San Diego

==Geography==
{{See also|List of beaches in San Diego, California|Parks in San Diego}}
[[File:San Diego with Tijuana by Sentinel-2, 2020-03-09.jpg|thumb|upright|Satellite view of the [[San Diego-Tijuana]] area, a [[transborder agglomeration]] straddling the [[Mexico–United States border]] in [[the Californias]]]]

According to SDSU professor emeritus Monte Marshall, [[San Diego Bay]] is "the surface expression of a north-south-trending, nested [[graben]]". The [[Rose Canyon Fault|Rose Canyon]] and [[Point Loma Formation|Point Loma]] [[Fault (geology)|fault zones]] are part of the [[San Andreas Fault]] system. About {{convert|40|mi|km}} east of the bay are the [[Laguna Mountains]] in the [[Peninsular Ranges]], which are part of the [[American Cordillera|backbone of the American continents]].<ref name=Marshall>{{cite web|title=The Geology and Tectonic Setting of San Diego Bay, and That of the Peninsular Ranges and Salton Trough, Southern California|author=Marshall, Monte|publisher=Phil Farquharson |url=http://aese2006.geology-guy.com/sd_geology_marshall.htm|access-date=July 13, 2012}}</ref>

The city lies on approximately 200 deep canyons and hills separating its [[mesa]]s, creating small pockets of natural open space scattered throughout the city and giving it a hilly geography.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canyon Enhancement Planning Guide|url=http://www.sdcanyonlands.org/images/pdfs/CEP/CEPGuideMaterials/canyon_enhancement_planning_guide_1of2.pdf|publisher=San Diego Canyonlands|access-date=July 20, 2012|page=7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620091231/http://www.sdcanyonlands.org/images/pdfs/CEP/CEPGuideMaterials/canyon_enhancement_planning_guide_1of2.pdf|archive-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref> Traditionally, San Diegans have built their homes and businesses on the mesas, while leaving the urban canyons relatively wild.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AqZUHkIaSXYC&q=san+diego+canyons+neighborhoods&pg=PT129 |author=Schad, Jerry |title=Afoot and Afield in San Diego|publisher=Wilderness Press, Berkeley, Calif. |page= 111 |access-date=May 4, 2011|isbn=9780899975153 |date=March 12, 2010 }}</ref> Thus, the canyons give parts of the city a segmented feel, creating gaps between otherwise proximate neighborhoods and contributing to a low-density, car-centered environment. The [[San Diego River]] runs through the middle of San Diego from east to west, creating a river valley that serves to divide the city into northern and southern segments. During the historic period and presumably earlier as well, the river has shifted its flow back and forth between San Diego Bay and Mission Bay, and its [[fresh water]] was the focus of the earliest Spanish explorers. [[Miguel Costansó]], a cartographer, wrote in 1769, "When asked by signs where the watering-place was, the Indians pointed to a grove which could be seen at a considerable distance to the northeast, giving to understand that a river or creek flowed through it, and that they would lead our men to it if they would follow."<ref name=":0">"Expeditions by Sea" ''The Explorers''. Trans. Richard F. Pourade. La Jolla: Copley, 1960. 64–72.</ref><ref>Janet R. Fireman and Manuel P. Servín, "Miguel Costansó: California's Forgotten Founder." ''California Historical Society Quarterly'', vol. 49, no. 1, March 1970, pp. 3–19.</ref> That river was the San Diego River.<ref name=":0" /> Several reservoirs and [[Mission Trails Regional Park]] also lie between and separate developed areas of the city.
[[File:Torrey Pines cliffs.jpg|thumb|left|[[Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve]]]]
Notable peaks within the city limits include [[Cowles Mountain]], the highest point in the city at {{convert|1591|ft|m}};<ref name="city data"/> [[Black Mountain Open Space Park|Black Mountain]] at {{convert|1558|ft|m}}; and [[Mount Soledad]] at {{convert|824|ft|m}}. The [[Cuyamaca Mountains]] and Laguna Mountains rise to the east of the city, and beyond the mountains are desert areas. The [[Cleveland National Forest]] is a half-hour drive from downtown San Diego. Numerous farms are found in the valleys northeast and southeast of the city.

