South Bay, San Diego
Encyclopedia
South Bay is a region in southwestern San Diego County, California
consisting of the communities and cities of Bonita
, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Lincoln Acres, National City
, and South San Diego
.
South Bay is traditionally calmer than the busier parts of the metropolitan area. One of its cities, Imperial Beach, bills itself as Classic Southern California for being relatively untouched in terms of other coastal cities.
peoples. Under Mexican rule, several Mexican land grants were established in the region, including Rancho Janal
, Rancho Otay
, and Rancho de la Nación
. National City was incorporated in 1887, Chula Vista in 1911, and Imperial Beach in 1956. South San Diego
, including the communities of San Ysidro, Nestor, Palm City, and Otay Mesa, were annexed by the city of San Diego in 1957.
The term "South Bay" has referred to the region since at least the early 20th century, with one reference dating from 1918.
In October 2007, South Bay was quickly encroached upon by the Harris Fire, part of a series of fires that ravaged California in the 2007 Fire season.
Traditionally more residential and calmer than busier North County, 2010 saw that regional cities were taking on projects that included the development of luxury resorts in efforts to revitalize the South Bay. On May 18, 2010 further development of the Chula Vista Bayfront
was authorized by the Unified Port of San Diego and City of Chula Vista. Plans included marina expansion, luxury resort development, and the addition of a conference center. Additionally, in Imperial Beach, on September 29, 2010 the Seacoast Inn was demolished to make room for a $20 million dollar resort.
and the Pacific Ocean
. The region is at the southern end of the bay and western slope of the coastal mountains to the east. There are a few creeks that make their way from these mountains with their terminus in either the southern end of the bay, the ocean, or the Tijuana River Delta. Its boundaries are the San Diego Bay
on the west, the United States–Mexico border
on the south, National City's border with northern San Diego and Coronado
to the north, and the unincorporated communities and Otay Lakes to the east.
, Otay Mountain Wilderness, Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
and Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
. The Tijuana River Estuary
is located on the southern coast of South Bay. The river which feeds it has a watershed
that drains from both Tijuana Municipality and San Diego County. There have been problems with the cleanliness of the estuary, from the Tijuana part of the watershed, which has led to constructive measures with efforts to clean the water. Located within the Tijuana River National Estuarine Reserve, the Tijuana River estuary is the largest wetland in Southern California. The wetland supports over 370 species of migratory and year-round dwelling waterfowl.
largest region of Greater San Diego in population, ahead of East County and below North County.
The South Bay is known for its relatively large immigrant population, with many first-generation Mexican-Americans and Filipino-Americans. Twenty-six percent of San Diego County's Hispanic
population lives in the South Bay.
, National School District, San Ysidro School District, and the South Bay Union School District. There are approximately fourteen high schools, fourteen middle schools, and numerous elementary schools. The South Bay area is also served by charter and private schools.
, a two year community college
and feeder school
to University of California, San Diego
and San Diego State University
.
. South Bay also receives coverage from the weekly San Diego Reader
.
Chula Vista, National City, and Bonita are served by the weekly newspaper The Star-News, which was formed in 1954 upon the merger of the Chula Vista Star with the National City News. Imperial Beach is served by the weekly Imperial Beach and South County Eagle & Times.
San Ysidro was once served by the weekly San Ysidro Border Press.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
consisting of the communities and cities of Bonita
Bonita, California
Bonita is a census-designated place in southern San Diego County, California, nestled between the cities of Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego. The population was 12,538 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Bonita is located at ....
, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Lincoln Acres, National City
National City, California
National City is a city in San Diego County, California. The population was 58,582 at the 2010 census, up from 54,260 at the 2000 census. National City is the second oldest city in San Diego County and has a historic past.-History:...
, and South San Diego
South San Diego
South San Diego is a district in San Diego, California, within a larger region known as the South Bay.-History:Before the arrival of the Spanish explorers, area of South San Diego was largely inhabited by the Digueno people...
.
South Bay is traditionally calmer than the busier parts of the metropolitan area. One of its cities, Imperial Beach, bills itself as Classic Southern California for being relatively untouched in terms of other coastal cities.
