History of San Diego in Timeline

San Diego is a major city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, bordering Mexico. With a population exceeding 1.4 million, it's the eighth-largest U.S. city and the second-largest in California. The San Diego metropolitan area is home to over 3.3 million people. It serves as the county seat of San Diego County and is celebrated for its pleasant Mediterranean climate, numerous beaches and parks, strong ties to the U.S. Navy, and growing prominence in wireless technology, electronics, healthcare, and biotechnology.

1901: Establishment of Navy Coaling Station

In 1901, the U.S. Navy established the Navy Coaling Station in Point Loma, marking the beginning of a significant U.S. Navy presence in San Diego.

1911: First Tuna Cannery

In 1911, San Diego's first tuna cannery was founded, marking the beginning of the city's reign as "the tuna capital of the world".

1912: Free Speech Fight

In 1912, San Diego became the site of a free speech fight between the Industrial Workers of the World and the city government. The city government passed an ordinance forbidding the freedom of speech along an area of "Soapbox Row" that led to civil disobedience, vigilantism, police violence, the abduction of Emma Goldman's husband Ben Reitman and multiple riots.

1915: Panama-California Exposition

In 1915, San Diego hosted the Panama–California Exposition in Balboa Park. The menagerie of exotic animals at the exposition formed the basis for the San Diego Zoo.

1916: Flood and Blame on Charles Hatfield

In 1916, rainmaker Charles Hatfield was blamed for $4 million in damages and accused of causing San Diego's worst flood, during which about 20 Japanese American farmers died.

1916: Demolition of Stingaree

In 1916, the Stingaree neighborhood, home to San Diego's first Chinatown and "Soapbox Row", was demolished by anti-vice campaigners to make way for the Gaslamp Quarter.

December 1921: Wettest Month on Record

December 1921 was the wettest month on record in San Diego, with 9.21 inches (234 mm) of rainfall.

1923: Consolidated Aircraft Founded

In 1923, Consolidated Aircraft (later Convair) was founded in San Diego, contributing to the city's reputation as "The Air Capital of the West".

1925: Ryan Airlines Founded

In 1925, Ryan Airlines (later Ryan Aeronautical) was founded, contributing to San Diego's reputation as "The Air Capital of the West".

1927: Spirit of St. Louis Built

In 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh's plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, was built in San Diego by Ryan Airlines.

1927: El Cortez Hotel Built

In 1927, the El Cortez Hotel, the first skyscraper over 300 feet (91 m) in San Diego, was built.

1930: Military Installations in San Diego

By 1930, San Diego was hosting Naval Base San Diego, Naval Training Center San Diego, San Diego Naval Hospital, Camp Matthews, and Camp Kearny (now Marine Corps Air Station Miramar), solidifying its status as a military hub.

1930: San Diego population

In 1930, the city's population was 147,995.

1931: City Charter Adoption

In 1931, San Diego reestablished a city charter, and the city charter used today was adopted.

1935: California Pacific International Exposition

In 1935, San Diego hosted the California Pacific International Exposition in Balboa Park.

1940: Wettest Years Rainfall

In one of the wettest years of 1940/1941, more than 24 inches (610 mm) of rainfall fell in San Diego.

1941: Wettest Years Rainfall

In one of the wettest years of 1940/1941, more than 24 inches (610 mm) of rainfall fell in San Diego.

September 22, 1945: Planned Biological Attack

On September 22, 1945, Japan had a plan called "Operation Cherry Blossoms at Night" to target San Diego for biological attack using kamikaze planes filled with fleas infected with plague, but the plan was not carried out because Japan surrendered five weeks earlier.

1948: San Diego's Oldest Freeway

In 1948, the stretch of SR 163 passing through Balboa Park became San Diego's oldest freeway, then part of US 80 and US 395.

May 16, 1949: KFMB Begins Broadcasting

On May 16, 1949, KFMB, San Diego's first television station, began broadcasting.

1950: San Diego population

In 1950, the city's population was 333,865. The population more than doubled from 1930 to 1950.

1950: Increased Water Temperature

Since 1950, the average surface temperature of the water at Scripps Pier has increased by almost 3 °F (1.7 °C).

1952: FCC Licenses UHF Channels

In 1952, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began licensing UHF channels, allowing cities like San Diego to acquire more television stations.

1961: San Diego Chargers Arrive

In 1961, the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) arrived in San Diego.

