Mission Valley, San Diego

The Spanish military governor Gaspar de Portolo took possession of the land near San Diego Bay on behalf of Spain. In 1769 the Spanish Franciscan Father from Majorca, Junipero Serra, founded the mission stations, the first of which was built in San Diego. A few years after it was founded, however, it was moved 6mi/10km inland, because disputes had arisen between the Spanish troops and the Indians. In 1775 the Indians set fire to the new mission; the Fathers sought refuge with the army and it was 1777 before they built a new mission station with the help of the Indians. However, it quickly became dilapidated following secularization. All that remains is a church with a bell-tower, declared a basilica in the seventies, a beautiful garden and a small museum.

Qualcomm Stadium is home to the San Diego Chargers, San Diego Padres, San Diego State University Aztecs, and Holiday Bowl. The stadium has had several names including San Diego Stadium, Jack Murphy Stadium and the current name stands until 2017. It seats over 70,000.

Diversionary Theatre, founded in 1986, produces plays with sexually diverse themes that portray both historical and contemporary characters.

Fashion Valley is anchored by JC Penney's, Macy's and Neiman Marcus.