My family moved to San Diego in 1950 from San Bernardino CA. We lived in National City , San Diego, Mission Valley and Ocean Beach. The biggest change over the time has to be Mission Valley. Around 1952 the freeway was built that went down the south side of the valley. We lived where the Hilton Hotel now stands on three acres. The freeway was so little used we could cross the freeway on foot. The dairy was a short walk to buy our milk, eggs and vegetables. I had to take a school bus along with the other kids that went to school at Roosevelt Jr. High. When the Mission Valley Inn opened, my mother would take my brother and I to swim in the hotel pool and have lunch. It was a beautiful valley with corn fields , small ranches and a Mission to go to church on Sunday. I'm thankful I got to see and live there before it changed.
I was 11 years old. The skyline in 1978 was and still my favorite - I have a Dr Pepper bottle with the 1978 SD skyline printed on the 16oz glass bottle
Born and raised in the 1950's,san diego was heaven,NOT NOW.It's over crowded,crime gangs,homeless,drugs,bad politics,and rogue police.Was there when mission valley was farm land,and when the beach was fun and not crowded.Used to swim at the childrens tide pool,torrey pines,and La Jolla cove.Was at OB pier the day it opened,and the sports arena had roller derby and all the good concerts.It breaks my heart the way it is today,I had to leave because today it is wrecked.
I grew up in the area in the 1960s. Sadly, the city planners seemed intent on putting something on Every Single Square Foot, and for the most part, succeeded. Open space is what makes Great cities, and sadly I think we passed that long ago, thanks mostly to developers somehow ending up on said planning boards.
Well I’m a transplant from the east coast and I’d hav disagree. San Diego is incredibly spaced out. Downtown is the most spacious open downtown area I’ve ever seen. It does not feel dense at all especially compared to Washington DC and Baltimore area I’m originally from
I was 9 years in that time I leave in ocean beaches since 1999 but I leave before in university Highs in the 89's. San Diego is the most beautiful city in USA.
When Horton built his mansion on 1st, between Fir and Grape, he built a 2nd house for his Mother in law on the site. My Grandmother owned it in later years. Where I would go with my family every week to visit. Torn down in the mid '60s 😢
I was 12 years old at the time, and SD life was awesome. I frequently saw the Chargers, Clippers, Padres and the Breakers (volleyball). Unfortunately, I can still remember local tragedies that year too.
Always liked San Diego. Lived there for about ten years on Mississippi St. near El Cajon Blvd. Would have stayed but became too expensive by the mid-nineties I was gone. Still visit and miss it at times.
People sure see the past through rose-colored glasses. I remember seeing Midway and Rosecrans full of hookers, back when the Pussycat Theater chain still existed and downtown was full of porn theaters and peep-shows. Market street was also full of hookers and drugs. Balboa Park was dangerous, especially at night where stabbings were common. Gang violence peaked in '78 (only surpassed in '92 as an all time high).
I patrolled Balboa park in '78 as an 18 yr old with the Citizens Task Force and a community group called the Dream Police. I am here to say that Balboa park is MUCH more dangerous now than then. MUCH. There's hard core crazies LIVING in the park now. Balboa park back then was alive at night and reasonably safe. I remember walking through the park during the second energy crisis when there was not a single light on at night there. There was that arsonist working back then though. He'd already torched the Electric Building [Aerospace museum] and a few years later he'd get the Old Globe and even later their festival stage. Less of THAT now for sure.
@@PomegranatesWeather On the contrary, 70s was before everyone turned to shitteo. That's why even their news footage could get 4K masters. If you ever can demand high quality, then from that era.
Well, I knew Mission Bay as just a bay. The coast along Point Loma north has eroded at least 100 feet. At Pescadero and Sunset the beach eroded even more.. many lots lost a good 100 feet. Today small rocks defend what's left. Where that huge coliseum is on 8 was a dairy and a pony ride on the side of hwy80. There were these thing called Vacant Lots. Now San Diego has all the charm of LA, Frisco, Detroit.
