San Diego, California

"It's the most beautiful place in the world to me and I had rather have the affection and friendly greetings of the people of San Diego than all the rulers of the world."

So said Alonzo Horton, founder of what would become downtown San Diego, on the occasion of his 95th birthday. Most likely, San Diego residents would heartily echo his sentiments today. This beautiful, geographically-diverse region in Southern California is truly a wonderful sight to behold. But it is the people who have persevered through boom and bust to build this city, now one of the top ten largest in the United States.

Archaeologists have determined that the first inhabitants of this area settled here more than 20,000 years ago, in the area now known as Rancho Santa Fe. By 7000 BC, descendants of these earlier peoples had migrated to the sandy shores of La Jolla and the riverbed of Mission Valley.

The simple life of these native peoples was forever altered when the Spanish Conquistadors overtook the Aztec civilization. The conquest for gold, land and religion brought Spanish explorers and religious leaders to the area.

While looking for a Northwest passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay in 1542 and came ashore in Point Loma. In honor of the feast day on which he landed, Cabrillo dubbed the area San Miguel, now represented by the Cabrillo National Monument. For nearly 60 years, the land named by Cabrillo remained the quiet domain of the local inhabitants who continued to live their simple lives. And nothing much changed that way of life, even after Sebastian Vizcaino arrived from Mexico in 1602 and renamed the area San Diego de Alcala, in honor of his vessel, San Diego, and the Catholic saint of the same name.

In 1768, expeditions were organized from Baja (lower) California into Alta (upper) California in order to establish territorial rights along the California coast. Secondarily, the Catholic church decided to establish a series of missions along a northernly advance from which to convert the native peoples. By 1769, a contingent of soldiers and Franciscan Brothers established a military camp on Presidio Hill. That summer, Father Junipero Serra would found the first California Mission on that site. The Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala would later be moved to its current location in Mission Valley.

Around the time of Mexico's war to win independence from Spain, a thriving settlement of 600 people was established in Old Town. By 1821, Mexico earned its independence, and within four years San Diego was named the official capital of both upper and lower Baja.

In 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico to gain rights to the western lands and within two years, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo was signed ending the war and setting the countries' current borders. San Diego became the southernmost city in the United States.

By the mid-1800s, San Diego became an official county and acquired one of its most influential residents, William Heath Davis. He was so enchanted by the city that he purchased 160 acres by the bay and determined to build a fine city. For a while, his vision soared. Land parcels were sold and businesses moved in. Then disaster struck. A series of floods and then a fire put an end to his dream. But his own home, the William Heath Davis House, is still the oldest surviving structure in San Diego.

In 1867, a newcomer arrived in San Diego after hearing of its beauty at a lecture. Alonzo Erastus Horton renewed Davis' dream. With the purchase of 800 acres at 33 cents an acre, he spent $50,000 to build a wharf at the end of Fifth Avenue. Before long, he would also build his "Horton Hotel" at the site where the current US Grant Hotel stands today. At the dedication of the hotel, he also set aside half a city block as a plaza for his guests with the stipulation that it would revert to city ownership upon his death. Today, this half city block is the site of Horton Plaza.

The beginnings of culture in San Diego seem to stem directly from its entrenchment in promoting the Panama-California Exposition of 1915. Since 1868, Balboa Park has existed, but it was not until plans for the Expo took shape that the city would have one of its most distinctive attractions. Construction began in 1911 on the buildings which would commemorate the completion of the Panama Canal. Sugar magnate John D. Spreckels presented the Organ Pavilion to the people of San Diego and this organ is still played on Sunday afternoons.

Perhaps by accident, San Diegans acquired yet another world-famous attraction: the San Diego Zoo, during preparations for the 1915 Expo. Animals being imported for display during the Expo were quarantined by Dr. Harry Wegeforth. His efforts to garner public support for a zoo led to the plans for the facility to be a showcase in newly-developed Balboa Park.

By 1960, San Diego's population topped one million people and tourism had become the city's third most important industry. Investments in the city's economy flourished with the establishment of the Salk Institute, SeaWorld, the San Diego Stadium (now Qualcomm Stadium) and the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge.

From its humble beginnings as an abundant natural resource for indigenous peoples to a modern, bustling city, San Diego has witnessed both times of prosperity and decline. Through it all, the breathtaking natural beauty continues to attract people from all around the world. Yet, the true wonder of this city lies in its people, a truly divergent group who continue to look toward the future with hope, expectations, and genuine love for San Diego.

As if the glorious weather alone were not enough of a reason, San Diego boasts several world-renowned attractions that keep tourists coming to this California metropolis. From sunny Balboa Park to the historic sites of the Gaslamp Quarter and the Old Town, a tour of San Diego is filled with possibilities.

Balboa Park The 1,200-acre Balboa Park is the cultural and tourist center of San Diego with numerous museums and theaters, a sporting complex, beautiful gardens, an open-air pipe organ, and the San Diego Zooon its premises. The famous Laurel Restaurant & Bar is nearby. It also houses the Museum of Man, an anthropological museum documenting the Southwestern and Mexican cultures. Next to the museum is the venerable Old Globe Theatre and the San Diego Museum of Art and the Timken Museum of Art.

Downtown The world's oldest floating merchant ship, the Star of India is located in the dock at the corner of Ash Street and North Harbor Drive. The ship is part of the San Diego Maritime Museum, while the San Diego Aerospace Museum is not far away. Also located along the Embarcadero is the New England-style Seaport Village.

Gaslamp Quarter Slightly east of Seaport Village, the historic Gaslamp Quarter, highlighted by gas street lamps and Victorian-style buildings, draws countless tourists and locals. Westfield Horton Plaza is a sprawling outdoor mall in this area. The San Diego Convention Center and PETCO Park sit on the waterfront, right around the corner from the Edgewater Grill.

Coronado After visiting the downtown San Diego attractions, take the ferry from Broadway Pier or drive across the arching, 2.2 mile-long San Diego-Coronado Bridge to Coronado Island, a beautiful resort community boasting some of the most exclusive homes, boutiques and restaurants in San Diego. If you take the ferry, you will disembark at the Ferry Landing Marketplace. From here catch a shuttle bus that will take you to the town's main tourist drag, Orange Avenue, where you'll find the Coronado Historical Association Museum of History and Art. Up the road is the Coronado Brewing Company, a popular pub and restaurant.

Old Town A slice of historic life has been preserved and re-created in the Old Town neighborhood at the Old Town State Historic Park, a kind of dusty Mexican theme park complete with restored haciendas, costumed characters and serenading mariachis. Start your visit at the Seeley Stables where volunteers give free daily tours. The haunted Thomas Whaley Museum is a must-see attraction in Old Town, as is the Presidio Park and the Presidio/Junipero Serra Museum. With historic museums, affluent boutiques, adventurous water sports and breathtaking ocean views, San Diego boasts a variety of sites for any tourist. So, choose a tour that piques your interest and enjoy the first-class attractions offered by this bustling city.

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