History
The area encompassing the South Bay was originally inhabited by the KumeyaayKumeyaay
The Kumeyaay, also known as Tipai-Ipai, Kamia, or formerly Diegueño, are Native American people of the extreme southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. They live in the states of California in the US and Baja California in Mexico. In Spanish, the name is commonly spelled...
peoples. Under Mexican rule, several Mexican land grants were established in the region, including Rancho Janal
Rancho Janal
Rancho Janal was a Mexican land grant in present day San Diego County, California given in 1829 by Governor José María de Echeandía to José Antonio Estudillo. The grant was located near present day Otay Mesa. A large portion of the grant is now covered by the waters of the Upper and Lower Otay...
, Rancho Otay
Rancho Otay
Rancho Otay was a Mexican land grant in present day San Diego County, California given in 1846 by Governor Pío Pico to Magdelena Estudillo. The grant in the present day Otay Mesa area, extended along the Otay River, just west of Lower Otay Reservoir....
, and Rancho de la Nación
Rancho de la Nación
Rancho de la Nación was a Mexican land grant in present day southern San Diego County, California given in 1845 by Governor Pío Pico to John Forster...
. National City was incorporated in 1887, Chula Vista in 1911, and Imperial Beach in 1956. South San Diego
South San Diego
South San Diego is a district in San Diego, California, within a larger region known as the South Bay.-History:Before the arrival of the Spanish explorers, area of South San Diego was largely inhabited by the Digueno people...
, including the communities of San Ysidro, Nestor, Palm City, and Otay Mesa, were annexed by the city of San Diego in 1957.
The term "South Bay" has referred to the region since at least the early 20th century, with one reference dating from 1918.
In October 2007, South Bay was quickly encroached upon by the Harris Fire, part of a series of fires that ravaged California in the 2007 Fire season.
Traditionally more residential and calmer than busier North County, 2010 saw that regional cities were taking on projects that included the development of luxury resorts in efforts to revitalize the South Bay. On May 18, 2010 further development of the Chula Vista Bayfront
Chula Vista Bayfront
The Chula Vista Bayfront is a master planned waterfront development on San Diego Bay within Chula Vista, California, United States. The bayfront is undergoing major development under the project title Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, one of the largest waterfront planning efforts in the United...
was authorized by the Unified Port of San Diego and City of Chula Vista. Plans included marina expansion, luxury resort development, and the addition of a conference center. Additionally, in Imperial Beach, on September 29, 2010 the Seacoast Inn was demolished to make room for a $20 million dollar resort.
Geography
South Bay borders both San Diego BaySan Diego Bay
San Diego Bay is a natural harbor and deepwater port adjacent to San Diego, California. It is 12 mi/19 km long, 1 mi/1.6 km–3 mi/4.8 km wide...
and the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. The region is at the southern end of the bay and western slope of the coastal mountains to the east. There are a few creeks that make their way from these mountains with their terminus in either the southern end of the bay, the ocean, or the Tijuana River Delta. Its boundaries are the San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay is a natural harbor and deepwater port adjacent to San Diego, California. It is 12 mi/19 km long, 1 mi/1.6 km–3 mi/4.8 km wide...
on the west, the United States–Mexico border
United States–Mexico border
The United States–Mexico border is the international border between the United States and Mexico. It runs from Imperial Beach, California, and Tijuana, Baja California, in the west to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and Brownsville, Texas, in the east, and traverses a variety of terrains, ranging from major...
on the south, National City's border with northern San Diego and Coronado
Coronado, California
Coronado, also known as Coronado Island, is an affluent resort city located in San Diego County, California, 5.2 miles from downtown San Diego. Its population was 24,697 at the 2010 census, up from 24,100 at the 2000 census. U.S. News and World Report lists Coronado as one of the most expensive...
to the north, and the unincorporated communities and Otay Lakes to the east.
Ecology
Nature preserve areas in South Bay include San Diego Bay National Wildlife RefugeSan Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is an urban refuge located on San Diego Bay in San Diego County, California. It is part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex...
