| Once upon a time, a little town that we now know | | | | to the whaling port. The town’s downtown |
| as San Diego, was inhabited by only the Kumeyaay | | | | was made of a 1,000-acre plot that was then bought |
| people. That small town now stands as one of the | | | | by Alonzo E. Horton in 1867. Alonzo started the |
| biggest and prosperous cities in the United States. Its | | | | town’s development by laying out streets, |
| population now reaches 1,255,240 people and is proud | | | | building a wharf and a hotel, and then donating land |
| to be the second largest city in California and the | | | | for churches. The town’s population increased |
| eighth largest in the United States. Its geographical | | | | quickly especially after 1870, due to the gold strike. In |
| position, on the southern coast of California, makes it | | | | 1885, when Santa Fe Railroad and a number of |
| the perfect destination for vacationers. There are so | | | | eastern investors arrived in the city there were |
| many things tourists desire: stunning beaches, | | | | 40,000 people living in the area.San Diego managed |
| fabulous weather, endless activities and a top | | | | to overcome the economic setbacks from economic |
| convention destination. The prospering San Diego | | | | and business life even though there were times when |
| economy, was made possible by it’s focus on | | | | the city registered a regression visible in the number |
| tourism, trade, agriculture, ship-building, the military, | | | | of population that dwindled to 17,000 people. The |
| biotechnology, computer sciences and electronics. | | | | obscurity that lied upon the town was caused by the |
| Thanks to this economic development the | | | | more developed cities such as Los Angeles and San |
| city’s appearance is being reflected both on | | | | Francisco. After the World War II, San Diego |
| the life style of the people and in the design of the | | | | extended his territory with almost 20 miles in each |
| buildings. Both tourists and citizens are welcomed to | | | | direction and became a military center, home base |
| enjoy the downtown area where they will find | | | | for a large number of naval trainees that were |
| attractive gathering places, overhead walkways, | | | | relocated to the city as civilians. So did the city begin |
| parks, historic districts and fantastic shopping in | | | | its growth and development that has never ceased. |
| innovative centers and residential developments.But | | | | The town’s territory expanded after the |
| the town was not always the prosperous city we all | | | | addition of new distinct communities that developed |
| know. Its beginnings are tied to the Portuguese | | | | in the nearby canyons and valleys; territories that |
| explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who first discovered | | | | though incorporated into San Diego retain a separate |
| San Diego and claimed it for Spain. He discovered the | | | | identity.Many of California’s famous fruit and |
| bay and named it San Miguel and was known under | | | | vegetables come from the San Diego’s south |
| this name until 1602. The Spanish explorer Don | | | | side that has a rich agricultural area. These fruits and |
| Sebastian Viscaino, a Spanish Catholic saint, changed | | | | vegetables are shipped worldwide from San |
| the name into St. Didacus known as "San | | | | Diego’s port that can be found in the north |
| Diego". He was first celebrated on November | | | | side of the city. This north side is the area where |
| 12, 1602 when the Spanish fort and mission complex, | | | | tourists will find hotels, spectacular cliff homes, and |
| the Presidio, was founded. We now know this area | | | | recreational amenities.The city continued its |
| as Old Town, which is a favorite tourist destination in | | | | development and was able to surpass San Francisco |
| San Diego.At that time the town was an important | | | | as California's second largest city. One of the things |
| shipping point for cattle hide and quarried stone. In | | | | that kept the city alive was the Centre City |
| order to prove how important this shipping point was | | | | Development Corporation which is a comprehensive |
| we can take the city of Boston as an example since | | | | group of developers, financial experts, and civic |
| it was paved with stone brought from San | | | | leaders. San Diego has also been declared as the |
| Diego.After 1822, when Mexico gained its | | | | most efficiently run big city in California and it |
| independence from Spain, San Diego became the | | | | won’t stand for anything less.San Diego has |
| capital of Mexican California. San Diego was under | | | | overcome many challenges and has proven itself to |
| Mexico’s control for about 24 years until it | | | | be one of America’s favorite big cities. Come |
| was passed to the United States in 1846.. The town | | | | visit San Diego and experience for yourself all that |
| was incorporated as a city in 1850.The town | | | | this treasure has to offer. |
| developed in the next twenty years especially thanks | | | | |