The economy.  

When the cold war with the Eastern Block ended, the County's extensive defense industry shrank causing much local pain. Luckily the wireless communication and computer industries as well as biotech companies (among others) grew and expanded and now more than fill the gap.

San Diego County with a population of over 2,720,906 has an economy bigger than Portugal or Israel.

Sales or Use Tax—State and city sales tax on most purchases, 7.75%. Hotel occupancy tax, 10.5%

Don't forget the surfing!

The Military.  

The Pacific home of the US Navy and Marine Corp. Although San Diego lost some facilities during the early 1990's shake up of the Nation's Military, it made out generally.

San Diego is home to 54 ships including carriers and submarines. The Naval Station in San Diego Bay is home to 46 ships of the Pacific Fleet. Miramar is now a Marine Base with helicopters and FA-18 fighter squadrons. The Naval Air Station North Island has it's F14's.

On Coronado's Silver Strand the Naval Amphibious Base is home to the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Naval Special Warfare Command including three Naval SEAL teams.

The City. 

The City of San Diego, home to the Chargers and Padres, is the 6th most populous city in the US with a population 1,197,676 (1990 census).The University of Southern California UCSD is world renowned. 

The University of San Diego USD is one of the most populous in California. The city's relationship with the ocean gives it a special character.

If you are from the East Coast or Midwest, San Diego will strike you as clean; most western cities are as they evolved after the Industrial Revolution. 

The City of San Diego is divided into neighborhoods often spoken of as if they are towns or cities such as La Jolla, Coronado etc.

The homes.  

In 1995 the State counted 452,493 homes in San Diego County, of which 209,398 were single family detached, 38,618 single family attached, 188,752 multiple units and 5,725 mobile homes.

Along the coast, mesas or plateaus rise several hundred feet and flatten out providing sites for residential homes. Thousands of homes have been built on the rims of these mesas to take advantage of superb views. Not all the coast is covered in homes. There are parks and State reserves that cushion some neighborhoods from each other while providing a haven for wildlife.

Divided naturally by ravines, hills, mesas, water and now freeways, San Diego has evolved into a city of geographically distinct neighborhoods.    

Much more information on www.coastalsandiego.com