Although a good-sized metropolis by any standard, as well as one of the fastest-growing cities in America, San Diego still retains its slow-paced, beach-town ambience. San Diego is in fact geographically different from the rest of Southern California, with alpine hills just inland, great beaches, gentle bays, and some of the best weather in the country. Worthwhile attractions (and there are many) include Balboa Park, Mission Bay and Sea World, Old Town, and the Maritime Museum.

In addition to its geographical position and particularly balmy climate, the city is famous for its zoo in Balboa Park, which has an exceptionally large number of animals, kept in conditions that are as close as possible to those of their natural habitat. It is frequently used to film nature documentaries, as well as by cartoon animators who need to study their subjects’ movements.

However, the entire Point Loma area appeared not very interesting for "conquistadors" because it lacked valuable treasures such as gold and other precious metals. Hence Cabrillo decided to turn away from San Diego soon after his arrival. More than 200 years later, the first settlers began to move to California, again with San Diego as their starting point.

In 1769, the Spanish monk Junipero Serra founded the mission "San Diego de Alcala" on an elevated area called Presidio Hill. Moving on north from Presidio Hill, Serra founded many more missions, each at a distance of approximately one travel day . The area of the settlement Mission San Diego is known as Old Town today. The number of settlements grew only very slowly for many years.

This situation changed only in 1850, when California became U.S. property after the U.S. won the war with Mexico. San Diego became the southernmost outpost in the new State of California, naval commerce was being developed, and hotels and gaming establishments started up.

1867 was the beginning of a strong period of growth, when Alonzo Horton, a gold digger, began buying up large areas south of Old Town, paying for it with profits from his gold exploration business. Mr. Horton was a man with a vision, he saw his capital investment grow and multiply as soon as the San Diego City Government moved to this New Town four years later. 

The largest increase in numbers of new San Diego settlers started in 1885. That year the rail road arrived in San Diego and soon became the preferred mode of transportation for people, and started improving San Diego's infro- structure for movement of goods considerably.

In 1888, San Diego already had a population of 40,000. And it was the year of inauguration of the world famous luxury hotel "Del Coronado" on the peninsula of lovely Coronado During the 2nd world war, San Diego became headquarters for the United States Pacific Fleet, mainly because of its sheltered natural bay setting. Soon after Pearl Harbor, San Diego became the most important west coast Navy Base. And today, the military has a large presence in the San Diego area. More than 100,000 personnel work at all bases, such as the large Navy base on North Island, or the Miramar Marine Base, or at the big Camp Pendleton Army Base. More than 100 Navy ships  incl. 3 aircraft carriers call San Diego their home base harbor.

San Diego Highlights:

The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They are in the National League West.

The Padres adopted their name from the minor league franchise Pacific Coast League team which arrived in San Diego in 1936. In 1969, San Diego joined the ranks of Major League Baseball as one of four new expansion teams

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá (10818 San Diego Mission Rd. 619-281-8449.) Dating from 1774, this plain white mission features a wall of bells and Padre Serra's original quarters.

Built in 1769 under the direction of Father Junâpero Serra, and the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park (4002 Wallace St. 619-220-5422), which dates back to 1821, shortly after Mexico gained independence from Spain.

In 1868, San Diego set aside 1,400 acres of cactus and chaparral as a public park.

Today Balboa Park (619-239-0512), the city's most elegant public space, provides a lush setting for serene gardens, striking architecture, picnic grounds, golf courses, and the world-class San Diego Zoo (619-234-3153), which showcases pygmy chimps, sun bears from Malaysia, and 22 new aviaries called the Wings of Australasia.

Down on the Embarcadero waterfront, sailors will delight in the three historic ships moored at the Maritime Museum (1492 N. Harbor Drive. 619-234-9153).

The 1863 tall ship Star of India (the oldest iron-hulled vessel afloat), the 1898 San Francisco Bay ferry Berkeley, and the 1904 steam-powered yacht Medea.

Sea World (1720 S. Shores Rd. 619-226-3901) ranks as one of California's top attractions. The marine life park features six shows daily (its most famous star is Shamu the killer whale) and more than 30 educational exhibits, including the largest collection of penguins north of Antarctica, live sharks, a whale and dolphin petting zoo, and the new Rocky Point Preserve, a Pacific Northwest habitat where you look at sea otters and other marine creatures close-up. Sea World is open year around, visitors of all ages enjoy the two acres of splash and fun. Wade, train, feed, and play with Killer Whales at Sea World’s newest adventure; Shamu Backstage.

Take the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, or a pedestrian ferry (San Diego Harbor Excursions leave from Broadway Pier. 619-234-4111) to Coronado Island (Visitor Center, 1047 B Ave. Coronado. 619-437-8788), which is not really an island but a low, narrow peninsula that separates San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Be sure to visit the castle-like Victorian Hotel del Coronado (1500 Orange Ave. 619-435-6611) and take a stroll along the lovely beach. This elegant Victorian seaside resort (1888) boasts an early Otis elevator. The cupola roof line inspired guest L. Frank Baum in describing Oz.