1963: El Cortez Hotel no longer tallest

In 1963, the El Cortez Hotel was no longer the tallest building in San Diego.

1963: San Diego Chargers Win AFL Championship

In 1963, the San Diego Chargers won the American Football League (AFL) Championship.

1964: Narrow Support for Lyndon B. Johnson

In 1964, San Diego narrowly supported Lyndon B. Johnson in the presidential election.

1967: San Diego Rockets Arrive

In 1967, the San Diego Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) arrived in San Diego.

1968: Republican Presidential Support

From 1968 to 1988, San Diego provided majorities to all six Republican presidential candidates.

1970: AFL-NFL Merger

In 1970, the AFL-NFL merger took place after the San Diego Chargers won the 1963 American Football League (AFL) Championship.

1971: San Diego Rockets Relocate

In 1971, the San Diego Rockets relocated, eventually becoming the Houston Rockets.

1974: San Diego Mariners Arrive

In 1974, the San Diego Mariners of the World Hockey Association (WHA) arrived in San Diego.

1977: San Diego Mariners Depart

In 1977, the San Diego Mariners of the World Hockey Association (WHA) departed San Diego.

1978: Sodium Vapor Lamps Decision

In 1978, San Diego decided to replace mercury vapor street lamps with more efficient sodium vapor lamps.

1978: San Diego Clippers Arrive

In 1978, the San Diego Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) arrived in San Diego.

1980: Surpassed 100 Murders

From 1980 to 1994, San Diego surpassed 100 murders ten times.

1983: Eight-Year Climb in Crime

1983 marked the start of an eight-year climb in murders, rapes, robberies, and assault.

1984: San Diego Clippers Relocate

In 1984, the San Diego Clippers relocated, eventually becoming the Los Angeles Clippers.

1985: Resignation of Mayor Roger Hedgecock

In 1985, then-mayor Roger Hedgecock was forced to resign after being found guilty of one count of conspiracy and 12 counts of perjury.

1988: Last Republican Presidential Win

In 1988, George H. W. Bush was the last Republican candidate to carry San Diego in a presidential election.

1990: Dismissal of Perjury Counts

In 1990, the 12 perjury counts against Roger Hedgecock were dismissed based on claims of juror misconduct; the remaining conspiracy count was reduced to a misdemeanor and then dismissed.

1990: Crime Rate Decline

San Diego had a declining crime rate from 1990 to 2000.

1991: Deadliest Year

1991 marked the city's deadliest year, registering 179 homicides within city limits.

1991: One America Plaza Completed

In 1991, One America Plaza, currently the tallest building in San Diego at 500 feet (150 m) tall, was completed.

1994: Surpassed 100 Murders

From 1980 to 1994, San Diego surpassed 100 murders ten times.

1995: Tapering off to 91 homicides

In 1995, San Diego recorded 91 homicides.

2000: Household Statistics

In 2000 there were 451,126 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. The average household size was 2.61, and the average family size was 3.30.

2000: Age Demographics

In 2000, 24.0% of San Diego residents were under 18, and 10.5% were 65 and over.

2000: Median Income

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $45,733, and the median income for a family was $53,060.

2000: San Diego Population Increase

The 2010 population represented an increase of just under 7% from the 1,223,400 people reported in 2000.

2002: San Diego Pension Scandal

A 2002 scheme to underfund pensions for city employees led to the San Diego pension scandal.

2002: Crime Rate Increase

Crime in San Diego increased in the early 2000s. From 2002 to 2006, the crime rate overall dropped 0.8%.

October 2003: Cedar Fire

In October 2003, the Cedar Fire, the largest wildfire in California over the past century at that time, burned 280,000 acres, killed 15 people, and destroyed over 2,200 homes in San Diego.

2003: Reduced Library Operating Hours

Since 2003, the San Diego Public Libraries have had reduced operating hours due to the city's financial problems.

2004: Jahja Ling director of San Diego Symphony

In 2004, Jahja Ling became the director of the San Diego Symphony at Symphony Towers.

2004: Petco Park Opens

In 2004, Petco Park opened in downtown San Diego as part of urban renewal efforts.

2004: Sixth Lowest Crime Rate

In 2004, San Diego had the sixth lowest crime rate of any U.S. city with over half a million residents.

2004: San Diego Leads in Broadband Penetration

In 2004, San Diego led U.S. local markets with 69.6 percent broadband penetration, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.

