Coastal sage scrub , also known as coastal scrub , CSS , or soft chaparral , is a low scrubland plant community of the California coastal sage and chaparral subecoregion , found in coastal California and northwestern coastal Baja California . It is within the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion , of the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome .
99-557: Coastal sage scrub is characterized by low-growing aromatic, and drought-deciduous shrubs adapted to the semi-arid Mediterranean climate of the coastal lowlands. The community is sometimes called "soft chaparral " due to the predominance of soft, drought-deciduous leaves in contrast to the hard, waxy-cuticled leaves on sclerophyllous plants of California's chaparral communities. Characteristic shrubs and subshrubs include: Larger shrubs include: Herbaceous plants , grasses , and in some locales, cacti and succulents , are also part of
198-517: A National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, though it hosted the San Diego Mariners of the now-defunct World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1974 to 1977. Currently, there is no NFL, NBA, or NHL team in the county. San Diego is the largest American city not to have won a championship in a "Big Four" major professional league. The city does have one major league title to its name: the 1963 American Football League (AFL) Championship won by
297-465: A dry summer climate , described by Köppen as Cs , is a temperate climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude). Such climates typically have dry summers and wet winters, with summer conditions being hot and winter conditions typically being mild. These weather conditions are typically experienced in the majority of Mediterranean-climate regions and countries, but remain highly dependent on proximity to
396-424: A 40 mm (1.6 in) level. The third letter indicates the degree of summer heat: " a " represents an average temperature in the warmest month above 22 °C (72 °F), while " b " indicates the average temperature in the warmest month below 22 °C (72 °F). There is a "c" with 3 or less months' average temperature above 10 °C (50 °F), but this climate is rare and is very isolated. Under
495-572: A 6% decrease from 2017. 3,586 were sheltered, and 4,990 were not. 4,912 (75.3%) were in the city of San Diego. North County Inland had 1,153 (13.4%), North County Coastal with 822 homeless (9.6%), 602 (7%) were found in South County, and 1,087 (12.7%) in East County. According to a 2014 Pew Research Center survey, 68% of adults in the county were Christian , of whom 32% were Catholic . 27% were religiously unaffiliated , and 5% adhered to
594-891: A Csb climate because of its location inside the Alborz mountains . Winters in this zone are rainy and can be mild to chilly. Some locales in this zone experience some amount of snowfall, while others do not. Csb climates are found in northwestern Iberian Peninsula (namely Galicia and the Norte region and west coast of Portugal ), in coastal Northern California , in the Pacific Northwest (namely western Washington , western Oregon and southern portions of Vancouver Island in British Columbia ), in central Chile , in parts of southern Australia and in sections of southwestern South Africa . A few locations close to
693-456: A Mediterranean climate are near large bodies of water, temperatures are generally moderate, with a comparatively small range of temperatures between the winter low and summer high unlike (the relatively rare) dry-summer humid continental climates (although the daily diurnal range of temperature during the summer is large due to dry and clear conditions, except along the immediate coastlines). Temperatures during winter only occasionally fall below
792-613: A century of intensive agriculture. Much of the Overberg in the southern Cape of South Africa , was once covered with renosterveld , but has likewise been largely converted to agriculture, mainly for wheat . In hillside and mountainous areas, away from the urban sprawls , ecosystems and habitats of native vegetation are more sustained and undisturbed. The fynbos vegetation in the South-western Cape in South Africa
891-472: A climate bordering on Csc and is known as a "climatic anomaly" due to abnormally warm temperatures despite its latitude located above 67°N latitude. [REDACTED] Media related to Mediterranean climate at Wikimedia Commons San Diego County San Diego County ( / ˌ s æ n d i ˈ eɪ ɡ oʊ / ), officially the County of San Diego , is a county in the southwest corner of
990-709: A destination for trafficked minors from Mexico and the Philippines. In 2018, the United States Border Patrol caught an average of over a hundred individuals crossing the border illegally each day. San Diego County and Imperial County are part of the Southern Border Region , one of nine such regions. As a regional economy, the Southern Border Region is the smallest but most economically diverse region in
1089-410: A female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.29. As of 2000, 25.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.30% was from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2%
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#17327875237351188-668: A few kilometres inland. Occasionally also termed the "cool-summer Mediterranean climate", this subtype of the Mediterranean climate ( Csb ) is less common and experience warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 22 °C (72 °F) during its warmest month and as usual an average in the coldest month between 18 and −3 °C (64 and 27 °F) or, in some applications, between 18 and 0 °C (64 and 32 °F). Also, at least four months must average above 10 °C (50 °F). Cool ocean currents, upwelling and higher latitudes are often
