Situated on the coast of Southern California, San Diego enjoys an ideal climate, its location right on the beach, an advanced economy, and rich multiculturalism. With an economy that is dependant on a vast variety of many different sectors, San Diego is a burgeoning metropolis and a popular tourist destination.

As with many cities throughout the country, San Diego began as a European claim staked because of an advantageous natural location—in this case, it was the defensible natural harbor. It later was the sight of a Christian mission, evolving into a city in the 1850s after the Mexican-American war and the gold rush of 1848. Today, San Diego is in touch with its historical roots and actively maintains many of the buildings that the city was composed of many years ago.

Several deep canyons created a low-density, segmented area that necessitates the use of cars. Downtown San Diego sits on the bay and Balboa Park on a mesa to the northeast, surrounded by dense urban communities. The Point Loma and Coronado Peninsulas separate San Diego from the ocean. To the east of the city are mountains, and beyond the mountains, desert areas. The Mediterranean climate is mild and dry throughout the year. Rainfall is rare, mostly concentrated on the cooler part of the year.

San Diego is about half white, with large minority groups, such as Hispanics and African Americans. The largest age group is those from 25 to 44 years old, composing 34% of San Diego’s population.

Defense, manufacturing, and tourism are the largest components of San Diego’s economy. Tourism is especially popular because of the many historical sites, national parks, museums, world-class dining spots, resorts, and beaches. The climate has much to do with this, allowing people to escape from their undesirable climates.

Attractions in San Diego

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