The cities size is 324 square miles and has a population of 1,223,400 people (2000), making it the 7th largest city in the USA. The metro area is larger with 2,813,833 people. This makes it the 17th largest metro area in the USA. This includes other large cities in their own right, such as Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, El Cajon, Vista, Carlsbad, and National City. To the northwest of downtown, the city is serviced by San Diego International Airport, also known as Lindbergh Field. There is no extensive train or rail system for mass transit. Together with the large expanse of the area, having a car is a must in this region.

San Diego was settled in 1769 when the Spanish established a presidio (fort) and mission. These were the first Spanish settlements in California. This settlement occurred in what is now know as "Old Town. Yuman-speaking Native Americans local to the area were named Diegueño by the Spanish missionaries. San Diego, as the settlement came to be known, was under Mexican rule from 1821 until it was captured by U.S. armed forces during the Mexican War (1846-1848). It was incorporated into a city in 1850. Entrepreneur Alonzo Horton vitalized the area in 1867 when he began developing land south of the original settlement. Following a huge fire in 1872, settlers and businesses migrated to Horton’s “New Town.” The area boomed following the arrival of the first railroad in 1885. Three years later, the Hotel del Coronado opened for business. San Diego grew steadily during the early 20th century when in 1910 the city had grown to 40,000. The two world wars in the first half of the 20th century contributed to the military importance of San Diego. Naval bases were constructed and local defense industries expanded production. The aircraft and electronics industries became leading employers. By 1950 the city’s population had climbed to 334,387. During the following decade San Diego’s population grew by a remarkable 71 percent. Several slumps in the aerospace industry prompted a move to diversify the local economy. The biggest jolt came in the early 1990s. Reduced spending for defense hit San Diego’s aerospace industry. The region benefited, however, through the closure of military installations elsewhere in the nation and the reassignment of functions to bases in the San Diego area.

The city's economy is quite diverse. San Diego’s economic success is a healthy mix of manufacturing, trade, tourism, fishing, and agriculture. San Diego has numerous facilities housed by the U.S. Navy. Leading manufactured products include electronic and electrical equipment, aircraft, and industrial machinery. Biotechnology firms and communications companies add to the economy. There is much cross border trade with Mexico. San Diego County has very productive agricultural counties, leading in the production of avocados. Military installations in the area include the San Diego Naval Station, the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego Naval Submarine Base and numerous training, command, and logistic facilities. The United States Marine Corps operates the massive Camp Pendleton to the north of the city. Formed in 1962, the Port of San Diego handles a wide variety of maritime cargoes, cruise ships and operates the San Diego International Airport. San Diego is an important transportation center, served by three interstate freeways; I-5, I-8 and I-15. Tourism is another major source of revenue to the area. The Pacific Ocean with great beaches and rugged coastline, surfing, mild temperate weather attracts people year round to the area.

Institutions of higher learning include; San Diego State University (founded in 1897) and the University of California, San Diego (1959). Many museums are located in Balboa Park. They are the San Diego Museum of Art, featuring works from the Italian Renaissance and the San Diego Natural History Museum. The San Diego Museum of Man explores the origins of humans, while the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center has numerous hands-on exhibits.

Buffered by temperate weather, January, the coldest month, averages 55F. In the summer, August, the hottest month averages 70F. The typical minimum and maximum temperatures do not vary much from the averages, one of the reasons why it is such a popular place to live. The city receives slightly less then 10"/year of rain. The rainy season is in the winter and the area receives almost no rain during the summer.

San Diego is a diverse city. People of Hispanic origin constitute about 25% of the population. Asians account for 14% and African-Americans 8%. Most of the remaining people are whites.

All pictures are from San Diego or the immediate area, using various film and digital cameras.

View the panoramic shot of the San Diego skyline from North Harbor.
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Star of India as seen from the Embarcadero in San Diego.
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Star of India as seen from the Embarcadero.
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British ship as seen from the Embarcadero.
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Aircraft carrier as seen from the Embarcadero.
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The train station from Kettner and Broadway in the downtown area.
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The Comtemporary Museum of Art from Kettner and Broadway next to the train station.
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The Sledgehammer Theatre, from E and 4th in San Diego.
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Gaslamp District, from 5th between E and F Streets.
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Old Town, located at Wallace, near Juan St. The garden at La Casa de Estudillo.
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Victoria Heritage Park on Juan St. near Old Towne.
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View of Beach from D-Street in Encinitas.
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Beautiful Garden in Encinitas on Cornish St.
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The following San Diego parks are listed below for your viewing.
Pictures of Balboa Park by World from the Web in downtown San Diego.
Pictures of Cabrillo National Momument (Point Lomas) by World from the Web located on the tip of Point Lomas.

Additional parks not in San Diego but in the area are listed below for your viewing.
Joshua Tree National Park by World from the Web, to the east of San Diego.
Pictures of the West Coast by World from the Web, including the San Diego area.