Major Industries and Commercial Activity

San Diego's economy, once dominated by military and defense endeavors (now the city's second largest economic sector) is led by manufacturing, particularly in the areas of shipbuilding and repair, industrial machinery and computers, metals production, and the manufacture of toys and sporting goods. In 2002, manufacturing contributed $25 billion to the county's economy. International trade is an important part of San Diego's economy, accounting for 37 percent of its manufacturing dollars. In 2001, goods moving through San Diego customs totaled $33.6 billion. The border between the San Diego area and Tijuana is the busiest in the world.

Since the founding of San Diego, the city's economy has been tied to San Diego Bay, a natural harbor which today is one of California's five major ports. It is an important link in the nation's international shipping trade; the port's two marine cargo facilities are the National City Marine Terminal, which is a primary port of entry for Honda, Acura, Volkswagen, Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso, and Hino Motors vehicles; and Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, which handles a wide variety of commodities. The port also has a growing cruise ship operation, with more than 180 cruise ships docking annually.

San Diego's harbor has had the most significant impact on the local economy, however, through the Eleventh Naval District Headquarters, the base for the U.S. Navy Pacific fleet, which is located on the bay. San Diego is the Navy's principal location for West Coast and Pacific Ocean operations. Increases in military and homeland defense spending during the early 2000s has contributed to economic growth in San Diego. The military/defense industry is the city's second largest economic sector, bringing more than $13 billion into the local economy annually. The Marine Corps Base Camp Joseph H. Pendleton, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Station San Diego, and Naval Submarine Base, San Diego, are among San Diego's military installations.

With the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, a variety of historical and cultural attractions, and year-round good weather, San Diego is a top destination for tourists. In 2004, Travel and Leisure magazine ranked it America's second favorite city (behind Honolulu). San Diego's tourism industry is the third largest segment of its economy, with more than 26 million visitors to the county bringing more than $5.6 billion in annual revenues. Service industries have seen continued growth in recent years, specifically in areas such as dining, lodging, shopping and recreation services. San Diego regularly ranks as a top-10 U.S. vacation destination for international travelers.

The fourth largest segment of the economy is agriculture. San Diego County is the 20th largest agricultural producer in the nation. It is a top producer of nursery products, flowers, foliage plants, and avocados.

San Diego is a center for high technology and biotechnology. Nearly 160,000 high-technology workers are employed at 1,400 companies throughout San Diego. High technology growth areas include the biomedical, software, telecommunications and security sectors. Among all U.S. metropolitan areas, San Diego has the third largest concentration of biotech companies, with more than 32,000 biotech jobs at 499 companies.

Items and goods produced: acoustical materials, adhesives, airplane parts, bamboo, dairy products, electronics transmission and distribution equipment, plastic, rubber products, awnings, beverages, paper, clothing, dental products, detergents, computers, televisions