SAn Diego neighborhoods

The city of San Diego is split up into eight distinct regions. These regions are home to many different neighborhoods. Each of the neighborhoods has their own sense of style, pride, and a rich history. The location of San Diego, with its close proximity to both Los Angeles and Mexico, has caused the city to become one of the most populous areas in California.

San Diego possesses a bicultural flair. It is known worldwide for its beautiful weather. Most days are sunny, with very little rain, all year round. Tourists, Hollywood, and Business Professionals flock to the city for some fun in the sun, a film shoot, or to find their dream home. Chances are, they will find the perfect place to live.

There are so many different places to live within the city, and so many new high rise complexes are being built which allows for less of a commute with the beauty and excitement of the city at your fingertips. The beach is just a short drive (or even walk!) away as San Diego rests along the coast of the majestic Pacific Ocean.

Even if you do not wish to live in the city there are plenty of suburbs (of all sizes) allowing for the convenience of the city nearby, but allowing the piece and serenity of rural living. Chances are, you'll make a trip to the city from time to time. You won't want to miss checking out the world famous San Diego Zoo, or catch a concert for the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.

San Diego dates back 20,000 years. Scientists now believe the first humans settled along the San Diego coast, having traveled from Asia, along the Bering Strait, and downward. At that time the land was connected, through Alaska, to Asia. It would have been quite a trek to San Diego, but thanks to archaeological evidence they are now certain the trip did occur.

The first indigenous people of San Diego, known as the San Dieguitos, were known to have lived in the region from 12,000 BC to around 7,000 BC. These people later evolved into the La Jollans (the neighborhood, La Jolla was named after this group). Sadly, they were assimilated by the neighboring Yuman tribe.

At this point, two tribes, the Yuma and the Shoshonean Indians, migrated to San Diego. The latter tribe occupied over 1/9 of the entire area that is now known as the state of California. They were quite powerful and weren't a group to mess with.

It wasn't until the 1500's that European settlers made their way toward San Diego. The Spaniards conquered San Diego first, despite the fact that at least six tribes and over 20,000 Indians already had claimed the land as their own.

The first Spaniard to arrive in San Diego was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. After arriving in San Diego Bay by way of Navidad, Mexico he surveyed the land and claimed it for the Spanish King, naming it San Miguel. Unfortunately Juan died less than 4 months later and San Diego remained as it was.

In 1602, Sebastian Vizcaino, riding on the flagship "the San Diego" arrived at San Diego. He also represented Spain. Arriving in Mission Bay, he decides to call the city "San Diego" after the Spanish Catholic Saint 'San Diego de Alcala'. Vizcaino was the first to map the coast as far up as Oregon. Many of the cities along the way, retain the names he gave them, to this day.

For the next 200 or so years, the Spaniards ruled over California. Missionaries filled California, bringing the Catholic religion to the territory. When California became an official territory it was Spain that appointed the first President, Gaspar de Portola. It wasn't until the first American settlers made their way to the coast, that the disputing began.

Eventually, the Americans took all of the land from the Spaniards, from the Mississippi westward to the California coast. Yet, the history of San Diego, a mix of Indian, Mexican, and Spanish remains forever as can be seen in the architectural designs and the cultural events that are celebrated throughout the city.