San Diego: “ America’s Finest City ”
Located in the south-western corner of California, San Diego is considered the birthplace of the state. Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo landed on San Diego’s Point Loma area in 1542, claiming the area for Spain.

Spanish rule in California ended in 1821, and subsequently Mexico and America fought over rights to the land for many years. In 1850 California became the 31st state in the U.S., the same year San Diego was declared a city. Named “America’s Finest City ” due to its hospitality, beauty and ideal climate, San Diego is located on the border with Mexico . The residents are so active outdoors that Sports Illustrated magazine once called it “Sportstown, USA” San Diego’s 70 miles of beaches are a haven for swimmers, surfers, divers, boaters and sunbathers. Another favorite outside activity is golf. With 100 course’s (about 50 of them public), San Diego is a golfer’s paradise, with courses in the mountains, dessert by the bay or ocean. Several courses are even lit for night playing. Professional sports teams include baseball, football, hockey and soccer.

Many San Diego residents came here first as tourists who were enchanted by San Diego ’s sunny beaches, nearby mountains and deserts, plus the cultural delights of any big city. The world famous San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Wild Animal Park, museums, concerts and other attractions bring visitors from around the world.

The zoo is home to some 4,000 animals, including the world’s largest collection of parrots. Animals are displayed in natural settings and there is a petting zoo for children. By contrast, the Wild Animal Park is a wildlife preserve spanning over 2,000 acres and featuring more than 3,000 free roaming animals in natural habitats.

In addition to housing the zoo, Balboa Park is home to several museums and attractions, including an aerospace museum, art and history museum, the Old Globe Theatre, science museums and even a Railroad museum. Free concerts are offered frequently. Another popular attraction is Sea World, a 150 acre marine park. In nearby La Jolla, the Stephen Birch Aquarium and museum features 30 aquarium tanks (including the largest tank on display in California), plus educational exhibits, activities, and a scenic tide pool area.

America’s sixth largest city, San Diego is a major commercial business center with more that 2.6 million residents and a varied economy based in agriculture, manufacturing, aerospace technology, electronics, aircraft and ship-building, scientific research and tourism. The city is one of the largest biotech centers in the U.S.

Welcome to “ America ’s Finest City ”
Submitted by the AATOD 2007 Hospitality Committee