, Otay Mountain Wilderness, Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge is located in the most southwestern corner of the contiguous United States. It is part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It was established in 1980....
and Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is a natural reserve encompassing the Tijuana River Estuary, located on the Mexico – United States border, in Imperial Beach, California.-Access and features:...
. The Tijuana River Estuary
Tijuana River Estuary
The Tijuana River Estuary is an intertidal coastal wetland in San Diego County, California, USA bordering Tijuana, Baja California. It is the location of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. The estuary is a shallow water habitat...
is located on the southern coast of South Bay. The river which feeds it has a watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
that drains from both Tijuana Municipality and San Diego County. There have been problems with the cleanliness of the estuary, from the Tijuana part of the watershed, which has led to constructive measures with efforts to clean the water. Located within the Tijuana River National Estuarine Reserve, the Tijuana River estuary is the largest wetland in Southern California. The wetland supports over 370 species of migratory and year-round dwelling waterfowl.
Demographics
The population is 462,843 , an 18.3% increase from 2000. South Bay is the thirdRegions of the San Diego metropolitan area
The Regions of the San Diego metropolitan area and San Diego County, as they cover the same area are:*The Anza Borrego, or Desert or Inland, region includes all of northeastern San Diego County, including Borrego Springs...
largest region of Greater San Diego in population, ahead of East County and below North County.
The South Bay is known for its relatively large immigrant population, with many first-generation Mexican-Americans and Filipino-Americans. Twenty-six percent of San Diego County's Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
population lives in the South Bay.
Incorporated
Populations listed are from the 2010 Census with the exception of South San Diego- San Diego: South San DiegoSouth San DiegoSouth San Diego is a district in San Diego, California, within a larger region known as the South Bay.-History:Before the arrival of the Spanish explorers, area of South San Diego was largely inhabited by the Digueno people...
- 107,631 - Chula Vista - 243,916
- National CityNational City, CaliforniaNational City is a city in San Diego County, California. The population was 58,582 at the 2010 census, up from 54,260 at the 2000 census. National City is the second oldest city in San Diego County and has a historic past.-History:...
- 58,582 - Imperial Beach - 26,324
Unincorporated
Population for Bonita is from the 2010 Census- BonitaBonita, CaliforniaBonita is a census-designated place in southern San Diego County, California, nestled between the cities of Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego. The population was 12,538 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Bonita is located at ....
- 12,538 - Lincoln Acres - 2,100
Federal Military Reservations
- Naval Base San Diego
- Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach
- Silver Strand Training ComplexSilver Strand Training ComplexSilver Strand Training Complex , formerly known as the Naval Radio Receiving Facility , is the premier training facility for U.S. Special Operations Forces...
Primary and secondary schools
South Bay is served by the Sweetwater Union High School DistrictSweetwater Union High School District
The Sweetwater Union High School District is a school district headquartered in Chula Vista, California. , the school district is the largest secondary school district in California....
, National School District, San Ysidro School District, and the South Bay Union School District. There are approximately fourteen high schools, fourteen middle schools, and numerous elementary schools. The South Bay area is also served by charter and private schools.
Colleges and universities
Located in Chula Vista is Southwestern CollegeSouthwestern College (California)
Southwestern College is a public, two-year community college located in the city of Chula Vista, California. Southwestern College's football stadium hosts Bonita Vista High School's football games...
, a two year community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
and feeder school
Feeder school
Feeder school is a name applied to schools, colleges, universities, or other educational institutions that provide a significant number of graduates who intend to continue their studies at specific schools, or even in specific fields....
to University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
and San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
.
Government
The South County Regional Center contains the South Bay Courthouse of the San Diego Superior Court as well as offices for the San Diego County Sheriff, the San Diego District Attorney, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and others. The center is located in downtown Chula Vista.Newspapers
South Bay is served by the San Diego Union-Tribune, whose website features a "South County" section that is largely congruent with South Bay, although the "South County" section includes CoronadoCoronado, California
Coronado, also known as Coronado Island, is an affluent resort city located in San Diego County, California, 5.2 miles from downtown San Diego. Its population was 24,697 at the 2010 census, up from 24,100 at the 2000 census. U.S. News and World Report lists Coronado as one of the most expensive...
