County · CA
San Diego County
Primary city: San Diego
Elevation0 m2.2k m
Current view Town Relief River Pacific
This week
Oceanside will keep using controversial Flock surveillance cameras despite criticism. Chula Vista’s Gaylord Hotel may cost more than expected.
AI summary drawn only from this week’s local headlines below.
Local news
September 3, 2026
Despite criticism, Oceanside will keep using controversial Flock surveillance cameras ↗inewsource
Civic calendar
Public meeting calendars
- County Board of Supervisors — meeting calendar ↗Upcoming board meetings, agendas, and minutes.
- San Diego Unified — Board of Education meetings ↗Upcoming school board meeting dates and agendas.
Elections
- San Diego County Registrar of Voters ↗Election dates, your polling place, and what is on the ballot.
- California Secretary of State — Elections ↗Statewide election dates and official results.
Heritage
Founding · 1769
San Diego began in 1769. Spanish settlers built a mission and a presidio — a walled fort — on the bay. It was the first of the missions that Spain founded up the coast of California.
National Park Service — Cabrillo National Monumentprimary / govCalifornia State Parks — Old Town San Diegoprimary / gov
Economy
The town grew from a mission into a busy Pacific port. Today the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps make San Diego one of the largest military harbors in the country.
National Park Service — Cabrillo National Monumentprimary / gov
Statehood
California joined the United States on September 9, 1850, as the 31st state.
United States Senate — California Statehoodprimary / gov
Notable figures
Notable figures73
Astronauts 5
Frederick W. Sturckow
American astronaut.
Michael J. McCulley
American astronaut.
Nichole Ayers
US Air Force pilot and NASA astronaut.
Stanley G. Love
American astronaut.
William C. McCool
U.S. Navy Commander, NASA astronaut and the pilot of Space Shuttle Columbia which was destroyed during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere in 2003.
Olympic medalists 10
Cory Juneau
American skateboarder — Olympic bronze medalist.
Dean Glenesk
Modern pentathlete — Olympic silver medalist.
Donna de Varona
American swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, former world record-holder, television sportscaster.
Elana Meyers Taylor
American bobsledder — Olympic silver medalist.
Greg Louganis
American Olympic springboard and platform diver.
Keegan Palmer
American-Australian goofy-footed professional skateboarder — Olympic gold medalist.
Kelsey Plum
American basketball player (born 1994) — Olympic gold medalist.
Robert Beck
American fencer (1936–2020) — Olympic bronze medalist.
Sarah Robles
American weightlifter — Olympic bronze medalist.
Shaun White
American snowboarder and skateboarder — Olympic gold medalist.
Athletes 7
Jimmie Johnson
American racing driver.
Bill Walton
American basketball player and sportscaster (1952–2024).
Ted Williams
American baseball player and fighter pilot.
Phil Mickelson
American professional golfer.
Luca de la Torre
American soccer player.
Norman Powell
American basketball player.
Julie Foudy
American soccer player.
Inventors 1
Ryan Dahl
American software engineer.
Politicians 8
Greg Gianforte
American politician and businessman.
Dana Rohrabacher
American politician.
Dirk Kempthorne
49th United States Secretary of the Interior.
Duncan D. Hunter
American politician and U.S. Marine Corps officer.
Juan Vargas
American politician.
Sara Jacobs
American politician.
Andrés Pico
American politician (1810-1876).
Rocky De La Fuente
American businessman and perennial candidate (born 1954).
Business founders 6
Billy Casper
American golfer (1931–2015).
Tom Anderson
American internet entrepreneur.
Sophia Amoruso
American businesswoman.
Dan Friedkin
American businessman.
Philip Rosedale
American businessman, founder of Second Life.
Frank Wells
American film studio executive (1932–1994).
Authors 8
Greg Bear
American writer best known for science fiction (1951–2022).
Tess Gerritsen
American novelist.
Elizabeth Hand
American writer.
Carrie Prejean
American conservative activist and former model.
Barbara Hambly
American fiction writer.
Andre Dubus III
American novelist and short story writer.
Linda Nagata
American writer.
John C. Wright
American novelist (born 1961).
Actors 8
Cameron Diaz
American actress and model.
Gregory Peck
American actor (1916–2003).
Robert Duvall
American actor and director (1931–2026).
Joshua Bassett
American actor and singer-songwriter.
Adam Driver
American actor (born 1983).
Marcia Gay Harden
American actress.
Mayim Bialik
American actress, television personality, and author (born 1975).
Cliff Robertson
American actor (1923–2011).
Musicians 8
Dave Mustaine
American musician.
Conan Gray
American singer-songwriter.
Ann Wilson
American singer.
Diamanda Galás
American singer-songwriter.
Tina Weymouth
American musician.
Lester Bangs
American music critic and journalist.
John Ottman
American composer, film editor, and film director.
Tim Lambesis
American heavy metal singer (born 1980).
Companies started here 12
Jack in the BoxQualcommRazer Inc.DC ShoesSan Diego FCGeneral AtomicsIlluminaLenovoEMCCallaway Golf CompanyConsolidated AircraftTeradataWildStorm
Historic sites on the National Register
Historic sites135
A. H. Sweet Residence and Adjacent Small House
Historic house in San Diego, California, United States.National Register listing ↗A.H. Beach House
House in Escondido, California, United States.National Register listing ↗Alfred Haines House
Historic house in San Diego, California, United States.National Register listing ↗Americanization School
School in Oceanside, California.National Register listing ↗- Audrey Geisel University House ↗
Aztec Bowl
Former stadium in San Diego.National Register listing ↗Balboa Park
Historic park in San Diego, California.National Register listing ↗Balboa Theatre
Theater and movie theater in downtown San Diego, California, US.National Register listing ↗Bandy House
Historic house in Escondido, California, United States.National Register listing ↗Bear Valley Archeological Site
Pine Valley (San Diego) California.National Register listing ↗Berkeley
San Francisco Bay ferry.National Register listing ↗Brick Row
Historic building in National City, California, United States.National Register listing ↗
and 123 more listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Worth exploring
Parks and public lands7
National
Cabrillo National Monument
A monument on Point Loma marking where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo came ashore in 1542.Official page ↗
State
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
The largest state park in California, in the desert of eastern San Diego County.Official page ↗Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
A coastal reserve in La Jolla with rare pine trees and clifftop trails.Official page ↗Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
The site of the first Spanish town in California, kept as a living-history park.Official page ↗Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
A mountain park east of the city with forests, meadows, and old mining trails.Official page ↗
Local
Mission Trails Regional Park
One of the largest city parks in the country, with hiking trails and a river gorge.Official page ↗
Historical markers
Words to know
presidio
A fort built by Spanish soldiers to guard a town.
mission
A church settlement where priests lived and taught.
harbor
A sheltered spot on the coast where ships can safely rest.
Local government
Local government
County board
June 25, 2026
Board Of Supervisors met
June 25, 2026
In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority met
June 25, 2026
Redevelopment Successor Agency met
June 25, 2026
Sanitation District met
June 25, 2026
Flood Control District met
June 25, 2026
San Diego County Fire Protection District met
Law enforcement
- San Diego County Sheriff's Department ↗News releases posted by the county sheriff.
School board
- San Diego Unified — Board of Education ↗Meeting dates, agendas, and minutes for the school board.
- San Diego County Office of Education — Board ↗Agendas and minutes for the county board of education.
Schools
- San Diego Unified School District ↗The largest school district in San Diego County.About 93,900 students enrolled (2022, NCES).
- San Diego County Office of Education ↗The county office that supports school districts across San Diego County.
Local outlets