By Adam Hart
With a population of over 1,425,119 as of 2021, the beautiful city of San Diego is one of the largest in the United States, number 8 on the list. It is also the second most populous in California after Los Angeles. The city has beautiful year-round weather, beaches, a shipping port, and much more. But unfortunately, the city is also one of the most expensive cities in the country and is home to many millionaires and billionaires.
The city has strong tourism, is a hub for international trade, and sees a lot of U.S. naval ships and other military-related activities.
Discover some fascinating 15 fun facts about San Diego below
1. The city was named after Diego de San Nicolás, a Spanish Franciscan who the Catholic church now recognizes.
2. The city has several nicknames: Birthplace of California, America’s Finest City, and City in Motion.
3. On the west coast of the United States, San Diego was the first site that Europeans visited and settled on. It was discovered and claimed for Spain by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542.
4. The United States Navy is one of the largest employers in the city, so expect to see Navy ships often here.
5. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the largest oceanographic museum in the entire country.
6. The city uses a lot of water, so they import over 160 million gallons of water every day.
7. Almost all the lakes in the city are artificial.
8. This is an odd fact, but the city has a high concentration of fleas than any other city in the United States.
9. San Diego is not a city of many “firsts” like Boston and Philadelphia, but it is home to the first drive-in restaurant in the United – 1951.
10. Coronado Bridge is famous in the city. One of the greatest presidents in U.S. history, Ronald Reagan, was the first person to drive on it.
11. According to the Travel Channel, the Whaley House Museum is one of the most haunted houses in the United States. But that does not scare people, over 100,000 people visit every year!
12. The San Diego comic convention attracts over 130,000 people annually in July. From the humble beginnings of just 100 people back in 1970.
13. For those who love fruits, the San Diego region has several farms that grow organic avocados, passion fruits, and more.
14. Opened in 1906, the San Ysidro Port of Entry is the busiest international land border crossing on the planet outside Asia and the 4th busiest. Over 70,000 northbound vehicles and 20,000 northbound pedestrians cross every day.
15. San Diego International Airport is the busiest single-runway airport in the world.