The LA84 Foundation (known until June 2007 as the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles ) is a private, nonprofit institution created by the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee to manage Southern California's endowment from the 1984 Olympic Games . Under an agreement made in 1979, 40 percent of any surplus was to stay in Southern California, with the other 60 percent going to the United States Olympic Committee . The total surplus was $ 232.5 million. Southern California's share was approximately $ 93 million.
106-649: The LA84 Foundation's mission is to promote and expand youth sports opportunities in Southern California and to increase knowledge of sport and its impact on people's lives. Since inception, the Foundation has invested more than $ 225 million in Southern California by awarding grants to youth sports organizations, initiating sports and coaching education programs, and operating the world's premier sports library. Grants are awarded to organizations that provide on-going, structured youth sports programs combining
212-517: 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
318-572: 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
424-460: A chance to view rare plants and animals, and a playground for ATV and off-roading enthusiasts. The dunes are also popular in film making and have been the site for movies such as Return of the Jedi . The Colorado River streams through the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately 1,450 miles (2,330 km) long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of
530-709: 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
636-410: 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%
742-592: A five-member board elected by districts. Supervisors serve four-year terms. Other elected county officials include the Assessor, Auditor-Controller, District Attorney, County Clerk-Recorder, Public Administrator, Sheriff-Coroner, and Treasurer-Tax Collector. The county is run on a day-to-day basis by the County Executive Officer, who is currently Robin Hodgkin, on an interim basis. The county
848-529: A household in the county was $ 31,870, and the median income for a family was $ 35,226. Males had a median income of $ 32,775 versus $ 23,974 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 13,239. About 19.4% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over. Imperial County has the lowest per capita income of any county in Southern California and among
954-494: A hundred. Imported water and a long growing season allow two crop cycles each year, and the Imperial Valley is a major source of winter fruits and vegetables, cotton , and grain for U.S. and international markets. Alfalfa is another major crop produced in the Imperial Valley. The agricultural lands are served by a constructed agricultural drain system, which conveys surface runoff and subsurface drainage from fields to
1060-850: A local Quechan chief. This would lead towards the start of the Yuma War , with a Quechan-led coalition of tribes against the US army and their indigenous allies in Baja California and Sonora . In the First Yuma War, the Quechan laid siege on Fort Yuma in 1851, and forced the American garrison there to abandon the fort. The Americans returned to the area in 1852 and subdued the Quechan by destroying their villages and farmland, and killed any warriors that resisted, leading to Quechan surrender to
1166-487: 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
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#17327807039821272-685: A special emphasis on the Olympic Games . The traditional library has been supplemented by the development of an extensive electronic collection of 100,000 PDFs including scholarly publications, popular magazine and primary historical documents available at no cost on the LA84 Foundation website. The LA84 Foundation also hosts conferences and sponsors research on a variety of sport topics. The LA84 Foundations practical knowledge, acquired through years of direct involvement in youth sports, combined with its wide range of education services enables
1378-603: A subsidiary of the California Development Company , which at the turn of the 20th century had claimed the southern portion of the Colorado Desert for agriculture. The Imperial Land Company also owned extensive lands in Mexico ( Baja California ). Its objective was to develop commercial crop farming. By 1910, the land company had managed to settle and develop thousands of farms on both sides of
1484-468: 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,
1590-526: 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
1696-616: Is a desert, with high temperatures and low average rainfall of 3 inches (76 mm) per year, the economy is strongly based on agriculture. This is supported by irrigation , with water supplied wholly from the Colorado River via the All-American Canal . The Imperial Valley straddles the border between the United States and Mexico. Imperial County is strongly influenced by Mexican culture. Approximately 80% of
1802-437: 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
1908-563: 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,
2014-466: Is advised as to legal matters by the County Counsel, who is currently Katherine K. Turner. Previously strongly Republican, Imperial County is now a Democratic stronghold in presidential, congressional and local elections. The last Republican to win a majority in the county was George H. W. Bush in 1988 . However, in 2024 , Republican Donald Trump received 47.83% of the vote in the county,
2120-727: 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 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
2226-410: Is driven in part by California's mandate to generate 20% of its power from renewable sources by the end of 2010, the valley's excellent sun resources, the high unemployment, its proximity to large population centers on the coast, and large tracts of otherwise unusable desert land. Much of the land suitable for green energy is owned by the federal government ( Bureau of Land Management ). As of April 2008,
