Cities in San Diego County – 2024 Complete List and Guide

It is no wonder thousands of people move to the suburbs of San Diego County every year. It has unbeatable weather, rich history, and a vast array of famous attractions. Who wouldn’t want to join the ranks of these lucky Southern Californians?

With living options ranging from beachfront properties and city apartments to gated neighborhoods and large custom homes, there is a place for just about every taste and lifestyle.

If you are one of the lucky ones who will make your way to this beautiful county soon, the next step will be choosing the city where you will plant your roots.

As one of the best-rated movers in San Diego, Move Central is here for you. Contact us today if you’re planning a move or need help packing!

To ensure you have everything you need to know about the area, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide and list of all of the cities in San Diego County. Read on to see which will make the perfect home for your needs.

San Diego County History

As with many parts of the western United States, the history of San Diego County is full of ancient Native American tribes who have lived there for thousands of years. A few of the most well-known groups in this area include the Kumeyaay, the Cupeño, and the Luiseño. They lived there for centuries until the mid-1500s, when the first Spanish conquistadors arrived.

After looking at what is now known as Mission Bay, a Spaniard decided to name the region after Saint Didacus, who more commonly went by the name San Diego.

Once the Mexican Declaration of Independence from Spain was passed, this area remained a part of Mexico until 1848. At that time, the Mexican-American War came to an end thanks to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Shortly thereafter, it become part of the state of California in 1850.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the last war that directly affected the San Diego area. Before the turn of the century, the Spanish-American War of 1898 brought the need for a navy to be established. It was closely followed by both World Wars, leading to a total of seven naval bases being built around the county during those times.

Since then, the area has grown into a thriving region. It plays a key role in the tuna fishing and aerospace manufacturing industries. It’s home to multiple universities, and much more.

Area Geography & Climate

Over the years, San Diego County has been broken into smaller pieces that have been re-established as new counties. At one point, it was the only county along the Mexican border, extending all the way over to the Colorado River. Though it used to cover a much larger geographical area, San Diego County still stands as one of the top ten largest counties in the state.

With a coverage area of about 4,526 square miles, the county has a lot more to offer than just sandy beaches along the coast. In fact, on the eastern side, you’ll find yourself in a portion of the Sonoran Desert. And between the two, you’ll find a vast array of rolling hills, shallow canyons, and even mountains with snowy tips during the winter time.

There is little to be said about the county’s climate beyond the notion that it offers some of the most comfortable and coveted weather in the entire world.

You will experience dry, hot summers and mild winters near the desert areas. But the closer you get to the Pacific Coast, a light t-shirt and shorts are commonplace for most locals thanks to temperatures averaging between 45°F and 80°F all year long.

How Fast Is the San Diego County Population Growing?

The area grew very slowly during its first decade, though it spiked briefly around 1849 due to the Gold Rush. From 1848 to 1860, the San Diego population rose from 650 to a mere 731 residents. But as you might have guessed, it didn’t take much longer for people to recognize the great weather and immense opportunity the region had to offer.

With fast-growing cities like San Diego, Chula Vista, and Oceanside at the helm, the county is now home to more than 3.3 million people. The population has risen by 0.61 percent so far this year.

That metric has been met or exceeded every year for the past decade, resulting in a population expansion of over 8 percent since 2010. The area is also known for its diversity, with people from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities moving here every year.

And while English is the primary spoken language, about 23 percent of citizens in San Diego County are bilingual. Many of these individuals speak Spanish or Asian dialects, as well as a handful of Pacific Island languages.

Top Cities in San Diego County

Some of the largest San Diego County cities include San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, and Carlsbad, all of which are home to at least 100,000.

San Diego gives residents the big city feel with a population eclipsing 1.3 million. Lovingly referred to “America’s Finest City”, it fits the bill with white sandy beaches, fun activities, and beautiful weather.

People living in Chula Vista know it as the lemon capital of the world. Between its family-friendly neighborhoods and comparably low cost of living, it’s a popular place in the county to raise children.

Everything about Oceanside screams California living. Gorgeous beaches, great places to eat, and oceanview neighborhoods all come standard with this San Diego suburb.

Escondido is marketed as the “City of Choice”. On the outskirts of the big city, you’ll experience less traffic and fewer people. However, this spot still retains the beauty and essence of living in southern California.

There’s nothing bad to say about Carlsbad. As one of the fastest-growing cities in California for many years, it has charm in all the right places. Most residences offer a view of the ocean with a quick look out your door or window.

A Tourism and Vacation Hot Spot

It’s not difficult to find a wide variety of fun things to do around the San Diego suburbs. In the heart of San Diego, you’ll find popular attractions like Sea World, Balboa Park, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

If you find yourself in Escondido, visiting the breathtaking Safari Park may be in order. A weekend in Oceanside gives you access to the weekly Sunset Market and the longest wooden pier along the entire west coast.

Beautiful beaches line almost the entire 70 miles of the San Diego coast, giving you plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun and access to the ocean. Surfers find their happy place in local spots such as Black’s Beach in La Jolla, Swami’s State Beach in Encinitas, or Sunset Cliffs next to the Point Loma neighborhood in San Diego.

Cities In San Diego County Demographics

List of Cities in San Diego County

Communities in San Diego County

Unincorporated Counties in San Diego County

San Diego County State Parks

San Diego County Lake

We Know It’s a Tough Choice

Are you trying to decide which San Diego County city you should live in? Hopefully, at least a few of these details sparked a few ideas to lead you in the right direction. To learn more about other cities and suburbs in the area, be sure to check out our blog!

And whenever you’ve found the answer to your living situation, we’re here to help! Move Central has over ten years of experience assisting with moves all around San Diego County zip codes. We can help with everything from packing and transport to storage and unpacking.

Give us a call today at (858) 230-8281 and let us know what we can do for you!