MovingSD.com

The West Coast is full of cities that represent the final expansion of the United States, from all those years ago. Considered to be the “final frontier” at the time, the West Coast was prized because of its position, natural resources, and more. This prompted many Americans to rush to the area, seeking to make a life and seek their ultimate destiny. One of these West Coast cities is, of course, San Diego.

The name “San Diego” is derived from St. Didacus of Alcala, a Spanish lay brother who, in 1463, died among other Franciscan friars. San Diego today is a jewel in the West Coast crown. It is considered as one of the safest, wealthiest, most diverse, and most healthy places to live throughout the U.S, which is a testament to the massive transformation the city has taken since its founding. San Diego locals have a distinct way of living, a reflection of the city’s rich history that dates back to the 16th century.

San Diego was originally a settlement for the Native American Kumeyaay, who formed an agricultural community that attracted the attention of European explorers in the area during the 1500s. It was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who discovered the area we now know as San Diego Bay, but it wouldn’t be until the 1700s that the first Franciscan mission would be formed, and resisted by the natives.

Eventually San Diego became part of what was then called the territory of Alta California, which became a Mexican province in 1821. But when the U.S. won the Mexican-American war, Alta was handed over to them, during the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. When California was finally admitted to the U.S. in 1850, it was San Diego City that was appointed the seat of San Diego County.

Fast forward over 100 years, and San Diego has grown from a simple city in the area we now know as Old Town, to the bustling metropolis of beaches, commercial and historical attractions, and diverse neighborhoods of San Diego real estate that make up it’s county. In its history, the city has hosted two world’s fairs, became a key component of the country’s World War II effort, became the home of many natural attractions like SeaWorld, Balboa Park, and the San Diego Zoo, and achieved the rank of fifth wealthiest city in the country.