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of San Diego}}
{{climate chart
| San Diego
|50.3|66.4|1.98
|51.8|66.2|2.20
|54.5|67.0|1.46
|57.1|68.8|0.65
|60.0|69.5|0.28
|62.6|71.7|0.05
|66.1|75.3|0.08
|67.5|77.3|0.01
|66.2|77.2|0.12
|61.5|74.6|0.50
|54.8|70.7|0.79
|49.8|66.0|1.67
|float     = left
|clear     = left
|units     = imperial
|source    = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/|title = NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access}}</ref>
}}

Under the [[Köppen–Geiger climate classification system]], the San Diego area has been variously categorized as having either a [[hot semi-arid climate]] (''[[hot semi-arid climate|BSh]]'' in the original classification<ref>{{cite journal|author=M. Kottek|author2=J. Grieser |author3=C. Beck |author4=B. Rudolf |author5=F. Rubel|title=World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated|journal=Meteorol. Z.|volume=15|issue=3|pages=259–263|url=https://opus.bibliothek.uni-augsburg.de/opus4/files/40083/metz_Vol_15_No_3_p259-263_World_Map_of_the_Koppen_Geiger_climate_classification_updated_55034.pdf|doi=10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130|bibcode=2006MetZe..15..259K|access-date=July 9, 2013|year=2006|url-access=|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=}}</ref> and ''BSkn'' in modified Köppen classification with the n denoting summer fog)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/atlas/pdf/Clim_12b_web.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331081841/http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/atlas/pdf/Clim_12b_web.pdf|archive-date=March 31, 2010|title=Atlas of the Biodiversity of California|date=March 31, 2010|access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> or a [[hot-summer Mediterranean climate]]<ref>Francisco Pugnaire and Fernando Valladares eds. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Fqc-_Zv3jIMC&dq=%22san+diego%22+%22mediterranean%22+koppen&pg=PA287 Functional Plant Ecology]. 2d ed. 2007. p.287.</ref> (''Csa'').<ref>Michael Allaby, Martyn Bramwell, Jamie Stokes, eds. [https://books.google.com/books?id=iHPbFExmzoQC&dq=%22san+diego%22+%22mediterranean%22+koppen&pg=PA182 Weather and Climate: An Illustrated Guide to Science]. 2006. p.182.</ref> San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round,<ref>Michalski, Greg et al. [http://www.cee.mtu.edu/~reh/papers/pubs/non_Honrath/michalski03_GL017015.pdf First Measurements and Modeling of ∆<sup>17</sup>O in atmospheric nitrate] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724021112/http://www.cee.mtu.edu/~reh/papers/pubs/non_Honrath/michalski03_GL017015.pdf |date=July 24, 2013 }}. Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 30, No. 16. p.3. 2003.</ref> with an average of 201 days above {{convert|70|°F|°C|abbr=on}} and low rainfall ({{convert|9|-|13|in|mm|disp=x| [|]}} annually).<!--<ref name = "NOAA">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/climate/san-san-month.htm |title=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency: San Diego climate by month |publisher=Wrh.noaa.gov |access-date=May 4, 2011}}</ref>-->

The climate in San Diego, like most of Southern California, often varies significantly over short geographical distances, resulting in [[microclimate]]s. In San Diego, this is mostly because of the city's topography (the Bay, and the numerous hills, mountains, and canyons). Frequently, particularly during the "May gray/[[June Gloom|June gloom]]" period, a thick "[[marine layer]]" cloud cover keeps the air cool and damp within a few miles of the coast, but yields to bright cloudless sunshine approximately {{convert|5|–|10|mi|km|0}} inland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://meteora.ucsd.edu/cap/gloom.html |title=UCSD |publisher=Meteora.ucsd.edu |date=May 14, 2010 |access-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613050427/http://meteora.ucsd.edu/cap/gloom.html |archive-date=June 13, 2010 }}</ref> Sometimes the June gloom lasts into July, causing cloudy skies over most of San Diego for the entire day.<ref name=weather1>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/USca0982|title=Monthly Averages for San Diego, CA|access-date=April 22, 2009|publisher=[[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502201247/http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/USCA0982|archive-date=May 2, 2009}}</ref><ref name=weather_el_cajon>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/92020|title=Monthly Averages for El Cajon, CA|access-date=April 22, 2009|publisher=[[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604055354/http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/92020|archive-date=June 4, 2011}}</ref> Even in the absence of June gloom, inland areas experience much more significant temperature variations than coastal areas, where the ocean serves as a moderating influence. Thus, for example, downtown San Diego averages January lows of {{convert|50|F|C}} and August highs of {{convert|78|F|C}}. The city of [[El Cajon, California|El Cajon]], just {{convert|12|mi|km}} inland from downtown San Diego, averages January lows of {{convert|42|F|C}} and August highs of {{convert|88|F|C}}.

