The culture of San Diego is wonderfully diverse. Although San Diego is California's second-largest city, it has retained the charm of a small town.

Within its borders of 4,200 square miles, San Diego Countyis comprised of 18 incorporated cities, including San Diego, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, Escondido, Julian, La Mesa, and Oceanside. From the seaside to the desert, and from the valleys to the mountains, San Diego County offers a varied landscape and climate, as well as regions with distinct local flavors and personalities.

The climate is conducive to a wide array of year-round activity, from the training of U.S. Marines and Navy personnel, to hosting professional sports events. Every year, San Diego hosts two world-class golf events — the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines (site of the 2008 U.S. Open) and the World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play Championship at La Costa.

San Diego is the only place in the world you will find the annual Over-The-Line (OTL) Tournament. This form of softball is said to be one of the last purely Southern California traditions left untouched by commercialism.