1287-556: A mean temperature below 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C [27 °F]), depending on the isotherm used). Regions in the Americas with this climate are influenced by the dry-summer trend (though briefly) that extends considerably poleward along the west coast, as well as the moderating influences of high altitude and relative proximity to the Pacific Ocean. These conditions maintain an unusually narrow temperature range through
1386-487: A non-Christian faith. According to the University of Southern California , in 2010, the largest faith in the county was Catholicism, followed by non-denominational Christians , and Mormons . In 2014, the county had 978 religious organizations, the seventh most out of all US counties. In 2014 according to Pew Research Center , there are about 170,000 undocumented immigrants living in the region. San Diego has been
1485-550: A season earlier than at the Dead Sea . In the Holy Land no rain at all falls in summer but early rains may come in autumn. The majority of the regions with Mediterranean climates have relatively mild winters and very warm summers. However, winter and summer temperatures can vary greatly between different regions with a Mediterranean climate. For instance, in the case of winters, Funchal experiences mild to warm temperatures in
1584-468: A thriving musical and theatrical scene, numerous notable special events, a varied cuisine, and a reputation as one of America's premier centers of craft brewing . Sports in San Diego County includes major professional league teams, other highest-level professional league teams, minor league teams, and college athletics . San Diego County hosts two teams of the major professional leagues,
1683-571: A varied topography. On its western side is more than 70 miles (113 km) of coastline. Most of San Diego between the coast and the Laguna Mountains consists of hills, mesas , and small canyons . Snow-capped (in winter) mountains rise to the east, with the Sonoran Desert farther to the east. The Cleveland National Forest is spread across the central portion of the county, while Anza-Borrego Desert State Park occupies most of
1782-526: A year. Most rainfall occurs from November to April. Winter temperatures are mild, with average high temperatures of 66–70 °F (19–21 °C) and lows of 50–56 °F (10–13 °C). The climate in the San Diego area, like much of California, often varies significantly over short geographical distances resulting in microclimates . In San Diego's case this is mainly due to the city's topography (the Bay, and
1881-597: A yearly cycle in which abiotic (environmental) controls of stream populations and community structure dominate during floods, biotic components (e.g. competition and predation) controls become increasingly important as the flood discharge declines, and environmental controls regain dominance as environmental conditions become very harsh (i.e. hot and dry); as a result, these communities are well suited to recover from droughts , floods , and fires . Aquatic organisms in these regions show distinct long-term patterns in their structure and function, and are also highly sensitive to
1980-570: Is a border county . It is home to 18 Indian reservations , the most of any county in the United States. There are 16 military installations of the U.S. Navy , Marine Corps , and Coast Guard in the county. San Diego County comprises the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CA metropolitan statistical area , which is the 17th most populous metropolitan statistical area and the 18th most populous primary statistical area in
2079-437: Is a record of past tsunamis . In the 1847 census of San Diego County ordered by Richard Barnes Mason , it found that 2,287 people lived in the county, to include Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and African Americans. Since at least 2014, San Diego County is the fifth most populous county in the United States. In 2000, only about 3% of San Diego County residents left the county for work while 40,000 people commuted into
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#17327875237352178-563: Is a triangle from a first point on the northern edge of Carlsbad, a second point southeast of Escondido , and a third point on the southern edge of La Jolla . It contains all or most of the cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach , Del Mar , and Poway in addition to a substantial portion of northern San Diego. According to a point-in-time count taken for the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness, there were 8,576 homeless individuals on January 6, 2018,
2277-564: Is also giant coreopsis ( Coreopsis gigantea ), Californian black sage ( Salvia mellifera ), California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ) , and Californian white sage ( Salvia apiana ). Plant species that can be found in Maritime Succulent Scrub is coast prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ), coast barrel cactus ( Ferocactus viridescens ), cliff spurge ( Euphorbia misera ), bush rue ( Cneoridium dumosum ), and Dudleya spp. Northern coastal scrub occurs along
2376-424: Is closely associated with Mediterranean climate zones, as are unique freshwater communities, though vegetation native to the Mediterranean climate zone can also be found in the approximate nearby climate zones, which usually tend to be the humid subtropical , oceanic and/or semi-arid zones, depending on the region and location. Particularly distinctive of the climate are sclerophyll shrublands, called maquis in