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#17327807039822332-451: Is fully operational by around 2015. CalEnergy runs a geothermal plant that generates enough power for 300,000 homes and could tap into more for up to 2.5 million homes. 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 the U.S. state of California . As of
2438-658: 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 the South Bay or South County, including South San Diego , an exclave of the city of San Diego which has no land connection to
2544-660: Is made from adobe, straw, and thousands of gallons of paint. It was created by Leonard Knight to convey the message that "God Loves Everyone". Knight refused substantial donations of money and labor from supporters who wished to modify his message of universal love to favor or disfavor particular groups. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park , portions of which are located in Imperial County, is the largest state park in California . 500 miles (800 km) of dirt roads, twelve wilderness areas, and many more miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience
2650-585: 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 was part of Mexico . San Diego County became part of the United States as a result of
2756-484: 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 is a border county . It is home to 18 Indian reservations ,
2862-405: The Colorado River , to Imperial Valley from 1948 to 1951. By the 1950 census, more than 50,000 residents lived in Imperial County alone, about 40 times the population of 1910. Most of the population was year-round, but would increase every winter by migrant laborers from Mexico. Until the 1960s, the farms in Imperial County provided substantial economic returns to the company and the valley. During
2968-622: The Great Recession of 2008–11, El Centro had one of the highest unemployment rates (above 30–34%) in the U.S. In the early 2020s, Imperial ranks as one of California's poorest counties. It has a lower median household income than either the state or national medians. Fort Yuma is located on the banks of the Colorado River in Winterhaven, California . First established after the end of the Mexican–American War in 1848, it
3074-520: The Imperial Valley . It borders San Diego County to the west, Riverside County to the north, the U.S. state of Arizona to the east and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. It includes the El Centro metropolitan statistical area and is part of the Southern California border region , the smallest but most economically diverse region in the state. Although this region
3180-594: 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 the county provide information on the level of threats from fires based on weather conditions. Northern San Diego County
3286-805: The Mexican border at the southern end of the Salton Sea in California's Imperial Valley . Situated along the Pacific Flyway , the refuge is the only one of its kind, located 227 feet (69 m) below sea level. Because of its southern latitude, elevation, and location in the Colorado Desert , the refuge experiences some of the highest temperatures in the nation. Daily temperatures from May to October generally exceed 100 °F (38 °C) with temperatures of 116–120 °F (47–49 °C) recorded yearly. The Museum of History in Granite in
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3392-854: 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
3498-536: 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,
3604-508: 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,
3710-579: The Rocky Mountains . The natural course of the river flows from north of Grand Lake, Colorado, into the Gulf of California . For many months out of the year, however, no water actually flows from the United States to the gulf, due to human use. The river is a popular destination for water sports, including fishing, boating, water skiing, and jet skiing. Salvation Mountain is an artificial mountain north of Calipatria, California , near Slab City . It
3816-447: The Salton Sea , which is a designated repository for agricultural runoff. Imperial County produces nearly 2/3 of all vegetables consumed by Americans during the winter. El Centro is the commercial center of Imperial County. Fifty percent of the jobs in El Centro come from the service and retail sector. A recent growth in the interest of Imperial County as a filming location, has spurred growth in servicing this industry. Because of
3922-601: 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
4028-475: 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 was one of the original counties of California, created at the time of California statehood in 1850. At
4134-457: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 4,482 square miles (11,610 km ), of which 4,177 square miles (10,820 km ) is land and 305 square miles (790 km ) (6.8%) is water. Much of Imperial County is below sea level. Imperial County is roughly twice the size in total square miles as the State of Delaware. Imperial county is bordered on the north by Riverside County ; on
4240-423: 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 a varied topography. On its western side is more than 70 miles (113 km) of coastline. Most of San Diego between
4346-620: The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied Imperial County legal standing in the case Hollingsworth v. Perry . Imperial County is in California's 25th congressional district , represented by Democrat Raul Ruiz . In the state legislature , the county is in the 36th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Eduardo Garcia , and the 18th Senate District , represented by Democrat Steve Padilla . The following table includes
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4452-655: The Western Interior Seaway . The Painted Gorge , located on the eastern side of the Coyote Mountains, consists of sedimentary , metamorphic and igneous rock ; Heat and movement over time has created fantastic shapes and colors. Dark ochre, iron-reds, royal purples, and mauves (mixed with dark browns/black) create a palette of color as the sun illuminates and plays shadows upon this geologic wonder. The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge protects wildlife habitat along 30 miles (50 km) of
