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