San Diego - Historical Background

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"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 the sixth largest city in the United States.

The Earliest Peoples

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.

Spanish Influence

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 this area San Miguel, now known as 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 San Diego de Alcala would later be moved to its current location in Mission Valley.

Transitional Times

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.

An American City

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.

America's Finest City

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.

A Modern City

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.

The Future

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.







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San Diego Zoo


World-famous for a reason
 2920 Zoo Dr
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 231 1515
http://www.sandiegozoo.org
San Diego Zoo
Old Town


Birthplace of California
 2383 San Diego Ave
(Chamber of Commerce)
San Diego, CA 92110
+1 619 291 4903
http://www.oldtownsandiego.org
Old Town
Balboa Park


1200-acre cultural center
 Invalidenstraße 3
San Diego, CA 10115
+1 619 239 0512
http://www.balboapark.org
Balboa Park
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala


First California church
 10818 San Diego Mission Road
San Diego, CA 92108
+1 619 281 8449
http://www.missionsandiego.com/
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
Cabrillo National Monument & Point Loma Lighthouse


A history with a view
 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr
San Diego, CA 92106
+1 619 557 5450
http://www.nps.gov/cabr/
Cabrillo National Monument & Point Loma Lighthouse
US Grant Hotel


Step back in time
 326 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 232 3121 / +1 800 237 5029
http://www.usgrant.net/
US Grant Hotel
Presidio/Junipero Serra Museum


Once a Spanish fort
 2727 Presidio Dr
San Diego, CA 92103
+1 619 297 3258
http://www.sandiegohistory.org/mainpages/locate4.htm
Presidio/Junipero Serra Museum
SeaWorld Adventure Park


Black & White Has Never Been So Colorful
 500 SeaWorld Dr
San Diego, CA 92109
+1 800 257 4268
http://www.seaworld.com
SeaWorld Adventure Park
William Heath Davis House


A wealth of information, past and present
 410 Island Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 233 4692
http://www.gaslampquarter.org
William Heath Davis House
Salk Institute


Famous research facility
 10010 N Torrey Pines Rd
San Diego, CA 92037
+1 858 453 4100
http://www.salk.edu
Salk Institute
Spreckel's Organ Pavilion


4,445 pipes
 2211 Pan American Road
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 702 8138
Spreckel's Organ Pavilion
San Diego-Coronado Bridge


The big blue
 I-5 Coronado Bridge exit
(becomes Rte 75 into Coronado)
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 435 2224
http://www.coronado.ca.us/bridge.html
San Diego-Coronado Bridge
Qualcomm Stadium


Home of the pros
 9449 Friars Road
San Diego, CA 92108
+1 619 641 3100
http://www.sandiego.gov/qualcomm
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego
San Diego - Art & Entertainment
San Diego - Where to Stay
San Diego - Neighborhood Guide
San Diego - Dining & Drinking
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