2004: Government Structure Decided

In 2004, the change in government structure was decided by a citywide vote to change from a council–manager government to a strong mayor government.

2004: Negative Net Migration

Since 2004, San Diego has experienced negative net migration, with people moving to adjacent Riverside County or leaving the area altogether due to housing costs.

November 28, 2005: Resignation of Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham

On November 28, 2005, U.S. Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham resigned after being convicted on federal bribery charges.

2005: Wealthiest U.S. City

According to Forbes in 2005, San Diego was the fifth wealthiest U.S. city.

2005: Peak in San Diego Home Prices

In 2005, San Diego home prices peaked before declining along with the national trend.

2005: Conviction of City Council Members

In 2005, two San Diego city council members, Ralph Inzunza and Michael Zucchet, were convicted of extortion, wire fraud, and conspiracy.

2006: Crime Rate

From 2002 to 2006, the crime rate overall in San Diego dropped 0.8%, though not evenly by category.

2006: Sentencing of Randy "Duke" Cunningham

In 2006, Randy "Duke" Cunningham was sentenced to a 100-month prison sentence for bribery charges.

2006: Change in Government Structure

In 2006, San Diego's government changed from a council–manager government to a strong mayor government.

2006: Increased Spending on Libraries

In 2006, the city of San Diego increased spending on libraries by $2.1 million.

October 2007: California Wildfires

In October 2007, California wildfires destroyed areas within Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, and Ramona in San Diego.

2007: City Streets Assessment

According to an assessment in 2007, 37 percent of city streets in San Diego were in acceptable condition.

2007: Political Affiliation

In 2007, registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans by about 7 to 6 in the city of San Diego.

January 1, 2008: Household Median Income

As of January 1, 2008, the household median income for San Diego rose to $66,715, up from $45,733 in 2000.

2008: Largest Naval Fleet in the World

In 2008, San Diego hosted the largest naval fleet in the world, with 53 ships, over 120 tenant commands, and more than 35,000 sailors, marines, Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors.

2008: City of Villages

In 2008, San Diego organized its General Plan around the concept of a "City of Villages."

2008: Peak Cruise Ship Business

In 2008, the Port of San Diego hosted over 250 ship calls and more than 900,000 passengers, marking the peak of its cruise ship industry.

2008: Property Crimes

In 2008, total property crimes per 100,000 people in San Diego were lower than the national average.

2009: Acquittal and New Trial for Zucchet

In 2009, a judge acquitted Michael Zucchet on seven counts and granted a new trial on the remaining charges, which were later dropped.

2009: Port of San Diego Trade Volume

In 2009, the Port of San Diego handled 1,137,054 short tons of total trade, with foreign trade accounting for 956,637 short tons and domestic trade amounting to 180,417 short tons.

2009: Housing Affordability Ranking

In 2009, the San Diego metropolitan area had one of the worst housing affordability rankings in the United States.

December 2010: Decline in Home Prices

As of December 2010, San Diego home prices were down 36 percent from the peak in 2005.

2010: FBI Crime Statistics

According to FBI statistics in 2010, San Diego had 5,616 violent crimes and 30,753 property crimes.

2010: San Diego Population

According to the 2010 census, San Diego had a population of 1,307,402, and the urban area of San Diego had a total population of 2,956,746.

2010: Second Cruise Terminal Opens

In 2010, a second cruise terminal opened on Broadway Pier as part of the expansion at the port of San Diego.

2010: Dismissal of Charges

In 2010, charges against six pension board members related to the San Diego pension scandal were dismissed by a federal judge.

2011: Median Age

As of 2011 the median age was 35.6; more than a quarter of residents were under age 20 and 11% were over age 65.

2011: City Employees and Payroll

As of 2011, the City of San Diego had one employee for every 137 residents, with a payroll greater than $733 million.

2011: Energy-Efficient Street Lighting Upgrade

In 2011, San Diego announced plans to upgrade 80% of its street lighting to new energy-efficient lights using induction technology.

2012: Tourism Statistics

In 2012, San Diego County hosted more than 32 million visitors who spent an estimated $8 billion, providing employment for more than 160,000 people.

July 2013: Allegations Against Mayor Bob Filner

In July 2013, three former supporters of Mayor Bob Filner asked him to resign because of allegations of repeated sexual harassment.

