San Diego is the 2nd largest city in California and the 8th largest in the United States, with approximately 1.4 million residents in the city and more than 3 million across the county. The county spans roughly 4,200 square miles and includes cities such as Coronado, Del Mar, Carlsbad, and Chula Vista, along with well known communities including the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, La Jolla, Hillcrest, Point Loma, Old Town, and Rancho Santa Fe.
Attractions & Activities
San Diego is known for its climate, 70 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, and a range of attractions that draw visitors year round. The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, SeaWorld San Diego, and LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad are among the most visited. The San Diego Padres play at Petco Park in the heart of downtown, one of the most scenic ballparks in the country with views of the city skyline.
San Diego County has 72 golf courses along with beachfront resorts, luxury spas, a vibrant downtown district, multicultural festivals, and a rich military history. The craft beer scene is one of the most recognized in the country, with over 150 breweries earning San Diego a reputation as the craft beer capital of America.
San Diego County
San Diego County covers a wide range of terrain. East County moves from foothills up to mountain elevations, with the historic mining town of Julian and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California at 600,000 acres, with 500 miles of dirt roads and 12 wilderness areas offering hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife.
North County has a strong agricultural tradition, producing flowers, avocados, and wine grapes. The county produces 60 percent of all California avocados, and local winemakers have been producing wine for the region's restaurants and resorts with roots going back to the 18th and 19th century.
Along the coast, 70 miles of shoreline are popular for surfing, boating, sailing, and swimming, as well as scientific research through the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. San Diego has one of the largest military presences in the United States, home to major Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard installations that have shaped the identity and culture of the region for over a century.
To the south, the border cities of Tijuana, Rosarito, and Ensenada in Mexico are a short drive away and offer their own culture, coastline, and dining.
Art & Culture
The dining scene in San Diego has grown into one of the most recognized in the country. With over 6,400 restaurants across the region, the options range from rooftop bars and coastline dining to Michelin starred and Michelin mentioned restaurants drawing national attention. Addison in Del Mar holds the county's only three Michelin star rating and is the only Five Diamond and Five Star restaurant in Southern California. Balboa Park is one of the largest urban cultural parks in the United States at 1,200 acres, home to the San Diego Zoo, more than 15 museums, numerous art galleries, gardens, and the Tony Award winning Globe Theatre. This reflects a broader arts and culture scene that continues to grow alongside the food scene.