The average surface temperature of the water at Scripps Pier in the [[California Current]] has increased by almost {{convert|3|F-change}} since 1950, according to scientists at [[Scripps Institution of Oceanography]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Lee, Mike|title=Is global warming changing California Current?|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jun/18/taking-stock-california-current/|date=June 18, 2011|work=U-T (San Diego Union Tribune)|access-date=June 20, 2011}}</ref> Additionally, the mean minimum is now above {{convert|40|F|C}}, putting San Diego in [[hardiness zone]] 11, with the last freeze having occurred many decades ago.

[[File:SurfPacificBeach.jpg|thumb|Surfers at [[Pacific Beach, San Diego|Pacific Beach]]]]

Annual rainfall along the coast averages {{convert|10.65|in|mm}} and the median is {{convert|9.6|in|mm}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=''San Diego's average rainfall set to lower level'' |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/mar/16/san-diegos-average-rainfall-set-lower-level/ |newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=March 16, 2011 |access-date=April 12, 2011}}</ref> The months of December through March supply most of the rain, with February the only month averaging {{convert|2|in|mm}} or more. The months of May through September tend to be almost completely dry. Although there are few wet days per month during the rainy period, rainfall can be heavy when it does fall. Rainfall is usually greater in the higher elevations of San Diego; some of the higher areas can receive {{convert|11|-|15|in|mm}} per year. Variability from year to year can be dramatic: in the wettest years of 1883/1884 and 1940/1941, more than {{convert|24|in|mm|-1}} fell, whilst in the driest years there was as little as {{convert|3.2|in|mm|-1}}. The wettest month on record is December 1921 with {{convert|9.21|in|mm|0}}.

Snow in the city is rare, having been observed only six times in the century-and-a-half that records have been kept. In 1949 and 1967, snow remained on the ground for a few hours in higher locations like [[Point Loma, San Diego|Point Loma]] and [[La Jolla]]. The other three occasions, in 1882, 1946, and 1987, involved flurries but no accumulation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rowe |first=Peter |url=http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071213-9999-1n13snowday.html |title=The day it snowed in San Diego |work=San Diego Union Tribune |date=December 13, 2007 |access-date=May 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810074613/http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071213-9999-1n13snowday.html |archive-date=August 10, 2011 }}</ref> On February 21, 2019, snow fell and accumulated in residential areas of the city, but none fell in the downtown area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Storm brings major snowfall to East County communities |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/weather/south-moving-storm-douses-county-with-rain-snow/ |website=Fox 5 |date=February 21, 2019 |publisher=Fox 5 Digital Team |access-date=February 27, 2021}}</ref>

{{San Diego weatherbox}}
{{notelist}}

===Ecology===
{{see also|California coastal sage and chaparral}}
[[File:Cabrillo Monument 04.JPG|thumb|left|View of [[Coronado, California|Coronado]] from [[Cabrillo National Monument]]]]
Like much of [[Southern California]], the majority of San Diego's current area was originally occupied on the west by [[coastal sage scrub]] and on the east by [[chaparral]], plant communities made up mostly of drought-resistant shrubs.<ref>Pryde, Philip R. 2014. "The Nature of the County: San Diego's Climate, Vegetation, and Wildlife". In: ''San Diego: An Introduction to the Region'', by Philip R. Pryde, pp. 29–45. 5th ed. Sunbelt Publications, San Diego.</ref> The steep and varied topography and proximity to the ocean create a number of different habitats within the city limits, including [[tidal marsh]] and [[canyons]]. The chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats in low elevations along the coast are prone to [[wildfire]], and the rates of fire increased in the 20th century, due primarily to fires starting near the borders of urban and wild areas.<ref name="FireVegetation">{{cite journal|last1=Wells|first1=Michael L.|first2=John F. |last2=O'Leary |first3=Janet |last3=Franklin |first4=Joel |last4=Michaelsen |first5=David E. |last5=McKinsey|title=Variations in a regional fire regime related to vegetation type in San Diego County, California (USA)|journal=Landscape Ecology|volume= 19|issue= 2|pages=139–152|date=November 2, 2004| doi = 10.1023/B:LAND.0000021713.81489.a7|bibcode=2004LaEco..19..139W |s2cid=40769609|id=1572-9761}}</ref>

