| For the longest time, San Diego was home to the | | | | more frequently referred to as 'San Diego' - which |
| Kumeyaay people of the southwestern United States | | | | was who Vizcaino's ship was also named after. |
| and northwest Mexico, making them the native | | | | November 12, 1602, was the day of the first |
| inhabitants of this southern Californian region. As such, | | | | recorded Christian religious service in this part of |
| they established their own culture and dominance of | | | | California, and was actually conducted in honor of the |
| the land long before the arrival of the first European | | | | feast day of Saint Didacus/San Diego. From here, the |
| settler, a Portuguese explorer by the name of Juan | | | | area began to attract settlers and grew as a town, |
| Rodrigues Cabrillo. | | | | until a day in 1769 when the 'Presidio of San Diego' |
| Cabrillo (ca.1499 - 1543) arrived in San Diego under | | | | was established by Gaspar de Portola - essentially |
| the Spanish flag, sailing on his flagship San Salvador. | | | | turning the area into a military post. However, the |
| He had traveled there from the port at Navidad, New | | | | Franciscan friars also established the 'Mission San |
| Spain, and claimed the San Diego bay in the name of | | | | Diego de Alcala' at the same time, which was |
| the Spanish Empire. At the time, he named the site | | | | probably the reason for the area's continued growth, |
| 'San Miguel', and it remained this way for about half a | | | | despite being a military outpost - in fact, by 1797, the |
| century. | | | | Franciscan mission was home to the largest native |
| The next major arrival on these Californian shores | | | | population in all of Alta California. |
| was in November of 1602, when Sebastian Vizcaino | | | | The 1800s would see a great deal of change around |
| (1548 - 1624) was sent by the crown to draw up a | | | | San Diego, however this early establishment of the |
| map of the California coast. His flagship was named | | | | area certainly contributed to its longevity as a town |
| the 'San Diego', from which the city would eventually | | | | and living space, while it would also go through plenty |
| get its name. Vizcaino made a survey of the harbor | | | | of military controversies before finally becoming the |
| area, subsequently renaming the area to San Diego | | | | eighth largest city in the United States as it is today. |
| after the Spanish Catholic Saint Didacus, who was | | | | |