One of the things I loved about elementary school in El Cajon was the teaching of California history. I was 9years old and we got to go on field trips to all the Missions including San Juan Capistrano. The fact they are removing statues of Father Serra is just terrible. This is not the State I grew up in and I feel lucky to have been born and raised in San Diego getting to watch the Padres and the Chargers at San Diego Stadium.
I recently moved here but I can’t see myself here long term even tho I’d love to. It’s just not sustainable you can’t even buy a studio apartment under $500k. But, location.. people come here and pay these prices for a reason..
Grew up in San Diego and we found plenty to do without going downtown, There was a world-class zoo with free admission for kids. There were acres to explore at Balboa Park. Numerous neighborhood parks and rec centers. Roller skating at Palisades Gardens, swimming at the municipal pool in Morley field and the beaches were a bus ride away. My friends and I would go to Belmont Park at thirteen and fourteen years of age.
I was born in sandiego in 1998. And saw it go to complete crap in 2024. Expensive , infested with residential housing and expensive business charging you more money to cover inflation and rent than the actually Ham sandwich 🥪. Hope this changes some day
The inner city sections of San Diego(including Downtown) have gotten worse the last 10-15 years but most of the other areas are still nice. From Pacific Beach all the way to Carlsbad is still a great area.
@@patr70I was born and raised in San Diego, California. It’s not as beautiful and clean like when l was growing up. I remember when down town closed down at 6:30pm. We called San Diego the hidden Jewel back than. San Diego was a military and quiet city. I remember when Horton Plaza was being built down town in 1985.I worked in that mall in 1988. l was 19 at the time. Now it’s over run by illegal aliens coming in, homeless people and high cost of living out rages. I moved to Florida 4 years ago the cost of living and the people are so much better. I visit my family once a year.😎
@@yvonce7309 I also grew up in San Diego and have been here since 1980. I remember when Horton Plaza Opened(I was 15 years old). Horton Plaza was a nice upscale mall until around 2004 and then, along with Downtown San Diego, it became filled with Homeless, Drifters, Ex-Cons, and Crazy People. Like I said earlier it's the Inner City areas that got alot worse during the 2000s. The Suburbs of San Diego and the Coastal Areas(except for Ocean Beach) are still Nice Areas.
@@iluop3623 No.. not necessarily. South Bay is over 50 Hispanic and except for National City and parts of Imperial Beach it is a perfectly acceptable place to live. And parts of South Bay(Eastlake and Otay Ranch) are very nice areas. East County has been "invaded" by alot of Caldeans(People from Iraq) which are also considered "darker skin" and for the most part they are Lovely people. Over half of the people on my Dads block in East County(Rancho San Diego) are now Caldean/Iraqi and they never cause any problems, are clean, and raise their children well.
My family moved to San Diego in 1950 from San Bernardino CA. We lived in National City , San Diego, Mission Valley and Ocean Beach. The biggest change over the time has to be Mission Valley. Around 1952 the freeway was built that went down the south side of the valley. We lived where the Hilton Hotel now stands on three acres. The freeway was so little used we could cross the freeway on foot. The dairy was a short walk to buy our milk, eggs and vegetables. I had to take a school bus along with the other kids that went to school at Roosevelt Jr. High. When the Mission Valley Inn opened, my mother would take my brother and I to swim in the hotel pool and have lunch. It was a beautiful valley with corn fields , small ranches and a Mission to go to church on Sunday. I'm thankful I got to see and live there before it changed.
The good ol days
Progress is rarely better.
I was born in San Diego in Sept 1978. Loved this.
I was born at the brand new Sharp Hospital in 1958. Donald Sharp was killed in WW2
Interesting. I was born in 1958 and I moved to San Diego in September 1978. Back then the population was 950k. Now it is 3.5 million.
That was right around the time of that horrible plane crash ✈️😢❤🛩️🙏🏖️🌅😇👼😇🙏
I was 11 years old. The skyline in 1978 was and still my favorite - I have a Dr Pepper bottle with the 1978 SD skyline printed on the 16oz glass bottle
woah! You should upload a picture of that and drop a link
Gosh. I was only 4 y.o. when this first aired. Time flies.