2475-576: Is famed for its high floral diversity , and includes such plant types as members of the Restionaceae , Ericas (Heaths) and Proteas . Representatives of the Proteaceae also grow in Australia, such as Banksias . The palette of California native plants is also renowned for its species and cultivar diversity. This subtype of the Mediterranean climate ( Csa ) is the most common form of
2574-406: Is higher, steppe climates tend to prevail, but still follow the basic pattern of the Mediterranean climates. Irregularity of the rainfall, which can vary considerably from year to year, accentuates the droughts of the Mediterranean climate. Rain does not fall evenly, nor does the rain arrive at the same time or within the same intervals. In Gibraltar , for instance, rain starts falling nearly half
2673-606: Is mostly found along the maritime Central Coast region, and the terraces and mountains with coastal climate influence in Southern California . Its distribution extends from the southwestern San Francisco Bay Area in the north, through Big Sur , Vandenberg Air Force Base , the Oxnard Plain , the Los Angeles Basin , most of Orange County , parts of Riverside County , coastal San Diego County , and
2772-774: Is terraces with deep alluvial soils , and scrub, which is found on steeper slopes and ravine areas. Evergreen shrubs and subshrubs, which are soft leaves. They are found in semi-open with a height of 2–3 meters, with multiple layers. Some examples of the plant species that can be found are Bush monkeyflower ( Mimulus aurantiacus ), Poison oak ( Toxicodendron diversilobum ), Coffee berry ( Frangula californica ), Golden yarrow ( Eriophyllum confertiflorum ). California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ) can be found in Coastal Sage Scrub community, especially in Orange County . Some other plant species that can be found
2871-603: The Köppen climate classification , "hot dry-summer" climates (classified as Csa ) and "cool dry-summer" climates (classified as Csb ) are often referred to as just "Mediterranean". Under the Köppen climate system, the first letter indicates the climate group (in this case temperate climates). Temperate climates or " C " zones average temperature above 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C (27 °F)), but below 18 °C (64 °F), in their coolest months. The second letter indicates
2970-594: The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar has vernal pools and the endemic mint Pogogyne abramsii . One of the largest remaining areas of inland coastal sage scrub is found in the Temescal Mountains of Riverside County. A few rare and endangered species occur in southern coastal scrub habitats. For example, the coastal California gnatcatcher ( Polioptila californica californica ) is a threatened bird species endemic to
3069-854: The National Football League (NFL)'s San Diego Chargers from 1961 to 2017, when the team relocated to the Greater Los Angeles area (now the Los Angeles Chargers ). The county also hosted the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s San Diego Rockets from 1967 to 1971 (now the Houston Rockets ) and San Diego Clippers from 1978 to 1984 (now the Los Angeles Clippers ). San Diego County has never hosted
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3168-755: The Pacific Coast from the northern San Francisco Bay Area to southern Oregon . It frequently forms a landscape mosaic with the California coastal prairie plant community. The predominant plants are low evergreen shrubs and herbs . Characteristic shrubs include coyote brush ( Baccharis pilularis ), yerba santa ( Eriodictyon californicum ), coast silk-tassel ( Garrya elliptica ), salal ( Gaultheria shallon ), and yellow bush lupine ( Lupinus arboreus ). Herbaceous species include western blue-eyed grass ( Sisyrinchium bellum ), Douglas iris ( Iris douglasiana ), and grasses . Southern coastal scrub
3267-595: The Peninsular Ranges for hiking, biking, mountainboarding and trail riding . Surfing locations include Swami's , Stone Steps Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach , Cardiff State Beach , San Onofre State Beach and the southern portion of Black's Beach . The region is host to the second largest cruise ship industry in California which generates an estimated $ 2 million annually from purchases of food, fuel, supplies, and maintenance services. In 2008,
3366-508: The Port of San Diego hosted 252 ship calls and more than 800,000 passengers. The culture of San Diego is influenced heavily by American and Mexican cultures due to its position as a border town , its large Hispanic population, and its history as part of Spanish America and Mexico . The area's longtime association with the U.S. military also contributes to its culture. Present-day culture includes many historical and tourist attractions,
3465-601: The San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB) and San Diego FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). The county is home to several universities whose teams compete in various NCAA Division I sports, most notably the San Diego State Aztecs . The Farmers Insurance Open , a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour , is played annually at Torrey Pines Golf Course . San Diego County hosted
3564-461: The South Bay or South County, including South San Diego , an exclave of the city of San Diego which has no land connection to the rest of the city. San Diego County is bordered on the northwest by Orange County , on the north by Riverside County ; on the east by Imperial County ; on the south by Mexico ; and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Under the Köppen climate classification system,