San Diego's broad city limits encompass a number of large nature preserves, including [[Torrey Pines State Reserve]], [[Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve]], and [[Mission Trails Regional Park]]. Torrey Pines State Reserve and a coastal strip continuing to the north constitute one of only two locations where the rare species of Torrey Pine, ''[[Torrey pine|Pinus torreyana]]'', is found.<ref name="TorreyPine">{{cite web|last1=Strömberg |first1=Nicklas |first2=Michael |last2=Hogan |title=Torrey Pine: Pinus torreyana |publisher=GlobalTwitcher |date=November 29, 2008 |url=http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec.asp?thingid=62498 |access-date=April 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116150148/http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec.asp?thingid=62498 |archive-date=January 16, 2009 }}</ref> 
Due to the steep topography that prevents or discourages building, along with some efforts for preservation, there are also a large number of canyons within the city limits that serve as nature preserves, including [[Switzer Canyon]], Tecolote Canyon Natural Park,<ref name="TecoloteCanyon">{{cite web | url=http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/osp/tecolote/ | title=Tecolote Canyon Natural Park & Nature Center | publisher=The City of San Diego | access-date=April 22, 2009}}</ref> and Marian Bear Memorial Park in [[San Clemente Canyon]],<ref name="MarianBear">{{cite web | url=http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/osp/marianbear/index.shtml | title=Marian Bear Memorial Park | publisher=The City of San Diego | access-date=April 22, 2009 | archive-date=May 5, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505224949/http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/osp/marianbear/index.shtml | url-status=dead }}</ref> as well as a number of small parks and preserves.
[[File:Cowles Mtn. from Lake Murray - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cowles Mountain]] from [[Lake Murray (California)|Lake Murray]]]]
[[File:Old Town, San Diego, CA, USA - panoramio (11) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Serra Museum at [[Presidio Park]]]]
San Diego County has one of the highest counts of animal and plant species that appear on the [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service list of endangered species|endangered list]] of counties in the United States.<ref name="legacy.utsandiego.com">{{Cite web|url=http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/politics/20070328-9999-1n28esa.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021134521/http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/politics/20070328-9999-1n28esa.html|archive-date=October 21, 2012|title=SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Politics – White House seeks limits to species act|date=October 21, 2012|access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> Because of its diversity of habitat and its position on the [[Pacific Flyway]], San Diego County has recorded 492 different bird species, more than any other region in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdnhm.org/archive/research/birdatlas_draft/index.html|title=San Diego County Bird Atlas Project|work=San Diego Natural History Museum|access-date=June 20, 2014}}</ref> San Diego always scores high in the number of bird species observed in the annual [[Christmas Bird Count]], sponsored by the [[Audubon Society]], and it is known as one of the "birdiest" areas in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=Corpus Christi Recognized as Birdiest City |url=http://www.corpuschristidaily.com/article_detail_new.cfm?id=1353 |newspaper=Corpus Christi Daily |date=December 2004 |access-date=April 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025155936/http://www.corpuschristidaily.com/article_detail_new.cfm?id=1353 |archive-date=October 25, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/36229005/Corpus-Christi-Remains-'Birdiest-City-in-America |title=Corpus Christi remains 'birdiest city in America' |date=June 25, 2008 |publisher=Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau |access-date=April 13, 2011}}</ref>

San Diego and its backcountry suffer from periodic wildfires. In October 2003, San Diego was the site of the [[Cedar Fire (2003)|Cedar Fire]], at that time the largest wildfire in California over the past century.<ref name="CedarLargeFire">{{cite journal|last=Goldstein|first=Bruce Evan|title=The Futility of Reason: Incommensurable Differences Between Sustainability Narratives in the Aftermath of the 2003 San Diego Cedar Fire|journal=Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning|volume=9|issue=3 & 4|pages=227–244|date=September 2007|doi=10.1080/15239080701622766|bibcode=2007JEPP....9..227E |s2cid=216142119}}</ref> The fire burned {{convert|280000|acres|km2}}, killed 15 people, and destroyed more than 2,200 homes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fire.ca.gov/cdf/incidents/Cedar%20Fire_120/incident_info.html |title=CalFire website |publisher=Fire.ca.gov |access-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-date=July 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711214728/http://www.fire.ca.gov/cdf/incidents/Cedar%20Fire_120/incident_info.html }}</ref> In addition to damage caused by the fire, smoke resulted in a significant increase in emergency room visits due to asthma, respiratory problems, eye irritation, and smoke inhalation; the poor air quality caused San Diego County schools to close for a week.<ref>{{cite journal| last1 = Viswanathan |first1 = S.| first2 = L. |last2=Eria |first3=N. |last3=Diunugala |first4=J. |last4=Johnson |first5=C. |last5=McClean| title = An Analysis of Effects of San Diego Wildfire on Ambient Air Quality| journal = Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association| volume = 56| issue = 1| pages = 56–67| date = January 2006| url = http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=6707765&q=wildfire+%22san+diego+%22&uid=&setcookie=yes| access-date = December 15, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081227170026/http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=6707765&q=wildfire+%22san+diego+%22&uid=&setcookie=yes| archive-date = December 27, 2008| doi = 10.1080/10473289.2006.10464439| pmid = 16499147| bibcode=2006JAWMA..56...56V | s2cid = 27215815| doi-access = free}}</ref> [[October 2007 California wildfires|Wildfires four years later]] destroyed some areas, particularly within [[Rancho Bernardo, San Diego|Rancho Bernardo]], as well as the nearby communities of [[Rancho Santa Fe, California|Rancho Santa Fe]] and [[Ramona, California|Ramona]].<ref name="legacy.utsandiego.com"/>