Born and raised in the 1950's,san diego was heaven,NOT NOW.It's over crowded,crime gangs,homeless,drugs,bad politics,and rogue police.Was there when mission valley was farm land,and when the beach was fun and not crowded.Used to swim at the childrens tide pool,torrey pines,and La Jolla cove.Was at OB pier the day it opened,and the sports arena had roller derby and all the good concerts.It breaks my heart the way it is today,I had to leave because today it is wrecked.
I grew up in the area in the 1960s. Sadly, the city planners seemed intent on putting something on Every Single Square Foot, and for the most part, succeeded. Open space is what makes Great cities, and sadly I think we passed that long ago, thanks mostly to developers somehow ending up on said planning boards.
Nah. Not Every Single Square Foot. Not “Every Single Square Foot.” /
Well I’m a transplant from the east coast and I’d hav disagree. San Diego is incredibly spaced out. Downtown is the most spacious open downtown area I’ve ever seen. It does not feel dense at all especially compared to Washington DC and Baltimore area I’m originally from
I was 9 years in that time I leave in ocean beaches since 1999 but I leave before in university Highs in the 89's. San Diego is the most beautiful city in USA.
WAS!
I have a great great grandfather that helped settle san diego. His name was Alonzo Horton
Horton plaza ?
@@G9Classified9 yea that guy
@@duckbrew Legendary! Sad it closed man good times at Sam Goody’s lol
When Horton built his mansion on 1st, between Fir and Grape, he built a 2nd house for his Mother in law on the site. My Grandmother owned it in later years. Where I would go with my family every week to visit. Torn down in the mid '60s 😢
This is awesome. My elementary school was named after him. Alonzo E Horton elementary. Where did he come from?
Love san diego i miss my city 😢
I was 12 years old at the time, and SD life was awesome. I frequently saw the Chargers, Clippers, Padres and the Breakers (volleyball). Unfortunately, I can still remember local tragedies that year too.
Amazing no bums to be seen
There were homeless already but not in the numbers we have today. No.
Skid rows have always existed.....but homelessness has spread much larger these days.
Always liked San Diego. Lived there for about ten years on Mississippi St. near El Cajon Blvd. Would have stayed but became too expensive by the mid-nineties I was gone. Still visit and miss it at times.
think it was expensive then it’s ridiculous now
Gotta love Sandy Eggo
I spent my last 2 years 1996-98 in the Navy at NAS North Island. I loved it there the climate was great. But to expensive.
People sure see the past through rose-colored glasses. I remember seeing Midway and Rosecrans full of hookers, back when the Pussycat Theater chain still existed and downtown was full of porn theaters and peep-shows. Market street was also full of hookers and drugs. Balboa Park was dangerous, especially at night where stabbings were common. Gang violence peaked in '78 (only surpassed in '92 as an all time high).
Interesting history love learning REAL HISTORY about SD
I patrolled Balboa park in '78 as an 18 yr old with the Citizens Task Force and a community group called the Dream Police. I am here to say that Balboa park is MUCH more dangerous now than then. MUCH. There's hard core crazies LIVING in the park now. Balboa park back then was alive at night and reasonably safe. I remember walking through the park during the second energy crisis when there was not a single light on at night there. There was that arsonist working back then though. He'd already torched the Electric Building [Aerospace museum] and a few years later he'd get the Old Globe and even later their festival stage. Less of THAT now for sure.
I was 1 and from OB. ❤
I was just over a year old at this time.. San Diego is still one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Wow. Great stories. I remember that guy with the name..
I was 10 yrs old in 78’ lived in Logan heights it was a wonderful time. not like today
Stay classy San Diego!
Fascinating video, but why is it all blurry? Was the original film shot out of focus or was there a problem converting it to digital?
No HD in the 70s everything looked like that but living in that time you'd never notice that until 📺 and filming 📹 improved over time 😂
@@PomegranatesWeather On the contrary, 70s was before everyone turned to shitteo. That's why even their news footage could get 4K masters. If you ever can demand high quality, then from that era.