3663-403: The U.S. state of California . As of the 2020 census , the population was 3,298,634; it is the second-most populous county in California and the fifth-most populous in the United States. Its county seat is San Diego , the second-most populous city in California and the eighth-most populous in the United States. It is the southwesternmost county in the 48 contiguous United States , and
3762-679: The garrigue or maquis in the European Mediterranean Basin, the chaparral in California, the fynbos in South Africa , the mallee in Australia, and the matorral in Chile. Areas with this climate are also where the so-called "Mediterranean trinity" of major agricultural crops have traditionally been successfully grown ( wheat , grapes and olives ). As a result, these regions are notable for their high-quality wines, grapeseed/olive oils, and bread products. Under
3861-415: The subtropical ridge migrates towards the equator and leaves the area, making rainfall much more likely. As a result, areas with this climate receive almost all of their precipitation during their winter and spring seasons, and may go anywhere from four to six months during the summer and early fall without having any significant precipitation . In the lower latitudes, precipitation usually decreases in both
3960-604: The Andes in Northern Ecuador , Peru , Colombia , and Western Venezuela . The cold-summer subtype of the Mediterranean climate ( Csc ) is rare and predominantly found at scattered high-altitude locations along the west coasts of North and South America having a similar climate. This type is characterized by cool, dry summers, with less than four months with a mean temperature at or above 10 °C (50 °F), as well as with cool, wet winters, with no winter month having
4059-512: The Census Bureau estimates there were 3,343,364 people, 1,067,846 households, and 663,449 families residing in the county. The population density was 670 inhabitants per square mile (260/km ). There were 1,142,245 housing units at an average density of 248 per square mile (96/km ). In 2000, there were 994,677 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 11.6% had
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4158-464: The Colorado Desert, has an average January low of 43 °F (6 °C) and August high of 106 °F (41 °C). Rainfall along the coast averages about 10 inches (25 cm) of precipitation annually, which occurs mainly during the cooler months of December through April. Though there are few wet days per month during the rainy period, rainfall can be heavy when it does occur. However,
4257-399: The Köppen classification, dry-summer climates ( Csa , Csb ) usually occur on the western sides of continents. Csb zones in the Köppen system include areas normally not associated with Mediterranean climates but with Oceanic climates, such as much of the Pacific Northwest , much of southern Chile , parts of west-central Argentina , and parts of New Zealand . Additional highland areas in
4356-671: The Mediterranean Basin, chaparral in California, matorral in Chile, fynbos in South Africa, and mallee and kwongan shrublands in Australia. Mediterranean vegetation shows a number of adaptations to drought , grazing , and frequent fire regimes. The small sclerophyllous leaves that characterize many of the perennial shrubs of this biome, help conserve water and prevent nutrient loss. The soils generally are of low fertility , and many plants have mutualistic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria . Aquatic communities in Mediterranean climate regions are adapted to
4455-514: The Mediterranean climate typically experience hot, sometimes very hot and dry summers. Winters can be mild, cool or chilly, and some cities in this region receive somewhat regular snowfall (e.g. Kermanshah ), while others do not receive any (e.g. Casablanca ). Csa climates are mainly found around the Mediterranean Sea , southern Australia, southwestern South Africa , sections of Central Asia , northern sections of Iran and Iraq ,
4554-448: The Mediterranean climate, therefore it is also known as a "typical Mediterranean climate". As stated earlier, regions with this form of a Mediterranean climate experience average monthly temperatures in excess of 22.0 °C (71.6 °F) during its warmest month and an average in the coldest month between 18 and −3 °C (64 and 27 °F) or, in some applications, between 18 and 0 °C (64 and 32 °F). Regions with this form of
4653-431: The Pacific Ocean to its boundary with Imperial County , which separated from it in 1907. San Diego County has more than 70 miles (113 km) of coastline. This forms the most densely populated region of the county, which has a mild Mediterranean to semiarid climate and extensive chaparral vegetation, similar to the rest of the western portion of Southern California. Precipitation and temperature extremes increase to
4752-500: The Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River , and it no longer covered the entire border between California and Mexico. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has an area of 4,526 square miles (11,720 km ), of which 4,207 square miles (10,900 km ) is land and 319 square miles (830 km ) (7.0%) is water. The county is larger in area than the combined states of Rhode Island and Delaware. San Diego County has
4851-456: The Pacific portions of the United States and Chile, extreme west areas of Argentina, around Cape Town in South Africa, parts of Southwest and South Australia , and parts of Central Asia . They tend to be found in proximity (both poleward and near the coast) of desert and semi-arid climates , and equatorward of oceanic climates . Mediterranean climate zones are typically located along