August 30, 2013: Resignation of Mayor Bob Filner

Bob Filner agreed to resign as mayor effective August 30, 2013, subsequently pleading guilty to charges related to sexual harassment.

September 30, 2013: Opening of New Central Library

On September 30, 2013, a new nine-story Central Library on Park Boulevard at J Street opened in San Diego.

2013: Lowest Murder Rate

In 2013, San Diego had the lowest murder rate of the ten largest cities in the United States.

2013: Second-Largest Biotech Cluster in the U.S.

In 2013, San Diego was recognized as having the second-largest biotech cluster in the United States, with more than 400 biotechnology companies in the area.

2013: LGBT-Friendly City and Campus Recognition

In 2013, San Diego was recognized as the ninth-most LGBT-friendly city in the U.S., and San Diego State University (SDSU) was named a top LGBT-friendly campus.

2014: Pew Research Center Study on Religious Affiliation

According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, 68% of San Diego's population identified as Christians. 32% identified as various Protestant churches and 32% with Roman Catholic beliefs, while 27% claimed no religious affiliation. Followers of other religions comprised about 5% of the population.

2014: Cyber-Controlled Street Lighting

In 2014, San Diego announced plans to become the first U.S. city to install cyber-controlled street lighting.

May 2015: Median House Price

As of May 2015, the median price of a house in San Diego was $520,000.

2015: Groundbreaking in Skyline Hills

In 2015, the newest location of the San Diego Public Library system broke ground in Skyline Hills.

2016: Decline in Cruise Ship Business

By 2016, the number of ship calls to San Diego had fallen to 90, indicating a decline in the cruise ship industry since 2008.

2017: Education Rankings

According to education rankings released by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2017, 44.4% of San Diegans ages 25 and older hold bachelor's degrees.

2017: Jahja Ling ends tenure as director of San Diego Symphony

In 2017, Jahja Ling's tenure as director of the San Diego Symphony ended.

2017: Median Household Income

In 2017, San Diego recorded a median household income of $76,662.

2017: San Diego Chargers Relocate

In 2017, the San Diego Chargers relocated to the Greater Los Angeles area, becoming the Los Angeles Chargers.

2017: Decline in Cruise Ship Business

In 2017, the number of ship calls to San Diego had remained at 90, indicating a decline in the cruise ship industry since 2008.

November 2018: Median Home Price

In November 2018, the median home price in San Diego was $558,000.

2018: San Diego International Airport Passenger Count

In 2018, San Diego International Airport (SAN) served over 24 million passengers.

2018: Increase in Median Household Income and Property Value

In 2018, San Diego recorded a median household income of $79,646, marking a 3.89% increase from $76,662 in 2017. The median property value in San Diego in 2018 was $654,700.

2018: Chicken of the Sea Headquarters Move

Until 2018, seafood company Chicken of the Sea was headquartered in San Diego.

January 2019: Homeless Population

As of January 2019, the San Diego City and County had the fifth-largest homeless population among major cities in the United States, with 8,102 people experiencing homelessness.

February 21, 2019: Snowfall in San Diego

On February 21, 2019, snow fell and accumulated in residential areas of San Diego, but not in the downtown area.

2020: Military's Economic Impact

As of 2020, the military infrastructure in San Diego provides roughly 25% of the GDP and 23% of the total jobs in San Diego.

2020: Homeless Individuals in San Diego

In 2020, 4,887 individuals were experiencing homelessness in the city of San Diego.

November 2021: Mid-Coast Trolley Extension Opens

In November 2021, a mid-coast extension of the San Diego Trolley began operating from Old Town to University City and UC San Diego along Interstate 5.

December 2022: Decrease in Median Sold Price

Between December 2022 and January 2023, the San Diego Housing Market experienced a 2.9% decrease in the median sold price of existing single-family homes, dropping from $850,000 to $824,950.

2022: San Diego–Tijuana region population

In 2022, the San Diego–Tijuana region was estimated to have a population of five million people, making it the second-most populous transborder metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere.

January 2023: Decrease in Median Sold Price

Between December 2022 and January 2023, the San Diego Housing Market experienced a 2.9% decrease in the median sold price of existing single-family homes, dropping from $850,000 to $824,950.

December 11, 2023: Decline in Homeless Population

On December 11, 2023, it was reported that the homeless population in downtown San Diego had reached a two-year low, with approximately 1,200 individuals living outside or in vehicles.