4558-494: The census of 2000, there were 142,361 people, 39,384 households, and 31,467 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile (13 people/km ). There were 43,891 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 49.4% White , 4.0% Black or African American , 1.9% Native American , 2.0% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 39.1% from other races , and 3.7% from two or more races. 72.2% of
4664-471: The rosy boa . Located near Ocotillo, California in the Coyote Mountains , Fossil Canyon (and the surrounding area) is a great place for rock-hounding and fossil hunting. The fossils here are not necessarily of dinosaurs; more commonly found are ancient oyster and seashell , coral , and other marine life from the prehistoric Miocene epoch, when the entire area was submerged as part of
4770-461: The BLM has received 163 applications to build renewable energy projects on 1,600,000 acres (6,500 km ) in California. Almost all of these are planned for the Imperial Valley and the desert region north of the valley. Stirling Energy is currently building one of the world's largest solar thermal plants, 10 square miles (26 km ) with 38,000 "sun catchers," it will power up to 600,000 homes once it
4876-676: The Blue Angels' season with their first air show, traditionally held in March. The city of Imperial is home to the California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta which is the local county fair, held in late February to early March. It is also home to the Imperial Valley Speedway, a race track of 3 ⁄ 8 mile (600 m). The name Algodones Dunes refers to the entire geographic feature, while
4982-512: 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
5088-399: 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,
5194-492: The Foundation to serve as a leading forum for the exchange of ideas and exploration of issues in sport. In June 2007, the Foundation adopted the name LA84 Foundation to establish a unique identity and honor the spirit of the 1984 Olympic Games, which created the Foundation's endowment. The swimming stadium used for the 1932 Olympic Games has been renamed the LA84 Foundation/John C. Argue Swim Stadium. Argue
5300-799: 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
5406-535: The Spanish explorers any overland access to Alta California , despite Spanish attempts to mediate the conflict. Decades later, after the Mexican–American War , the northern half of the valley was annexed in 1848 by the U.S., while the southern half remained under Mexican rule. Following the war, another war would consume the region in 1850 after the Glanton Gang sabotaged Quechan ferry operators and mugged
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#17327807039825512-541: The US. The Second Yuma War would later see neighboring tribes erode much of the military advantages that the Quechan had left. Small-scale settlement in natural aquifer areas had occurred in the early 19th century (the present-day site of Mexicali ), but most permanent settlement was after 1900. In 1905, torrential rainfall in the American Southwest caused the Colorado River (the only drainage for
5618-656: The Union Pacific railroad skirts the eastern edge. The dune system is divided into three areas. The northernmost area is known as Mammoth Wash. South of Mammoth Wash is the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness established by the 1994 California Desert Protection Act. This area is closed to motorized use and access is by hiking and horseback. The largest and most heavily used area begins at Highway 78 and continues south just past Interstate 8 . The expansive dune formations offer picturesque scenery,
5724-507: The administrative designation for that portion managed by the Bureau of Land Management is the "Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area" (sometimes called the "Glamis Dunes"). The Algodones Sand Dunes are the largest mass of sand dunes in California. This dune system extends for more than 40 miles (64 km) along the eastern edge of the Imperial Valley agricultural region in a band averaging 5 miles (8 km) in width. A major east–west route of
5830-464: The border. The Mexican Revolution soon after severely disrupted the company's plans. Rival Mexican armies affiliated with different ethnicities killed nearly 10,000 farmers and their families in northern Mexico. Not until the 1920s was the other side of California in the United States sufficiently peaceful and prosperous for the company to earn a return for a large percentage of Mexicans. Some chose to stay and create roots in newly developed communities in
5936-511: The bottom five counties in the state. By 2006 the population had risen to 160,201, the population growth rate since the year 2000 was 30%, the highest in California and fifth highest in the United States in the time period. High levels of immigration, new residents search for affordable homes, and a search for retirement homes can explain the population increase. The county is governed by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors,
6042-477: The chance to see include the bobcat , coyote , golden eagle , kit fox , mule deer , mountain lion , red-tailed hawk and roadrunner , as well as the iconic desert subspecies of bighorn sheep (formerly more common, across the southwest U.S. and northern Mexico). Many varied reptile species call the area home, such as the banded gecko , chuckwalla , desert iguana , desert tortoise , desert sidewinder , gopher snake , kingsnake , red diamond rattlesnake and
6148-426: 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 the northeast. Although the county's western third is primarily urban, the mountains and deserts in
6254-403: 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 the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River , and it no longer covered the entire border between California and Mexico. According to
6360-432: The county's desert environment and proximity to Los Angeles, California , movies are sometimes filmed in the sand dunes outside the agricultural portions of the county. These have included Return of the Jedi , Stargate , The Scorpion King , and Into the Wild . Additionally, portions of the 2005 film Jarhead were filmed here because of its similarity to the desert terrain of Iraq . In 2016, Imperial County had
