So, San Diego, How Old Are You? Asking a City for its Age Without Hurting Its Feelings
San Diego, California. Land of sunshine, beaches, and...well, a whole lot of history. But how much history, exactly? Buckle up, because we're about to dive into the age of this vibrant city, with a touch more humor than your dusty history textbook.
From Campfire Stories to Craft Beer: A (Slightly Silly) Timeline of San Diego
- Before 1542: Let's be honest, San Diego was having a blast long before anyone with a clipboard showed up. The Kumeyaay people had been living it up here for a cool 12,000 years. Talk about knowing all the good taco stands.
- 1542: Ahoy, There! A Spanish explorer named Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo rolls up in his ship, all "New World, who dis?" This is like that awkward moment when your grandparents show up at your college party.
- 1769: Mission: Not Impossible (But Pretty Darn Close): The Spanish decide to stick around and build a fort and a mission. Father Serra shows up and starts spreading the good word, which apparently involves a lot of white paint and bells.
- 1821: Hasta La Vista, Spanish Rule! Mexico swoops in and takes over. Hopefully, the tacos got an upgrade.
- 1848: Stars and Stripes Forever (or at Least Until the Next Cool Flag Comes Along): The U.S. wins the Mexican-American War, and San Diego becomes part of the good ol' US of A.
- 1850: San Diego the Stallion (Okay, maybe not stallion, but you get the idea): California becomes a state, and San Diego becomes an official city. Cue the confetti! (Probably made of seashells)
- 19th & 20th Centuries: Let's Get Weird! San Diego goes through a growth spurt, with the arrival of the railroad, the birth of Hollywood (kind of), and the invention of the fish taco (praise be!).
So, how old is San Diego? Well, if we're talking European settlers, we can say around 250 years old. But if we're talking about the Kumeyaay people who were there first, then San Diego is a whopping 12,000 years old.
Important side note: Please don't ask San Diego its age at a party. It's a touch rude. Just compliment its beautiful beaches and offer to buy it a craft beer.
FAQ: San Diego - History Edition (Quick and Dirty)
How to visit San Diego's historic sites? Check out the amazing Old Town San Diego State Historic Park!
How to learn more about the Kumeyaay people? The San Diego Museum of Man is a great place to start.
How to avoid awkward conversations about San Diego's age? Focus on the amazing weather and delicious food!
How to celebrate San Diego's birthday? Hit the beach, grab some fish tacos, and maybe build a sandcastle mission (just for fun).
How to impress your friends with San Diego trivia? Tell them the city is older than the United States itself (thanks to the Kumeyaay people)!
