San Diego … Birthplace of California … Native Americans lived in what is now San Diego for milleniums. Between wars and land transfers, their population declined. Then came the Mexican-American War of 1846 – 1848. As a result of the war, the territory of Alta California, including San Diego, was ceded to the United States by Mexico. The Battle of San Pasqual, a battle of the Mexican-American War, was fought in 1846 in the San Pasqual Valley which is now part of the city of San Diego.

In 1850 San Diego was designated the seat of the newly established San Diego County and was incorporated as a city. The original town of San Diego was located at the foot of Presidio Hill, in the area which is now Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The location was not ideal, because it was several miles away from navigable water.

In the late 1860s, Alonzo Horton (Horton Plaza) promoted a move to “New Town”, several miles south of the original settlement, in the area which became Downtown San Diego. People and businesses flocked to New Town because of its location on San Diego Bay convenient to shipping. The view was irresistible. Consumers loved it and came to enjoy the view and the shopping areas.

San Diego’s main economic engines are military and defense-related activities, tourism, international trade, and manufacturing. The presence of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), with the affiliated UCSD Medical Center, has helped make the area a center of research in biotechnology.

We encourage you to continue to show your support for San Diego small business and the local merchants who manage them, Additionally, please support local residents and visitors. Connect with them right here.