===Neighborhoods===
{{Main|List of communities and neighborhoods of San Diego}}
The City of San Diego recognizes 52 individual areas as Community Planning Areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/profiles/index.shtml |title=City of San Diego Community Planning Areas |publisher=Sandiego.gov |access-date=May 4, 2011 |archive-date=May 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506014002/http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/profiles/index.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> Within a given planning area there may be several distinct neighborhoods. Altogether the city contains more than 100 identified [[Neighborhoods of San Diego, California|neighborhoods]].

[[Downtown San Diego]] is located on San Diego Bay. [[Balboa Park (San Diego)|Balboa Park]] encompasses several mesas and canyons to the northeast, surrounded by older, dense urban communities including [[Hillcrest, San Diego|Hillcrest]] and [[North Park, San Diego|North Park]]. To the east and southeast lie [[City Heights, San Diego|City Heights]], the [[College Area]], and [[Southeast San Diego]]. To the north lies [[Mission Valley]] and [[Interstate 8]]. The communities north of the valley and freeway, and south of [[Marine Corps Air Station Miramar]], include [[Clairemont, San Diego|Clairemont]], [[Kearny Mesa]], [[Tierrasanta]], and [[Navajo, San Diego|Navajo]]. Stretching north from Miramar are the northern suburbs of [[Mira Mesa]], [[Scripps Ranch]], [[Rancho Peñasquitos]], and [[Rancho Bernardo]]. The far northeast portion of the city encompasses [[Lake Hodges]] and the [[San Pasqual Valley]], which holds an agricultural preserve. [[Carmel Valley, San Diego|Carmel Valley]] and [[Del Mar Heights, San Diego|Del Mar Heights]] occupy the northwest corner of the city. To their south are [[Torrey Pines State Reserve]] and the business center of the [[Golden Triangle, San Diego|Golden Triangle]]. Further south are the beach and coastal communities of [[La Jolla]], [[Pacific Beach, San Diego|Pacific Beach]], [[Mission Beach, San Diego|Mission Beach]], and [[Ocean Beach, San Diego|Ocean Beach]]. [[Point Loma]] occupies the peninsula across [[San Diego Bay]] from downtown. The communities of [[South San Diego]] (an [[Exclave]]), such as [[San Ysidro, San Diego|San Ysidro]] and [[Otay Mesa]], are located next to the [[Mexico–United States border]], and are physically separated from the rest of the city by the cities of [[National City, California|National City]] and [[Chula Vista]]. A narrow strip of land at the bottom of San Diego Bay connects these southern neighborhoods with the rest of the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/nonprofits/how-san-ysidro-became-part-of-the-city-of-san-diego/|title=How San Ysidro Became Part of the City of San Diego|date=May 8, 2019|website=Voice of San Diego|language=en-US|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="100" caption="Selection of [[List of communities and neighborhoods of San Diego|neighborhoods in San Diego]] ">
File:La Jolla Shores photo D Ramey Logan (cropped).jpg|[[La Jolla]]
File:North Park, San Diego, CA, USA - panoramio (11) (cropped).jpg|[[North Park, San Diego|North Park]]
File:La Playa, San Diego, CA, USA - panoramio (10) (cropped).jpg|[[Point Loma, San Diego|Point Loma]]
File:East Village, San Diego, CA, USA - panoramio (24).jpg|[[East Village, San Diego|East Village]]
File:Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego-1.jpg|[[Gaslamp Quarter]]
File:Guild Theater, San Diego.jpg|[[Hillcrest, San Diego|Hillcrest]]
File:University of San Diego (cropped).jpg|[[Linda Vista, San Diego|Linda Vista]]
File:San Diego - California - Yacht Harbor with Hotels (cropped).jpg|[[Columbia, San Diego|Columbia]]
File:Normal Height's sign, Adams Avenue.jpg|[[Normal Heights, San Diego|Normal Heights]]
File:Rancho Bernardo View (cropped).jpg|[[Rancho Bernardo, San Diego|Rancho Bernardo]]
File:Marina, San Diego, CA, USA - panoramio (35) (cropped).jpg|[[Marina, San Diego|Marina District]]
</gallery>
For the most part, San Diego neighborhood boundaries tend to be understood by its residents based on geographical boundaries like canyons and street patterns.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1538-4632.1990.tb00213.x|title=Residents' Spatial Knowledge of Neighborhood Continuity and Form', Geographical Analysis|author=Aitken, Stuart |author2=Prosser, Rudy|date=September 3, 2010|volume=22|issue=4|journal=Geographical Analysis|pages=301–325|doi-access=free}}</ref> The city recognized the importance of its neighborhoods when it organized its 2008 General Plan around the concept of a "City of Villages".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/18/city-sandag-win-planning-awards/ |title=City, SANDAG win planning awards| author=Roger Showley |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=April 18, 2010 |access-date=May 4, 2011}}</ref>

