6 km² (372.0 mi²). 840.0 km² (324.3 mi²) of it is land and 123.5 km² (47.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 12.82% water.

The city's borders are very irregularly shaped because of the absorption of many suburbs into the city limits.

San Diego history

San Diego was discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, sailing for Spain, in 1542. He named it San Miguel. The San Diego Bay and the area of present day San Diego were named by Sebastian Vizcaino when he was mapping the coastline of Alta California for Spain in 1602. The explorers camped near a Native American village called "Nipaguay" and celebrated Mass in honor of San (or Saint) Diego de Alcala (Saint Didicus of Alcala). California was then part of the colony of New Spain.

In 1769, Gaspar de Portolá and his expedition founded a presidio (or military post) and on Sunday July 16, Franciscan Fathers Junípero Serra, Juan Viscaino and Fernando Parron raised and blessed a cross, establishing the first mission in Upper California, which was named for San Diego de Alcala.

In 1822, New Spain became Mexico. San Diego was incorporated as a town in 1834 and Juan Maria Osuna elected the first alcalde (or mayor). The province of Alta California became part of the United States of America after the Mexican-American War.

In 1885, San Diego was linked to the rest of the nation by railroad. San Diego was reincorporated as a city in 1886.

Significant U.S. Naval presence began in 1907 with the establishment of the Navy Coaling Station.

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 has played a leading 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.

Near cities to San Diego

• Chula Vista travel guide 11 km
• Tijuana travel guide 24 km
• Escondido travel guide 45 km
• Oceanside travel guide 58 km
• San Juan Capistrano travel guide 100 km
• Irvine travel guide 120 km
• Costa Mesa travel guide 120 km
• Huntington Beach travel guide 130 km
• Santa Ana travel guide 130 km
• Orange travel guide 140 km

Near webcams to San Diego

• Del Mar Beach webcam 28 km
• Carlsbad webcam 51 km
• Laguna Beach webcam 110 km
• Los Angeles webcam 180 km
• Los Angeles - Skyline webcam 180 km
• Mount Wilson Observatory webcam 190 km
• Hollywood webcam 190 km
• Hollywood webcam 190 km
• Hollywood webcam 190 km
• Santa Monica webcam 190 km

back to top

San Diego travel services

cheap flights to San Diego

• book cheap flights to San Diego »
• book cheap flights to USA »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of four main cheap airline tickets and cheap flights online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap airline tickets San Diego, cheap flights San Diego, also available cheap airline tickets to USA and to the whole world. Up to date cheap flights San Diego deals also available.

cheap San Diego hotels

• book cheap hotels to San Diego »
• book cheap hotels to USA »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap hotels and accommodation online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap hotels in San Diego, USA hotel guide and cheap hotels and accommodation in lot of other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap San Diego hotel deals and discount accommodation tips also available.

cheap San Diego vacations

• book San Diego vacations »
• book USA vacations »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap vacations online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap vacations in San Diego, USA vacation rentals and cheap vacations in lot of other destinations world-wide. Up to date San Diego vacation deals also available.

cheap car rentals in San Diego

• book cheap car rental in San Diego »
• book cheap car rentals in USA »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main car rentals online booking systems. We are happy to offer car rentals in San Diego, car hire in USA and cheap car rental in lot other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap San Diego car hire deals also available.

San Diego travel insurance

• San Diego cheap travel insurance »
• cheap travel insurance for USA »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of Essential Travel Ltd., leading online travel insurance company, we can offer you health travel insurance for San Diego, accident health San Diego travel insurance, all using our online San Diego travel insurance form. We also offer travel insurance for other cities in USA. This offer is available for UK residents only.

San Diego real estate

• San Diego real estate guide »
• real estate listings in USA »

City Travel Guide comes with San Diego real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain San Diego property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in USA, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in San Diego.

back to top

San Diego travel books

San Diego travel guide books

• San Diego travel guide books »
• USA travel guide books »

San Diego maps and atlases

• San Diego maps and atlases »
• USA maps and atlases »

back to top