San Diego

San Diego (pop. 1,148,00), city in southern California; seat of San Diego County, located on the Pacific Coast close to the Mexican border. A center for oceanography, culture, medicine, and research, its natural harbor houses a great navy base, a large fishing fleet, and lumber and shipbuilding yards. Its heavy industries include aircraft, missiles, and electronics; its economy is also supported by tourism and convention business. San Diego was explored and claimed in 1542 by Spain, who later built (1769) the Presidio (historic fort) and the first of Father Junípero Serra's missions. It is also the site of the Cabrillo National Monument, an enormous zoo, and a well-known aquatic park.

See also: California.