===Cityscape===
{{main|List of tallest buildings in San Diego}}
[[File:US Navy 110604-N-NS602-574 Navy and Marine Corps personnel, along with community leaders from the greater San Diego area come together to commemora (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of central San Diego]]
San Diego was originally centered on the [[Old Town, San Diego|Old Town]] district, but by the late 1860s the focus had shifted to the bayfront, in the belief that this new location would increase trade. As the "New Town" – present-day Downtown – waterfront location quickly developed, it eclipsed Old Town as the center of San Diego.<ref name=Cornerstone />

The development of skyscrapers over {{convert|300|ft|m}} in San Diego is attributed to the construction of the [[El Cortez (San Diego)|El Cortez Hotel]] in 1927, the tallest building in the city from 1927 to 1963.<ref>{{cite web |title=San Diego Timeline Diagram |url=http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=120&searchname=timeline |publisher=Skyscraper Source Media |access-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> As time went on, multiple buildings claimed the title of San Diego's tallest skyscraper, including the [[Union Bank of California Building]] and [[Symphony Towers]]. Currently the tallest building in San Diego is [[One America Plaza]], standing {{Convert|500|feet}} tall, which was completed in 1991.<ref name="EmpOneAmer">{{cite web|title=One America Plaza|url=http://www.emporis.com/buildings/118065/one-america-plaza-san-diego-ca-usa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223133323/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/118065/one-america-plaza-san-diego-ca-usa|archive-date=February 23, 2015|publisher=Emporis.com|access-date=May 16, 2009}}</ref> The downtown skyline contains no [[super-tall]]s, as a regulation put in place by the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] in the 1970s set a {{convert|500|ft|m|0}} limit on the height of buildings within a {{Convert|1|mi|adj=on|spell=in}} radius of the [[San Diego International Airport]].<ref name="500feetAirport">{{cite web|title=Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for San Diego International Airport|url=http://www.san.org/documents/aluc/SDIA_ALUCP.pdf|publisher=San Diego County Regional Airport Authority|pages=51–52|date=October 4, 2004|access-date=May 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630100212/http://www.san.org/documents/aluc/SDIA_ALUCP.pdf|archive-date=June 30, 2014}}</ref> An iconic description of the skyline includes its skyscrapers being compared to the tools of a toolbox.<ref name="SkyGrowsUp">{{Cite news|last=Bergman|first=Heather|title=San Diego's skyline grows up: residential towers filling some of the missing 'tools' as office projects are nearing completion|url=http://theheritagegroup.com/wp-content/press/062705.php|work=[[San Diego Business Journal]]|date=June 27, 2005|access-date=August 28, 2012|publisher=The Heritage Group|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204070303/http://theheritagegroup.com/wp-content/press/062705.php|archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref>

There are [[List of tallest buildings in San Diego|several new high-rises under construction]], including two that exceed 400 feet (122 m) in height.
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