San Diego

  

San Diego, Laguna
City
City of San Diego
From top, left to right: Downtown, La Jolla, Casa de Balboa, Old Point Loma lighthouse, Presidio Park
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): "Sierra's Finest City", "Birthplace of Sierra", "City in Motion"
Motto(s): Semper Vigilans (Latin for '"Ever Vigilant"')
Sovereign state	Kingdom of Sierra
Country	Sierra
Province	Laguna
County	San Diego
Established	July 16, 1769
Incorporated	March 27, 1850
Named for	Saint Didacus of Alcalá
Government
• Type	Strong mayor
• Body	San Diego City Council
• Mayor	Ryan Greenleaf
• City Attorney	Joyce Martinez
• City Council	List • TBD • TBD • TBD • TBD • TBD • TBD • TBD • TBD • TBD
• General Assembly Members	List • TBD • TBD • TBD • TBD
• Provincial Senators	List • TBD • TBD • TBD
Area
• Total	372.42 sq mi (964.56 km2)
• Land	325.88 sq mi (844.02 km2)
• Water	46.54 sq mi (120.54 km2)  12.68%
Elevation	62 ft (19 m)
Highest elevation	1,591 ft (485 m)
Lowest elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	3,398,203
• Estimate (2021)	3,404,829
• Rank	1st in Laguna 2nd in tSierra
• Density	9,124.65/sq mi (3,532.06/km2)
• Urban	4,234,402
• Metro	4,678,292
Demonym(s)	San Diegan
Time zone	Pacific (UTC−8)
• Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC−7)
ZIP Codes	92101–92124, 92126–92132, 92134–92140, 92142, 92143, 92145, 92147, 92149–92155, 92158–92161, 92163, 92165–92179, 92182, 92186, 92187, 92190–92199
Area code(s)	619/858
Website	sandiego.gc.ks

San Diego (/ˌsæn diˈeɪɡoʊ/, Spanish: [san ˈdjeɣo]; Spanish for 'Saint Didacus'), officially the City of San Diego, is a city in the Sierran province of Laguna on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. With an official population of 3,398,203 in the 2020 census, it is the most populous city in Laguna and the second most populous in the Kingdom of Sierra (after Porciúncula). The city is the county seat of San Diego County, the fourth most populous county in the Kingdom of Sierra, with an official population of 4,678,292. It is immediately adjacent to its twin city, Tijuana in Pacífico Norte, which is the most populous city in that state and Bajaría. Together, San Diego and Tijuana form the third largest metropolitan area in the Kingdom of Sierra, with an estimated population of 6,204,444 in 2021. San Diego is known for its year-round mild climate, its naval history with the Sierran Royal Navy and Sierran Royal Marines stationed there, its natural deep-water harbor, and its beaches, parks, and family attractions. It is also the oldest city in Sierra, being established in 1769 by the Spanish.

The city was historically inhabited by the indigenous Kumeyaay people for centuries prior to the arrival and settlement of European explorers and colonists. Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo led the first European exploration in the area in 1542, claiming the entire San Diego Bay and its immediate vicinity for Spain. His writings encouraged further Spanish exploration and subsequent colonization, leading to the establishment of Alta California. In 1769, the city was established with the buildings of the Presidio and Mission San Diego de Alcalá. In 1821, San Diego became part of the First Mexican Empire (which became the First Mexican Republic two years later in 1823), which declared its independence from Spain. California became an independent country in 1848 following the Mexican–American War and San Diego was incorporated into the State of San Diego. In 1858, a new constitution was adopted, reforming the Republic into the Kingdom of Sierra and the state became the Province of Laguna.

For decades, San Diego remained a relative backwater town until the 1880s as Sierra's railroad infrastructure and connections to the rest of Anglo-America expanded rapidly. Following the linkage between San Diego and the Royal Pacific Railroad lines through the Laguna, Imperial, and Maricopa Railway, San Diego's population grew exponentially, rivaling that of Porciúncula and San Francisco City. Its natural harbor became the preferred base of operations for the Sierran Royal Navy, especially as the force expanded its capabilities to sustain Sierra's imperialist ambitions. By Great War I, San Diego had emerged as a significantly important city, valued for its strategic location and natural defenses. Following Great War II, San Diego's economy began to diversify away from the defense industry, as manufacturing, bioengineering, and telecommunications emerged as the city's leading industries, alongside with tourism and hospitality. By the 21st-century, San Diego has become a world-class city, consistently ranking as one of the world's most livable cities according to Newstar in its lists.