Sandwiched between the U.S.-Mexico border and Orange County, San Diego is quintessential California. In fact, San Diego is considered the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California and the birthplace of a state that is considered the 5th largest economy in the world.
Home to 3.3. million people, San Diego is comprised of 18 cities that offer a wide variety of geographic and lifestyle offerings, direct flights to Asia and Europe, and a thriving cross-border economy.
Cali-Baja: Two countries, one region
San Diego and Baja California (or Cali-Baja) work together to produce high-value goods and offer their residents a superior quality of life.
The Cali-Baja binational region (San Diego – Imperial County – Baja California) is a global leader in advanced manufacturing, including medical devices, electronic/semiconductor components, R&D services, wireless communications, and navigation instruments. $6.2 billion of the binational region’s exports stay within the Cali-Baja region.
Plus, just across the border, Tijuana International Airport offers additional direct international flights, with service to Latin America.
FDI IN SAN DIEGO
$1.5B
in foreign direct investment into San Diego County (2022)
71.8K
employed by foreign-owned enterprises (Q1 2023)
$4B
in VC funding (2023)
Why San Diego?
San Diego consistently ranks among top global innovation hubs. We’re #1 in military asset concentration and tech talent growth, and the #3 life sciences cluster in the U.S., with more than 100 research institutions and 10,800 STEM degrees conferred locally each year.
Home-grown companies such as Qualcomm, Illumina, Taylor Guitars, and Viasat are further evidence that our region is constantly innovating and reimagining the world that we live in. And global giants like TaylorMade Golf, BD, ASML, and Sony Electronics invest in San Diego offices, thanks to our highly-skilled technical talent and our love for doing work that matters. This is the place where life-saving research, life-altering innovation, and life-changing opportunity all come together.
Explore our key industries:
Life Sciences
Strategic Technology
Energy Transition
Life Sciences
The Life Sciences cluster has a deep history in San Diego’s innovation economy, contributing for nearly half a century to global advances in pharmacology, genomics, and medical device manufacturing. Seeded by globally-renowned research institutions, and fueled by private and public investment, San Diego has grown into one of the top three Life Sciences markets in the world.
Fast facts:
- 2M sq. ft. of lab space, with additional 5.1M under construction (CBRE, 2023)
- $2.6B Life Sciences VC raised (Connect, 2022)
- #5 in U.S. for life sciences research talent (CBRE, 2022)
More on: Life Sciences
Strategic Technology
A world leader in wireless and AI technologies, San Diego companies are driving local and global innovation that keep us all connected. Founded in San Diego in 1985, Qualcomm invented technologies at the heart of 3G and 4G wireless and the first smartphone, and continues to pioneer new technologies that range from 5G to artificial intelligence, and more.
Fast facts:
- 1 in 4 firms are engaged with AI (EDC, 2020)
- 108K STEM workers in San Diego (Lightcast, 2022)
- #1 metro for tech talent growth (LinkedIn, 2022)
- $3.9B VC raised (Pitchbook, 2023)
- 9+ unicorn startups valued at $1B+ (Pitchbook, 2023)
- $35M in direct military spending into San Diego’s economy (SDMAC, 2021)
More on: Aerospace | Cybersecurity | Defense | Software | Tech
Energy Transition
The San Diego clean technology industry is a collaboration between public, private, and academic organizations working together to deploy IoT technologies and advance urban connectivity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase water and energy efficiency, and drive economic growth in the San Diego region.
Fast facts:
- #1 greenest city (Wallethub, 2023)
- 50% renewable energy by 2030 in California
- 8K EV charging stations in the region (Cleantech San Diego, 2022)
- 5GW new offshore wind projects in CA (BOEM, 2023)
More on: Cleantech
Upgrade Your Quality of Life
Science and sunshine. Software and surf. Ranked the #1 most fun place to live in the U.S., joining our legacy of innovation, blazing-hot entrepreneurial ecosystem, and year-round sunshine means San Diego might just be your smartest move yet.
Explore what it’s like to live in San Diego, our favorite things to do (San Diego Zoo, anyone?), and the vibrant neighborhoods you’ll call home.