6466-427: The county's population is Hispanic, with the vast majority being of Mexican origin. The remainder of the population is predominantly non-Hispanic white, in addition to smaller African American, Native American, and Asian minorities. The indigenous peoples of the area were the Quechan along the Colorado River , the Kamia- Kumeyaay west of the Quechan, and the Cahuilla to the north. Spanish explorer Melchor Díaz
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#17327807039826572-417: 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 the historical Spanish name Diegueño), Luiseño , Cupeño , Cahuilla , and the Acjachemen people and their local predecessors. In 1542,
6678-433: 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
6784-405: The east by Yuma County , Arizona ; on the south by Mexico ; and on the west by San Diego County . The Colorado River forms the county's eastern boundary. Two notable geographic features are found in the county, the Salton Sea , at 235 feet (72 m) below sea level, and the Algodones Dunes , one of the largest dune fields in America. The county is in the Colorado Desert , an extension of
6890-426: 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 the area has been subject to wildfires that force thousands to evacuate. The most recent are the December 2017 Lilac Fire ,
6996-497: The economy is heavily based on agriculture due to irrigation , which is supplied wholly from the Colorado River via the All-American Canal . A vast system of canals , check dams, and pipelines carry the water all over the valley, a system which forms the Imperial Irrigation District , or IID. The water distribution system includes over 1,400 miles (2,300 km) of canal and with 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of pipeline. The number of canal and pipeline branches number roughly over
7102-468: The essential elements of teaching, learning and competition. The Foundation makes grants in the eight southernmost counties of California ( Imperial , Los Angeles , Orange , Riverside , San Bernardino , San Diego , Santa Barbara and Ventura ). Youth organizations in the Los Angeles area receive priority. The LA84 Foundation has made grants to more than 1,100 Southern California organizations since 1985. The LA84 Foundation has initiated programs to meet
7208-422: 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 the area for Saint Didacus , a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego. European settlement in what
7314-467: The former Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción . This site had been occupied by Camp Calhoun, named for John C. Calhoun , established in 1849. Fort Yuma was established to protect the southern emigrant travel route to California and to attempt control of the Yuma Indians in the surrounding 100-mile (160 km) area. NAF El Centro is the winter home of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels . NAF El Centro historically kicks off
7420-443: The highest percentage since 1988. On November 4, 2008, Imperial County voted 69.7% for Proposition 8 , which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages, showing more support for the proposition than any other strongly Democratic county. After Prop 8 was declared unconstitutional by a lower federal court, Imperial County continued to defend Proposition 8 in the federal judicial system. However, on February 6, 2012,
7526-435: The highest unemployment rate of any county in the United States, at 23.5%. Cotton in Imperial County and Riverside is predominantly Bt cotton . This is in contrast to the rest of the state, which largely relies on non-incorporated pesticides . The introduction of Bt cotton has dramatically reduced pesticide use here. Imperial Valley has become a hotbed of renewable energy projects, both solar and geothermal. This
7632-565: The larger Sonoran Desert . The Chocolate Mountains are located east of the Salton Sea , and extend in a northwest–southeast direction for approximately 60 miles (97 km). In this region, the geology is dominated by the transition of the tectonic plate boundary from rift to fault . The southernmost strands of the San Andreas Fault connect the northernmost extensions of the East Pacific Rise . Consequently,
7738-760: 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
7844-491: The lower Colorado River in Arizona and California , including the last un-channeled section before the river enters Mexico . The river and its associated backwater lakes and wetlands are a green oasis, contrasting with the surrounding desert mountains. It is a refuge and breeding area for migratory birds and local desert wildlife. The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is located 40 miles (64 km) north of
7950-466: 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
8056-559: 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,
8162-429: 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 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
8268-483: 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 the United States. San Diego County
8374-482: The number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense. Thousands of acres of prime farmland have transformed the desert into one of the most productive farming regions in California with an annual crop production of over $ 1 billion. Agriculture is the largest industry in Imperial County and accounts for 48% of all employment. Although this region is a desert, with high temperatures and low average rainfall of 3 inches (76 mm) per year,
8480-525: 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
8586-549: 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
8692-496: 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
8798-444: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 65.7% spoke Spanish at home, while 32.3% spoke only English . There were 39,384 households, out of which 46.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who
8904-435: 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
9010-571: 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,