. South Bay also receives coverage from the weekly San Diego Reader
San Diego Reader
The San Diego Reader is the largest alternative press paper in the county of San Diego, distributed free in stands and private businesses throughout the county, funded by advertisements...
.
Chula Vista, National City, and Bonita are served by the weekly newspaper The Star-News, which was formed in 1954 upon the merger of the Chula Vista Star with the National City News. Imperial Beach is served by the weekly Imperial Beach and South County Eagle & Times.
San Ysidro was once served by the weekly San Ysidro Border Press.
Landmarks
Important landmarks in South Bay include:- San Ysidro Port of Entry (Mexico-U.S. border crossing at San Ysidro)
- Border Field State ParkBorder Field State ParkBorder Field State Park is a state park of California, USA, containing beach and coastal habitat on the Mexico – United States border. The park is located within the city limits of Imperial Beach in San Diego County, adjacent to the suburb of Playas de Tijuana in Mexico...
(includes Friendship Park) - The Tijuana River EstuaryTijuana River EstuaryThe Tijuana River Estuary is an intertidal coastal wetland in San Diego County, California, USA bordering Tijuana, Baja California. It is the location of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. The estuary is a shallow water habitat...
and Tijuana River National Estuarine Research ReserveTijuana River National Estuarine Research ReserveTijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is a natural reserve encompassing the Tijuana River Estuary, located on the Mexico – United States border, in Imperial Beach, California.-Access and features:... - The Chula Vista BayfrontChula Vista BayfrontThe Chula Vista Bayfront is a master planned waterfront development on San Diego Bay within Chula Vista, California, United States. The bayfront is undergoing major development under the project title Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, one of the largest waterfront planning efforts in the United...
- Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
- Imperial Beach PierImperial Beach, CaliforniaImperial Beach is a residential beach city in San Diego County, California, with a population of 26,324 at the 2010 census. The city is the most southern beach city in Southern California and the West Coast of the United States...
- Chula Vista Soak CityKnott's Soak CityKnott's Soak City is a chain of three seasonal water parks owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company and located in Southern California.Soak City U.S.A in Orange County opened in 1999. Located East across Beach Blvd...
- Onstage PlayhouseOnStage PlayhouseOnStage Playhouse is a non-profit community theatre located at 291 3rd Ave. in Chula Vista, California.For the past 28 years, OnStage Playhouse has acted as the only community theatre serving the South Bay section of San Diego County, covering the cities of Chula Vista, National City, Imperial...
- The National City Depot
- Sweetwater DamSweetwater DamThe Sweetwater Dam is a dam across the Sweetwater River in San Diego County, California. As the crow flies, it sits about east of San Diego and northeast of Chula Vista; and just south of the city of La Presa...
- SurfhengeImperial Beach, CaliforniaImperial Beach is a residential beach city in San Diego County, California, with a population of 26,324 at the 2010 census. The city is the most southern beach city in Southern California and the West Coast of the United States...
.
See also
- North County
- East CountyEast County, San DiegoEast County is a region of San Diego County, California. It is east of the city of San Diego.-Geography:East County does not have an official geographic definition. It commonly includes the four cities east of San Diego and South Bay—El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, and Lemon Grove—as well as suburban...
- Otay RiverOtay RiverThe Otay River is a river in southern San Diego County, California. The river begins at San Miguel Mountain, flows through the Upper- and Lower- Otay Reservoirs, and continues on between the southern part of the Chula Vista and the Otay Mesa West district of San Diego, and empties into San Diego Bay...
- Sweetwater RiverSweetwater River (California)The Sweetwater River is a long stream in southwestern California in the United States. From its headwaters high in the Cuyamaca Mountains, the river flows generally southwest, first through rugged hinterlands but then into the urban areas surrounding its mouth at San Diego Bay. Its drainage basin...