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When
you think of San Diego, first think perfect climate. Average daytime
temperature is a breezy 65º to 78º Fahrenheit year round, making
humidity a non-factor. Only 19 days of light rainfall in the Winter.
Even morning fog along the coast burns off before you notice, San
Diego's way of saying, "Have a nice day". From April through
October, water temperature is typically warm enough to swim in the 33
beaches of scenic coastline. There's more.
San Diego enjoys a disproportionate share of world-class golf and tennis
resorts. People confidently plan well ahead for picnics in well tended
parks, hiking majestic mountains nearby or retreating to the devilishly
attractive Anza-Borrego desert a few miles inland. Even winters are
exploiting the climate with a fledgling wine-growing district in
northern San Diego County. The county is winning its share of wine
contests as judged by international standards. Look out Napa Valley!
Despite nature's many blessings, the military presence governed the pace
of the region for most of this century. Today however, world class
educational institutions, biomedical, computer and telecommunication
industries have taken the reins of the economy. The world famous San
Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World and LEGOLAND have placed San
Diego in the big leagues of family tourism. Hi-tech industry and tourism
have produced so many new jobs that the economy is less subject to the
military's cyclical impact, enabling more restaurants, nightlife and
cultural facilities to thrive. Those jobs and the massive Horton Plaza
revitalization downtown let everyone take in bountiful shopping,
romantic strolls along the waterfront and enchanting dinner cruises in
one of America's largest natural harbors.
 Many
hotels have opened or expanded near the waterfront, the convention
center is undergoing a massive expansion, and a pro baseball stadium is
being built downtown. And the Gaslamp Quarter buzzes with activity day
and night. With these positive vibes, your next thought of San Diego
should no longer be limited to, "Day trip from LA".
Demographic information
 Part
of the charm of any urban area is its diverse ethnic make-up, where a
variety of peoples converge on one area, creating a wealth of cultural
options, colorful ethnic eateries and a variety of perspectives. And San
Diego is no exception to this. The following is a brief summary of San
Diego County's ethnic diversity.
1998 San Diego County Population:
- White 60.8%
- Hispanic 24%
- Asian/Pacific Islander 9.2%
- African-American 6.0%
- Total Population (1998 est.)= 2,794,785
Source: San Diego Association of Governments
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Other
Facts:
Population:
1.2 million
Area: 330 sq miles (855 sq km)
Elevation: 13ft (4m)
State: California
Time Zone: Pacific (GMT/UTC minus 8 hrs)
Telephone area code: 619, 760 & 935 |
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Brief History of
the African American settlement of San Diego County |
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By
Huff, Karen L., Synopsis of San Diego's Black History, Liberia
Press, 2001
San Diego is rich in African American history and culture.
Black roots run deep in this city and deeper in the County.
When the Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo landed here in 1542,
several black slaves accompanied him.
 Black
Americans started settling here while San Diego was still a
Spanish colony. In 1804, John Brown, a slave aboard the
O'Cain, jumped ship to freedom.
When
San Diego became a part of Mexico in 1821, blacks could be
found in all levels of the society. In fact, the last
governor of California under Mexican rule (Pio Pico)
was of African descent.
African Americans like Allen Light and Richard Freeman settled in
Old Town San Diego in the 1840's. They established the San
Diego House, a saloon/restaurant.
African Americans starting their migration to downtown's Horton
Addition in the 1870s. Henry H. Brown operated a barber shop
and liquor saloon at 8th and L during that time.
 During
the 1880's, African Americans helped settle towns in San Diego
County like Julian, Campo and the Palomar Mountain. In
1887, in fact, Albert and Margaret Robinson established the Hotel
Robinson (now the Julian Hotel).
 By
1900, a significant African American settlement in downtown had
developed. And by the mid-1920's, black culture in downtown
San Diego was flourishing complete with jazz, blues, art, and
other activities that were comparable to New York's Harlem
Renaissance. Hence the term, Harlem
of the West.
San Diego's black population continued its shift and by the 1930's
downtown was becoming increasingly less of a Harlem of the West,
as a significant number of African American had settled in Logan
Heights making this a predominately black community.
Logan Heights remained a community well associated with San
Diego's black population until the early 1970s about the time
Chicano Park was established.
During that period of time the area was becoming increasingly more
Latino and was subsequently proclaimed Barrio Logan as blacks
moved further east into the area that was eventually known as
Southeast San Diego. |
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Black San Diego
Today |
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 In
these upbeat climatic, recreational and economic environments more African
Americans are getting in on the action. In the last 10 years African
American presence has increased by 27,000 to an estimated 186,000
population. With more than 4,000 businesses, plus
booming Fortune 500-type jobs, several major African American cultural
sites have been added and many gospel churches have growing
congregations. Soulful restaurants, nightclubs and shops are now open,
filling a longtime need. |
San Diego-based African American
News and Publications
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The
San Diego Monitor News
Is a weekly community newspaper founded by Dr. Willie L. Marrow
creator of the California Curl and other African American hair
care products. The monitor provides free advertisements and
focuses on community events, local personalities, and commentaries
regarding local politics. Dr. Marrow also lead San Diego's first
African America radio station 92.5 which is now owned by Clear
Channel and targets the Hispanic community.
Founder/publisher: Dr. Willie
L. Marrow.
Address: 3570 Olive Street, Lemon Grove, CA., 91945
Phone: (619)668-1007
Fax: (619)668-0778.
Email: sdmnews@aol.com |
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Newslink
Since 1992 this community newspaper has focused on business and
technology articles, with current events important to African
Americans. It is printed perodically.
Founder/publisher: William P Shields.
Address: 6062
1/2 University Ave, San
Diego, CA 92115
Phone: (619) 265-2700
Fax: (619) 265-7160
Email: aanewslink@AOL.com |
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Voice &
Viewpoint This weekly newspaper has strong coverage on hard
issues by its editorial staff while tracking uplifting community
events with equal vigor; the building is also home to the
San Diego Regional Black Chamber of Commerce headed by Mrs.
Gerri Warren.
Publisher: Dr. John E. Warren
Address: 1729 Euclid Ave;
Phone: 619-266-2233
Email: info@sdvoice.com |
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