4950-799: The San Diego Museum of Art , Fleet Science Center , San Diego Natural History Museum , USS Midway Museum , and the San Diego Air & Space Museum . Historical places such as the Gaslamp Quarter , Balboa Park and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park . Wildlife refuges, zoos, and aquariums such as the San Diego Zoo , San Diego Zoo Safari Park , Birch Aquarium , and the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park . Outdoor destinations include
5049-594: The United States. San Diego County is also part of the San Diego–Tijuana region, the largest metropolitan area shared between the United States and Mexico. From north to south, San Diego County extends from the southern borders of Orange and Riverside Counties to the Mexico–U.S. border and the municipalities of Tijuana and Tecate in Baja California . From west to east, San Diego County stretches from
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#17327875237355148-600: The area for Saint Didacus , a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego. European settlement in what is now San Diego County began with the founding of the San Diego Presidio and Mission San Diego de Alcalá by Spanish soldiers and clerics in 1769. This county was part of Alta California under the Viceroyalty of New Spain until the Mexican declaration of independence . From 1821 through 1848, this area
5247-653: The area has been subject to wildfires that force thousands to evacuate. The most recent are the December 2017 Lilac Fire , the May 2014 San Diego County wildfires , the Witch Creek Fire in 2007, and the Cedar Fire in 2003. California defines a fire season in which fires are most likely to occur, usually between late July and late October (which are the driest months of the area). Signs posted in numerous spots of
5346-431: The average annual precipitation must not exceed 900 mm (35 in), as well as satisfying Köppen's precipitation requirements. [Chile] has four months of winter, no more, and in them, except when there is a quarter moon, when it rains one or two days, all the other days have such a beautiful sunshine that is not necessary to resort to fire. The summer is so temperate, with delicious airs, that man can go all day under
5445-707: The coastal sage scrublands remain undeveloped. Some of the remaining southern coastal scrub in Los Angeles County can be found in dunes under the takeoff path at Los Angeles International Airport—LAX , in the coastal Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area , and at the Robert J. Bernard Field Station at the Claremont Colleges . In San Diego County, the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base protects larger areas, and
5544-814: The coastal sage scrublands. Other endemic fauna includes the El Segundo blue butterfly in the LAX dunes; and the Palos Verdes blue butterfly ( Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis ), at only one site on the Palos Verdes Peninsula . The endangered Torrey pine ( Pinus torreyana ) is the dominant tree at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in San Diego, one of only two known stands of this pine species. Mediterranean climate A Mediterranean climate ( / ˌ m ɛ d ɪ t ə ˈ r eɪ n i ən / MED -ih-tə- RAY -nee-ən ), also called
5643-434: The cold current has a stabilizing effect on the surrounding air, further reducing the chances for rain, but often causing thick layers of marine fog that usually evaporates by mid-day. Similar to desert climates, in many Mediterranean climates there is a strong diurnal character to daily temperatures in the warm summer months due to strong solar heating during the day from sunlight and rapid cooling at night. In winter,
5742-596: The county provide information on the level of threats from fires based on weather conditions. Northern San Diego County is known as North County ; the eastern suburbs are collectively known as East County ; the rural areas located further east and extending to the Imperial County line are known as the Mountain Empire ; and the southern suburbs, extending to the Mexican border, are collectively known as
5841-545: The early 20th century, San Diego County had a thriving wine industry ; however the 1916 Charles Hatfield flood was the beginning of the end of the industry which included the destruction of the Daneri winery in Otay Valley . As of October 2016 , there are roughly one hundred vineyards and wineries in San Diego County. By the 2019–2020 statistical survey, California Department of Food & Agriculture (cdfa) found that
5940-637: The east, with mountains that receive frost and snow in the winter. These lushly forested mountains receive more rainfall than the average in Southern California, while the desert region of the county lies in a rain shadow to the east, which extends into the Desert Southwest region of North America. The area which is now San Diego County has been inhabited for more than 12,000 years by the Kumeyaay (also known as 'Iipai-Tiipai or by
6039-412: The flora. Hesperoyucca whipplei , colloquially known as Chaparral Yucca, is commonplace throughout the climate zone. The coastal sage scrub plant community is divided into three geographical subtypes— northern coastal scrub , southern coastal scrub , and maritime succulent scrub . The coastal scrub communities are divided into three regions: The Northern Coastal Scrub consists of prairie , which
