Hispanics and Latinos in San Diego

Hispanic and Latino Americans make up 30.1% (pop. 400,337) of the population of San Diego, California, and 35.0% (pop. 1,145,183) of San Diego County, with the majority of Hispanics and Latinos in San Diego being Mexican American.
The region has been shaped by the presence and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos ever since the discovery of San Diego by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542.
The Spanish established a presidio (fort) and Mission San Diego de Alcalá in 1769, marking the foundation of the city. Over the following decades, more missions were established throughout California, including the nearby Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. During the Spanish colonial period, which lasted until 1821, the region became an important location for trade and communication.
With Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, San Diego became part of Mexican territory. The period of Mexican rule saw the growth of a vibrant Mexican population in San Diego. The Californio rancheros, descendants of Spanish settlers, played a significant role in the development of the region. They engaged in ranching, agriculture, and trade, contributing to the economic prosperity of San Diego. Prominent Californio families and individuals, such as the Estudillos and Peruvian-born Juan Bandini, played a crucial role in shaping the city's development and cultural identity.
In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War, and San Diego, along with the rest of California, became part of the United States. This transition marked a pivotal point in the history of Hispanics and Latinos in San Diego, as their status and rights within the new American society were redefined.
Californios secured cultural and social recognition in the region, but were unable to control the political system. By 1860, most had left the area and the remainder were on the decline economically. Many Mexican Americans in San Diego left for Tijuana and other parts of Baja California, those who stayed faced various challenges during this period. Discrimination and political marginalization were prevalent, undermining their social and economic opportunities.
As San Diego grew in the early 1900's, the region also attracted Portuguese immigrants, with many of them settling in the Roseville-Fleetridge neighborhood in Point Loma, San Diego, with many employed in the city's tuna industry.
In World War II, Hispanics made major breakthroughs in employment San Diego and in nearby farm districts. They benefitted from new skills, contacts, and experiences provided by the military, filled many newly opened unskilled labor jobs, gained some high-paying jobs in the military installations and aircraft factories, and were welcomed by the labor unions, especially the Cannery Workers Union.
The civil rights movement in the United States had a profound impact on the Hispanic and Latino community in San Diego. Activists and organizations, such as the Chicano Movement, fought for equal rights, educational opportunities, and improved living conditions. Their efforts paved the way for greater inclusion and recognition of the contributions made by Hispanics and Latinos in San Diego.
Barrio Logan, located in the southeastern part of downtown San Diego, is a historically significant neighborhood predominantly inhabited by Mexican Americans. The community has deep roots tracing back to the early 20th century when Mexican laborers settled in the area, working in the nearby shipyards and canneries. Despite facing economic challenges and social injustices, the residents of Barrio Logan have demonstrated resilience and pride in their heritage.
Today, Barrio Logan is recognized as an important cultural hub and is renowned for its vibrant Chicano art scene. The neighborhood is home to numerous art galleries, studios, and mural-lined streets that showcase the creativity and activism of the local community. Chicano Park, established in 1970 beneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, stands as a symbol of cultural pride and activism, adorned with colorful murals depicting Mexican and Chicano history and culture.
Logan Heights, located just east of downtown San Diego, has a significant history and presence of Mexican American and Latino residents. It was established in the late 19th century as a residential area for workers in the booming industries of the time.
The neighborhood has been the site of significant civil rights struggles and community activism. During the 1960s and 1970s, Logan Heights was at the forefront of the Chicano Movement, advocating for social justice, educational equity, and fair representation. The community successfully fought against the displacement of residents due to urban renewal projects, preserving the neighborhood's cultural heritage.
City Heights, located in the eastern part of San Diego, is a diverse neighborhood that reflects the multicultural tapestry of the city. It has a significant population of immigrants from Central America, South America, and other Hispanic Caribbean countries. Over the years, City Heights has been a destination for refugees and immigrants fleeing political unrest, violence, and economic hardships in their home countries.
San Ysidro, located in the southernmost part of San Diego, on the Mexico-US border, is a vibrant community with a significant Hispanic and Latino population. It serves as a gateway between the United States and Mexico, characterized by its cultural diversity and strong ties to Mexican heritage.
