San Diego County: An Overview
Situated in the very southwest corner of the continental United States, sunny San Diego is renowned for its pleasant year-round weather and miles of sandy beaches. In addition to the city itself, San Diego County offers a wide variety of attractions along with varied geography and numerous suburban communities within its boundaries. With more than 70 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline along with lagoons, hills, mountains, and deserts further inland, San Diego County is a diverse region that attracts tourists and new residents from all over. Learn more about what the city and county of San Diego have to offer!
San Diego County Quick Facts
- Population: 3, 263, 431 (2014 estimate)
- Largest cities: San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista, San Marcos, Encinitas, National City, La Mesa
- Area: 4.526 square miles
Metropolitan San Diego
Less than a 40-mile drive south of the quiet, tree-lined streets of San Elijo Hills lies the city of San Diego. Home to around 1.5 million people, San Diego is the urban epicenter of San Diego County and draws tens of millions of visitors annually. The southernmost city on the California coast, San Diego lies just north of Mexico on the calm waters of San Diego Bay. Like much of coastal Southern California, San Diego enjoys an abundance of sunshine along mild year-round temperatures thanks to the cooling effect of the nearby Pacific Ocean. With miles of sandy beaches, well-known attractions such as Balboa Park, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo, as well as sporting event venues like Petco Park and Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego has numerous options for both recreation and entertainment.
North County
Within commuting distance of Downtown San Diego, suburban communities in the northern portion of San Diego County––known locally as “North County”––feature a mix of quiet residential neighborhoods and commercial areas, offering the ideal balance between convenience and small-town living. From the beaches of Oceanside and Carlsbad to the rolling foothills of San Marcos, the communities of North County San Diego offer a variety of natural scenery and outdoor activities. The North County coast is popular with beachgoers and surfers from all over while tourist attractions like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park near Escondido and Legoland in Carlsbad draw numerous visitors to the North County.
Situated on the outskirts of San Marcos, San Elijo Hills is just a short drive away from all the major communities of the North County as well as from the city of San Diego.