San Diego Real Estate The History of San Diego

Many American cities are rich with history and lore, some more than others. Arguably, it is the cities on the West Coast that are truly of note, simply because they represent the last major effort of the U.S. to expand inside the North American territory. The rush to the west by many American settlers from the East and other areas produced some very fine towns and cities, made by people seeking to fulfill their own destiny. One such city is San Diego, one of the crown jewels of the West Coast.

San Diego, whose name is from St. Didacus of Alcala, a Spanish lay brother who died with Franciscan friars in 1463, is one of the best cities along the West Coast today. But before it reached that status, it had to undergo over 500 years of change since it was first discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo during the 1500s.

It was Cabrillo who discovered San Diego Bay, which opened the door for further exploration into the San Diego area, which, during that time, was occupied by the Native American Kumeyaay. It wouldn't be until the 1700s however, that the first Franciscan settlement would appear in the area, a settlement that experienced heavy resistance from the natives at the time.

It survived, however, and soon what would transform into the first form of San Diego became part of Alta California, a territory that turned into a Mexican province in the year 1821. It wouldn't take long, however, before San Diego changed hands again, this time being handed to the U.S. as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed when the U.S. won against Mexico in the Mexican-American war. Soon, California would follow, joining the United States in 1850, and during this time, San Diego City was appointed the county seat of San Diego County.

Since then, San Diego real estate has been abuzz with activity. From its small origins in an area we know now as Old Town, San Diego has hosted two World's Fairs, aided the U.S. Military as a critical component of the war effort during World War II, established iconic attractions like San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Balboa Park, and more, and became one of the wealthiest, safest, and healthiest cities in the country.

The author was raised in California and enjoys writing about Downtown San Diego real estate.