San Diego is California’s second largest city (Los Angeles is first) with a population of over 1.25 million citizens in the core of the city, almost 3 million if you count the entire metropolitan area, and almost 5 million if you include Tijuana, Mexico, which is right across the border.
The industries that strengthen San Diego’s economy– tourism, medical research, and the military industries – each draw international acclaim. The military presence here is mostly comprised of Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard personnel focused around six bases: North Island Naval Aviation center, Camp Pendleton (Marines), Miramar Marine Corp Air Station, Coronado Naval Base, Navy Region Southwest, and SPAWAR, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center.
Between them, these 6 military bases employ tens of thousands of civilian and military personnel. Many are like mini cities, with their own police departments, fire departments and hospitals. We’re proud to have helped dozens of our military friends find and sell homes in the San Diego area.
The world looks to San Diego for cutting edge medical research, and it is likely that many of your neighbors will work for this industry. For instance, San Diego is among the leading research centers for breast cancer in the country. The University of California/San Diego School of Medicine, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and Rady Children’s Hospital are just a few of the research centers located here. Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant, also has a major research & development operation that employs over 1,000 scientists and staff.
Upwards of 2 million tourists visit San Diego every year to explore over 70 miles of white sandy beaches, wander through our beautiful and distinctive neighborhoods, golf, shop, and wine & dine in one of 1600 eateries. Conde Nast Traveller, the definitive guide to luxury living, named San Diego as one of the top places in the world.
TRANSPORTATION
How to get around? Hwy 5 links San Diego with the rest of California, and locals use state highways 163, 94 and 52 to get around the county. If it’s public transportation you prefer, Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates buses, trolleys and commuter rails that can take you all the way to the Mexican border.
San Diego International Airport is one of the most relaxing airport experiences we have every found – small, efficient, and world class. The distance from downtown to the airport is about 10 minutes and can be accessed from any one of the major highways: I-5, 163, I-8 and I-15. MTS operates the Flyer Route 992, a public transportation service to and from the airport, from several connection points downtown.
Of course, you really can’t think of San Diego without thinking of cruise ships. The Port of San Diego welcomes and launches hundreds of ships of the most popular cruise lines every year, including Holland America, Carnival, Royal Carribean, and Princess.
BRIEF HISTORY
This whole southwest region of the United States was originally inhabited by the Kumeyaay Indians until Spanish explorers landed in the 1500’s and claimed the land for Spain. The region fought for its independence from European monarchy in the early 1800’s and began establishing itself as a thriving coastal town that lured settlers west with promises of gold.
By 1907 a significant naval presence had been established in San Diego, and more and more people migrated to the area, captivated by the beauty, the cultural diversity, the climate, and the easy economy. The military presence continued to build here, and when military spending was cut in the 60’s, city planners lobbied for the biotech industry to move here, and expanded its role as a tourism hot spot.
For a great timeline on San Diego's history, dating back thousands of years, please see SanDiegoHistory.org.
The current median household income in the San Diego area is over $56,000 per year, over 10% higher than the U.S. average. Median house prices range about $550,000.
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