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#17327875237356138-557: The freezing point and snow is generally seldom seen. Summer temperatures can be cool to very hot, depending on the distance from a large body of water, elevation, and latitude, among other factors. Strong winds from inland desert regions can sometimes boost summer temperatures up, quickly increasing the risk of wildfires . Notable exceptions to the usual proximity from bodies of water, thus featuring extremely high summer temperatures and cooler winters, include south-eastern Turkey and northern Iraq ( Urfa , Erbil ), surrounded by hot deserts to
6237-636: The historical Spanish name Diegueño), Luiseño , Cupeño , Cahuilla , and the Acjachemen people and their local predecessors. In 1542, the explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo , who may have been born in Portugal but sailed under the flag of Castile , claimed San Diego Bay for the Spanish Empire , and he named the site San Miguel. In November 1602, Sebastián Vizcaíno surveyed the harbor and what are now Mission Bay and Point Loma and named
6336-401: The interior of northern California west of the Sierra Nevada , along the Wasatch Front in Utah , and inland areas of southern Oregon west of the Cascade Mountains . Southern California's coasts also experience hot summers due to the shielding effect of the Channel Islands . However, unshielded areas of that coastline can have warm-summer Mediterranean climates with hot-summer areas just
6435-664: The largest population center in the desert, averages only 5 inches (13 cm), with a high evaporation rate. There are seven official wilderness areas in San Diego County that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). Four of these are integral parts of Cleveland National Forest, whereas three are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Some of these extend into neighboring counties (as indicated below): There are 236 mountain summits and peaks in San Diego County including: More than 1,700 tons of radioactive waste are stored at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station , which sits in an area where there
6534-419: The later part of the 19th century, there were numerous changes in the boundaries of San Diego County, when various areas were separated to make up the counties mentioned above. The most recent changes were the establishments of Riverside County in 1893 and Imperial County in 1907. Imperial County was also the last county to be established in California, and after this division, San Diego no longer extended from
6633-432: The lowland areas, temperatures which can sometimes prohibit the growth of typical cold-sensitive Mediterranean plants. Some Spanish authors opt to use the term 'continental Mediterranean climate' ( Clima Mediterráneo Continentalizado ) for some regions with lower temperatures in winter than the coastal areas, but Köppen's Cs zones show no distinction as long as winter temperature means stay above freezing. Additionally,
6732-406: The median home price was $ 583,000; this is lower than the median home price in Los Angeles, and Orange counties. According to the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $ 47,067, and the median income for a family was $ 53,438. Males had a median income of $ 36,952 versus $ 30,356 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,926. About 8.9% of families and 12.4% of
6831-559: The metropolitan area. ' The 2010 United States census reported that San Diego County had a population of 3,095,313. The racial makeup of San Diego County was 1,981,442 (64.0%) White , 158,213 (5.1%) African American , 26,340 (0.9%) Native American , 336,091 (10.9%) Asian (4.7% Filipino, 1.6% Vietnamese, 1.4% Chinese, 3.2% Other Asian), 15,337 (0.5%) Pacific Islander , 419,465 (13.6%) from other races , and 158,425 (5.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 991,348 people (32.0%). Including those of mixed race,
6930-401: The northeast. Although the county's western third is primarily urban, the mountains and deserts in the eastern two-thirds are primarily undeveloped backcountry . Most of these backcountry areas are home to a native plant community known as chaparral . San Diego County contains more than 1,000,000 acres (4,000 km ) of chaparral, twice as much as any other California county. Periodically
7029-473: The northwestern region of Baja California state in Mexico, including the areas around Tijuana and Ensenada . The metropolitan areas of Los Angeles , San Diego , and Tijuana are located in the southern coastal scrublands, and most of the scrublands have been lost to urbanization and agriculture . The plants of this community prefer the mild maritime climates found along Southern California's coastline. World Wildlife Fund estimates that only 15 percent of
7128-525: The numerous hills, mountains, and canyons). Frequently, particularly during the "May gray/ June gloom " period, a thick marine layer will keep the air cool and damp within a few miles of the coast, but will yield to bright cloudless sunshine approximately 5–10 miles (8.0–16.1 km) inland. This happens every year in May and June. Even in the absence of June gloom, inland areas tend to experience much more significant temperature variations than coastal areas, where
7227-549: The nursery trade dominated the county's agriculture by dollar value. Second place went to avocado production. The county has been called "the Craft Beer Capital of America". Brewing has been one of the fastest-growing business sectors with local breweries ranking among the 50 largest craft brewers in the United States and breweries that are consistently rated among the top breweries in the world. Commercial operations to grow, test, or sell cannabis are not allowed in
7326-496: The ocean serves as a moderating influence. Thus, for example, downtown San Diego averages January lows of 48 °F (9 °C) and August highs of 77 °F (25 °C). The city of El Cajon, just 10 miles (16 km) northeast of downtown San Diego, averages January lows of 42 °F (6 °C) and August highs of 89 °F (32 °C). Julian, in the mountains, has an average January low of 29 °F (−2 °C) and August high of 85 °F (29 °C). Borrego Springs, in