9116-451: 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 ,
9222-623: The region is subject to earthquakes , and the crust is being stretched, resulting in a sinking of the terrain over time. Related to the active geology are some interesting hydrothermal features. The 2010 United States Census reported that Imperial County had a population of 174,528. The racial makeup of Imperial County was 102,553 (58.8%) White , 5,773 (3.3%) African American , 3,059 (1.8%) Native American , 2,843 (1.6%) Asian , 165 (0.1%) Pacific Islander , 52,413 (30.0%) from other races , and 7,722 (4.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 140,271 persons (80.4%). As of
9328-556: The region) to flood, including canals that had been built to irrigate the Imperial Valley. Since the valley is partially below sea level, the waters never fully receded, but collected in the Salton Sink in what is now called the Salton Sea . Imperial County was formed in 1907 from the eastern portion of San Diego County . The county was named for Imperial Valley. This had been named for the Imperial Land Company ,
9434-464: 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, the urban and suburban San Diego area straddles areas of Mediterranean climate (Csa) to the north and hot semi-arid climate (BSh) to
9540-654: 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
9646-431: The southeast border of the U.S. state of California . As of the 2020 census , the population was 179,702, making it the least populous county in Southern California . The county seat and largest city is El Centro . Imperial is the most recent California county to be established, as it was created in 1907 out of the eastern half of San Diego County . Imperial County is located in the far southeast of California, in
9752-413: 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
9858-460: 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 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
9964-468: 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,
10070-613: The town of Felicity exhibits granite monuments made from Missouri Red Granite. Each is 100 feet (30 m) long. Subjects include a Korean War Memorial, History of Arizona, The Wall for the Ages, the eight monument History of Humanity, and the History of the United States of America. Smaller monuments include the Felicity Stone (sm), a Rosetta Stone for the future located at the center of the History of Humanity monuments. According to
10176-426: 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
10282-610: The valley. During the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl , the county attracted migrating " Okies " from drought-ridden farms on the plains by the need of migrant labor. More prosperous job-seekers also arrived from across the U.S. in the 1930s and 1940s. American entry into World War II stimulated the growth of jobs and need to expanded agriculture, and the All American Canal was completed from its source,
10388-579: The wonders of the Colorado Desert . The park's name is a combination of the last name of Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza , and the Spanish word for bighorn sheep , borrego . The park features many sweeping vistas, washes ( wadis ), rocky outcrops, boulder-strewn hillsides, in addition to the vast expanses of sandy desert; in springtime (especially after periods of rain), these areas appear to change shape, as they come alive with blooming wildflowers , flowering and fruiting cacti and numerous other species of native flora. Fauna that visitors may also have
10494-583: The youth sports needs of Southern California and to create models that can be applied elsewhere. These include the LA84 Foundation Coaching Education Program as well as large-scale sports programs such as Summer Swim and Run 4 Fun, which serve nearly 20,000 children and teenagers each year. The Foundation's headquarters is the historic Eugene W. Britt House , a Registered Historic Place located at 2141 West Adams Boulevard in Los Angeles' Jefferson Park neighborhood. It
10600-452: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and the average family size was 3.77. In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 109.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.4 males. The median income for
10706-439: 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,
10812-690: Was formerly a sports museum that featured the Helms Athletic Foundation 's collection of sports books, film, photographs and memorabilia. First Interstate Bank and the Peter and Ginny Ueberroth Foundation donated the Helms Collection, house and grounds to the LA84 Foundation in the summer of 1985. The Paul Ziffren Sports Resource Center houses the world's premier sports library. The library maintains an extensive collection of books, periodicals, photograph and moving footage, with
10918-405: Was instrumental in bringing the 1984 Olympic Games to Los Angeles. He later served as chair of the LA84 Foundation. The foundation also played a vital role on Los Angeles' bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics , which marks the third time the city hosted the quadrennial games. Imperial County, California Imperial County ( Spanish : Condado de Imperial ) is a county located on
11024-595: Was one of the first Europeans to visit the area of the Imperial Valley in 1540. The explorer Juan Bautista de Anza also explored the area in 1776. The indigenous peoples in the county were also engaged in an armed regional conflict, with the Quechan leading a coalition with the Kumeyaay against the Maricopa -led coalition with the Cahuilla, Cocopah , and other tribes in modern-day Arizona. Constant warfare would deny
11130-524: Was originally located in the bottoms near the Colorado River, less than 1 mile (1.6 km) below the mouth of the Gila River . It was to defend the newly settled community of Yuma, Arizona , on the other side of the Colorado River and the nearby Mexican border . In March 1851 the post was moved to a small elevation on the Colorado's west bank, opposite the present city of Yuma, Arizona, on the site of
11236-499: 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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