Well, I knew Mission Bay as just a bay. The coast along Point Loma north has eroded at least 100 feet. At Pescadero and Sunset the beach eroded even more.. many lots lost a good 100 feet. Today small rocks defend what's left. Where that huge coliseum is on 8 was a dairy and a pony ride on the side of hwy80. There were these thing called Vacant Lots. Now San Diego has all the charm of LA, Frisco, Detroit.
And yet, it is none of those things.
I was 18, living close to College Grove!!
I was 18, in OB. Would NOT want to be 18 now though.
One of the things I loved about elementary school in El Cajon was the teaching of California history. I was 9years old and we got to go on field trips to all the Missions including San Juan Capistrano. The fact they are removing statues of Father Serra is just terrible. This is not the State I grew up in and I feel lucky to have been born and raised in San Diego getting to watch the Padres and the Chargers at San Diego Stadium.
Liberalism gone amuck
Glad Wes Mantooth got this report filed before he died in battle.
I was 8
His first name is Shirley?
yes it was.
Yep.
Saaaan Diego
Our skyline has changed so much. And not necessarily for the better.
I was born there.... Home...
I recently moved here but I can’t see myself here long term even tho I’d love to. It’s just not sustainable you can’t even buy a studio apartment under $500k. But, location.. people come here and pay these prices for a reason..
I lived in san diego for my first 13 years of life and I went to downtown a total of 6 times. Not much to do there. Sea World rocks though
You were 13 lol
Hmmm their economy is largely based on tourism. I’d think there might be a few things to do considering all the people who travel there to vaca…
Grew up in San Diego and we found plenty to do without going downtown, There was a world-class zoo with free admission for kids. There were acres to explore at Balboa Park. Numerous neighborhood parks and rec centers. Roller skating at Palisades Gardens, swimming at the municipal pool in Morley field and the beaches were a bus ride away. My friends and I would go to Belmont Park at thirteen and fourteen years of age.
And now, in 2024, it's over developed, too expensive, and filled with homeless people.
Paradise Lost 💔😊
I was born in sandiego in 1998. And saw it go to complete crap in 2024. Expensive , infested with residential housing and expensive business charging you more money to cover inflation and rent than the actually
Ham sandwich 🥪. Hope this changes some day
San Diego sure went down hill
The inner city sections of San Diego(including Downtown) have gotten worse the last 10-15 years but most of the other areas are still nice. From Pacific Beach all the way to Carlsbad is still a great area.
@@patr70I was born and raised in San Diego, California. It’s not as beautiful and clean like when l was growing up. I remember when down town closed down at 6:30pm. We called San Diego the hidden Jewel back than. San Diego was a military and quiet city. I remember when Horton Plaza was being built down town in 1985.I worked in that mall in 1988.
l was 19 at the time. Now it’s over run by illegal aliens coming in, homeless people and high cost of living out rages.
I moved to Florida 4 years ago the cost of living and the people are so much better. I visit my family once a year.😎
@@patr70 Is it because of all the dark skin people?
@@yvonce7309 I also grew up in San Diego and have been here since 1980. I remember when Horton Plaza Opened(I was 15 years old). Horton Plaza was a nice upscale mall until around 2004 and then, along with Downtown San Diego, it became filled with Homeless, Drifters, Ex-Cons, and Crazy People. Like I said earlier it's the Inner City areas that got alot worse during the 2000s. The Suburbs of San Diego and the Coastal Areas(except for Ocean Beach) are still Nice Areas.
@@iluop3623 No.. not necessarily. South Bay is over 50 Hispanic and except for National City and parts of Imperial Beach it is a perfectly acceptable place to live. And parts of South Bay(Eastlake and Otay Ranch) are very nice areas. East County has been "invaded" by alot of Caldeans(People from Iraq) which are also considered "darker skin" and for the most part they are Lovely people. Over half of the people on my Dads block in East County(Rancho San Diego) are now Caldean/Iraqi and they never cause any problems, are clean, and raise their children well.