Named for the Spanish Catholic Saint, St. Didacus, in 1602, San Diego is a magnificent waterside city with a showcase of dazzling skyscrapers, glitzy modern loft developments, five-star hotels, and numerous exquisite cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. Scenic views lurk around every corner-hills covered in blossoming junipers, golden stalks of pampas grass and towering palm trees enamor all who visit this vibrant metropolis. San Diego is the second largest city in California and the seventh largest city in the United States with more than 1.3 million people residing within its borders totaling 4,200 square miles.
San Diego is made up of 18 enchanting neighborhoods and communities including the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla, La Mesa and Carlsbad just to name a few. While each of these neighborhoods falls under the umbrella of San Diego, each community has a unique identity, character, and geography.
The city's terrain is varied with gentle foothills to mile-high mountains and 600,000-acre Anza Borrego Desert State Park to lush wine country. Nature is San Diego's backyard - offering outdoor enthusiast the opportunity to hike, camp, fish, and explore the wildlife of the great outdoors. With a warm Mediterranean climate and more than 70 miles of Pacific coastline, San Diego also supports many water sports year-round such as surfing, boating, sailing and swimming.
Horton Plaza, a monumental architectural development built in the 1970's, is the heart of the city's lively downtown; trendy stores, modern restaurants and colorful people line the plaza's streets seven days a week. Breathtaking views of the Bay can be found by heading due west of the city to Embarcadero or jumping aboard a harbor cruise. The historic buildings of Old Town include a blacksmith shop, Seeley Stables, and the oldest schoolhouse in San Diego which all help visitors take a step back in time. The streets of the 16 ½ -block historic Gaslamp Quarter are overflowing with turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture. Seaport Village offers 14-acres of shops and restaurants to choose from. With so many options, it is easy to see why exploring San Diego is an endless adventure.
San Diego is a technology powerhouse with an economy that is largely supported by biotechnology, electronics manufacturing, defense and space manufacturing, software development, and telecommunications. It is home to one of the largest players in the telecommunications industry, Qualcomm. The environmental, transportation, and international trade industries also play a significant role in San Diego's economy. In fact, one-third of the top 20 environmental design firms in the US are located in San Diego; more than 1,000 transportation companies call San Diego home; and, there are more than 600 internationally-based companies here.