7425-496: The ocean, altitude and geographical location. The dry summer climate is found throughout the warmer middle latitudes , affecting almost exclusively the western portions of continents in relative proximity to the coast. The climate type's name is in reference to the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea , which mostly share this type of climate, but it can also be found in the Atlantic portions of Iberia and Northwest Africa,
7524-435: The population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over. Much of the county's high-income residents are concentrated in the northern part of the city of San Diego. The San Diego metropolitan area has two places with both a population of over 50,000 and a per capita income of over $ 40,000: Carlsbad and Encinitas . The county's largest continuous high-income urban area
7623-580: The precipitation pattern (" s " represents dry summers). Köppen has defined a dry summer month as a month with less than 30 mm (1.2 in) of precipitation and as a month within the high-sun months of April to September, in the case of the Northern Hemisphere and October to March, in the case of the Southern Hemisphere, and it also must contain exactly or less than one-third that of the wettest winter month. Some, however, use
7722-505: The rainfall is greater in the higher elevations of San Diego. Some of the higher areas of San Diego, such as Palomar Mountain and the Laguna Mountains , receive 20–40 inches (51–102 cm) of rain per year, supporting lush forests similar to the Sierra Nevada and California Coast Range . The Colorado Desert portion of the county lies to the east of the mountains, which receives the least amount of precipitation; Borrego Springs,
7821-530: The reason for this cooler type of Mediterranean climate. The other main reason for this cooler type is the altitude . For instance, Menton on the French coast has a Csa climate while Castellar, Alpes-Maritimes , the adjacent town just north of Menton, with an altitude between 100 and 1,382 m (328 and 4,534 ft), has a Csb climate instead. The village of Siah Bisheh in Northern Iran also has
7920-592: The recent effects of climate change . The native vegetation of Mediterranean climate lands must be adapted to survive long, hot summer droughts in summer and prolonged wet periods in winter. Mediterranean vegetation examples include the following: Many native vegetations in Mediterranean climate area valleys have been cleared for agriculture and farming. In places such as the Sacramento Valley and Oxnard Plain in California , draining marshes and estuaries combined with supplemental irrigation has led to
8019-451: The region for a well rounded experience, everything from shopping to surfing as well as its mild climate. Its numerous tourist destinations include Westfield UTC , Seaport Village , and Fashion Valley for shopping. SeaWorld San Diego and Legoland California as amusement parks. Golf courses such as Torrey Pines Golf Course and Balboa Park Golf Course. Museums such as the Museum of Us ,
8118-419: The south and mountains to the north. Those places routinely experience summer daily means of over 30 °C (86 °F) and daily highs above 40 °C (104 °F), while receiving enough rainfall in winter not to fall into arid or semi-arid classifications. As in every climatologic domain, the highland locations of the Mediterranean domain can present cooler temperatures in the summer and winter than
8217-546: The south coast of England such as Weymouth and Portland just scrape into this climate classification due to very low rainfall in July. A trend towards slightly drier summers during the 1971–2000 climate average period, meant that this classification previously extended slightly further to include a few other weather stations in southern England, such as Bognor Regis and Teignmouth . Rarer instances of this climate can be found in relatively small and isolated high altitude areas of
8316-413: The state. However, the two counties maintain weak relations and have little in common aside from their common border. The region has a high cost of living . This includes the highest cost of water in the United States. As of 2018 , San Diego County is within the top ten highest cost of rent in the United States; this has led to people moving out of the county. San Diego County's agriculture industry
8415-743: The subtropics also meet Cs requirements, though they, too, are not normally associated with Mediterranean climates. The same goes for a number of oceanic islands such as Madeira , the Juan Fernández Islands , the western part of the Canary Islands , and the eastern part of the Azores . Under Trewartha 's modified Köppen climate classification, the two major requirements for a Cs climate are revised. Under Trewartha's system, at least eight months must have average temperatures of 10 °C (50 °F) or higher ( subtropical ), and
8514-537: The sun. Poleward extension and expansion of the subtropical anticyclone over the oceans bring subsiding air to the region in summer, with clear skies and high temperatures. When the anticyclone moves Equator-ward in winter, it is replaced by traveling, frontal cyclones with their attendant precipitation. During summer, regions of the Mediterranean climate are strongly influenced by the subtropical ridge which keeps atmospheric conditions very dry with minimal cloud coverage. In some areas, such as coastal California ,
