San Diego is on the border with Mexico and has been influenced by Spanish missions from the eighteenth century, maintaining a strong Mexican cultural identity to this day.
San Diego was one of the most interesting stops on my short trip to California. I went with a friend and we stayed through couchsurfing at the home of a local guy who showed us the city through the eyes of someone who truly lives there.
San Diego is located at the far south of California, practically on the border with Mexico. This location has profoundly influenced its cultural identity. The city was founded as one of the first European settlements on the west coast, with Spanish missions from the eighteenth century, and for a long time it remained connected to the Mexican world before becoming part of the United States. Even today this dual identity is felt everywhere: in the language, in the food, in the architecture and in the general atmosphere.
San Diego is very different from the large Californian metropolises. It is lower, more open, brighter. The downtown, Downtown and Gaslamp Quarter, is the liveliest area in the evening, with bars and bustling streets, but it doesn't have the chaotic energy of cities like Los Angeles. Then there are neighborhoods that are very different from each other: La Jolla, elegant and overlooking the ocean, with cliffs and sea lions; Ocean Beach, more alternative and relaxed; and Pacific Beach, which perfectly represents the city's surfer lifestyle.
One of the most evident things is the strong surf culture. The beaches are true daily gathering points. People live with the sea as a normal part of their routine.
Food in San Diego is strongly influenced by the proximity to Mexico. One of the most prevalent symbols are tacos, in all their variations: meat, fish, vegetarian, often served in small restaurants or food trucks. Also very typical are California burritos, often huge and filled with various ingredients, and dishes based on fresh fish, especially in coastal areas. The cuisine here is simple but very flavorful, and it tells well the meeting between Mexican and American culture that characterizes the entire region.