San Ysidro has a rich history shaped by its proximity to Mexico and its role as a busy land border crossing. The community embraces its cross-border connections, with many residents having familial and cultural ties on both sides of the border. The neighborhood's cultural heritage is reflected in its diverse mix of Mexican, Central American, and other Hispanic and Latino populations.
The Roseville-Fleetridge neighborhood of San Diego holds the main street for Portuguese community and business known as Avenida de Portugal, the city's unrecognized Little Portugal district. Saint Agnes Catholic Church holds services in Portuguese twice a month and hosts the annual Festa do Espirito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit), a religious festival which has been staged every year since 1910 and is San Diego's oldest ethnic tradition. Many Portuguese San Diegans can trace their origins to the Azores and Madeira. Community members of the area have been seeking an official recognition for a Little Portugal district.
San Diego's Hispanic and Latino culture has deeply influenced its architecture, cuisine, and art. These cultural elements reflect the diverse heritage and traditions of the Hispanic and Latino communities in the region.
The Mission Revival architecture, prevalent in San Diego, pays homage to the Spanish colonial heritage. Inspired by the design of the California missions, this architectural style features elements such as red tile roofs, stucco walls, bell towers, and arched windows and doorways. Notable examples of Mission Revival architecture in San Diego include Santa Fe Depot and the Junípero Serra Museum, and can be found in the construction of schools, libraries, churches, and commercial structures.
Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, prevalent in the early 20th century, draws influence from the Spanish colonization period. Buildings designed in this style feature elements such as white stucco walls, wrought iron details, courtyards, and tilework. Balboa Park, home to numerous Spanish Colonial Revival buildings, including the California Building and the Museum of Us, showcases the grandeur of this architectural style.
San Diego's culinary scene is known for its diverse Hispanic and Latino influences, with several dishes becoming some of the representations of the local food culture.
Fish tacos, a staple of San Diego's cuisine, originated from Baja California but was first popularized by the Rubio's fast-food chain in San Diego. This dish consists of fresh fish, typically battered and fried, served in a soft tortilla with cabbage, salsa, and a squeeze of lime.
Carne asada fries, a San Diego creation, have also become a popular indulgence. While the exact origin of this dish is debated, Lolita's Mexican Food, a restaurant in San Diego, claims to have originated it in the late 1990s. Carne Asada Fries feature French fries topped with marinated and grilled carne asada, melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.
The California burrito was also created in San Diego, though the inventor of the burrito remains unknown since it first popped up in Mexican restaurants across the city. This burrito typically includes a flour tortilla filled with carne asada, French fries, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
The Surf and Turf burrito is also another burrito rooted in San Diego, which typically includes carne asada, shrimp, rice, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, guacamole, and salsa. Some variations of the Surf and Turf burrito utilizes two flour tortillas and could weigh up to 3lbs.
A variation of this burrito is the Del Mar Burrito which includes shrimp, rice, lettuce, and pico de gallo.
Flautas, (or more widely known as rolled tacos or taquitos,) had its Mexican-American origins in San Diego, when Consolidated Aircraft factory workers asked tortilla factory owner Ralph Pesqueria Sr. to make portable lunch items in 1940. Based on his grandmother's recipe, he developed the "Taquito", and sold it to his customers, and eventually opened his own restaurant, El Indio Mexican Restaurant. The dish consists of small rolled-up tortillas that contain beef, chicken, or cheese as a filling.
The city is also home to various food chains, such as Roberto's Taco Shop (founded in 1964) and Rubio's Coastal Grill (founded in 1963), which have played significant roles in popularizing Mexican cuisine in the region.
Chicano Park, located beneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge in Barrio Logan, stands as a vibrant outdoor gallery and symbol of cultural pride. The park is adorned with murals that depict Mexican and Chicano history, culture, and struggles.
The Spanish Village Art Center, situated in Balboa Park, was constructed with the intent of emulating a Spanish village. The center features studios, galleries, and shops where visitors can witness and purchase a wide range of artistic works, including paintings, ceramics, and sculptures.
Centro Cultural de la Raza, located in Balboa Park, is a cultural center dedicated to promoting and preserving Mexican, Chicano, and indigenous arts and culture. It hosts exhibitions, performances, workshops, and community events that celebrate the heritage and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities in San Diego.
The San Diego Latino Film Festival began in 1993 and focuses on diverse groups and culture in the Latino community through films.