San Diego is the second largest city in California, close to Mexico.

It has strong industrial and commercial ties with Tijuana across the border.

 

Native Americans have lived in the Bay area for 12.000 years, the Kumeyaay people still do today.

 

Spanish explorers landed in San Diego Bay in 1542, claimed it for Spain and then left for other business.

 It was not until 1769 that the area was actually settled, first under Spanish, later under Mexican rule.

In 1848 California and hence San Diego became part of the USA.

 

One of the  features on offer for tourist is its year-round mild weater, although sometimes a cold fog comes in from the ocean. 

 

Attractions are the Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Nearby is the heavily barricaded border crossing to Tijuana.

 

We were in the San Diego area in June 1994, mainly for a visit to SeaWorld.