National Register Listings in
San Diego County, California

Americanization School Baker, Pearl, Row House Balboa Park Balboa Theatre Bancroft, Hubert H., Ranchhouse Bandy House Beach, A.H., House Beardsley, John R. and Florence Porterfield, House BERKELEY Bingham, Samuel, House Bishop, Ellis, House Brawn, Charles A., House Brick Row Bumann Ranch Burnham-Marston House Cabrillo National Monument California Quadrangle Canfield-Wright House Carlsbad Santa Fe Depot Carmichael, Norman and Florence B., House Case Study House No. 23C Castle, The Chaplain's House Chicano Park Christiancy, George A. C., House City of San Diego Police Headquarters, Jails and Courts Clotfelter, Reginald M. and Constance, Row House Coulter House Eagles Hall Edgemoor Farm Dairy Barn El Cortez Apartment Hotel El Prado Complex Encinitas Boathouses Estudillo House Fages-De Anza Trail-Southern Emigrant Road Fleming, Guy and Margaret, House Ford Building Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Gaslamp Quarter Historic District Georgia Street Bridge-Caltrans Bridge Ginty, John, House Grand-Horton Hotel Granger Hall Grant, U.S. Hotel Haines, Alfred, House Hawthorne Inn Heilman Villas Holzwasser-Walker Scoot Building and Owl Drug Building Hotel Charlotta Hotel Del Coronado Howell House Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building Initial Point of Boundary Between U.S. and Mexico Johnson-Taylor Ranch Headquarters Kinsey, Martha, House Kuchamaa La Jolla Post Office La Jolla Women's Club Lafayette Hotel Las Flores Adobe Las Flores Estancia Lee, Robert E., Hotel Libby, Charles, House Lindstrom House Long-Waterman House Marine Corps Recruit Depot Historic District Marston, George W., House McClintock Storage Warehouse Medico-Dental Building Mission Beach Roller Coaster Mission Brewery Mohnike Adobe Montecito Ranch House Moylan, Maj. Myles, House Naval Air Station, San Diego, Historic District Naval Training Station Oak Grove Butterfield Stage Station Oceanside City Hall and Fire Station Old Mission Dam Old Point Loma Lighthouse Old Town San Diego Historic District Olivenhain Town Meeting Hall Osuna, Juan Maria, Adobe Panama Hotel Park Place Methodist Episcopal Church South PCF 816 (patrol craft fast) Peterson, Robert O.-Russell Forester House PILOT (Pilot Boat) Portuguese Chapel of San Diego Pythias Lodge Building Ramona Main Street Colonnade Ramona Town Hall Rancho De Los Kiotes Rancho Guajome Adobe Rancho Santa Fe Land and Improvement Company Office Red Rest and Red Roost Cottages RENOWN (yacht) Rice, Lilian Jenette, House Robinson Hotel Rockwell Field Rosecroft Rosicrucian Fellowship Temple San Diego Armed Services YMCA San Diego Athletic Club San Diego Civic Center San Diego Fire Department Shops at Station 6 San Diego Mission Church San Diego Presidio San Diego Rowing Club San Diego State College San Diego Trust and Savings Bank Building San Diego Veterans' War Memorial Building-Balboa Park San Luis Rey Mission Church Santa Fe Depot Santa Margarita Ranchhouse Scripps, George H., Memorial Marine Biological Laboratory Shaffer, Charles A., House Spreckels Theatre Building St. Matthew's Episcopal Church STAR OF INDIA Station and General Office, California Southern Railroad Sunnyslope Lodge Sweet, A. H., Residence and Adjacent Small House Teacher Training School Building-San Diego State Normal School Terwilliger, Claude and Florence, House Thomas House Torrey Pines Gliderport Torrey Pines Lodge Torrey Pines Park Road U.S. Courthouse U.S. Inspection Station/U.S. Custom House University Heights Water Storage and Pumping Station Historic District US Inspection Station-Tecate US Post Office-Downtown Station Verlaque, Theophile, House Villa Montezuma Warner's Ranch Watts Building
The first drive-in movie theater in the world was opened in California in 1933. The theater, called the Drive-In Theatre, was located in Camden, New Jersey. However, the drive-in movie theater became more popular in California and eventually spread across the country.
California random facts
San Diego County, located in Southern California, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Kumeyaay, who lived off the land and established a vibrant culture.

In the 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the area, led by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who sailed into San Diego Bay in 1542. However, it was not until 1769 that San Diego saw its first permanent European settlement with the establishment of Mission San Diego de Alcalá. The mission, along with others established by the Spanish, played a significant role in Hispanic colonization and Christianization of the native population.

San Diego County became part of Mexico after it gained independence from Spain in 1821. This era led to the development of ranchos, large land grants given to Mexican citizens, which significantly shaped the region's economy and society. However, in 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War, and San Diego County became part of the United States.

The late 19th century brought significant changes to San Diego County, thanks in part to the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad in 1885. This opened up new opportunities for trade and commerce, leading to a population boom and economic growth. Additionally, the discovery of gold in Julian in 1869 brought hundreds of fortune seekers to the area, further fueling development.

Today, San Diego County is a thriving metropolitan area with a diverse population and strong ties to its history. It remains a popular destination for tourism, known for its beautiful beaches, mild climate, and cultural attractions, while also being an important center for the military, technology, and biotechnology industries.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of San Diego County, California.

  • 1542 - Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo lands on the coast of what is now San Diego County
  • 1769 - Franciscan friars establish the Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the first European settlement in San Diego
  • 1821 - Mexico gains independence from Spain and San Diego becomes part of Mexican territory
  • 1848 - The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War and San Diego becomes part of the United States
  • 1850 - San Diego becomes part of California when it becomes a state
  • 1885 - The Santa Fe Railroad connects San Diego to the rest of the country, leading to economic growth
  • 1915 - The Panama-California Exposition is held in San Diego, highlighting the city's potential as a tourist destination
  • 1919 - The San Diego Zoo is founded, becoming one of the most popular attractions in the county
  • 1942 - The U.S. Navy establishes several military bases in San Diego County during World War II
  • 1957 - The construction of Interstate 5 begins, linking San Diego to Los Angeles and facilitating travel
  • 1970 - The University of California, San Diego is founded, becoming a major educational institution in the county
  • 1984 - The first modern-day Comic-Con International is held in San Diego, becoming one of the largest comic conventions in the world
  • 2004 - Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres baseball team, opens in downtown San Diego