8613-461: The temperature and rainfall pattern for a Csa or even a Csb climate can exist as a microclimate in some high-altitude locations adjacent to a rare tropical As ( tropical savanna climate with dry summers, typically in a rainshadow region, as in Hawaii). These have a favourable climate, with mild wet winters and fairly warm, dry summers. The Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome
8712-468: The total number of residents with Asian ancestry was 407,984. As of 2009, the racial makeup of the county was 79.4% White American , 5.6% Black or African American , 1% Native American , 10.4% Asian , 0.5% Pacific Islander , 10.3% from other races , and 3.6% from two or more races. 31.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 67.0% spoke only English at home; 21.9% spoke Spanish, 3.1% Tagalog and 1.2% Vietnamese . As of 2018,
8811-702: The tropics, on Haleakalā Summit in Hawaii. In South America, Csc regions can be found along the Andes in Chile and Argentina. The town of Balmaceda, Chile is one of the few towns confirmed to have this climate. Small areas with a Csc climate can be found at high elevations in Corsica . In Norway, the small fishing village of Røstlandet , in Røst Municipality , above the Arctic Circle has
8910-426: The unincorporated areas of the county. Companies must be licensed by the local agency to operate and each city or county may authorize none or only some of these activities. Local governments may not prohibit adults, who are in compliance with state laws, from growing, using, or transporting marijuana for personal use. Tourism plays a large part in the economics of the San Diego metropolitan area. Tourists are drawn to
9009-791: The urban and suburban San Diego area straddles areas of Mediterranean climate (Csa) to the north and hot semi-arid climate (BSh) to the south and east. As a result, it is often described as "arid Mediterranean" and "semi-arid steppe." Farther east, arid desert conditions prevail. Western San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters with most of the annual precipitation falling between November and March. The city has mild, mostly dry weather, with an average of 201 days above 70 °F (21 °C) and low rainfall (9–13 inches (23–33 cm) annually). Summer temperatures are generally warm, with average highs of 70–78 °F (21–26 °C) and lows of 55–66 °F (13–19 °C). Temperatures exceed 90 °F (32 °C) only four days
9108-452: The western coasts of landmasses, between roughly 30 and 45 degrees north or south of the equator . The main cause of Mediterranean, or dry summer, climate is the subtropical ridge , which extends towards the pole of the hemisphere in question during the summer and migrates towards the equator during the winter. This is due to the seasonal poleward-equatorward variations of temperatures. The resulting vegetation of Mediterranean climates are
9207-541: The winter and summer due to higher evapotranspiration . Toward the polar latitudes, total moisture usually increases; for instance, the Mediterranean climate in Southern Europe has more rain. The rainfall also tends to be more evenly distributed throughout the year in Southern Europe, while in places such as Southern California , the summer is nearly or completely dry. In places where evapotranspiration
9306-410: The winter, with frost and snowfall almost unknown, whereas Tashkent has cold winters with annual frosts and snowfall; or, to consider summer, Seville experiences rather high temperatures in that season. In contrast, San Francisco has cool summers with daily highs around 21 °C (70 °F) due to the continuous upwelling of cold subsurface waters along the coast. Because most regions with
9405-554: The year for climate zones at such distances from coasts. In North America, areas with Csc climate can be found in the Olympic , Cascade , Klamath , and Sierra Nevada ranges in Washington, Oregon and California. These locations are found at high altitude nearby lower altitude regions characterized by a warm-summer Mediterranean climate ( Csb ) or hot-summer Mediterranean climate ( Csa ). A rare instance of this climate occurs in
9504-439: Was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males. In 2012, it was estimated that there were 198,000 unauthorized immigrants ; the origin of the plurality of them is Mexico . In 2018, the median household income was $ 70,824; most people spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. In August of that year,
9603-420: Was one of the original counties of California, created at the time of California statehood in 1850. At the time of its establishment in 1850, San Diego County was relatively large, and included all of southernmost California south and east of Los Angeles County . It included areas of what are now Inyo and San Bernardino Counties, as well as all of what are now Riverside and Imperial Counties. During
9702-518: Was part of Mexico . San Diego County became part of the United States as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, ending the Mexican–American War . This treaty designated the border to pass through a point one marine league south of the southernmost point of the port of San Diego, ensuring that the United States received all of the natural harbor of San Diego Bay. San Diego County
9801-499: Was worth $ 1.85 billion in 2013, and is one of the top five egg producing counties in the United States. In 2013, San Diego County also had the most small farms of any county in the United States, and had the 19th largest agricultural economy of any county in the United States. According to the San Diego Farm Bureau, San Diego County is the United States' leading producer of avocados and nursery crops . Until
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